09/05/2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION September 5, 2007 APPROVED • 90 on their 15 acre property at 1612 Birch Street. The issue dates back to 2004 at which 91 time the DeHavens request for a subdivision of their property was denied by the Planning 92 & Zoning Board and the City Council based on inconsistency with both the zoning 93 ordinance and comprehensive plan. Staff is not recommending changes to those policy 94 documents to accommodate a specific property request based on a financial institution's 95 requirements. 96 97 Martha DeHaven stated that she is requesting the city's assistance in securing a reverse 98 mortgage that will sustain her at the property for the remainder of her years. The land has 99 been in her family for over 50 years and the home was moved onto it as requested by her 100 father in his will. It is a stand out home in the area, much appreciated by the neighbors. 101 Both she and Mr. DeHaven are disabled and the reverse mortgage is the only means by 102 which they will be able to keep the property. She explained how a reverse mortgage is 103 obtained and the requirements of the FHA process. It is not a request for a subdivision 104 but for a change to the legal description that would allow them to meet requirements for 105 the mortgage. 106 107 A member of the council recalled a program that allows senior citizens to sell off a piece 108 of their property to allow them to stay in their homes. There is a danger of ending up 109 with unbuildable lots. The challenge to the council is to find a way to address the larger 110 goal of keeping people in their homes without making an arbitrary policy change for just • 111 one property. The council recognizes it is staff's job to follow policy and institute the 112 city's regulations. Would it be appropriate to look at a zoning amendment that would 113 address this type of situation while still protecting the core development goals associated 114 with the regulations? 115 116 Community Development Director Grochala indicated he would confer with the city 117 attorney on the matter and will report back at the next work session. 118 119 Anoka County EDA/HRA — The Anoka County HRA was recently granted powers of an 120 economic development authority (EDA) and is interested in providing services at the city 121 level. Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah explained that she was present to 122 answer questions but not to encourage participation as she understands that communities 123 want to look at this opportunity individually. 124 125 Administrator Heitke reviewed the terms under which the city could participate in the 126 EDA as well as a list of those cities that have opted in or out. City staff is not making a 127 recommendation on city participation, however, the county needs an answer in order to 128 establish the levy. 129 130 The council concensus was to not participate this year but look again at the opportunity in 131 the future. 132 • 133 Draft 77th St Realignment Feasibility Study — Engineer Studenski distributed and 134 reviewed the location map and draft plans associated with the 77th St Realignment