Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRA MINUTES 032519817 n CITY OF ST. ANTHONY • KENZIE TERRACE TASK FORCE MINUTES March 25, 1981 The meeting was called to order by City Manager Jim Fornell at 7:05 P.M. Task Force members present at the meeting: George Marks; Clarence Ranallo; Judy Makowske; Dr. Charles Kirk; Mikki Gottwalt; John Madden; Jim Gahagen; Art Kuross; Rosemary Franzese; Hobie Swan; and Roman Hentges. Absent: Al Plaisted; William Zawislak; Jerry Kelly; John Du Rand; Dick Enrooth; Marland Johnson; and Mary Cotroneo. Also present: Jim Fornell, City Manager; Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant; Richard Krier, Consultant, Westwood Planning. Motion by Mr. Swan and seconded by Mr. Marks to approve the minutes of March 11, 1981. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Fornell reviewed the reasons for the formation and the subsequent developments of the Task Force. He stated the Task Force is at a point where it should decide and direct some goals and objectives for • the purpose of recommendations to the Planning Commission, Council and direction to the consultant. The Task Force consultant spoke next and reiterated the need for the Task Force to come to a clear consensus and give an indication of "where to go from here" - i.e., to provide Mr. Krier with some directional activity. With this as a goal, Mr. Krier reviewed and summarized the previous meetings which included the economic analysis presentation, the "financial feasibility" presentation, and the "possible options" presentation. Mr. Krier pointed out that although some options were no longer considered feasible, due to the "numbers not working", he was still optimistic that much could be done in the area with private sector cooperation and some other things could still be done or encouraged with little or no private sector backing. Mr. Krier charted, posted and presented the redevelopment issues which included the number and type of housing units possible and preferred,; how much office space could be accommodated; the possible need and pursuit of an anchor tenant; and other issues such as trans- portation needs, aesthetic improvements, traffic and parking, creation of a shopping center image, etc. Considerable discussion of the above matters ensued. In regard to • the anchor tenant, Mr. Kuross and others felt it would be desirable by helping to bring in more shoppers to the area and thereby would help to support other stores. Dr. Kirk and others were more skeptical -2- wondering if an anchor might not, at least in some cases, actually • take customers away from other stores. Mr. Krier agreed the spin off from a store such as K -Mart is not as great as others, but felt it would still stabilize the center. In regard to office space, it was acknowledged the possible accommodated size was -not great and it was generally agreed it would not be preferred at the eastern end of the study area although the option should not be dismissed at this time. All agreed that at least some housing should be pursued. After this considerable discussion, the.Task Force members by consensus gave and Mr. Krier listed the desired goals in a general order of preference. These goals were the further study, feasibility and possible implementation of the following: - 255 - 300 units of elderly housing - 145 - 180 units of non -elderly housing - pursuing the addition.of a major tenant, 137,000 sq. ft. of center shopping area of the existing centers - 15,000 sq. ft. of office space - improved.pedestrian access - improved transit facility stabilizing the existing and/or the rehabilitation - separate and mark pedestrian and bike lanes - improve the traffic circulation - comprehensive signage - establish a motif - green areas to break up "sea" of asphalt • - enclosed sidewalks better land use utilization (streets, vacant land, etc.) - overall increased land intensity Also mentioned was the possible future study of light rail transit in the suburb and thus to the center. Mr. Krier stated.that with this information, he would write up a new set of goals and alternate plans for the next meeting. Mayor Haik inquired how many more meetings was foreseen. Mr. Krier stated he foresaw another two to three meetings to the point of an implementation plan. It was announced and agreed the next meeting would April 8th. Motion by Mr. Gahagen and seconded by Mr. Swan to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ronald 0. Berg . Administrative Assistant i