HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council/HRA Packet 07-23-2020 SpecialCity Council 1 of 1 July 23, 2020
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
AGENDA
Special City Council
July 23, 2020, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Instructions to participate in the Virtual Council Meeting
2. TOPICS
2.1 Joint discussion with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority on Strategic Plan -
Developers Panel and review of survey
HRA Strategic Plan process
HRA Strategic Plan Survey Results
3. ADJOURN
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Special City
Council
July 23, 2020
Agenda
Number:1.1
To:Dave Callister, City Manager
Prepared by:Laurie Hokkanen, Administrative Services Director
Reviewed by:Laurie Hokkanen, Administrative Services Director
Item:Instructions to participate in the Virtual Council Meeting
1. Action Requested:
The Mayor provides instructions for the public to observe the meeting by phone or online.
2. Background:
Council meetings will be conducted virtually (via Zoom webinar/conference call) due to the state of
local emergency for the COVID 19 pandemic.
Council and Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) are jointly meeting in a study session to
discuss the HRA's Strategic Plan and review of survey. No public comments are taken at this
meeting.
To observe/listen to the Study Session, please register in advance at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2uK0OAyQ0G1I4PM7jgPvA
3. Budget Impact:
N/A
4. Attachments:
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Special City
Council
July 23, 2020
Agenda
Number:2.1
To:Dave Callister, City Manager
Prepared by:James Barnes, HRA Manager
Reviewed by:Steve Juetten, Community Development Director
Item:Joint discussion with the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority on Strategic Plan - Developers Panel and review of
survey
1. Action Requested:
Provide early feedback to the consultant and staff for the Strategic Plan update on possible
affordable housing and redevelopment goals and objectives.
2. Background:
In January 2020, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) approved a contract with Bennett
Community Consulting (BCC) to assist with updating the HRA's Strategic Plan. The HRA is seeking
input from the Council to help guide them on what the Council believes the HRA should focus their
efforts on in this plan update.
The consultant has invited developers to provide information to both the Council and HRA on
current conditions and trends in housing and redevelopment. The three panelists work in market
rate housing, affordable housing and commercial and redevelopment fields. Links to the panelists
bios are listed below. In addition to having a discussion with the panelists, the Council and HRA will
have an opportunity to review the results of the survey they were asked to complete.
https://www.ryancompanies.com/person/maureen-michalski
https://dorancompanies.com/team_members/tony-kuechle/
https://commonbond.org/cecile-bedor/
3. Budget Impact:
N/A
4. Attachments:
HRA Strategic Plan process
HRA Strategic Plan Survey Results
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PLYMOUTH
HRA Strategic Planning Process
Cathy Bennett
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Background
•25 Year Experience in Community & Economic Development
•Public & Private Sector Experience
•Consultant to Cities, Counties, Non-Profits for over 13 Years
•ULI Minnesota – Regional Council of Mayors – technical assistance on housing tools
and strategies; conducted over 100 public sector workshops
•St. Louis Park, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Woodbury, Roseville, Vadnais Heights,
Columbia Heights, Anoka, Golden Valley, Shoreview
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Questions to
Understand
Housing/Redevelopment Needs
Vision, Goals and Priorities
Tools and Strategies
Role of HRA
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Proposed Process
Input from HRA and
City Council
Online survey
Developer input meeting
SWOT Analysis
Review Proposed Tools &
Strategies
Input from
Community/Stakeholders
Community Input –
survey/virtual session(s)
Strategic Stakeholder
Interviews
• Business Leaders
• School Officials
• Advocates
Outline Best Practices
New development
Preservation
Housing for Seniors
Federal Resources
Younger Households
Operational/Financial
capacity
Prepare strategic plan
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Process Flow
By Month May June July August September October November
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Project Kick-Off, Planning & Analysis,
SWOT
HRA Input Meetings
Best Practice Review/Research
Community/Stakeholder Input
Draft Strategic Plan
Staff Check-in; Progress Meetings
Joint Special HRA/Council Meetings Community Virtual Input Session –
Housing and Redevelopment Needs
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Questions/Discussion
Cathy Bennett
Cbennett.bcc@gmail.com
612-670-8147
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Page 1
Plymouth HRA Strategic Plan Survey Question Responses
July 16, 2020
Compiled by Bennett Community Consulting
A total of 10 HRA/Council Members Completed the Survey. Not all respondents completed
each question. Results are anonymous.
Q1 - What are your goals for the HRA's strategic planning process? Please be
detailed and specific. (8 out of 10 responses)
I would like to provide additional affordable housing. This could be done either by
land acquisition and construction or by working with developers.
1. Identify specific objectives of HRA and strategies to attain these objectives. 2.
Help City Council and residences identify and define objectives City should
pursue relative to housing strategies, consistent with City Council's overall
strategy and objectives for the City.
1. Address our aging housing, especially on the east side of Plymouth. A lot of
housing has deferred work - roofs, driveways, sidewalks/steps in addition to
windows. 2. Create incentives to ownership of aging multi-housing projects to
make improvements and re-invest back into their apartments.
My goal for the HRA Strategic Plan is to have a plan for the next couple of years
that aligns with the City Council's goals for housing and redevelopment.
1. Workforce housing support is THE top priority. 2. Existing homies must have
enforceable maintenance requirements to maintain their residential quality. 3.
The Commissioners should have more authority to explore opportunities for
developing partners in develop innovative responses to such opportunities.
Develop an overall plan for a multi-year path to improve housing in Plymouth--
affordable, senior, rehab etc. Right now, we operate as a rubber stamp for
administrative and governance issues--approving what we legally need to
approve. Would love to see some new initiative's and ideas for long term housing
assistance and policy.
Create a transparent and market-friendly platform that promotes additional
development for the city. The least expensive and fairest way to expand
affordable housing and commercial (re)development is by reducing regulation
and fees on new development. Fee schedules that are easy to understand and
obtain. Ensure fees are commensurate with services being rendered to new
development and not profit/tax generators for the city. Particularly impact fees.
Entitlement processes that are easy to understand, fast to work through, and
require little upfront cost to developers. Reduce zoning constraints,
wherever/whenever possible. Establish ways to ensure staff/council are on the
same page so that developers can trust staff and don't run into political surprises
during development. Overall, lower the risk and complexity of new development.
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Page 2
To bring clarity and focus to the planning process.
Q2 - What do you see as the most important housing issues in the City? 8 out of 10
responses.
Providing additional affordable housing.
1. Finding models/strategies that will result in implementation of goals identified
for housing. 2. Confirm City stakeholders and government's appetite for
implementing broader/more aggressive approach(s) to provide/improve housing
stock in the city. 3. Confirm if all existing programs are still providing for identified
needs; if not, change, reevaluate or sunset any that are not.
Aging single family homes primarily in the SE part of Plymouth.
Affordability is the most important issue. There is a real shortage of affordable
housing. We have lots of houses priced > $500,000. These houses are
unaffordable to many families.
Funding for preservation and rehab opportunities.
Lack of affordable housing.
How can the City make new development more affordable and less risky to
increase housing supply, without increase taxes.
Affordability.
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Page 3
Q3 - What are the top five priorities that you believe the HRA should focus on regarding
housing in the next five years? (10 out of 10 answered)
Other (please specify). I don't think it's the City's job to do any of this. It's the City's job
to come up with a platform that promotes fair, new development and entrepreneurship.
And, of course, to ensure the safe of its existing taxpayers.
Diversification of the housing stock
First time buyer housing options
Environmental Sustainability
Affordable housing options
Housing maintenance
Housing for vulnerable populations
maintenance
New rental housing
New ownership housing
Preservation of existing housing
Private senior housing
Aging in place
Tenant protections
Duplexes, townhomes, small lot single family
Housing for underrepresented populations
Fair housing policies and procedures
HRA owned senior housing
Other (please specify)
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Page 4
Q4 - What city tools and strategies would you like to consider as part of the process
for housing? (10 out of 10 answered).
Support Accessory Dwelling Units
Increase Community Land Trust Homes
Additional Down Payment Assistance
Enhanced Code Enforcement – SF/MF
Encourage Fee Waivers for Affordable Housing
Support Housing Improvement Areas – Condo/TH
Increase HRA Levy
Create a Housing Trust Fund
Create local 4D Tax Fund
Encourage parking reductions for affordable housing
Create a Point of Sale Ordinance
Proactive purchase of property for affordable housing
Increase rehab loans/grants
Support tax abatement for affordable housing
Support TIF for affordable housing
Encourage zoning modifications to increase housing diversity
Provide rent assistance funding
Increase emergency rehab assistance
Increase tenant protection policies
Provide multi-family rental rehab funding
Other (please specify)
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Page 5
Other (Please Specify). As mentioned above, I believe these actions are outside the purview
of the City's job. While good intentioned, they are tools through which the city picks winners and
losers. For example, affordable housing developers profit off of taxpayers (the fees generated
from their projects are far in excess of market rate developers.)
Q5 - Do you believe the City should take a more active role in redevelopment in
the City? (10 out of 10 answered)
Other (please specify)
Provide incentives for developers to cooperate with city planning
Developers will work on what is easier to develop and what meets their profits
targets. Need to create a vision of what could be redeveloped and encourage
developers to look at potential and get feedback from them regarding potential
redevelopment sites.
Reduce restrictions and fees to promote redevelopment.
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Page 6
Q6 - What are the most important redevelopment issues in the City? Please be
detailed and specific. (8 out of 10 responded).
Affordable housing expansion.
City Center redevelopment
Redevelopment takes too long. Residents want action.
1. NIMBYs 2. Availability of fiscal resources to seize opportunities when they
arise.
Sustaining NOAH properties and including mixed income in redevelopment
projects.
Ensuring that the City respects/protects private property rights.
Commercial area redevelopment where appropriate, preserving NOAH housing
stock, flexibility with zoning code where feasible and appropriate, oversized lot
division where appropriate
Revitalize blighted areas. Provide incentives for development that meets city
criteria
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Page 7
Q7. What are the top three priorities that you believe the City should focus on
regarding redevelopment in the next five years? (10 out of 10 responded)
Other (please specify).
Work with private, for profit sector first
Ensure zoning requirements and regulations that don't inhibit redevelopment.
Identification of redevelopment properties
Purchase of redevelopment properties
Renovation of older dilapidated properties
Environmental sustainability of older properties
Small business support
Immigrant business support
Demolition funds for redevelopment
Other (please specify)
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Page 8
Q8 - What city tools and strategies would you like to consider as part of the
process for redevelopment? (9 out of 10 answered)
Other (please specify)
The strategy of best and highest usage of City funds to obtain the maximum
benefit for housing stock in the City.
Look at modifying existing codes that would encourage redevelopment.
Too many nuances to all of these to give blanket approval to pursue them.
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Page 9
Q9. What do you see as the most important role of the HRA in furthering the
City’s housing and redevelopment goals? (9 out of 10 answered)
Overseeing the budgets and policies of the assortment of housing services and
programs provided in our city.
Confirming commitment of Council and Mayor to making housing and
redevelopment a priority for the City.
Defining objectives and goals in concert with the Council and administering those
programs.
Working to find the unique and creative solutions to the problem of maintaining a
variety of housing options in the city, for a variety of levels of "affordability."
Stay ahead of the curve in this area. Try to be active not reactive
Seeking leaders who can deliver measurable results.
We need to be the voice and action group for diversity in housing in Plymouth.
We need to be champions of affordable housing.
Promoting fair and free development through reduced regulations, requirements,
fees, and taxes.
Becoming more engaged and proactive. (This comment is not intended to be a
criticism to the HRA Board.)
Q10. Is there any other information you would like me to know or understand? (3
out of 9 answered)
The HRA needs to remain versatile in its program and service offerings.
City Council should monitor and hold the HRA and their staff accountable for
meeting goals for each HRA. program.
Helping us discover what we don’t know, helping us think creatively and boldly
and not the same old, same old.
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