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Mounds View EDA April 9, 2007 <br />Regular Meeting Page 4 <br /> <br /> 129 <br /> B. Review Housing Replacement Program Policy and Requirements 130 <br /> 131 <br />Community Development Director Ericson noted that this item is before the EDA for review and 132 <br />consideration at the EDA’s request. The Housing Replacement Program was created in 1995 133 <br />with the intent of creating a way to eliminate blight and encourage redevlopment. There have 134 <br />been three or four homes rebuilt through the program. 135 <br /> 136 <br />Director Ericson outlined that one option is to provide demolition assistance to the home owner 137 <br />if they want to stay in the community. He then said that Mr. Krig has had some excellent ideas, 138 <br />one of which was to tie the loan to the property with a second mortgage or a lien with a five year 139 <br />forgivable grant for a resident that stays for five or 10 years. 140 <br /> 141 <br />Director Ericson asked for input from the EDA for any potential amendments to the program. 142 <br /> 143 <br />Commissioner Flaherty indicated that the City is under no obligation with this program and he 144 <br />wants that highlighted. He then said that usually the reason the home is unkempt is because it is 145 <br />an absentee landlord so he does not see a necessity for living in the community. 146 <br /> 147 <br />Commissioner Flaherty said that he would like it to state that funding will be based on need. He 148 <br />then said that he would like to consider a sliding scale system based on income. 149 <br /> 150 <br />Vice President Stigney said that the items outlined have their merits and then said that he would 151 <br />like to know how long residents will live in the City after they use the program to redevelop the 152 <br />property. He then said that he thinks that the program needs a “but for” test. 153 <br /> 154 <br />Commissioner Mueller said that she has had a lot of friends in town say that they are thinking of 155 <br />moving elsewhere for a bigger home with a larger garage but not necessarily a bigger lot for the 156 <br />same taxes or less. She then said that if they were aware of a program like this they may be 157 <br />willing to stay in the community. 158 <br /> 159 <br />President Marty said that he would like to see that current residents would get bonus points or 160 <br />preferential treatment over someone just coming to the City. 161 <br /> 162 <br />President Marty said that he thinks this is a good start but he would like to refer this to the proper 163 <br />commission for review and comment. 164 <br /> 165 <br />Vice President Stigney said that he would like to have minimum size requirements to avoid 166 <br />buying a nice lot and putting a very small home on it because the City is attempting to increase 167 <br />tax base by eliminating blighted properties and building new homes. 168 <br /> 169