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Workforce housing plans move forward rden Village,LLC,an entity In anticipation of MHFA approval owned by Sand Companies of of the housing tax credits,the Waite Park,Minnesota,has applicant filed its application for What is workforce housing? filed an application with the City a planned unit development,a "Workforce housing"is a relatively new asking for permission to construct a replatting of the property,a rezoning, term in planning circles.In general,the 55-unit,four-story apartment building and an amendment to the City's in Arden Hills in order to provide comprehensive plan.In December the term is applied to housing that workforce housing.The proposed Planning Commission reviewed the • affordable(sometimes defined as no building will be located at 1296 application and recommended that the more than n0 percent household County Road F on a 2.76 acre site City Council approve the application, income going to housing) that is sandwiched between the Land with several conditions.The site is appeals to gainfully employed, O'Lakes campus to its east and the currently zoned for limited industrial essential workers in the community Bethel College administrative building use,and the request is to change (i.e.,teachers,nurses,police to its west.The site currently contains the zoning to a multiple dwelling officers,fire fighters,office workers, a communications tower and a 1,600 district.The current version of the technicians,and so on) square-foot equipment building. Comprehensive Plan shows the site often located near employment The site is bounded on the south by to be used for utilities.Amending the centers Interstate 694. Plan requires action by the City and approval by the Metropolitan Council. Last year,the applicant asked the City Council for a letter supporting its plans City Council members toured the site the development.As part of the park to build this workforce housing and a with the applicant on January 16 and dedication requirement,the applicant request for housing tax credits from the will consider the Planning Commission is proposing to construct a sidewalk Minnesota Housing Finance Agency recommendation in February. If the along the northern border of the site (MHFA). The City did issue the letter Council approves the recommendation, connecting to the sidewalk recently of support and suggested that if the the applicant will begin the process of constructed by Land O'Lakes that housing tax credits were approved, requesting Tax Increment Financing extends east to Lexington Avenue. the City would consider some type from the City after the MHFA makes a More information is included in the of financial support if the proposed final decision on the tax credits. December Planning Commission project met all applicable state statutes packet which can be found on the and City requirements.The MHFA did The 55 rental units will have one,two, City's website.Just click on the not grant tax credits to Arden Village or three bedrooms with underground Council and Committees tab. during the January Round.Arden as well as surface parking. The Village will reapply for consideration applicant intends to include green later this year. technologies and building practices in City seeks new administrator ue Iverson was appointed recent experience in organizational Fursman will review each application Arden Hills'Acting City development.The Brimeyer Group has and compare the applicant's history Administrator at the end of last been involved with executive searches to the Position Profile,looking for year.Iverson retains her duties as the for over 20 years with extensive those applicants that come closest to a City's Finance Director but will fulfill experience in local government best fit.The Brimeyer Group will do the duties as City Administrator until a recruitment. preliminary interviews with a dozen new Administrator is appointed by the or more applicants and will ultimately City Council. Fursman presented a Position Profile report back to the Council a list of ten for the City Administrator to the City for further consideration. The City has retained The Brimeyer Council on January 11.The Position Group to assist the City in finding a Profile serves as the primary recruiting The City Council will probably new permanent City Administrator. tool.The actual recruiting process narrow the candidate pool to five Richard Fursman,President of began after the Council approved the or less applicants.Interviews are Brimeyer Group,is responsible for the Profile and applications were accepted tentatively scheduled for late March. Arden Hills search.Fursman himself until mid-February. An appointment may be made by early has experience as City Manager April. for Maplewood as well as more 5