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MINUTES of the MHNA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Tuesday March 18, 2003 • University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE

1. Meeting called to order at 7:37 pm by President Chris Wilson. The agenda was approved (T. Zatocil motion)
2. MHNA Board Member Ardes Johnson announced that the U of MN Spring Jam Neighborhood Clean-Up will occur on Earth Day, April 22, from 2 – 5 pm. Students and community volunteers will remove trash from the east side of the neighborhood that day. Volunteers are needed! Meet at the Dinkytown McDonald’s at 2 pm. Free refreshments from McDonald’s and other area merchants.
   Ardes is also enlisting members to join the Livability Committee this spring. These are great opportunities to get involved in sprucing up the neighborhood. A motion (Dave Polaschek) to send a letter of support to the U of MN for the Spring Jam Clean-Up was unanimously approved.
3. Nathalie Hallyn, MHNA member, reported on the MWMO’s (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization) Stewardship Grant, currently available to neighborhood groups. In our urban area, most rainfall doesn’t have a chance to soak into the ground, due to the amount of paved surfaces, so it goes into the street and then on to the Mississippi. This can do harm to the river and its banks. There are many ways to capture this runoff for better uses. Rain barrels can collect water off roofs so it can be slowly released for watering residential gardens. Rain gardens collect run off that is used by native plants and even microbes that clean the water. Green roofs have 2-4” of soil and are planted. Technology in this area has made it possible so these gardens can absorb 75% of a roof’s rainwater.
   Ms Hallyn works for The Kestral Design Group, a company that works on sustainable design and storm water management techniques. Knowing that these stewardship grants are available, she asked her firm to prepare a proposal to assist the MHNA in gathering information, facilitating meetings and forming an action plan. The cost would be $2500. It was suggested that the money for this preliminary stage could come from the grant, if we receive it. Instead, a motion (Gene Buell) was passed to support the request for funding this proposal using NRP money.
4. Elissa Cottle presented an NRP Plan Modification that needed a vote. A 30-day notification was given. The plan mod is to re-allocate NRP funds to pay for 6 months of NRP staff and office expenses, some of which are MHNA costs. When that runs out in September, we may need another vote. By then, the Master Plan will be finished and we can make a more informed decision. The MHNA Board just formed a budget and audit committee that will afford additional oversight. A motion (Dave Polaschek) to approve the plan modification taking $25,000 from Dinkytown Streetscape to fund NRP administrative costs for 6 months passed.
   In other NRP news, as we near the end of our first round funding, we may have a substantial amount leftover from certain under-used programs. Next month, Elissa will return for a broader discussion of how to re-allocate approx. $500,000 in leftover NRP funds.
   The Master Plan is moving along; it is now in its second draft form. A committee is meeting to plan the Unveiling of the Sixth Ave. Gateway Sculptures on Sunday May 4 at 1 pm. Elissa reminded us that there is still money available to fix up rental property. Call the Center for Energy and Environment 335-5885 for guidelines.
5. Bret Naylor, Urban Land Development, returned with the latest plans for a student apartment building planned for 13th Ave SE and University, the former Pizza Hut site. He plans to tear down the Pizza Hit and garage on 13th Ave SE, and build market rate housing for sophomores, juniors, seniors, some graduate students and possibly faculty.
   He has been meeting with members of the MHNA Zoning & Planning Committee for about six months. Cuningham Group is the project architect. They strived for a great-looking building with ample parking and mixed use on first floor. Brett thinks the site is “fabulous” with great views on most sides. Although it is 8 stories high, it is set back 24’ from the sidewalk so it will not seem out of place. On University Ave, there is a small turret with retail on the corner. No bar or alcohol sales in any form will be allowed in any business that locates there. It could be a coffee shop, or small grocery – something that would serve the tenants. There will be a lobby, management office and reception desk on the first floor. There will be interior bike storage for each tenant.
   Some variances and an alley vacation are needed for the project to go forward. A conditional use permit is needed for the height (5 stories are allowed). The property needs rezoning to OR3 (allows mixed use). Many of the surrounding buildings are already OR3. Two setback variances are needed – 11’ on 13th Ave, 14’ along rail corridor. The driveway will be off 13th. The first level of parking is behind and there is a full level underground. The building is similar to a u-shape. It will be made of quality materials, like stone on the base and brick above. There are various bays that break up the massing. There will be 102 parking stalls, including 3 handicap spaces.
   A question was asked about the price of parking. It will be approx. $80 per month. Several student apartments that have recently been built charge so much for parking that students opt to park on the street. This would seem to defeat the purpose of the” .5 parking spaces per bed” rule that the city requires. We now have apartment buildings advertising to rent parking to non-residents. Mr. Naylor responded that he would sign a paper that a condition of our approval would be tenant-related parking only. Gene Buell said that some Dinkytown merchant parking will be lost when the garage is demolished, so they might prefer to rent some parking here. Brett passed out a survey of recently completed buildings to support hi sparking proposal.
   Ardes Johnson questioned the height. Mr. Naylor answered that the height was necessary to support the retail and parking and that it should be considered in context to other neighborhood buildings. Sanford Hall is 9 stories, the Chateau is 19, Wilkins residence hall is 4 stories with a 2-story pitched roof, so it seems more like a 6 story. He has done similar projects in Madison, Wisconsin and his experience with a building so close to campus is fewer residents tend to have cars. Kelly Carver asked about the lack of drop-off areas for visitors and deliveries. There is no parking available on the street here. Mr. Naylor said that he would have to go back to the drawing board, could possibly designate some parking spots for this, but his security system would need adjusting. Another resident questioned the need for more student housing, as so much has been built here recently. Mr. Naylor replied that his complex will have traditional apartment configuration, and lower rents than the housing styles at places like Dinnaken House. There will not be private individual bathrooms. The apartments will range from studios (about $500 mo) to 4 bedrooms and are designed to house one person per bedroom. There will be 257 beds, or tenants. The building will be well lit and safe. Mr. Naylor was thanked and then he left.
   Discussion continued. Chris Wilson outlined the requests of the MHNA Z & P Committee: adequate underground parking; suitability of height; quality of materials; and bike racks. Brett has come through with many of these. Guest parking and deliveries are still a problem. Bjorn Johnson made a motion to table the discussion, but it was withdrawn when there was no second. Dave Polaschek moved to approve the zone change, height variance, setback and conditional use permit but request that the .5 parking spaces per bed requirement that we have used in the past is met. The motion did not pass. Ted Tucker suggested we break down the developer’s requests and consider them individually. He made the following motions:
   1. To approve the re-zoning to OR3 (passed)
   2. To oppose the variance needed for the extra stories (passed)
   3. To approve the conditional use permit that would permit the number of units (passed)
   4. To approve the alley vacation (passed)
   5. To uphold the .5 per bed parking ratio for student housing (approved)
6. MHNA member Noah Bly, of Cuningham Architects, introduced Jean Westberg and Rev. Neil Elliot of University Episcopal Center. They brought the final rendering of their new building on 17th & 4th St. SE – a unique blend of apartments, chapel and parking. There is a decorative “crown of thorns” at the top to differentiate it. There are several “intentional living space quads: for members of the faith community. There is a conference room and student lounge available for community use. The University Episcopal Church has been here for 95 years and they invited us to stay tuned as they open their space to students of faith and to the community.
7. Marcy Open School Principal Jane Ellis and parent Julie Matson Ostrow explained the origin of a debate to change the name of the school. Several parents and teachers wished to change the name to Wellstone, to honor the former senator. Some felt the current namesake, William Marcy, has lost its relevancy. Mr. Marcy never had any ties to the neighborhood. The school district’s policy requires a name change to come from the community, not the school board. There is some uncertainty as to what the community is – parents, residents, teachers. Marcy draws students from all over the city and even has some parents who drive their kids in from the suburbs. Supporters believe the new name would match many Wellstone beliefs, such as standing up for the underdog. Many memorials to the Wellstones are being proposed now, some at other schools. A paper was passed out with pros and cons listed. Another Marcy parent present, Robin Russell, spoke against the name change. Others spoke of Marcy as a point of pride in the neighborhood that matches our name; that the school’s reputation has transcended its namesake; that there may be a need to honor Wellstone, but that does not necessarily mean a need to rename the school. This neighborhood chose its name to honor the two schools here, not to honor the 19th century politician William Marcy. Our first use of NRP money was to make 1.7 million dollars available to enable Marcy School to move back into the “Marcy” neighborhood. The name Marcy is important to neighborhood parents and alumni. Ted Tucker made a motion, which was unanimously passed :
   

   The MHNA supports continuing the name “Marcy Open School”.

8. The MCNC 10th Annual River Clean-Up is scheduled for Sat, May 17. MHNA participation has been dwindling – do we still want to do this? Chris Wilson offered an ultimatum – if no one volunteers to coordinate the event by 10 am tomorrow, we will not participate. (Later Walther Liebenow volunteered)
9. We got a letter from the city telling us the Neighborhood Clean Sweep program is being discontinued. This has been a popular event in our neighborhood, seen as very worthwhile both as a community-building event and necessary to keep up appearances. A motion was passed (Regis Gaudet) to write a letter to the city registering our disapproval.
10. A board item (to consider St. Paul’s ordinance to limit student dwellings) that was tabled until this meeting was held over to the April meeting due to time constraints.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM. Melissa Bean, MHNA Staff

News of the March 2003 board meeting

1. CJCC (Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee) Wrap-Up: Paula Kamrath attended the meeting and reported that the neighborhoods did a good job at explaining the situation. Wendy Menken, of SE Como, was the spokesperson for east side neighborhoods. Her main observation was that there is an enforcement problem when it comes to livability crimes, like noisy parties, in the neighborhoods around the university. Kelly Carver thought one of the committee members was particularly upset at the lack of action re: continuing chronic disturbances without consequence, and asked, “where is the breakdown occurring?”. The city attorney and staff of 36 handled 40,000 cases last year and are getting ready for budget cuts. This will have a significant impact.
2. There are two new committees at the U of MN looking for MHNA representation. One is a Task Force making recommendations on students’ behavior and living in the neighborhoods. The other is an ongoing group that will meet to discuss Community/Student relationship issues. No one came forward at this timen to serve on these committees.
3. Zoning & Planning – Craig Silker, new owner of a vacant fraternity at 315 16th Ave SE, made a presentation on his plans for a Christian fraternity/sorority there. He plans to have a coffeehouse on the first floor. That area has a fireplace and French doors. There is also a meeting room. His group is raising funds for the improvements and some students are volunteering their labor. The site is surrounded by fraternities, sororities and parking lots. There will be all new electric, sprinklers, mechanicals.
   He is working with Heritage Preservation on this, as the area is being considered for historic designation. Mr. Silker needs to rezone from R6 to OR3; needs a conditional use permit to have a coffeehouse; needs a variance to reduce minimum structure s.f. for neighborhood retail; needs a parking variance; and a variance to reduce the minimum lot area required for 18 rooming units in a fraternity.
   Board members were hesitant to approve spot zoning – is there any other way to accomplish this? Fraternities are for residences only, no mixed use. Chris Wilson said that he appreciated what their intent was, but wondered about he type of precedent this would set – what if other fraternities / sororities saw this as a way to relieve financial problems? The HPC study is expected to be finished by the end of summer. Council Member Zerby seemed in favor of the project, according to Mr. Silker. We know that these fraternities and sororities are struggling to maintain their properties at the same time their appeal is dwindling due to some old fashioned floor plans. This could be a chance to save a historic property that was formerly scheduled to be demolished. Since it is not in our neighborhood, our response does not have to de “definitive”.
   After much discussion, a motion was passed (Bob Distad):

   Although it is our policy to oppose spot zoning in our neighborhood unless there is a compelling reason to do so, and keeping in mind that this site is not within our official neighborhood boundary and expecting that the project will be overseen by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Office, we do not object to the zoning change and variances Mr. Silker is seeking. At a time when fraternity and sorority facilities are seeking creative adaptations to increase their viability, we view this project as saving a historic building that was boarded and vacant and returning it to become a productive resource for our community.

4. Georgia Sander and Diana Tsypin laid out their plans for a new restaurant in Dinkytown , Kafe 421, at 421 14th Ave SE. They are seeking our support for a wine and beer license. They plan to have some light music, serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch and have a take out/deli area. This is the former Jeffrey Dean’s/Bon Appetit space. Bon Appetit had a wine and beer license, Jeffrey Dean’s did not. Ms. Sanders operates the best Steak House at 54th & Nicollet and also has a catering business. Kafe 421 will be open Mon-Thurs 7 am – 1o pm, Fri – Sat 7 am – 11 pm, and Sundays from 8 am –5 pm. They would like to open in May. The food will feature soup, sandwiches, gyros and salads. Prices will be moderate and flavors international. Evenings will be more of a wine bar/tapas and dessert place.
   Board members asked Ms Sander to impress upon her customers the need to use trash containers. She was also asked to stick to her “no amplified music” promise, as we have had some problems with that in Dinkytown. The restaurant operators were thanked and left. The board continued discussion- why does every restaurant need wine and beer? It’s an economic factor for them. Most would prefer a nice eating establishment over another bar. Dave Polaschek’s motion (with input from Gordon Kepner) was passed with one abstention (Kepner):

   We do not oppose the wine and beer license for Kafe 421 on the condition that the applicant will be held to the “no amplified music” aspect of her application. If, in the future, she wishes to upgrade the liquor or entertainment license, or extend the evening hours beyond those stated (10 on weeknights, 11 on Fri, Sat, ) Ms Sander will have to come before us again.

5. Gene Buell, owner of the building at 831 East Henenpin, presented information about a “light duty auto repair” service, Bradan Automotive, intending to open there. It is next to Legends Café. It is in the I1 zone and requires a conditional use permit, a parking variance(from 12 to 11). The plans would also require an encroachment permit for landscaping. The property has the updated pollution control equipment needed for operation. He has contacted the nearby neighbors and townhome owners across Hennepin. There is a glut in office space currently, so this use will help fill a vacancy. Joe Stokes made a motion To approve the requests for a conditional use permit, parking variance and encroachment permit. It passed unanimously.