02-12-08 HRA Minutes - Special Workshop
SPECIAL WORKSHOP
OF THE
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
February 12, 2008
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special workshop of the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Golden Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota, was
held at 7800 Golden Valley Road in said City on February 12, 2008, at 5 pm, in the Council
Conference Room.
The following members were present: Chair Paula Pentel and Commissioners Mike
Freiberg, Linda Loomis, DeDe Scanlon and Robert Shaffer. Also present were HRA
Director Thomas Burt, Assistant HRA Director Jeanne Andre, Director of Planning and
Development Mark Grimes, City Planner Joe Hogeboom and Finance Director Sue Virnig.
Golden Hills Redevelopment Area
Tom Burt and Jeanne Andre reviewed the plan and geographic area for the existing Golden
Hills Redevelopment Area. The current redevelopment area is concurrent with the current
tax increment financing (TIF) district (except for the portion south of 1-394), which ends in
2015. Opus has requested TIF for its new project on Xenia at Golden Hills Drive, which
would involve removing two parcels from the existing TIF district to create anew district.
Staff noted that the recent 1-394 Corridor Study incorporated a larger geographic area and
expressed a broader mission than the existing Golden Hills Redevelopment Area. As both
documents serve as planning guides for the City, staff recommended that these
documents be parallel in their vision. Another decision the Commissioners discussed was
whether to expand the redevelopment area to encompass all or a larger portion of the
Corridor Study Area. The Commissioners directed staff to develop a completely new
Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan that reflects the mission and geographic area of the
1-394 Study Area.
Other Redevelopment Obiectives
Valley Square and North Wirth - Staff reported on the Valley Square and North Wirth
Redevelopment Areas and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts. North Wirth TIF District
#3, a single parcel soil correction district, is open with tax increment available on a pay-as:-
you-go basis. The development is meeting the phasing requirements of the development
agreement, but is not moving forward as quickly as the developer anticipated. The original
North Wirth TIF District has been closed. Most of the original Valley Square TIF District is
closed except for parts of Area B which provide increment to payoff outstanding bonds.
The Valley Square District will close in 2011.
Douglas Drive - Staff inquired about Commissioner interest in considering a new
Redevelopment Area and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District along Douglas Drive. It is
anticipated that United Properties will apply for TIF for senior housing at the northeast
corner of the intersection of Douglas Drive and Golden Valley Road. In addition the
Commissioners have expressed interest in encouraging updating or redevelopment of the
Douglas Drive Apartments. The City has recently been awarded a grant for a non-
Special Workshop of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
February 12, 2008 - Page 2
motorized transportation study for the corridor, which will also involve study of adjacent
land uses. Recommendations for road improvements that might come out of that study are
not currently included in the City's Capital Improvement Project. Staff recommended that a
new redevelopment area and tax increment financing district might be a way to finance
some of the Council objectives. The Council requested staff to set up a working group
including HRA Commissioners and Planning Commissioners to consider this issue and
identify the appropriate geographic area for further study.
Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm.
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Paula Pentel, Chair
ATTEST:
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ne Andre, Assistant Director