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Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2 <br />December 4, 2023 <br />----------------------------- <br />Commissioner Larson-Vito asked to see what other cities are paying for this service, noting that CEE <br />is also generating loans to residents outside of our program. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall agreed with Commissioner Larson-Vito, and while he felt the increase was large, <br />stated CEE has been doing a good job; bringing the loan processing in-house would cost more <br />money. They tried raising the fee for 2023 and provided the city with a grace period to budget the <br />increase in fees for 2024. He asked staff to analyze and compare this program by shopping the market <br />to find another loan provider, service the program in-house, or recommend the HRA support the cost <br />increase and agree to have CEE administer the loan program. <br /> <br />Staff agreed and will provide information at the January meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Mollan indicated he received an inquiry from an applicant who was close to the boundaries of the <br />Urban Service District. He asked if the HRA would consider opening the boundary. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall stated he would not like to open beyond the Urban Service District and wanted <br />to keep the current target area. He felt the HRA is meeting the needs of the district to allow for <br />updates to energy efficiency, blight, and/or connecting water utilities. <br /> <br />It was the consensus of the commission to keep the boundary in place. <br /> <br />6.2 Coachman II – Duffy Development <br /> <br />Mr. O’Neil presented the staff report. <br /> <br />John Duffy – Duffy Development- reiterated Duffy Development’s attempt earlier this year for <br />funding for the 55+ population. He did get a lot of encouragement on this application and stated he is <br />meeting with Sherburne County and MN Housing on Friday to move this project forward. He <br />reviewed with the Commission the areas of the state application and where they needed more points <br />was in an area called Community Planning. He asked the city to consider working with him to provide <br />a community plan that outlines options for affordable senior housing, and he could provide examples <br />of what other cities use. Mr. Duffy also would like to see Elk River waive certain fees and waiving <br />areas of a site plan such as parking reduction plan and waiving building standards. He would work <br />with different agencies and the county for loans or grants as investors look at that to see if the city is <br />on board with a project like this. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wagner noted the project was great project and felt a reduction in parking <br />requirements could be supported if there were parking spots nearby. She stated the HRA isn’t <br />prepared to do anything at this point. <br /> <br />Commissioner Larson-Vito recommended meeting with the Planning Commission to receive <br />feedback. <br /> <br />Commissioner Ovall asked Mr. Duffy if a business funding a project in lieu of other public funding <br />would count the same, and Mr. Duffy indicated it would. Commissioner Ovall understands the city’s <br />position on TIF, but to him maybe this project is more palatable for TIF with true public dollars from <br />the state to help buy down the project debt and aiding the community with much needed housing. He <br /> <br />