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News of the Board from Dec. 2005 Board Meeting

1. NRP – Elissa Cottle introduced Matt Hill, candidate for Student Liaison. He lives at Evans Scholars, 10th Ave SE & 5th St SE. A motion to accept Matt Hill as the new student liaison (A Fraser) was passed. In that position, he will be door knocking after parties; disseminating helpful information to students; working with the Restorative Justice program.Phase II NRP Rental Rehab Program was discussed. It will be similar to Phase I, with a total amount of $47,000 to be distributed. The maximum per property is $6,000 so approx 8 properties will be awarded funds. There is a 70% match required. A Feb 28, 2006 deadline for applications will be established and special consideration will be given for projects that improve handicap accessibility or are environmentally friendly. A motion (D Carlson) to approve the MHNA NRP Rental Rehab Program was passed. Postcards will be sent to property owners. The program will also be listed on the website. Elissa agreed to put some examples of projects that have been improved in the neighborhood with this program in her marketing.The RFP for Master Plan Supplemental Planning resulted in three submissions from consultants. Three sections of the neighborhood will be looked at (14th /15th Ave SE; Hennepin/Central Triangle; 35W & Univ Ave) for development feasibility. Maps and tools for the neighborhood to attract developers will be provided. The budget is $20,000 and the process will take four months to complete. The NRP Implementation Committee reviewed proposals and chose to hire the Hoisington Koegler Group (HKU). A motion (Ardes Johnson, NRP Implementation chair) was passed to approve the NRP recommendation to hire HKU.
2. Land Use – One item was recommended for action from the Dec. Land Use meeting. The Executive Committee already approved the Land Use motion to oppose the proposed amendments to the Mpls Code of Ordinances relating to the Zoning Code’s rules for the R2B districts:
   

   While the neighborhood understands the premise that an increase in the population of Minneapolis is good for the city, it appears these amendments will tend to increase rental housing only in the higher density neighborhoods (those areas already zoned for duplexes). It appears that a better solution would be to change zoning city-wide such that population increases could occur in less dense neighborhoods as well as higher density areas.

   As stated in its master plan, the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood is in favor of owner-occupied housing stock. The neighborhood has many rental properties, many of which are absentee-owned. Because of our concern that the proposed amendments could result in increased absentee landlord housing and decreased owner-occupied housing and could be an encouragement to the loss of our heritage housing stock, MHNA opposes Council Member Lilligren’s proposed amendments. If there is a proposal for a duplex that conforms to the Marcy-Holmes Master Plan and helps build the neighborhood, the existing variances can be used.

   The above motion was unanimously adopted tonight (B. Biele) by the MHNA board.

   Land Use news – 700 Central (Archives condo project) wants to add two stories to one of the buildings. Land Use is waiting for drawings and structural information. Developers will be at the next Land Use meeting. The Andrew Riverside/Schafer Richardson church/condo project (8th Ave SE & 4th St SE) was in front of Heritage Preservation Commission last week and was denied. Some of the objections were the height; density; materials and design not fitting into the historic district. Developers and HPC are meeting soon.

3. Livability Chair Tom Lincoln asked the board to approve re-appointing the Marcy-Holmes slate to SEMCOL (SE Mpls Council on Learning). They are: Laurice Jamieson, Ardes Johnson, Scott Bean and Don Fraser. Motion passed.