2017_0605_REDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

REDA Meeting Minutes—Tuesday,June 5,2017 Page 5 Mr. Thelen responded that a market study was being conducted at this time, with the proposed project currently for 209 units. Mr. Thelen advised that any significant changes in potential funding sources would require another look, and possibly phasing the project; with his company's interest in how the project is currently laid on and without a second plan in place at this time. However, Mr. Thelen advised that there may be other developers interested in pursuing a project on the site other than his firm. At the request of Member Etten, Mr. Thelen advised that while not completed yet, verbal confirmation of the market study indicated demand for the project as currently formatted, with the affordable portion specifically tied to his firm's presentation to their lender(s). At the request of Member Laliberte, Mr. Thelen advised that he was well aware of the city's current tree preservation ordinance and had been in discussion with staff about it and had figured those costs into their financial projections accordingly. At the request of President Roe, Mr. Thelen reviewed the proposed site plan for the benefit of the public, as well as proposed amenities. At the request of Member McGehee, Mr. Thelen advised that his firm had not performed a tree survey at this point to determine the number of replacement trees and those that could be fit on the site or would need located elsewhere to meet city code requirements. At the request of Member McGehee, Mr. Thelen reviewed his firm's first meeting with Metro Transit regarding bus connections and frequencies; and while not having the information available, with President Roe referencing the April and May REDA meeting packets that included that data. At the request of Member Laliberte, Mr. Thelen reviewed the Metropolitan Council's request for re-orientating the buildings to provide resident access immediately accessible to the trail and green space, and recreation areas and the community building. Mr. Thelen advised that his firm had considered that layout early on, but preferred to keep the layout in a more circular community feel, as well as making the rights-of-way more enhancing and to have more of a prominence on Old Highway 8. While this suggestion from the Metropolitan Council had come from their in-house architects and staff, Mr. Thelen noted that it was a recommendation and not a mandate. Mr. Thelen advised that he welcomed feedback from the city and public on that orientation, but opined he and his development team differed in resident access to recreation areas versus the parking lot from their units. In general, Mr. Thelen reported that the Metropolitan Council supported the initial project and invited a full application.