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City Council Minutes <br />July 6, 2020 <br />Page 5 <br />■ Member of MN Commercial Association of Realtors and this property has been <br />seen by everyone. <br />■ Reviewed case studies as noted in his presentation. They are capable and <br />successful at selling/marketing property but can't create demand if it's not <br />wanted in an area. <br />■ Land has been improved: fire hydrant/utilities/curb & gutter. New TH169 <br />highway design will not help for commercial use. Selling land to CommonBond <br />for very little money. <br />• Will stimulate some viability for the retail center with more clientele. <br />■ Lot of commercial sites available in Elk River that have been sitting for many <br />years and it is not the only community we are competing against. <br />■ People don't have to choose Elk River when they have the whole country to <br />choose locations. <br />■ Sent letter recently with zero response or interest expressed. <br />■ He discussed the additional signage on the property. <br />■ Kids will not be driving so they don't need parking stalls at the apartment. <br />■ There has been no interest in the property, and they need to consider other <br />opportunities. <br />■ They will continue to pursue the other lots. <br />Jacob Peterson, 19468 Dodge Street, stated the city is lucky to have CommonBond <br />working on this project and noted there is nothing available in the city for affordable <br />housing. He stated he is in support of this project and felt a lot of people his age <br />would support it. <br />Cecile Bedor, CommonBond, 1080 Montreal Ave., St Paul, discussed the following <br />regarding the fears expressed at this meeting. <br />■ There is no data for increased crime with workforce housing. They perform <br />criminal history checks on applicants. Complete staff training also makes sure <br />there is not crime. <br />• Their residents will be the first to contact them when there are snow and <br />garbage issues. <br />■ Willing to make additional design improvements. Want everyone to be proud <br />of their business. <br />■ If required to put in covered parking they would have to raise rent and then <br />this project wouldn't be affordable. Confident the city parking requirement is <br />not needed based on history. <br />■ Property values do not decline when you build affordable housing. <br />■ City housing study shows need for an additional 177 affordable housing <br />units. Residents have demanded the housing. CommonBond is the tool to <br />meet city goals. <br />■ In 2019 asked Council about support for the zone change before spending a <br />significant amount of money on this project. <br />Perry Beise, Planning Commissioner, stated the commission liked the project but <br />didn't feel the location was appropriate because of the commercial zoning. He <br />IP 0 w E 0 E 0 0 r <br />INA UR <br />