CR 2013-071 Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development Program - Oxford GreenG\TY OP
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July 23, 2013 y O P K I N S Council Report 2013-071
Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development
Program — Oxford Green
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 2013-
040 identifying the need for Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development
Funding and authorizing an application for grant funds.
Overview
The Metropolitan Council offers Livable Communities Act (LCA) grant funding for transit
oriented developments that promote moderate to high density development projects
located within walking distance of major transit stops. Projects must be directly
connected to transit via pedestrian friendly streets and public spaces, and offer people
from various ages, backgrounds, and incomes abundant, convenient, and affordable
transportation choices. Eligible projects must be located within an LCA-TOD Eligible
Area and be within '/z mile of a transit stop. Station stops along the SW LRT line are
considered within the eligible area.
Project for Pride in Living (PPL) has proposed a 51 -unit affordable apartment building at
the southeast corner of Oxford Avenue and Blake Road, within '/z mile of the future
Blake Station. The project would be constructed on what is currently six parcels
consisting of renter -occupied duplexes. The properties are immediately adjacent to
Cottageville Park. PPL has named their project Oxford Green.
PPL is seeking $1,600,000 from the Metropolitan Council's LCA-TOD fund to assist in
land acquisition, demolition, and placemaking within and around the project area. The
placemaking aspect of the request specifically relates to creating enhanced pedestrian
connections between the existing neighborhood along Oxford Avenue and the
expanded Cottageville Park. As part of the grant application to the Metropolitan Council
a resolution identifying the need for LCA-TOD funds from the City Council and
authorization to proceed with an application is required.
PPL submitted the grant application in time for the Metropolitan Council's July 1St
deadline. The resolution of support is required to be submitted by July 31St in order to
continue the Metropolitan Council's review of the request.
Primary Issues to Consider
• Does the City continue to support the Oxford Green project?
Council Report 13-071
Page 2
Supporting Information
• Resolution 2013-040
M/mBeekman
munity Development Coordinator
Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y/N Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
Analysis of the Issues
The City, in partnership with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is in the process
of planning for a major expansion of Cottageville Park. As part of that expansion 24
units of housing, primarily renter -occupied and affordable, was acquired and
demolished. In addition, the City envisions great densities of housing along Blake Road
in this area in anticipation of the future Blake Station. The proposed Oxford Green
project meets the City's long term vision of the Blake Road corridor while replacing lost
units of affordable renter -occupied housing.
AItarnativPQ
The Council has the following alternatives:
• Approve Resolution 2013-040
• Approve Resolution 2013-040 with changes
• Deny Resolution 2013-040 and opt not to support PPL's application for grant
funding
RESOLUTION NO. 2013-040
CITY OF HOPKINS, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING AN
APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS
WHEREAS the City of Hopkins is a participant in the Metropolitan Livable
Communities Act ("LCA") Local Housing Incentives Program for 2013 as determined by
the Metropolitan Council, and is therefore eligible to apply for LCA Livable
Communities Demonstration Account and Tax Base Revitalization Account Transit
Oriented Development (collectively, "TOD") funds; and
WHEREAS the City has identified a proposed project within the City that meets TOD
purposes and criteria and is consistent with and promotes the purposes of the
Metropolitan Livable Communities Act and the policies of the Metropolitan Council's
adopted metropolitan development guide; and
WHEREAS the City has the institutional, managerial and financial capability to
adequately manage an LCA-TOD grant; and
WHEREAS the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
as stated in the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS the City acknowledges TOD grants are intended to fund projects or project
components that can serve as models, examples or prototypes for TOD development or
redevelopment elsewhere in the Region, and therefore represents that the proposed
project or key components of the proposed project can be replicated in other
metropolitan -area communities; and
WHEREAS only a limited amount of grant funding is available through the Metropolitan
Council's Livable Communities TOD initiative during each funding cycle and the
Metropolitan Council has determined it is appropriate to allocate those scarce grant funds
only to eligible projects that would not occur without the availability of TOD grant
funding.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, after appropriate examination and due
consideration, the governing body of the City:
1. Finds that it is in the best interests of the City's development goals and priorities
for the proposed TOD Project to occur at this particular site and at this particular time.
2. Finds that the TOD Project component(s) for which Livable Communities TOD
funding is sought:
(a) will not occur solely through private or other public investment within the
reasonably foreseeable future; and
(b) will occur within the term of the grant award (two years for Pre -Development
grants, and three years for Development grants, one year for Cleanup Site Investigation
grants and three years for Cleanup grants) only if Livable Communities TOD funding is
made available for this project at this time.
3. Authorizes its City Manager to submit on behalf of the City an application for
Metropolitan Council Livable Communities TOD grant funds for the TOD Project
component(s) identified in the application, and to execute such agreements as may be
necessary to implement the TOD Project on behalf of the City.
Adopted this 23`d day of July, 2013.
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
Attest:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk