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REDA Meeting <br /> Minutes—Tuesday,April 18,2017 <br /> Page 7 <br /> years; deferred loans with MN Housing and the Metropolitan Council; and use <br /> of federal housing tax credits. Mr. Thelen noted that with this proposed <br /> financing package, there were several time-sensitive grant and pre-grant <br /> applications due in May and June of 2017 for the project to proceed on <br /> schedule; and sought city support or interest in the project. <br /> Member McGehee asked about the different amenities in the proposed <br /> buildings. <br /> Mr. Thelen advised that the goal as displayed in this rendering was to ensure <br /> the buildings were similar in appearance, with affordable building tenants <br /> having access to all amenities. <br /> Member McGehee questioned why it was then necessary to segregate the <br /> affordable units in a separate building. <br /> Mr. Thelen responded that it was related to funding sources, with certain <br /> sources only tied to affordable housing (e.g. MHFA) making it impossible to <br /> record mortgages and loans on different parcels versus one distinct parcel. <br /> Unfortunately, Mr. Thelen advised that was how financing was currently <br /> structured. Mr. Thelen further noted that on the affordable side, there were <br /> different requirements for affordable mixes (e.g. family housing providing for <br /> more bedrooms). With his firm's goal for a 209-unit project, Mr. Thelen stated <br /> that it would be impossible to accomplish in the development world without <br /> that separation of affordable and market rate units. <br /> As she had frequently stated, Member McGehee stated that she didn't think it <br /> was impossible, and that she was aware of developers who made it work. <br /> While liking the proposed amenities, Member McGehee stated that she didn't <br /> like the "have" and"have not"buildings. <br /> At the request of Member Laliberte, Mr. Krause reviewed past use of solar <br /> panel carports even though it was a newer part of solar technology especially <br /> in the Minnesota market. However, Mr. Krause advised that they had done 7-8 <br /> applications similar to this across the country. Mr. Krause noted that the <br /> challenge was to provide a structure sufficient to hold the panel off the ground <br /> while also conserving parking capacity. Mr. Krause noted that it created an <br /> attractive parking space with some shade from sun in summer and protection in <br /> winter from snow, ice, and rain, making these parking spaces better and more <br /> sought after. <br /> While agreeing that initially they appeared unique and more attractive, <br /> Member Laliberte asked how the building materials for these supports <br /> weathered over time (e.g. their supports) or whether this technology had been <br /> in place long enough for such an analysis. <br />