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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-27 HEDC Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Thursday, July 27, 2017 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. January 19, 2017 5. New Business: a. Notes from April 20, 2017 No Action Required b. City Acquisitions within Gladstone Neighborhood c. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Housing Chapter d. Move October HEDC Meeting to September e. Progress Report on Business Engagement Program (No Report) f. Maplewood Business Council (No Report) 6. Unfinished Business: 7. Visitor Presentations: 8. Commission Presentations: 9. Staff Presentations: a. Development Summary (No Report) 10. Adjourn MINUTES OF THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA THURSDAY,JANUARY 19, 2017 6:00 P.M. 1.CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commissionwas held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 6:01p.m.byChairperson Jenkins. 2.ROLL CALL Commissioners Brian Finley, CommissionerPresent Mark Jenkins, ChairpersonPresent Jennifer Lewis, CommissionerPresent Benosi Maduka, CommissionerPresent Joy Tkachuck, Vice ChairPresent Dennis Unger, CommissionerPresent Warren Wessel, CommissionerAbsent Staff Michael Martin, Planner, Economic Development Coordinator Chris Swanson, Economic and City Code Specialist 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Jenkins asked staff for an update on the Maplewood Area EDA. Staff said that could be discussed under 5. b. under new business. Chairperson Jenkins moved to approve the agenda as amended with the addition of anupdate of the Maplewood Area EDAto be discussed under new business 5.b. Seconded by CommissionerFinley.Ayes –All The motion passed. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES CommissionerFinleymoved to approve the minutesfor July 13, 2016as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerTkachuck.Ayes –Chairperson Jenkins, Commissioner’s Finley, Lewis, & Tkachuck Abstentions –Commissioner Maduka, & Commissioner Unger The motion passed. January 19, 2017 1 Housingand Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes 5.NEW BUSINESS a.2016 Code Enforcement Year-End Report i.Environmental and City Code Specialist, Chris Swanson gave the 2016 Code Enforcement Year-End Report and answered questions of the commission. b.EEDD Update on Gladstone Neighborhood i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave the EEDD Update on the Gladstone Neighborhood and answered questions ofthe commission. No action was required. Maplewood Area EDAupdate–Staff gave a brief update on what has been discussed at past EDA meetings. c.2016 HEDC Annual Report i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave the report on the 2016 HEDC Annual Report. The commission discussed theitems under HEDC reviews as a group. Commission member Finley moved to approve the 2016 HEDC Annual Reportas presented. Seconded by Commission member Tkachuck.Ayes –All The motion passed. Chairperson Jenkins volunteered to represent the HEDC at thecity council meetingin February. d.Election of Officers (No Report) The commission decided to retain the same Chair and Vice Chair for 2017. Commissioner Tkachuck moved to nominate Mark Jenkins as the Chairperson. Seconded by Commissioner Finley. Commissioner Finley moved to nominate Joy Tkachuck to remain as the Vice Chairperson . Seconded by Chairperson Jenkins.Ayes –All The motion passed. e.Recap of Recent Business Engagement Outreach Events (No Report) i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave a recap of the Business Engagement Outreach Events. 6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. January 19, 2017 2 Housingand Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes 7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a.Maplewood resident,Kevin Berglundaddressed the commissionregarding the state of the city and economic development in Maplewood. 8.COMMISSIONPRESENTATIONS a.New Member Introduction(No Report) i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin introduced the newest HEDC commission member Benosi Maduka. ii.Commissioner Benosi Maduka introduced himself and shared why he decided he wanted to serve on the HEDC Commission. 9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS a.Development Summary(No Report) i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave a development update on projects in the city. Hill Murray, 2625 Larpenteur Avenue, for a new athletic field & restroom addition. Aldigrocery store, at Plaza 3000,3000 White Bear Avenue is under construction. Beyond Storage, 1515 Cope Avenue, an indoor storage facility at English & Hwy 36, construction is expected to begin sometime this spring. Maplewood Marine, at 1136 & 1146 Frost Avenue,CUPfor that building. Metro Heating & Cooling expansion, 2303 Atlantic Street North, (at the former Handy Hitch building) Alzheimer’sClinic, 1700 Beam Avenue, new building to be built. Health Partners is proposing a short term mental health rehabilitation clinic, 2715 Upper Afton Road, theproject so that Health Partners can meet with the neighborhood and the school regarding concerns about the project in a residential area. Hazelwood Medical building, Phase 2, 2945 Hazelwood. McDonald’s, 1797 Cope Avenue, istearing down the current building which has been there since 1972 and building a new building. Mapleridge Shopping Center, 2515 White BearAvenue, there is a proposal for 2 new buildings to be built in the parking lot of that shopping centerthat still needs to be heard by the city council. 10.ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Jenkinsadjourned the meeting at 8:07p.m. January 19, 2017 3 Housingand Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes MINUTES OF THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA THURSDAY,APRIL20, 2017 6:00 P.M. 1.CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Commissionwas held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at6:00p.m.byChairperson Jenkins.Because there was no quorum for the meeting there will be no approval of the agenda, no approval of the minutes and the items under New Businesswill be for discussion only and no action will be made. 2.ROLL CALL Commissioners Brian Finley, CommissionerPresent Mark Jenkins, ChairpersonPresent Jennifer Lewis, CommissionerAbsent Benosi Maduka, Commissioner Absent Joy Tkachuck, Vice ChairAbsent Dennis Unger, CommissionerAbsent Warren Wessel, CommissionerAbsent Staff Michael Martin, Planner, Economic Development Coordinator 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA There is no approval of the agenda due to a lack of quorum. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES There is no approval of the January 19, 2017 HEDC minutes due to a lack of quorum. 5.NEW BUSINESS a.Update on Agreement between Maplewood Area EDA and Larkin Dance Studio i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave the update on the agreement between the Maplewood EDA and the Larkin Dance Studio as informational only due to a lack of quorum. b.City Acquisitions of 1160 Frost Avenue and 1375 Frost Avenue i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave an update on potential and recent property acquisitions in the Gladstone neighborhood. c.2040 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave the report on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Commissioner Finley volunteered to serve on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Staff added that Commissioner Tkachuck had stated she may be interested in serving on the committee as well but staff will reach out to Joy regarding this opportunity. April 20, 2017 1 Housingand Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes d.Progress Report on Business Engagement Program (No Report) i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave the update on the progress report forthe Business Engagement Program. e.Maplewood Business Council (No Report) i.Economic Development Coordinator, Michael Martin gave anupdate on the Maplewood Business Council.There will be invitations sent out for an upcoming meeting in June inviting people to attend. 6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. 8.COMMISSIONPRESENTATIONS None. 9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS a.Development Summary (No Report) 1)Phase II of the Frost English Villageproject has approval for 107 units of market rate 55+ senior housing. 2)LivInn Suites, 285 Century Avenue North,received approval for a small building addition to prep food. 3)3M demolished a 2-story parking ramp and is building a new 4-story parking ramp. The next HEDC meeting will be Thursday, July 20, 2017. Staff will send out a reminder to add it to your calendar. 10.ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Jenkinsadjourned the meeting at 6:35p.m. April 20, 2017 2 Housingand Economic Development CommissionMeetingMinutes MEMORANDUM TO:Melinda Coleman, City Manager FROM:Michael Martin, Economic Development Coordinator DATE:July 13, 2017 SUBJECT:City Acquisitions within Gladstone Neighborhood Introduction At the January 19, 2017housing and economic development commission meeting, staff provided the commission an update on several projects and initiatives the department is workingonfor2017and beyond.One of those projects included the continued redevelopment of the Gladstone Neighborhood. Discussion Gladstone Neighborhood Redevelopment As the redevelopment of the former Maplewood Bowl site continues, staff is looking for ways to continue this effort in other areas of the neighborhood. One of the repeated themes staff has heard from developers isthe site prep costs in this neighborhood are prohibitive and create difficulties in continuing the revitalization of this important neighborhood. As a response to this barrier, in the existing capital improvement plan (CIP) the city council tagged $4.75 million to be used for the acquisition of property for redevelopment. Specific properties will be identified and the City may act as developer or in agreement with a private developer to acquire and demolish existing buildings and property for development in accordance with the approved Gladstone Master Plan and the City's Comprehensive Plan. The CIP has thiswork slated to start in 2018. That is when the funding would be available, staff has already begun the process of analyzingproperties and contacting property owners to gauge interest. In the interim, threeproperties have become available and the city council approved two purchase agreements to acquire the properties in 2017 using existing funds within the city’s EDA and redevelopment budgets. The thirdproperty is expected to be brought before the city council later this summer. Vacant Property East of 1247 Frost Avenue East As part of the effort to contact all of the property owners west of the Frost-English Village project,staff is beginning to receive interest from property owners to sell land. This parcel involves the vacant 0.17 acre sandwiched between Frost-English Village which is located at 1265 Frost and 1247 Frost. The city council approved an agreement with the property owner of the vacant property east of 1247 Frost Avenue. This site is guided and zoned for mixed use development. The intent would be for the city to hold this land and work towards potential acquisition of additional properties in this part of Gladstone to ultimately beused in redevelopment projects. 1160 Frost Avenue East The city council approved anagreement with the property owner of 1160 Frost Avenue. Thepreviousowner purchased this property tax forfeit directly from Ramsey County. The owner then used the property as storage for junk vehicles which the zoning code does not allow. The property owner was responsive to the city’s orders to comply with the zoning code and cleaned up the property. As the owner didnot have a use for the property the city engaged on a potential purchase. The site is guided and zoned for medium density residential housing. The intent would be for the city to hold this land and to work with a developer on potential acquisition of vacant land surrounding this parcel for a housing development. 1375 Frost Avenue –Gladstone House For much of the past year, staff has been in negotiation with Dr. Elmer Salovich over the purchase of 1375 Frost Avenue –the former “Gladstone House.” This structure has been home to several uses –bakery,church, furniture store, etc. –but has been vacant for more than 10 years and is in very poor condition. The intention is to demolish the structure and ready the property for new development. The city also owns a vacant parking lot across the street, adjacent to the Philippine Center of Minnesota. The Philippine Center of Minnesotain turn owns a vacant parking lot next to the Gladstone House building. City staff will explore options with the Philippine Center of Minnesotafor transferring ownership of the two lots. Budget Impact Monies to acquire the properties will be utilized from the city’s EDA and redevelopment funds. All purchase agreements and allotments on funds will have to be approved by the city council. Recommendation No action required. Attachment 1.Location map –1375 Frost Avenue East 2.Location map –1160 Frost Avenue East 3.Location map –East of 1247 Frost Avenue East Attachment 1 Vacant Property East of 1247 Frost Avenue East June 23, 2017 City of Maplewood Legend ! I 0120 Feet Source: City of Maplewood, Ramsey County Attachment 2 April 13, 2017 City of Maplewood Legend ! I 0240 Feet Source: City of Maplewood, Ramsey County Attachment 1375 Frost Avenue East April 13, 2017 City of Maplewood Legend ! I 0240 Feet Source: City of Maplewood, Ramsey County MEMORANDUM TO:Melinda Coleman, City Manager FROM:Michael Martin, AICP, Economic Development Coordinator DATE:July 13, 2017 SUBJECT:2040 Comprehensive Plan –Housing Chapter Introduction Every 10 years, all Twin Cities metro cities and counties are required to update its comprehensive plan to ensure compatibility with the plans adopted by the Metropolitan Council. Chapters and areas of focus include land use, housing, sustainability, parks, natural resources, transportation, historical resources, surface water and sanitary sewer. As a point of information, all information related to the plan update can be found atthe project’s website –www.maplewoodmn.gov/2040. Discussion Involvement from staff, appointed officials, and elected officials is imperative to a successful comprehensive planning process. As part of the comprehensive planning update process, city staff is committed to providing updates and presentations to housing and economic development commission (HEDC)to keep the group apprised of progress and to seek feedback and direction on various ideas and initiatives. At the July 27 2017 HEDC meeting, the commission will be provided information regarding the city’s economic profile–for both the housing and business sectors. Staff will also walk through the existing 2030 Comprehensive Plan housing chapter and discuss where progress has been made and what areas need more emphasis. As part of this presentation, staff will ask the HEDC for feedback and guidance on issues and opportunities within the city that can be addressed as part of this plan update and to provide some direction on where the comp plan should go in terms of housing and economic development. Recommendation Noaction required Attachments 1.2030 Comprehensive Plan –Housing Chapter Attachment 1 Chapter 4: Housing Introduction As a mature community, Maplewood has many challenges and opportunities to maintain and provide housing choice and life-cycle housing for its residents. Maplewood considers its housing stock to be a critical building block ofits neighborhoods and community development efforts. The livability and appearance of neighborhoods and the housing within them, is a quality of life indicator for the City. As a sustainable community, Maplewood will provide housing opportunities for its workforce, young professionals, families, special needs and senior residents as well as its business and corporate owners. Diverse housing supports economic development by keeping existing residents, attracting new people from all social and economic classes and is essential for sustaining an ever changing and developing population. Businesses need employees and employees need housing. The City has been a leader at providing for workforce and affordable housing and will continue to provide opportunities foradditional housing for all segments of the population. Housing is the most significant form of development in Maplewood. More than 90 percentof Maplewood’s2030 land use plan is devoted to residential land uses. The housing supply determines who lives in Maplewood. The character of neighborhoods plays an important role in shaping the character and identity of the City.The purpose of the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan is to identify housing needs and to provide a foundation for local decision-making to guide residential development and redevelopment efforts in Maplewood. State Law requires that the Comprehensive Plan contain a housing element that includes “standards, plans and programs for providing adequate housing opportunities to meet existing and projected local and regional housing needs, including but not limited to the use of official controls and land use planning to promote the availability of land for the development of low and moderate income housing” (Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.859, Subd. 2c). The Comprehensive Plan must also include a housing implementation program that describes “official controls to implement the housing element of the land use plan, which will provide sufficient existing and new housing to meet the local unit’s share of the metropolitan area need for low and moderate income housing” (Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.859, Subd. 4). The Housing Chapter focuses on Maplewood’s housing goals and objectives, not on the background information that shapes these plans. Information on housing in Maplewoodcan be found in several places. The Community Profilechapter(Chapter 2)includes a summary of key communitycharacteristics and recent growth trends. Purpose The intent of the Housing Chapter is: Describe the current housing stock. Quantify the number of housing units by type. Describe the services and amenities that affect the quality and desirability of neighborhoods. Set goals for affordable housing and a mix of housing types to meet the life-cycle housing needs of Maplewood residents. Identify strategies for achieving those goals. Housing4-1 Attachment 1 Goals and Objectives The City of Maplewoodhasdeveloped housing goals and objectives. The goals and objectives are the foundation of thisplan. The City’s housing plan is based on these goals and objectives. Further discussion in the chapter will address how certain future decisions will achieve these goals and objectives. The goals and objectives are listed below. Goal 1: Encouragethat the quality of housing in residential neighborhoods be maintained to meet the needs of current and future residents. Objectives: 1. Have a variety of housing types for ownership and rental for people in all stages of the life-cycle. 2. Have a balanced housing supply, with housing availability for people at all income levels. 3. Accommodate all racial and ethnic groups in the purchase, sale, rental and location of housing in the City. 4. Promote housing development that respects the natural environment of the City while striving to meet the need for a variety of housing types and costs. 5. Promotesustainable housing that is energy efficient, utilizes green building techniques, and targeted funding programs for housing rehabilitation. 6. Have single-family detached houses with an average density of at least 3 units pernetacre and multifamily housing with an average density of at least 10 units per net acre. 7. Promote the availability of a full-range of services and facilities for its residents, and the improvement of access to and linkage between housingand employment. 8. Promote and protect small businesses as areas of the City experience new residential development. Goal 2:Promote efforts to upgrade, enhance and maintain existing housing stock. Objectives: 1. Promote organization of neighborhood groups to organize residents, identify and address issuesand advocate for neighborhood preservation, enhancement and assistance. 2. Partner with agencies and community groups to institute quality of life improvements atdistressedhousing sites and encourage reinvestment in older properties to maintain theirappearance, functionality and value. 3. Update ordinances to maintain housing functionality, livability and to address new technologies, market trends and resident needs. Housing4-2 Attachment 1 Goal 3:Accomplish the adopted Livable Communities Goals for affordable housing. Objectives: 1. Maintain strong partnerships with the Metropolitan Council and other agencies/programs to provideaffordable housing, support programs and services, and for assistance with the availablefinancing programs. 2. Encourage future affordable housing units (funded by other agencies) as part of mixed-useprojects and/or as a component of new owner-occupied or renter-occupied multiple-family. Goal 4:Maintaincity-wide housing goal of 75 percent owner-occupied units and 25 percent rental units. Objectives: 1. Work with lenders and social service agencies to provide financial literacy and special programs toencourage and increase homeownership. 2. Concentrate housing redevelopment efforts toward providing life-cyclehousingin Maplewood. Existing Housing Stock The overall condition of the City’s housing units is good, although there are small, isolated areas that have homes with the potential to deteriorate. However, as the housing stock in Maplewood continues toage, steps needto be takento ensure high quality housing. To ensurethis, the City adopted a housing maintenance code that enables officials to require owners to maintain and make basic repairs to their structures. The City also has a “Truth-in- Housing” ordinance that is intended to help potential buyers make a more-informed buying decision. Construction duringthe 2000s A total of 913 housing units were built between 1998 and 2007 in Maplewood. As of April 2006, there were 14,643 housing units in Maplewood. Table 4.1 shows that single-family detached units represent about 61 percent of the City’s housing units. Table 4.1 Housing Units by Type, 2000 Number of UnitsPercent Single-Family8,58961.3% Multi-Family 4,63333.1% Manufactured Housing 7835.6% Total14,005100.0% Source: US Census Multi-family housing consists of 33.1 percent of the City’s housing stock and manufactured housingconsists of 5.6 percent. Housing4-3 Attachment 1 Housing Types and Trends Table 4.2data reveals that nearly 58 percent of the City’s housing stock has been built since 1970. Table 4.2 Age of Housing Stock, 2000 Number of UnitsPercent Built 1999 to March 20003812.7% Built 1995 to 19981,000 7.1% Built 1990 to 19941,410 10.1% Built 1980 to 19892,565 18.3% Built 1970 to 19792,741 19.6% Built 1960 to 19691,642 11.7% Built 1950 to 19592,690 19.2% Built 1940 to 19497075.0% Built 1939 or earlier8696.2% Total:14,005 100.0% Source: US Census Maplewood has traditionally had a higher than average percentage of owner-occupied housing units. The ratio of owner-occupied to rental housing rose slightly over the last decade. According to Table 4.3, more than three-fourths of the housing stock isowner occupied and one-quarterarerental units. Table 4.3 Owner and Renter Occupied Units 19902000 PercentPercent Owner occupied69%76% Renter occupied31%24% Source: US Census There is a diversity of styles and price ranges in the homes in Maplewood. Older homes on smaller lots provide opportunities for first-time buyers in the Western Hills, Parkside and Gladstone neighborhoods. Opportunities for low- and moderate- income households are available in manufactured home parks and in a variety of types and locations of multiple dwellings. The move-up housing market is strong with these choices available throughout the City. Buyers can find more expensive housing in the Hillside, Vista Hills, Highwood and Kohlman Lake neighborhoods. Housing4-4 Attachment 1 According to Table 4.3, themedian value of a home is roughly $14,000 lower than the rest of the Twin Cities. Table 4.3 Median Home Value, 2000 Median value Maplewood$ 125,900 Twin Cities $ 139,200 Source: US Census Table 4.4 shows that median rent is slightly higher in Maplewood than the rest of the Twin Cities. Table 4.4 Median Rent, 2000 Median Rent Maplewood$ 688 Twin Cities $ 641 Source: US Census Housing Assistance Maplewood participates in several programs that assist households in the City. The Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority managethe Rehabilitation Loan Program, the Section 8 and Section 236 Rental Assistance Programs. In addition to the individual system of vouchers, there are four complexes providing subsidized housing for families and the elderly: Maple Ponds, 1816 and 1854 Beebe Road; Maplewood Gardens, 410 South McKnight Road; Maple Knolls, 1880 Mesabi Road; and Concordia Arms, 2030 Lydia Avenue. Maplewood participates in several loan programs funded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and managed by local lenders. These include the Great Minnesota Fix-Up Fund, the Home Energy Loan Program, the MHFA Single-Family Mortgage Loan Program, the Home Ownership Assistance Fund, the Purchase Plus Program and the Urban Indian Housing Program. Development Ordinances The Maplewood Zoning Ordinance includes seven districts which permit single-family detached housing. The minimum lot areas range from 7,500 square feet to 2 acres. The R-2 district also allows two-family dwellings, and the R-3 district permits multi-family developments ranging upwards from four units per net acre. It should be noted that when this Comprehensive Plan is adopted work will begin on updating the City’s residential Zoning Ordinances. The City has also adopted many ordinances that affect development and housing. These include a Shoreland Overlay District to protect shoreland areas, an Environmental Protection Ordinance to protect areas of significant natural features (including wetlands and large trees), a Pipeline Setback Ordinance to protect buildings from pipeline leaks, and a Housing Maintenance Code. The City also has a “truth-in-housing” ordinance. Maplewood intends this ordinance to help purchasers make an informed buying decision. The ordinance also may promote privately negotiated housing repairs at the time of sale. The City requires sellers to have a housing disclosure report that discloses information about the condition of the property, and highlight any potential repair needs or housing code deficiencies. Housing4-5 Attachment 1 Housing Needs and Trends The demographic information contained inthis chapter and Chapter 2 of the Comprehensive Plansuggests that major changes in the composition of the populations will affect the City of Maplewood over the next 20 years. The large group of baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1965, sharply boosted housing production during the 1970s and 1980s as they formed new households. A generation has followed the baby boomers that issmaller in numbers. As these two groups move through their life-cycles, they will change the housing market. Some changes include: There may be less demand for rental housing as the typical renter age group moves into owner- occupied structures. However, the elderly may be looking to move from owner-occupied units to rental units –offsetting the decline. Household composition hasshifted. The US Census Bureauestimates that, between 1985 and 2000, 69 percent of the growth in new households will be in nontraditional households. Almost 14 percent will be in female, single-parent families whose median income is less than half the regional median. Of these, more than 30 percent will be living in poverty. This may not only affect the housing market, but may also place a greater strain on the public to provide more affordable housing options. There may be less subsidized housing. The changing household structure is occurring when the future of much of the region’s subsidized housing is unclear. During the 1990s, more than 5,000 contracts for subsidized housing units between the federal government and investment housing owners expired. The federal government did not replace many of these contracts. Rehabilitation needs may increase. As the housing stock continues to age, residential properties will need more repairs and maintenance. The need for elderly housing is increasing and may increase sharply as the baby boomers age. Livable Communities Act On November 13, 1995 the Maplewood City Council adopted a resolution to participate in the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act. This act requires the participating communities to adopt housing agreements and to set an action plan for housing activities. A major focus of the Livable Communities Act is to promote the development and preservation of affordable and life- cyclehousing throughout the metropolitan area. The Metropolitan Council has set the goal of an additional 388 affordable units in Maplewood by 2020. Housing Affordability Housing costs continue to rise throughout the region for a variety of reasons. These include increasing land and construction costs, utilities and taxes, declines in government aid programs and, indirectly, land use regulations. These cost increases greatly affect low- and moderate-incomes households. Changes in mortgage interest rates also affect the affordability of housing. Housing4-6 Attachment 1 Financing The City, through its Housing and Redevelopment Authority(HRA), will explore all avenues for financing affordable housing, including: Use of tax-exempt and tax-increment financing Programs; including grants, loans and federal tax credits, for housing assistance, development and rehabilitation. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has the following programs: o Minnesota Mortgage Program o Homeownership Assistance Fund o Purchase Plus Program o Partnership for Affordable Housing o Entry Cost Homeownership Program (ECHO) o Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program o New Construction Tax Credit Mortgage/Builders Loans o Low and Moderate Income Rental Program o Deferred Loan Program o Revolving Loan Program o Great Minnesota Fix-Up Fund o Mortgage Revenue Bonds o Mortgage Credit Certificates Programs available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These programs include: o Section 8 Rental Vouchers and Certificates o Home Investment Partnership Program o Section 202 – Elderly o Section 811 – Handicapped Programs and funds available through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority and through the Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Act. Community Development Block Grants and other programs through Ramsey County. Maplewood already participates in several of the above-listed programs, with other government agencies and with developers. Rental Assistance The City, through the HRA, will continue to participate in rental assistance programs, including those available through the Metropolitan HRA and the federal government. Housing4-7 Attachment 1 Energy Efficiency The City will promote energy efficient improvements in all types of housing units to help keep them affordable. Maplewood will provide information and, when available, financial help for both owner-occupied and rental units. Housing Diversity Most of Maplewood’s housing issingle-family homes. The Metropolitan Council has a goal calling for each community to provide housing types other than single-family homes. The City will continue to work toward this goal through its land use plan and zoning ordinances.The City will make efforts to provide for the housing and service needs of the elderly and disabled. The City will also encourage development of housing and services which meet the needs of nontraditional households. Neighborhood Quality It is important to assure that the efforts to provide life-cycle housing are accomplished so that it is compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods and with respect to the environment. It is also important to prevent housing in older neighborhoods from deteriorating. Much of this housing was built before Maplewood became a village, when building codes were not in place. There are deteriorating housing units scattered throughout the City. In the future, these units may become less attractive to home buyers, thereby depreciating housing values. To address these concerns, the City adopts the following policies: 1. Plan and design new housing to: a. Protect existing housing, natural features, and neighborhood identity and quality. b. Assure there are adequate utilities, community facilities and convenient shopping. 2. Maintain or strengthen the character or neighborhoods and assure that allhousing units are safe, sanitary, secure, and free from blight. The City also adopts the following neighborhood quality policies: 1. The City will work to protect the integrity and long-term viability of residential neighborhoods and reduce potential negative effects of commercial or industrial land uses through zoning, site plan review and code enforcement. 2. Maplewood will require and enforce high design and maintenance standards for multi-family residential development. Design standards will include provisions about building massing, architectural design, off- street parking ratios and location, access, traffic impacts, landscaping, fencing or screening, trash handling, tot lots and parks. 3. The City will allow affordable housing in any location suitable for residential uses. 4. The City will assure that new development respects the natural environment to the maximum practical extent. Housing4-8 Attachment 1 5. Maplewood will continue to use its Shoreland, Floodplain and Environmental Protection Ordinances to assure protection of lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands, steep slopes and woodlots. 6. The City will continue to encourage the maintenance of its housing through its housing maintenance codes. The City’s truth-in-housing program also should encourage housing maintenance. 7. The City, through its HRA, will participate in programs to help property owners with home maintenance and improvements through loans and, if available, grants. 8. Building within the character of the neighborhood when new construction/redevelopment occurs. Housing Action Plan Table 4.5 on thenext two pages lists activities that the City should undertake to carry out the Housing Plan. Housing4-9 Attachment 1 Table 4.5 Housing Action Plan ActionResponsibilityTimingFundingCoordinate with Explore all options for financing HRA, PlanOngoingCDBG, TIF, EBF,Land Use Plan, affordable housingMHFA, LCA, other Metro HRA local, state and federal programs Continue to provide rent assistance HRA, Plan, CCOngoingSection 8 Program, Metro HRA to needy householdsother state and federal programs Provide information and assistance HRA, PlanOngoingState and federal Metro HRA to encourage energy efficiency programs improvements Provide dispersed locations for PC, CCOngoingNoneLand Use Plan, variety of housing types, styles, Zoning prices Review and update Codes that PC, CC ,HRA,OngoingNoneLand Use Plan affect housing Plan Provide for the housing and service HRA, PC, CCOngoingState and federal Metro HRA, needs of the elderly and disabledprograms Land Use Plan Provide housing andservices to HRA, CCOngoingState and federal Metro HRA meet the needs of non-traditional programs households Protect integrity of, and prevent PC, Plan, HRAOngoingNoneLand Use Plan deterioration in, existing neighborhoods Encourage high design and PC, CC, Plan,OngoingNoneLand Use Plan maintenance standards for multi- CDRB family housing Assure that new development is PC, CC, PlanOngoingNoneLand Use Plan, RW, compatible with, and sensitive to, SC, DNR, CE the environment Continued on page 4-11 Housing4-10 Attachment 1 Continue to review and enforce HRA, PlanOngoingGF housing maintenance code Participate in rehabilitation and HRA, PlanOngoingCDBG, State of Metro HRA, Ramsey grant programsMinnesotaCounty Develop programs to help first-time HRA, CCOngoingGFMHFA, Metro HRA home buyers Abbreviations HRA = Maplewood Housing and Redevelopment Authority PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council Plan = Planning Staff CDBG = Community Development Block Grant Funds (federal) TIF = Tax increment financing EBF = Essential bond financing GF = General fund LCA = Livable Communities Act MHFA = Minnesota Housing Finance Agency METRO HRA = Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority RW = Ramsey Washington Watershed District SC = Soil Conservation District DNR= Minnesota Department of Natural Resources CE = Army Corps of Engineers CDRB = Community Design Review Board Housing4-11 MEMORANDUM TO:Melinda Coleman, City Manager FROM:Michael Martin, AICP,Economic Development Coordinator DATE:July 13, 2017 SUBJECT:Move October HEDC Meeting to September Introduction At the July 27, 2017housing and economic development commission (HEDC) meetingcity staff will request the commission select a date in September to moves its regular October meeting. Discussion As part of the comprehensive plan update process all the city’s board and commissions are being utilized to evaluate parts of the plan that coincide with their review areas. At the HEDC’s July meeting, this work begins as the commission will be reviewing demographic data and the existing 2030 Comprehensive plan while providinginput on where the plan should go. The city’s consultant has advised that this group needs to meet in September to keep on track with the overall project’s schedule –waiting until October is too late. Staff is also aware the regular October meeting has conflicts for some commissioners because of the local school schedule. In reviewing room availability and conflicts with other meetings staff is recommending the regular October HEDC meeting be shifted to Wednesday September 13 with a 6 p.m. start. If needed, September 6 or 7 could also be considered. Recommendation Shift the HEDC’s regular October meeting to September 13, 2017 with a 6 p.m. start.