HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/2016CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 26, 2016
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City of Apple Valley Urban Affairs Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by
Planner Kathy Bodmer at 7:03 p.m.
Members Present: Barry Berg, Edwin Holmes, Sharon Schwartz, Pamela Sohlberg and Walton
Mahlum.
Members Absent: Sandy Breuer
Staff Present: Planner Kathy Bodmer and Planner/Economic Dev. Spec. Alex Sharpe.
2. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CHAIR TO CONDUCT MEETING
Ms. Bodmer inquired if the Committee would like to appoint an Acting Chair to conduct the
meeting or proceed directly to the election of chair and secretary. The Committee asked that staff
lead the meeting until a Chair was approved.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ms. Bodmer asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Hearing none she called for a motion.
MOTION: Berg moved, seconded by Holmes, approving the agenda. Ayes - 5 - Nays - 0.
4. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF CHAIR AND SECRETARY
Pamela Sohlberg nominated Sharon Schwartz to serve as Chair.
Edwin Holmes nominated Berry Berg to serve as Chair.
Ballots were prepared by Planner/Ecomonic Dev. Spec. Alex Sharpe and passed out to the
Committee for voting. Ballots were tallied and Sharon Schwartz was selected as Chair of the Urban
Affairs Advisory Committee.
Edwin Holmes nominated Berry Berg to serve as Secretary.
Ballots were tallied and Berry Berg was selected as Secretary of the Urban Affairs Advisory
Committee.
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
Dakota County, Minnesota
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
October 26, 2016
Page 2 of 4
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 22, 2013.
Chair Schwartz asked if there were any changes to the minutes. Hearing none she called for a
motion.
MOTION: Berg moved, seconded by Sohlberg, approving the minutes of the meeting of
October 22, 2013. Ayes - 5 - Nays — 0.
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling Units
Planner Kathy Bodmer stated the City Council directed the Urban Affairs Advisory Committee to
review Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling Units and their potential in the community.
Planner Kathy Bodmer gave a presentation on the history of the new state law, what Temporary
Family Health Care Dwellings are, and the current status.
Berg noted that there would not be a hard line phone into the structure, which could lead to safety
issues. He also questioned whether the building code would need to be amended to allow for these
structures.
Sohlberg stated that the City's concerns were well laid out in the report and that she agreed with
them. She also noted that she could not imagine sitting alone in one of these units.
Sohlberg questioned how a resident would get in and out of the unit in the winter snow and whether
a new path would need to be created to allow a resident to get to the unit.
Berg noted that the time limits placed by the state are nearly irrelevant as they are unenforceable.
Holmes stated that the city of Houston allows detached granny flats, but that these were permanent
structures.
Berg expressed concern that if we allowed additional dwelling units in an area that the City would
be forced to reevaluate prior issues concerning density.
Walton Mahlum questioned the costs of the temporary units, from installation to heating the units in
the winter. He stated that with the poor insulation of the units and the electric heaters that the
electric bill to keep the unit habitable is of concern.
Berg questioned how caregivers would know if the person in the unit needed assistance.
Schwartz questioned who enforces if there are issues or complaints about the unit and if the City
was responsible how we would make a determination that the correct care is being provided.
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
Dakota County, Minnesota
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
October 26, 2016
Page 3 of 4
Planner Kathy Bodmer gave further history on the history of how this item went through the
Minnesota Legislature.
Sohlberg noted that a better solution than these units would be a low cost loan to adapt the existing
permanent home on the site.
Berg questioned whether there were any federal grants for ADA to make a home more accessible.
Mahlum questioned whether many homes in Apple Valley would even be able to meet the new
State law. She noted that it would be difficult to get the unit to the backyard of many homes, and
that with the setbacks many lots in the City could not install these units.
Sohlberg expressed concern that a neighbor to one of these units may have if they wished to sell
their home and how that would affect potential buyers.
Holmes stated that the aging population issue is not going to alleviate itself But that the better
solution appears to be an Accessory Dwelling Unit, not a Temporary Family Health Care Dwelling.
Berg stated that it is important that the City create ordinances that help to maintain the City
character for the surrounding properties, and that these units were not in character with their
surroundings.
Mahlum stated that these units were likely to compete in costs with assisted living facilities when
you add up all of the operation costs, and the care costs. He went on to say that the people utilizing
one of these units may not need a loan.
Sohlmberg expressed that it may not be necessary for the Urban Affairs Committee to meet an
additional 2 times, that these units were not in the best interest of the community.
Holmes stated that the purpose of the Council asking the Urban Affairs Committee to look at this
item was to provide other solutions, and that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) would be the
solution. He further stated that he felt the Committee should evaluate those units and provide a
recommendation to City Council on an ordinance for ADU.
Schwartz summed up the questions and directed staff to research the costs to install and upkeep
(including heating) the Temporary Family Health Dwellings and the layouts of models, the cost of a
modest assisted living facility, and what other cities are doing with ADU for the next meeting.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Review of upcoming meeting.
Planner Bodmer stated that the next Urban Affairs Committee meeting would take place on
November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center.
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
Dakota County, Minnesota
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
October 26, 2016
Page 4 of 4
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 8:41 p.m. Ayes - 5 -
Nays - 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/ Alex Sharpe
Planner/Ecomonic Dev. Spec. Alex Sharpe
Approved by the Urban Affairs Advisiory Committee
on 1/11/17 Chair