10/04/2001 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT Ms. Divine stated the Livable Communities grant has been submitted for $1.5 million in the Village. She reviewed the market study completed for the senior housing project in the Village, noting that demographic studies can be helpful to the committee when considering broader scope economic development policies and services for the community. She highlighted the 41% growth expected in senior residents over the next five years. The income of seniors in Lino Lakes is higher than average and will continue to rise. Most of the current and planned senior developments in the market area will be lower income housing, and there is little market for more of that type. The developer has guaranteed that 20% of this project would be affordable units. The study recommends approximately 100 units with the amenities of the Village as shown in concept. With the Tagg site as it is today, the area doesn’t support the higher amenity, higher income units. She added that the information for this study is valuable when looking at proposed land use. If the Village ends up developing as a retail site, there is nowhere else under the proposed land use plan where this kind of density is allowed. Ms. Divine said she would run copies of the market study for the next meeting. Mr. Milbauer said the YMCA has reached its “break ground” goal. Andersen Windows committed to a $300,000 contribution, which puts fund raising over the $5 million mark. He said he feels confident that groundbreaking will occur next year. He added that initially the city council had approved up to 10 acres for the YMCA. Ms. Divine said 6.7 acres was committed. Mr. Milbauer said a request would be coming from the YMCA for 3 additional acres. Ms. Divine noted that the 3 acres that could be added to the YMCA site is owned by the city under Contract for Deed, which is coming due. The city expected to sell those three acres to help pay off that contract. Ms. Hansmann questioned if the second access was crucial to the YMCA. Ms. Divine said it was not critical to the Y, but was to the housing and commercial developers. Ms. Schwartz asked if the taxpayers of Lino Lakes are carrying the brunt of subsidizing the Y for people in other cities. Ms. Divine stated only Lino Lakes residents get a discount on memberships for 15 years. Mr. Milbauer added that discussions with other cities have looked at a pro rata discount for contributions to the Y construction. No cities have committed, but it’s an ongoing process. The focus in the past year has been on the east YMCA, but that is complete and the YMCA grant writer is now focusing on the Lino Lakes Y. Other foundation grants are pending. Ms. Carlson asked for a corrected copy of the September minutes. She added that a recent newspaper article talked about a North Oaks project on the Lino Lakes south border included senior housing. Meeting adjourned 8:10 a.m.