02-27-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Strong, collaborative city leadership is critically important for attracting development. Cities must develop a clear vision, react to opportunities, create innovative financial tools and leverage their key assets. Strong policies to preserve the affordability and quality of existing housing stock should be incorporated into comprehensive plans. More than ever, a full range of housing choices is integral to a city’s economic development strategy because it helps employers attract and retain workers. In many markets, construction of new multifamily housing is economically infeasible without local support. Be flexible with land use and zoning, city fees, and financing sources to remove barriers that affect housing production. Hold additional NCF workshops as leadership changes to continue helping public officials make informed decisions. ROSEVILLE One panelist said that “Roseville is not on the ‘radar screen’ of the development community.” This was an important to hear and resonated with the Council. WATERTOWN As a result of the NCF, we started a visioning process for a redevelopment of the Carver County site. The takeaway from the workshop was the need for the City to be able to articulate a vision for this property. BELLE PLAINE NCF provided an opportunity to discuss the advantages of allowing increased densities, the importance of better connections to the Minnesota River, the importance of workforce housing, and the importance of connectivity with sidewalks and trails. A city-owned downtown redevelopment parcel has morphed into a bigger site with the possiblity of higher densities as a result of the workshop. WAYZATA The workshop helped the Council expand their thinking to a broader regional context. It helped them think outside the box such as, what are the opportunities for higher density developments and housing in areas like Wayzata Blvd? This is a great program, and we would like to do it again as leadership changes. HUGO The workshop gave the Council a much better understanding of today’s affordable housing products and dispelled some pre-conceived ideas. The City decided to create a housing policy section as part of the implementation chapter of their comprehensive plan update with policies regarding affordable housing. VADNAIS HEIGHTS It was important for the Council to hear the thought process of the development industry when it comes to selecting a site/community for development, especially the importance of a community vision. The workshop prompted discussions about diversifying the City’s housing stock such as including high density housing in the City Center and the possibility of City financial participation in housing projects. THEMES FROM OUR PANELISTS FEEDBACK FROM CITIES IN 2017 2017 NCFs Belle Plaine Brooklyn Park Farmington Fridley Golden Valley Hastings Hugo Lakeville Roseville Shoreview Vadnais Heights Watertown Wayzata