Home About FAQ Jobs A to Z index Search Departments Council Commissions Documents Forms Codes Services Projects Channel 16 Internet Links Contact City of Richfield banner

Corridor Housing Initiative
 

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please read what others have asked about the Corridor Housing Initiative.
 

Q: A purchase agreement has been entered into for the 72nd and Penn (cemetery) site – what does this mean for the CHI process?

A: The 72nd and Penn site was included in the CHI process because it was likely to be sold and developed in the near future. The site is privately owned and the owners can sell the property at any time. Through the CHI process, it was hoped that there could be discussion as to what would be most appropriate on the site before development occurred. During the process, Project for Pride in Living (PPL) and Partnership Academy disclosed their interest in purchasing the property. Between the third and fourth workshops, PPL entered into a contingent purchase agreement with the owners of the cemetery site. City staff expects that a formal development proposal will be submitted to the City in the near future. Having included the site in the CHI process, the community was able to learn about an interested developer and development plan before the proposal was submitted to the City. In the fourth workshop, the community will have the opportunity to talk further with PPL/Partnership Academy about their plans. Absent the CHI process, the community would likely not be informed of nor have the opportunity to discuss the developer’s plans prior to a formal proposal being submitted. (January 2008)

Q: Can a charter school be built at 72nd and Penn? What if housing is also included in the proposal?

A: The property is currently zoned R – Single Family Residential and is designated as Quasi-Public in the current Comprehensive Plan. A charter school is a conditionally permitted use in the R District and is considered a Quasi-Public use. Some types of multi-family development are also conditionally permitted in the R District. To streamline the approval process, a zoning change to a Planned Unit Development will most likely be requested. A zoning change requires a public hearing before the Planning Commission and approval of the City Council. (January 2008)

Q: Who is Project for Pride in Living and Partnership Academy?

A. Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis. PPL sponsors Partnership Academy, a charter school located in Assumption Church, Richfield, since 2001. With respect to a potential development, PPL would act as the developer and Partnership Academy would be the tenant. The majority of students currently attending Partnership Academy are residents of Richfield. With the new development, Partnership Academy plans to move their current charter school from Assumption Church to the 72nd and Penn site. There has also been discussion about including housing in the development proposal. (January 2008)

Q: I have additional questions about the potential development at 72nd and Penn, who do I contact?

A: First, please attend the 4th CHI workshop on Wednesday, January 16th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 7227 Penn Ave S. Representatives from PPL and Partnership Academy will be available to discuss community concerns, etc. regarding their plans for the 72nd and Penn Ave site. You can also contact the Community Development Department at CHI@cityofrichfield.org or 612-861-9778. (January 2008)
 

Q: Why these three areas and not the Lyndale Garden Center, Penn Avenue, Nicollet and 494?

A: Planning for redevelopment of these three sites is appropriate at this time.    The 76th and Lyndale area is being pursued because it was located in the ILN redevelopment area established in 1985. It is the last site to be redeveloped in that area. Through the CHI process, the community can influence development that will occur at this location.  The City Garage site was chosen because the Garage operations will be relocated in 2008 .  The existing facility will become vacant.  The HRA has purchased other property on the block in anticipation of redevelopment.  also redevelopment will help pay for the new garage facility.   The third site, the cemetery site at 72nd St and Penn Avenue, was chosen because the cemetery  owners approached city staff with a request to help them find a buyer.  There has been some developer interest in the site. Similar to the 76th and Lyndale site, the community can influence the type of development that occurs through the CHI process.
 
Regarding the other sites you mentioned, the Penn Avenue and 66th area  has a visioning process underway.  The second and final phase is just beginning.    If you would like more information on this project, please contact John Stark at jstark@cityofrichfield.org.  The Lyndale Garden Center property was included in a  Lakes at Lyndale study.  Staff is actively responding to developers who express interest in this site as the vision is already in place.    The Nicollet and 494  area is part of the 494 corridor.  Last year a vision was completed for this area.  The comprehensive plan was modified as was the zoning ordinance to reflect the vision. We are now waiting for the market to respond. 
 
Successful redevelopment needs to match community needs with market needs - this takes time. Currently much of the housing and commercial markets are "soft".  In areas where a vision is in place we must wait.  However in areas where a vision is needed this is an excellent time to formulate one. 

 

Q: I wasn't notified about this process - how did you publicize the process?

A: A newsletter was sent to every address in Richfield (including residential and commercial properties).  In addition, the CHI was advertised on the City's cable channel, on the City's website, and on flyers distributed throughout the community.  Contact was made with numerous community groups, requesting help in spreading the information to the community.  A presentation was made to Council, HRA and Planning Commission prior to the first workshop.  In preparation for the Workshop II, staff requested the Sun Current run an article on the process and also mailed notice to owners and tax payers within 500 feet of each site.