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