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St. Anthony Comprehensive Plan Public CommentsKristin MrozThank you for taking previous feedback from Citizens for Sustainability for the Sustainability chapter. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this community planning effort and acknowledge the many suggestions that we made and were incorporated into the plan. We are excited to see this approved and begin work on the next phase of Saint Anthony Village!SAVCATransportation provides the means for people to connect with civic life, families and friends, housing, school, jobs, worship centers, medical centers, parks, and green spaces. The Comprehensive Plan’s transportation and implementation sections should include information, analysis and goal setting around transportation use and costs by income level, transit stops and service, connectivity with neighboring communities, ADA compliant sidewalks and crossings, a schedule for making ADA improvements including an ADA transition plan, and ways in which transportation design could enhance opportunities and reduce racial and gender disparities.SAVCAIn the draft comprehensive plan, the terms of “traffic” and “vehicle” appear to only mean motor vehicle travel and there is limited analysis of bicycle and pedestrian transportation. The traffic study section should include a comprehensive approach to bicycle and pedestrian safety, access and connectivity, traffic volumes, crashes, reported safety issues, locating substandard bicycle and pedestrian facilities and commitments to design, maintain, and enforce motor vehicle speeds that account for the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, public transit should be more fully discussed, including study of current transit use and goals for increased transit use.Housing ChapterThe Comprehensive Plan references that St. Anthony Village has almost 500 low income households who pay over 50% of their income in housing expenses. This leaves households at risk of eviction and prevents them from accessing other important needs, such as health and child care. Additionally, children in these households experience stress that negatively impacts their academic achievement and social connectedness. The community would benefit from a collaboration between the city and the school district to utilize data (comparisons of academic achievement, student and parent surveys, and participation in extra‐curriculur activities) to develop goals and as a benchmark to help the city determine if progress has been made for the betterment of all members of our increasingly diverse community. The goals around cost‐burden should be explicitly stated in the housing section of the Comprehensive Plan.Housing ChapterTowns across the metro area are increasingly using this tool to show their commitment to affordable housing development. To meet Met Council goals, 38% of new units should be affordable. Because St. Anthony has so few parcels left to develop, an inclusionary zoning policy, which would require new housing developments to include affordable housing in exchange for TIF or other financial support, would help attract developers who are willing to provide affordable housing, result in a development process that is fair and transparent, and would guarantee that affordable housing gets built.Housing ChapterWe know that naturally occurring affordable housing continues to be lost, as happened in Lowry Grove in a dramatic way, but as also is happening more gradually as apartment rents rise. It is preferable that we go above and beyond the minimum allocation for construction of new affordable units.Housing ChapterMuch of the narrative explains what the city "may" do, or "might consider" doing. But the Met Council and state statute require us to state what we "will do" to meet our affordable housing goals. Our allocations for affordable housing include 74 units at or below 30% AMI. This will be a challenging goal to meet without a specific plan for implementation. Rather than a "keeping our options open, laissez faire" approach, we should display a firm commitment to housing affordability so it is clear that our community values it and expects it in housing developments.Housing Chapter5) The Comprehensive Plan should reference creation of a city‐wide Fair Housing Policy . Fair Housing Policies help us ensure that our city is a knowledgeable resource and an ally to people who may experience housing discrimination. These policies will soon be required for cities seeking grants through the Livable Communities program. There is assistance available through the Met Council to produce a Fair Housing policy, as well as support to ensure staff are knowledgeable about its implementation. Failure to have a Fair Housing policy also leaves the city vulnerable to lawsuits by individuals who have experienced housing discrimination.Yes to Fair Housing PHousing Chapterinclude Advanced Notice of Sale policies to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, Section 8 Non‐Discrimination policies to improve access to housing, and housing subsidy programs, like Richfield’s Kids @ Home program, that reduce housing cost‐burden. St. Anthony should create a timeline for discussion of feasibility, public input, and possible implementation of such policies and programs."Consider"P. 7 There are no periods at the end of these sentencesXFig. 3‐1Institutional; 200 acres; 13.3% (No tax revenue). Retail and Other Commercial; 92 total acres; 6.1% (No tax revenue). Retail and Other Commercial; 92 total acres; 6.1% (Blank).Open Water; 68.1 acres; 4.5%No Tax Revenue. In total, that's 28.3% of out land that does not pay taxes, not counting streets and highwaysFig. 3‐2 (drawn circle)(section along CR 88 is circled, near junction with 29th ave. NE) This street right of way not single family attachedX422
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