12-01-2021 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 1, 2021 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 1" day of December, 2021 in the Conference Room of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor John Keis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Keis, Council Members Fischer, Torkelson, McGraw and Miller. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Community Development Director/Planner Corrin Wendell, Finance Director Brenda Malinowski, Public Works Director Bill Dircks, Parks & Rec/Community Services Director Bryce Shearen and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. REVIEW PLAN FOR TWIN LAKE BOULEVARD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT The Community Development Director/Planner reported that staff has been discussing a potential opportunity for multi -family housing on the 4.6 acres of city -owned properties along Twin Lake Boulevard. She stated that developer Reuter Walton, is proposing to build up to two 60-unit, 3-story, apartment buildings with underground parking. The City Administrator explained that this is the first time the City Council is discussing this proposal, and there will be a neighborhood meeting next week. He stated that the first step is to consider a rezoning of the property from low density housing to high density housing. He noted the rezoning is being considered first because there are funding applications due in early 2022, and they need to demonstrate that they have city support for a multi -family project. Paul Keenan, Reuter Walton, gave examples of other apartment projects they have done around the Twin Cities. He explained that they plan to do the project in two phases about 12 months apart, and each phase would be a three-story, 60-unit, multi -family housing building with an underground parking garage. He stated they would have a mix of one to three bedroom units and are targeting working-class families at 60 percent AMI (area median income). Mr. Keenan stated there have been concern from neighbors about traffic levels on Twin Lake Boulevard, and he reported the traffic level with the apartments does not require turn lanes, but he is open to putting them in if requested. The City Administrator stated that city consultant Bolton & Menk conducted the traffic study. Mr. Keenan noted that the City plans to reconstruct Twin Lake Boulevard in 2023, so that would correspond with the timing of their construction, so there would also be a brand new road. He stated that the buildings will be setback 30-40 feet, and they want to keep the existing tree line around the perimeter of the property if possible. He reviewed the different options for financing the project, and noted at this time there is a financing gap for the first phase. The City Administrator stated that an option to close the gap is to apply