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MINUTES of the MHNA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Tuesday May 20. 2003 •University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE

1. Meeting called to order at 7:40 PM by MHNA Vice President Kelly Carver. Two items were added to the agenda (recent steam plant venting and Schafer Richardson item that was carried over from earlier board meeting) which was then approved on a motion made by Brian Biele.
2. The minutes of the April meeting were approved. (Biele motion)
3. Melissa Bean voiced a complaint about the Foster Wheeler Steam Plant venting the previous Sunday from approximately 5 – 8 PM. Those present agreed the noise was extremely disruptive and annoying. These episodes are not supposed to occur during weekends when residents are at home. A motion was made (Ted Tucker) and unanimously passed to send a letter of complaint to the University.
4. Marcy-Holmes resident and Cuningham Group project manager Noah Bly continued his presentation on the new Schafer Richardson housing development being proposed for our riverfront. He met again with Marcy-Holmes’ Zoning & Planning Committee this month. The committee wished to break down the proposal into manageable segments, the first of which is the requested zone change. The developers are seeking support for a change to C3A. (That designation would allow retail sales ands services and, with a conditional use permit, multiple family dwelling units. It would also permit community spaces, like a museum, library or community center.)Noah summarized the project: preserving and reusing most of the historic structures on the site; in filling with four high density residential towers, the tallest of which would be approx. 35 stories tall; lower scale townhouses on the street fronts at Main and Second; possibly some first floor commercial spaces; return of 5th Ave to a city street; a pedestrian path that would create an opening to the river approx. where 4th Ave SE would be; 90% of the units would be market rate owner occupied. The developers are aware of our concerns regarding height, traffic, parking and density. They tried to take the Master Plan into consideration. They have done some shadow studies but they did not have them tonight.Many questions followed. Judith Duncan asked what the view would be from 6th Ave and 5th Street – up the hill from the site. Noah answered that it would mostly be foliage in summer, but the towers would be visible in winter – it would be analogous to the steam plant smoke stacks now. Peter Goelzer asked what would happen if we supported a zone change but the developers changed their minds and sold the property. The zoning change would remain with the site, and we might get another developer who wouldn’t work with the neighborhood, such as on the other side of Metalmatic. Ted Tucker agreed that we shouldn’t support a zone change until the plan was set. There has been no zone change application submitted to the city so far. Peter Goelzer suggested we could say something like “based on what we’ve seen so far, we would support the zoning change.” Rod Ecklund was concerned about any development that might follow this one. He said it was a ‘faulty assumption’ that Pillsbury/General Mills would be staying in the neighborhood. Noah answered that Lourdes Square went in after La Rive, and their difference in scale/height in relation to shadows didn’t inhibit sales. Regis Gaudet wondered if this wasn’t similar to Cedar Riverside towers going up in our neighborhood. Paula Kamrath asked if the zoning change would only affect their property. Yes, it would. Tom Lincoln asked whether there was a height limit in this zoning? Noah thought it was 84 feet, but they would seek a variance. They would also need a floor/area ratio variance. Bill Huntzicker asked why the height is still at 35 stories. Noah answered that his group is aware that this will be a lengthy process and they need to “get at what height means”. A man who identified himself as living across the river, expressed the need for some “shared community space” in the project – that the townhouse residents should not be the only ones to have this unique close access to the river. Noah added that the townhouses would establish this area as safe and secure and enliven the streetscape. There is the possibility of some retail or restaurant on Main. Developer Brad Schafer added that they want as much commercial use as possible, that activity is desirable many hours of the day. The same man said the new housing in the warehouse district missed an opportunity to do this and the same mistake should not occur here.

   Kelly Carver said he wished to give the developers a helping hand; that we were willing to work with them on this. Ted Tucker informed the group that our Master Plan doesn’t address zoning changes; that must be done at the Zoning Department. Scott Bean made a motion “To support the basic concept of the plan and the zoning changes that would support it”. More discussion followed.

   Bill Huntzicker wished to add to the motion: That the developers consult with us about more commercial uses. Gordon Kepner was concerned about the density. We have currently 9,000 residents and adding approx 3,000 makes this a critical project that will have far reaching impact. He felt our strongest position is before the zoning change is granted, and that the motion on the floor was premature. An unidentified man wondered, given the current economic climate, if a more modest proposal would fare better than adding more high priced condos. Ralph Burgess, Winslow House resident, urged the group to save the zoning until we have a strong plan presented. He agreed there should be more commercial along main Street. He did not like the parts of the plan that would “create a private domain for a select few, and suggested instead to think of the site as a city wide resource that should be shared.” Ted Tucker spoke out against the motion. He suggested we form a committee to continue talks with the developer. Kelly Carver called for a vote and the motion did not carry.

   David Frank, neighborhood resident and part of the Schafer Richardson team, asked the group for a resolution reaching common understanding – something like “if we can reach an agreement, we would support the zoning change.” Ted Tucker made a new motion: “ To ask the President to appoint a committee to keep negotiating with the developer and the architect ; to list all the ways the plan could support the Master Plan; and to note areas of concern. Gordon Kepner added to the motion: That a representative from the Master Planning Committee and NRP Implementation Committee be appointed to the committee and that the goal is to work with the developer to come to an agreement that will allow us to support the zoning change they are requesting. Motion passed with one abstention.

5. The Spring Jam was discussed. Although there was a student-led clean – up before the weekend, after Saturday night parties the litter was “atrocious”. People questioned why the clean –up didn’t occur Sunday morning after the parties. The streets were worse that before. The city crews come out and clean this mess when it is the U that should bear the costs. A motion was made and unanimously passed : ”To draft and send a letter stating our disappointment in the Clean Up efforts, adding that the clean up event should be held Sunday morning in the future and expressing our concern that it is deceptive to promote this clean-up before the event and if the U of MN wishes to maintain a positive relationship with this community, they need to follow through on this commitment.
6. Jo Ann Danks, Mill City Museum Community Relations, spoke briefly about the new museum across the river at 704 Second Street. It is built within the walls of the old Washburn A-Mill. And is on the National Historic register. The museum’s mission is to tell the stories of the people and industries that built Minneapolis and how they impact us today. The mill was built in 1880. For comparison, the Stone Arch Bridge was built in 1883/. The museum will be hands-on, with something always baking. They expect a lot of school tours. Students form Marcy School previewed the museum exhibitions and Ms. Danks was impressed with their knowledge of local history. A café, store and observation deck will be part of the museum, which opens Sept. 13.
7. Eric Heideman, SE Branch Librarian, and Kathy Reilly, of Save the SE Library Committee, updated us in the library’s future. It is still endangered. The SE library serves a diverse community, including students and faculty. It is the only general purpose library for students on the east bank. The library board is looking for ways to cut $4 million from their budget. Mr. Heideman is a believer in sharing the discomfort and favors a temporary reduction in hours over a complete shutdown. He fears closing this site would be permanent. The new Save the SE Library Committee is meeting tomorrow. Tonight Mr Heideman and Ms Reilly are asking for a motion from MHNA that would help their efforts. The following motion was made (Bill Huntzicker) and passed unanimously: To send a letter of support to keep the SE Library open and oppose any effort to cut it back.”Brian Biele asked how the SE Library’s numbers stack up to other branches. We are pretty consistently in 10th place, out of 16 libraries. Another person suggested the u of MN might get involved, since this branch also serves students and staff. Walther Liebenow said that circulation would soon be rising, as it always does during a Depression. Many expressed support for this important neighborhood institution.
8. Elissa Cottle gave an NRP update. Next month a draft of the Master Plan will be considered for approval by the MHNA Board and General Membership. After it is approved, it will go to the city for adoption. Elissa and the NRP Implementation Committee are still taking ideas for how to reallocate unspent NRP funds. Call the office 379-3812.
9. Dave Polaschek, MHNA Secretary, announced that we have three seats to fill on the board at next month’s elections. If you have been a member for a year and are interested in joining the board, call the office 379-3814.
10. A new member who identified herself as Carrie, a non -student who lives across from the Loring Pasta Bar, voiced a complaint about lack of overnight parking spots in Dinkytown. Since this item was not on the agenda, and due to time constraints, we did not spend much time on the issue. It was suggested that the U ramp on 4th Street might make accommodations for residents.
11. Paula Kamrath announced that the Pratt Ice Cream Social is May 30, from 5:30 – 8:30 and urged people to attend.