08-11-2010 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 11,2010 APPROVED 88 The council suggested that the limit figure may be perceived as a growth concern and 89 how can that be addressed? How about lowering that number with going above it being a 90 special consideration? Staff responded that the development is going to be market driven 91 and the most the city has even seen in a year is about 350 new homes. The council could 92 include the 230 per year figure with a general statement that unallotted units would be 93 spread out over the remains 18 years (to meet the forecast). The council discussed the 94 value of having a cap and concurred on the figure 345 with the understanding that 230 95 remains the yearly forecast. 96 97 Mr. Grochala then reviewed the Chapter 4 Housing Plan proposed changes, including the 98 acknowledgement that the city is not committing to provide certain funding. The council 99 requested that the words "high density" and"mixed use" be removed. 100 101 The council discussed the schedule for submitting the Plan and staff reported that it is due 102 by the end of summer so staff will work through the information provided by the council, 103 speak with the Metropolitan Council and try to bring something back to the council for 104 approval in September. If the council has any concerns in the meantime, staff will 105 respond. 106 107 4. Housing Goals, LCA- Community Development Director Grochala explained 108 that the Livable Communities Act created a system for competitive grant funding for 109 housing. To participate, the city must establish and adopt certain goals regarding 110 housing. The grants generally relate to assistance with site cleanup, livable cities (mixed 111 use development, expanding lifecycle and affordable, and inclusionary). The city has 112 received about $1.6 million over the past years for this program. 113 114 City Planner Smyser explained how the goals being presented now compare with the 115 goals of the past. The goals are now based on a ten year(rather than fifteen year) time 116 line and he has made the comparison through averages (which were announced). The 117 affordability goals are lower than those from the past while the lifecycle goals are not 118 changing very much. The goals are a range, are not annual but span the ten year period 119 and reflect the high end of what could be funded. 120 121 A council member suggested that the city can opt in on a yearly basis so there is no rush 122 as far as development plans coming forward. 123 124 Mr. Smyser noted a portion of the program provides funds for the cleanup of polluted 125 land and there are some parcels that may be coming forward that could benefit. 126 127 The council discussed the prudence of skipping a year before opting in on the program, 128 waiting for the city's comp plan update to be completed. 129 130 Staff will add the resolution to the August 23 council agenda but the council may or may 131 not act upon it then. 132 3