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HRA Meeting <br />Minutes –Tuesday, October 15, 2013 <br />Page 10 <br />1 <br />point for criteria for the proposal; and based on their review of the community meetings held as part of <br />2 <br />their due diligence. <br />3 <br />4 <br />Michelle Harris, 597 Cope <br />5 <br />Ms. Harrisrequested the top ceiling for income; with Mr. Eilers responding that it depended on the <br />6 <br />number of people living in a particular unit. <br />7 <br />8 <br />Amanda Novak, Associate VP of Development for CommonBond <br />9 <br />Ms. Novak responded in more detail to Ms. Harris, reviewing area median income as calculated by <br />10 <br />particular counties, with Ramsey County currently using $80,000 as an average income for a family of <br />11 <br />4; and affordable housing guidelines typically at 50% of that, or $40,000. Ms. Novak noted that it <br />12 <br />varied depending on the number of people being served; but the county median income calculations set <br />13 <br />that ceiling and rent set at a level, not based on income, but in order to live in that building you couldn’t <br />14 <br />make more than that ceiling. <br />15 <br />16 <br />Ms. Harris opined that the front entrance at Cope and Dale seemed confusion to her, and questioned <br />17 <br />how it was accessed. <br />18 <br />19 <br />Ms. Myer responded that the main entrance adjacent to the sidewalks was intended as a guest entrance <br />20 <br />to the building; with residents accessing the building through the drive entry to underground parking <br />21 <br />and elevators to their units. Ms. Myer advised that the intent of the main entry focus is to enhance that <br />22 <br />corner for solidity and presence, creating a gateway into the project community; with walk-ups on the <br />23 <br />first floor of the building. <br />24 <br />25 <br />Ms. Harris questioned what mode of transportation was intended, since there didn’t seem to be any <br />26 <br />parking for visitors. <br />27 <br />28 <br />Ms. Myer advised that there were a few spots intended for visitors; and more could be incorporated <br />29 <br />between the concept and final design stages, including some underground visitor parking, potentially <br />30 <br />adding another 40 stalls. <br />31 <br />32 <br />Mr. Chris Saar, 840 Grandview <br />33 <br />Recognizing that transparency may be an intent and management decision in allowing access from <br />34 <br />several points, Mr. Saarquestioned the distance from the corner of the project to the heart. <br />35 <br />36 <br />Member Elkins sought the distance from the farthest unit to the parking stall; with Ms. Myer estimating <br />37 <br />150’ distance. However, Ms. Myer recognized that the parking amenities were a good point to <br />38 <br />reconsider, she again reminded that this was a schematic proposal; and expressed her confidence that <br />39 <br />adjustments would be made before final design; and reiterated that their intent was to avoid having the <br />40 <br />parking lot take up a large part of thesite in order to emphasize a green, open and active space. <br />41 <br />42 <br />Chair Maschka noted that this project site was not on a bus line and would require sufficient vehicle <br />43 <br />parking and traffic. <br />44 <br />45 <br />With applause from the audience, Chair Maschka thanked presenters for their nice presentation and <br />46 <br />concepts. <br />47 <br />General Public Comment <br />48 <br />Member Willmus encouraged residents, as they further review tonight’s proposals and thought about <br />49 <br />them more, to contact him with their feedback, via website or phone. <br />50 <br />51 <br />Chair Maschka invited and encouraged audience members to express their comments now if they chose <br />52 <br />to do so, or at a later date, at their discretion. <br />53 <br />54 <br />Ken Hartman <br /> <br />