02-18-2002 Council Workshop Minutes

Home Browse Search

MIND"hLS C'I'fl' COUNCIL ~Ll3RUARY 18, 2002 Fahey asked if Metro Plains would be dependent on any governmental program to recover the $2 million in land costs that the City has expended. Fahey asked if Metro Plains could make up this gap with conventional financing. Hanson replied that that would be a big stretch. It may be possible to reduce the gap, and they are looking at a few programs that may allow for this, such as the Livable Communities Gant Program that has a June submission deadline, and the Ramsey County Home Program that has a March submission deadline. Fahey asked if these programs required a certain mix of housing. Hanson replied that these programs would require 20% of the units to be affordable. Scalze pointed out that 20% affordable units would also allow for TIF assistance to be provided. The City Administrator agreed and pointed out that excess increment from the Presbyterian Homes project could be utilized. A housing district would have to be created, and that district would then extend out for 25 years. The Administrator asked if the Council was comfortable with the affordable housing component. Council discussed this and consensus was to provide for 20% of the units as affordable. Fahey again indicated that the development should be focused on senior citizens, however. LaValle asked about the retail component. Martens indicated that the minimum amount of retail would be 11,000 to 12,000 square feet. He noted, however, that they are proposing 15,000 square feet at this time, and felt that nwnber may change based on pre-leasing interest. Martens indicated that while the number could go up from 15,000 square feet, it would not go below the 11,000 to 12,000 square feet. Hanson reported that he would be the contact person for Metro Plains and asked who the City's person would be. Fahey informed Hanson that the City Administrator would be the contact person. Hanson indicated that Metro Plains would be using the month of March to pull the various components of the project together, working on the concept plan, doing the demographics study on both the housing and the retail, and coming to some consensus with the City. Hanson asked who would be working on the development agreement. The City Administrator indicated that in addition to humself, Ehlers & Associates, and Briggs & Morgan would draft the development agreement. Hanson asked if the City contemplated a preferred status agreement first and Chen would move into the development agreement. The City Administrator agreed that would be the best approach.