04-01-2019 Council Packet 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS – Item 3 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 3 Date: April 1, 2019 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director Re: 49 & J Redevelopment - Lyngblomsten Background The City has been working with Lyngblomsten, a senior care provider, regarding construction of a senior community in the northwest quadrant of the Hodgson Road (CSAH 49) and County Road J (Ash Street) intersection. The preliminary plat/development stage plan was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Board on February 13, 2019. The City Council will be considering preliminary approval of the project at the April 8, 2019 regular council meeting. The intersection of 49 & J is a major gateway into the city and has been a high priority redevelopment objective over the past 20 years. The site has been the focus of several proposed commercial/residential development proposals. However it has proven to be a challenge for development/redevelopment due to a number of factors including: • lack of public utilities • inadequate transportation infrastructure • multiple property owners/businesses • meeting neighborhood/community expectations • development timing Over the past nine months Lyngblomsten has been working to overcome these challenges, as well as address comments received from residents, advisory boards, and the City Council. Lyngblomsten has incorporated the 4 corner properties into the site plan, obtaining purchase options on each. They have also been working with Anoka and Ramsey County Highway Departments to address some of the existing traffic concerns. While still under review, the overall plan has addressed a number of long standing city goals for the area. The total project cost is estimated at $77,000,000. Due to costs associated with the highway improvements, utility improvements and land acquisition, the developer is requesting public assistance in the form of Tax Increment Financing (TIF).