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Special HRA Minutes Page 2 <br /> June 30,2003 <br /> Hanson of MetroPlains Development further explained why the MHFA application is <br /> necessary to make the project financially feasible. Ms.Mehelich stated that while the MHFA <br /> application needs to be submitted,receipt of the funds will be contingent on the HRA and <br /> developer reaching a final development agreement. <br /> The HRA directed staff and MetroPlains to prepare the list of development agreement <br /> issues. Ms. Mehelich requested that the HRA identify any issues that need to be addressed <br /> as part of a final development agreement with MetroPlains. Commissioner Motion asked <br /> that the following issues be addressed in the final development agreement: <br /> • Clarification of proposed parking&transitional parking <br /> • Description of proposed walking path,etc. along river <br /> • Confirmation of project timeline&penalty for non-performace <br /> • Description of visual access to river from lower level on Bluff Block design <br /> Chair Toth inquired about whether or not the building of a parking ramp behind the Brick <br /> Block has been researched. Ms. Mehelich explained that a smaller surface level ramp was <br /> researched for the rear Brick Block concept but not the Jackson and Bluff Block concepts. <br /> Ms. Mehelich provided the following summary of parking options during project <br /> construction: <br /> • Dares Funeral Home parking lot <br /> • Remove Elk River Municipal Utilities building&close off King Ave. <br /> • City green space east of Sunshine Depot <br /> • • Contractor parking in city lots north of Hwy 10 <br /> COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO SUPPORT METROPLAINS AND THE <br /> CITY IN SUBMITTING A MULTIFAMILY AND HOUSING TAX CREDIT <br /> APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY AND <br /> THAT THE HRA RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ALSO <br /> SUPPORT THE APPLICATION AND FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION TO A <br /> LETTER OF INTENT TO TRANSFER THE CITY-OWNED JACKSON BLOCK <br /> PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER WILSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE <br /> MOTION CARRIED 4-0. <br /> COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A LIST <br /> OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ISSUES TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO <br /> THE HRA FOR CONSIDERATION. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON <br /> SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. <br /> 4. Review&Comment on Downtown Design Standards <br /> Planner Chris Leeseberg reported that the HRA requested to review the Downtown Design <br /> Guidelines for a second time. The HRA reviewed the first draft in March and provided <br /> several issues of concern. <br /> Several HRA members expressed that the guidelines were too restrictive and asked if <br /> MetroPlains would have a problem complying with the new standards. Commissioner <br /> Thompson mentioned that MetroPlains should have been invited to all Planning <br /> • Commission meetings regarding the design standards. Mr.Leeseberg explained that <br /> MetroPlains had been consulted throughout the process but that developers are typically not <br />