Redevelopment Committee Minutes
Kingfield Neighborhood Association
February 28, 2007
MLK Park
7:00 PM
Attendance
Rosemary Dolata, Larry Heller, Mark Hinds, Monica Hofe, Arthur Knowles, Erik Lindseth, Tom Parent, Dave Saddoris, JobyLynn Sassily
KFNA Staff: Joanna S. Hallstrom, Sarah Linnes-Robinson
Guests:
Lee Blons, Executive Director of the Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation; along with Michael Keeler and Jenny Mason
JobyLynn Sassily, KFNA Resident with property variance support request
Housing Programs:
The redevelopment committee recommends maintaining the current Emergency Home Repair Grant administered by the Center for Energy and Environment as it is. There is $18,644 left in the program fund. This grant is targeted to assist low-income Kingfield residents.
The committee is finalizing the details on an interior/exterior home loan program. The following loan program details will be discussed via email before the March KFNA board meeting, upon email approval the KFNA Staff will draft a Scope of services which will be presented to the NRP steering committee and then the KFNA Board for review and approval.
Home Loan Program: Exterior Repair and Interior Energy Improvement /Asbestos Abatement
Loan Terms: 10K Loans at 5% interest for a 5-year repayment term.
Eligibility: This loan will be available to all Kingfield residents with no income restriction.
Pay Back: Money from loan repayment will be set aside for future KFNA programming.
House Projects that Qualify for Loan:
Exterior Improvements
Repair
Replace
Note/Comment
Exterior steps or railing
x
x
Walkways, if attached to house /steps
x
x
Roof including soffit and facia
x
x
Can roof be garage too?
Chimney
x
x
Stucco, siding, painting on home and/or garage
x
x
Foundation
x
x
Open Porches
x
x
Retaining Walls
x
x
No decks, patios, lighting, fences, gardens
Interior Energy Improvements and Asbestos Abatement
Repair
Replace
Note
Since these are energy improvements, do you want to restrict replacement to Energy Star rated heaers, windows, doors, etc? I would also say we do not want to qualify repairs …
Water Heater
x
Boiler/Furnace
x
How is this an energy improvement?
Asbestos abatement
NA
NA
Windows and storms
x
x
Need top restrict types? Sash? Replacement? Low E only? Double pane only?
Egress Windows
x
x
This is not an energy improvment
Not energy related
Insulation??
x
x
Do we need to specify types? Are you including work by owner in the program or only contractors?
Entrance Doors
x
Needs an efficiency rating
What will you do if there are more applicants than funds?
Funeral Home Development: Lee Blons, Executive Director of the Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation; along with Michael Keeler and Jenny Mason gave an update on their development plans for the funeral home site at 3700 Nicollet Ave.
Plymouth Church is partnering with Westminster Church to celebrate the sesquicentennial of both congregations. Their joint goal is to provide 150 units of affordable housing over the next year. Dolata mentioned that it is also the 150th anniversary of the American Institute of Architects and that there may be potential to include AIA in some aspect of their housing projects.
Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation is currently in the due diligence phase of their purchase agreement on the funeral home site. The final purchase price was negotiated down to 1.2 million. This project will be the first new construction housing development that the foundation has taken on. Blons noted that they are excited to be in the Kingfield Neighborhood and feel that their vision and goals for affordable housing match well with KFA affordable housing statement. Blons also stated that the foundation is very interested in green architecture and construction.
Plymouth Foundation’s goal is to remain the long-term owners of their affordable housing developments so that they can ensure that the properties are managed well and that residents are adequately supported. The foundation has successfully provided affordable housing for teen parents, homeless people, nursing students and section eight voucher recipients. Blons commented that, “affordable housing is not cheap housing” and stated that the foundation has a high standard for the quality of their housing units and employs professional property managers to oversee each sight. Residents are also provided with appropriate life support as related to their situation.
The foundation’s goal is to have each housing development self-sustaining in twenty years. Rehabbing and construction are subsidized through grants and donations. Rental income is applied toward building operations, maintenance and saved to support the long-term feasibility of each project.
The foundation is currently researching whom they could best serve at the 3700 Nicollet site. The preliminary development plans includes tearing down the existing structure and replacing it with a three to four story building with approximately 60 units. The committee suggested making units for larger families and include a play ground etc on the site. Housing for aging/elderly adults was also suggested. The committee also asked the foundation to consider mixed-use possibilities. The foundation was encouraged to seek assistance from the Green Institute for asbestos abatement and to check out funding through Green Communities. KFNA also offered assistance with grant seeking/ letters of support etc.
3912 Van Nest Ave. Variance Request:
JobyLynn Sassily presented her intentions to split her double lot (3912 Van Nest Ave)Â into two parcels. She would then sell the currently vacant parcel for new home construction. According to Sassily the lot was originally two parcels and suspects that there was a home on the empty lot at one time.
Sassily will need one maybe two variances in order to split her property depending on the how far the new property line will be from her home. Since the new lot will be comparable in size to the other lots on the block and the use the of the lot will be for housing the committee was supportive of the plan.
Two of Sassily’s neighbors shared concerns that Van Nest Ave. is a very narrow street without any alleys. They are concerned that the installation of utilities and construction on the new lot could obstruct the street. They were also concerned about any assessments that they may incur if lot needs to be hooks up to sewer, water etc. Sassily believes that since there was once a home on the lot, the utilities are already in place.
Sassily’s neighbors did not object to her proceeding with her plans. The committee and residents will address potential road closure concerns once the lot is sold.
Hinds made a motion to support JobyLynn Sassily’s variance application as reported to split her lot. Motion passed unopposed. The committee will make a recommendation to the board in March.
BFIP -Â The Rau+Barber BFIP application will be emailed to committee members for approval. Upon approval, Parent will make a recommendation to the board to approve the application.
CLCLT- The committee received a letter from The City of Lake Community Land Trust requesting funding. Parent will invite Jeff (last name?) to make a presentation at the next meeting.
Minutes completes by Joanna S. Hallstrom-KFNA