HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 8, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesA
B,
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
April8, 2026 at7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON X MAY X MOGEN X
MIELKE X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN MYHREN X
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Wassenberg motions to approve the agenda;
Approved 5-0
D. PRESENTATION
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1,. March 25,2026 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Mogen motions to approve the meeting minutes;
Approved 5-0
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements tfuough 4/3/26: $215,965.77
Payroll ttuough 3 / 26 / 26: 923, 7 43.71
Wire Payments through 4/ 3 / 26: $L6,212.28
2. Approval of Resolution26-25 Authorizing Application for the Livable Communities
Development Project Grant Program for Fairway Commons
3. Approval of Resolution26-26 Authorizing Application for the Uvable Communities
Small Area Planning Project Grant Program for the Les Bolstad Golf Course
Redevelopment Master Plan
4. Approval of Comcast Agreement for Wi-Fi Installation at Community Park
5. Approval of Resolution 26-27 Declaring the Public Works 2010 Elgin Crosswind
Street Sweeper as Surplus to Sell to Purple Wave Auction
6. Approval of Resolution 26-28 Accepting the Resignation of Joe Morseth from the
Parks and Recreation Commission and Declaring a Vacancy
7. Approval of Resolution 26-29 Appoitti.g Caitlin Klaeui to the Community
Engagement Commission
Mayor Gustafson motions to approve the consent agenda;
Approved 5-0
C
E.
G.
42
H:POLICY ITEMS:
1. Consideration of Fairway Commons Planned Unit Development Amendment
Proposal
Community Development Coordinator Myhren presented the proposal to amend the
existing Amber Flats Planned Unit Development to Fairway Commons. She explained
that this was not a reversal of the existing PUD but rather swapping out the plan. The
existing Amber Flats PUD would remain in city code even if this proposal were denied.
Myhren provided background on the location, noting it would be roughly in the same
location as Amber Flats was proposed, with potential for moving the entrance about 60
feet east to align with existing drives. She reviewed the purpose of PUDs, which allow
flexibility in site desig+ conservation of land and open space, and deviations in
standards.
The proposal comparison showed Amber Flats at 96 units versus Fairway Commons at
110 affordable senior living aparhnents. Fairway Commons would have 1L6 parking
spaces (M sttface,T2 snblevel) and a maximum height of 45 feet 6 inches, potentially
increasing to 49 feet 6 inches with 9-foot ceilings, written to allow up to 50 feet for
flexibility.
Myhren reviewed city code requirements, noting that Fairway Commons meets most
requirements. The project meets density requirements at just under 40 dwelling units
per acre, meets setback requirements from residential property at 153.5 feet from
Hollywood Court, but is slightly under the requirement for 80% underground parking
with72 sublevel spaces where 88 would be required.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 24th with a few residents
attending, mostly concemed about traffic and safety requirements. The Planning
Commission unanimously recommended approval to City Council.
Myhren outlined numerous conditions including tree maintenance, snow storage
limitations, open space preservation, electric vehicle charging stations, height
restrictions, setback maintenance, parcel combination requirements, parking
agreements, and on-site property maintenance staff.
Marty O'Connell from Velair Development presented on behalf of the developer. He
provides background on Velair and the development team. They are experienced in
providing affordable senior housing.
The Fairway Commons proposal includes 110 age-restricted units with a mix of studio,
one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units over one level of enclosed underground parking.
Common amenities will include outdoor patio with grilling stations, community room/
library and craft room, fihress center, pu.kug" room, and four EV charging stations. Unit
feafures include qtartz countertops, in-unit washer and dryer, adjustable thermostats,
and LVP flooring.
O'Connell explained the site layouf noting preservation of existing parking easement
for 54 stalls for Amber Union use, while providing 116 parking stalls for Fairway
Commons. The building footprint and general layout closely follows the previously
approved Amber Flats PUD design.
The developmentwill actively explore implementing geothermal heating and cooling
systems. If implemented, this would eliminate exterior metal louvers and potentially
43
add one wellhead in the northwest comer of the site, which could be screened with
landscaping.
Housing will have rent and income restrictions tied to housing tax credits, averaging
60% area median income limits. Rent ranges are projected at $648-$1,1"00 for studios,
$1,300-$1,500 for one-bedrooms, and around $1,800 for two-bedrooms. Age restrictions
require at least one household member to be 55 or older, with all members 40 or older.
The management plan includes long-term ownership requirements (minimum 15 years),
access control via resident fobs, extensive security camera coverage/ on-site property
manager and maintenance technician, and coordination with local police department
before opening.
O'Corurell outlined key benefits including 110 units of new senior housing, increased
commercial demand, projected $80,000 annual property tax increase, and a one-time
bond issuance fee of $50,000-$60000 to the city. No city financing assistance is requested
beyond acting as bond conduit.
The development schedule anticipates construction starting inJuly 2026wilh
completion in mid to late fall2027.
Council members expressed appreciation for the investigation of geothermal heating
and cooling, the company's willingness to work with the city and planning commissiory
and the provision of affotdable senior housing to meet community needs.
Councilmember Wassenberg Motions To Approve Ordinance And Summary
Ordinance 2G03 Amending Chapter 113 Of The Falcon Heights City Code
Concerning Amber Flats Planned Unit Development;
Approved 5-0
2. Approval of Resolution 26-30 Authorizing the Execution of a Real Estate Purchase
Agreement for1."407 Larpenteur Avenue and 0 Larpenteur Avenue West
Linehan presented the proposal to authorize execution of a real estate purchase
agreement for the property commonly known as Get Pressed at the corner of Larpenteur
and Albert. The property has a long history as commercial use with significant
environmental challenges from its past as a dry cleaner and fuel station with sealed
underground tanks.
1n2023, the city obtained a Brownfield Assessment Grant from the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency, providing about $100,000 worth of environmental assessment services
tfuough Bay West. The assessment found pollution contaminants in soil samples, with
MPCA creating a response action plan estimating $370,000 in cleanup costs.
The current owner brought forward two informal proposals to the Planning
Commission - first for 12 townhomes, then 10 units - but could not make the numbers
work without grant funding for environmental cleanup. MPCA and partrers suggested
the city acquire the property for fair market value.
The city hired a professional appraisal firm that determined the property would be
worth approximately $675,000 if clearu but valued at $300,000 given the needed $370,000
cleanup. After negotiations starting in July, the city agreed to the appraised value of
$300000, plus outstanding taxes and closing costs up to $25,000.
Linehan explained the city has identified funds from healthy fund balance and general
capital reserves to pay cash. The long-term use hasn't been fully determined, with the
44
primary goal being envirorunental mitigation and cleanup, potentially starting with
demolition and creating clean green space while developing longer-term plans.
Mogen noted that while purchasing property without a specific plan and uncertain
financial outcome was challenging, it was in the public interest due to necessary
cleanup, blight issues, and potential for better future development that wasn't
happening under private ownership.
Gustafson acknowledged the difficulty of the decision without a forward plan but
expressed confidence the city could recoup costs by accomplishing cleanup that the
private sector couldn't manage.
Councilmember Mogen motions to approve ftesolution 26-30 Authorizing the
Execution of a Real Estate Purchase Agreement for'1,407 Larpenteur Avenue and 0
Larpenteur Avenue WesU
Approved 5-0
I: INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mogen and Mielke attended a Strong Towns presentation at the University of
Minnesota.
Mielke and Wassenberg attended a ribbon cutting of Any Lab Test Now. Mielke also
encourages residents to attend the Sustainability Fair on April 18 at City Hall from
11Am to 2PM.
Wassenberg announces that NortheastYouth and Family Services is celebrating their
50m anniversary. They are having an annual fundraising on May 6 at 11:30AM.
May notes there will be mathess recycling available again. Residents can make
appointrnents starting on April 15 through the City website. The Environment
Commission will meet next week, to discuss the implementation of the Climate and
Energy Action Plan. May and Wassenberg are working on selecting representatives for
the Les Bolstad Golf Course RedevelopmentCommunity Advisory Committee.
Gustafson explains that the Parks and Rec Commission is planning on hosting a music
event at the University Grove sometime in June. Additionally, there will be Spring
Together on May 16 at Curtiss Field, and Ice Cream Social on fuly 1.6. August 4 is Night
to Unite. The City will also be hosting a Fall Fest again in October.
Linehan adds that the Spring and Summer Newsletter is at the printer and will be
hitting resident mailboxes soon. Addidonally, another installment of Discover Falcon
Heights will go live on the City's Facebook this week focused on providing more
information about the Sustainability Fair. Public Works is cleaning at the Curtiss Field
and they will be repairing the planter boxes and decorative lights along Larpenteur Ave.
W. Staff is also participating with the Sustainability Fair to shred documents.
I: COMMUNITY FORUM:
45
Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council will be refened for
consideration. Council may ask questions for clarifcation, but no council action or discussion will be
held on these items.
K: ADIOURNMENT:7:59PM
Councilmember Mielke motions to adjoum the meeting;
Approved 5-0
Dated this 22"a day of April,2026
Gustafson, Mayor
Jack Administrator
46