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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/2017CITY OF APPLE VALLEY URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2017 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Urban Affairs Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Sharon Schwartz at 6:37 p.m. Members Present: Barry Berg*, Sandy Breuer, Edwin Holmes, Walton Mahlum and Sharon Schwartz * Barry Berg arrived at 6:45 p.m. Members Absent: Pamela Sohlberg Staff Present: Kathy Bodmer, Planner and Alex Sharpe, Planner/Economic Dev. Spec. Guests Present: Anita Burke, Apple Valley Resident. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Hearing none she called for a motion. MOTION: Holmes moved, seconded by Breuer, approving the agenda. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 26, 2016. Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the minutes. Hearing none she called for a motion. MOTION: Mahlum moved, seconded by Holmes, approving the minutes of the meeting of October 26, 2016. Ayes — 4, Nays — 0, Abstain — 1 (Breuer). 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling Units Planner/Economic Dev. Spec. Alex Sharpe presented information concerning the estimated cost to rent and install a Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling. He reported that Next Door Housing rents the temporary units at a base price, with any improvements requiring an additional fee. Sharpe described how the costs were estimated. Next Door Housing provided some of the information, while installation costs were obtained from contractors and inspectors. Sharpe found that the cost to rent the unit was $1,250/month or $15,000 year. However, the installation cost, CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes January 11, 2016 Page 2 of 4 heating, cooling and septic pumping costs were likely to bring the total annual cost from $22,340 to $26,120 per year. The inspectors noted that the electrical service would need to be trenched to a pedestal and that water would likely to be required to be trenched as well. The estimated costs do not include any additional care or support services. Next, Sharpe reviewed the cost of assisted living at several different facilities in the Twin Cities metro area. He noted that the average cost of senior assisted living in Minnesota is $3,362 per month, or $40,344 per year. The Committee asked more detailed questions about how the costs for a temporary health care dwelling were calculated. Planner Kathy Bodmer explained that one way to address temporary health care housing was accessory dwelling units (ADUs). An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a separate independent living unit within a single family home with separate kitchen, sleeping and sanitation facilities. She explained that there are currently three in the City and that only properties that are zoned "R-1" (Single family residential, minimum lot size 40,000 sq. ft.) or PD -703, Zone 1, (Cobblestone Lake detached single family) are eligible to apply for a conditional use permit (CUP) for an ADU. She reviewed some of the neighboring communities' ADU code provisions. Holmes noted that constructing an addition onto a home could be very minimal to provide simply a new bedroom and bathroom. If a homeowner constructed this type of addition, but the kitchen was shared with the main house, would that be considered an ADU? Staff explained no, one of the definitions of an ADU is separate kitchen facilities. Schwartz explained that not all houses in Apple Valley will be able to construct an addition. She had explored an addition on her previous 4 -level home, but found that the foundation could not be expanded. The Committee raised the concern that placing seniors in the basement of a home may be difficult. Separate access to the unit may be difficult. An egress window with a ladder could also be difficult for a senior to use. The Committee noted that it would take time to construct an addition and it would also take time to prepare a pad for a temporary health care trailer. Anita Burke was asked to share any statement she would like concerning temporary health care dwellings. She said that her family had explored placing a drop -home in their rear yard to care for her mother. She explained that her mother was in the hospital and then was sent to a rehab facility. Her experience was that after a patient is in the hospital, the patient has to go to the rehab facility that is available. The location may not be near the family. Ms. Burke felt that she, as a stay at home mom, along with her family, would have provided better care than the rehab facility. At a reduced cost. But, because she has a large family, Ms. Burke did not have sufficient room available inside the home to keep and care for her mother. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes January 11, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Burke wanted the Committee to keep in mind that the State Law was not intended to provide just eldercare. The law covers anyone who needs help with two essential daily life activities. An ADU is a good idea, she said, but families don't have time to construct an addition or do a significant remodel. She noted that it takes time to widen doorways for wheel chairs and to make bathrooms accessible. The improvements to increase accessibility are then a permanent change to the house. A drop -home would give a family an accessible alternative to take care of a relative while looking for other care options. Burke toured the units and thought they were really nice inside. They were well designed. As her family was investigating options, they knew they would be adding some extra care services. She noted that the temporary unit would have more room than the mother had at the rehab facility. Ms. Burke said she was aware that the law would only allow for a 6 -month permit which could be extended for 6 months. She said she would have removed the trailer after one year. Berg noted that City ordinances have to be narrowly written and that the law was restricted to only those needing health care. He said that the unit would have worked in Ms. Burke's case, but he was concerned that others might abuse the ordinance. Holmes said that he could see the need is there, but the need for temporary health care can be met in a less extravagant way. He asked why someone receiving care would need a separate living area and kitchen. He said his opinion was that someone who is fragile should be kept close to the family. Holmes questioned the need for a separate dwelling. He said he doesn't like the idea of sticking an ill family member out in a garage, a pod or an RV. Besides, the Committee asked, how would the City have a temporary health care dwelling removed after one year if the person still needed the care? Breuer said the fact is, there is a need for short-term emergency solutions. Care facilities have long- term waiting lists. Families need to be able to find a way to ensure adequate care is given. Schwartz asked whether drop -homes are permitted in other states and if so, to find their provisions: New York, Virginia, Florida, Texas. Schwartz asked how a family proves that the trailer is "medically necessary?" Ms. Burke explained that the State law requires a doctor to certify that the person requires assistance with two essential daily living activities. The Committee then directed staff to research the cities previously mentioned and report the findings at the next scheduled Urban Affairs meeting. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Review of upcoming meeting. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes January 11, 2016 Page 4 of 4 The group reviewed calendars and decided the next meeting of the Urban Affairs Committee would take place on Monday, February 13, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center. 8. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further comments from the Urban Affairs Advisory Committee, Chair Schwartz asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Berg moved, seconded by Holmes to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. Ayes - 6 - Nays - 0. Respectfully Submitted, Kathy Bodmer, Planner Approved by the Urban Affairs Advisory Committee on Chair