11-21-01 Council Special Minutes

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MINUTES CLTY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 21, 2001 City Administrator noted that the assisted living senior housing will be the toughest option to develop. Rutzick asked if the City had planned for assisted living senior housing on the corner property as part of Phase L The City Administrator anticipated market rate rental senior housing on that piece. Fahey noted that if the City does the Phase I senior project and does not utilize Federal subsidizes, it will have the ability to give preference to Little Canada residents or parents of Little Canada residents. The City Administrator pointed out that the City of White Bear Lake did that and were able to control rents and serve the needs of their community. Fahey noted that preferential treatment could be given to residents even if the project is done by a developer as long as Federal subsidizes are not used. Knudsen asked about the retail component and how related the two uses were. The City Administrator felt that the retail space would be occupied by businesses that would be attractive to both the senior population in the rental housing as well as other consumers in the area. Keis asked if the January 4, 2002 date for submittal of proposals was realistic. The Council discussed this and agreed that the date should be pushed out by approximately one week. Johnson indicated that their hope is that the City would give them 30 days to come in with a concrete proposal, but in the meantime presented the Council with some conceptual drawings. Johnson pointed out that Rutzick is having discussions with the Vitale's about leasing a 5,000 to 8,000 square foot space to continue on The Venetian Inn as a smaller operation. Rutzick is also having discussions with some banks about locating in the area. Johnson reported that he has had some discussions with Cotmnon Bond about the idea of cooperating on an assisted living project. Johnson also pointed out that the retail component of the Phase 1 project will require a lot of parking area. In reviewing the Rutzick/Johnson concept, Knudsen asked if there was parking visible from Rice Street. Johnson replied that there is some parking on the front. The concept presented contains 70 units of senior housing as well as the retail component that the City is looking for. Johnson reported that both Presbyterian Homes and Common Bond are interested in senior housing projects, however, both deal with affordable housing. Johnson reported that he and Rutzick are very interested in doing the project, and reported that the bat vier up to this point had been establishing a price for The Venetian Inn property. 3