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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.18.2022 Redevelopment Authority Minutes__________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 1 May 18, 2022 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES May 18, 2022 PRESENT: Lori Palmeri, Thomas Belter, Steve Hintz, Archie Stam, Jack Bermingham EXCUSED: Jason Lasky, Susan Panek STAFF: Kelly Nieforth, Executive Director/Community Development Director; Sean Fitzgerald; Economic Development Specialist, Jason Pausma; Economic Development Services Manager Belter called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of March 16, 2022 were approved as written. (Hintz, Bermingham) 22-02 Approve Continuing Urban Green Space Use; Southeast Corner of Ida Avenue and Franklin Street Nieforth stated that Neighborhood Associations have worked with RDA to use the lots as urban green space. Annual approvals are required to continue this use. They haven’t had any complaints or issues in terms of lot maintenance. Hintz asked what the usage is. Nieforth replied that it’s a meeting area/parklet. Hintz asked if there was a plastic swimming pool there. Nieforth replied that it’s decorative landscaping. The initial conditional use permit approval is included in the packet. Motion by Stam to approve 22-02. Seconded by Hintz. Motion carried 4-0. 22-03 Approve Continuing Urban Green Space Use; Southeast Corner Central Street and West Parkway Avenue Nieforth stated that this approval is similar to the previous item. Motion by Hintz to approve 22-03. __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 2 May 18, 2022 Seconded by Stam. Motion carried 4-0. 22-04 Approve Determination of Necessity; Establish Fair Market Value; Authorize Purchase; 122 West 9th Avenue ($40,000.00) Nieforth stated that all of the vacant parcels surrounding 122 W 9th Avenue are owned by the RDA. The property is located in an RDA land-banking area for future development. RDA first discussed acquiring this property in closed session in August 2021 and there was no interest at that time. Staff have contacted the owners again and they are still interested in selling. The owners do not currently live at the property. Staff recently completed an inspection and a lot of work would need to be done to get it up to code. Chairperson Palmeri joined the meeting at 4:06pm. Fitzgerald stated that when RDA discussed this previously, there was an understanding that the house was in a condition where the RDA might be able to rent it. If that was the case, the RDA questioned why they would be involved. That decision was made without a detailed inspection, which has now taken place. The electrical, plumbing, and HVAC need to be overhauled. The cost to bring it into a habitable condition is in excess of $50,000. The owners have not had success selling the property on their own. Motion by Hintz to approve 22-04. Seconded by Bermingham. Hintz stated that it makes sense to finish the job in terms of clearing the block. He asked if this was something an organization like ADVOCAP could use in the short term for temporary housing. Palmeri stated that there is a local company that does house moving if the property has enough value, so there may be an opportunity to have a presentation about homes that could be moved and reclaimed. Hintz stated that there doesn’t seem to be a hurry to tear it down. Nieforth stated that ADVOCAP leases a home from RDA to the northeast. They recently renewed a three year lease with them. They can see if it’s structurally sound, but there are a lot of items at the house. Pausma replied that they didn’t winterize the pipes and they froze. The property is not habitable based on his experience. He talked with ADVOCAP about it and they are not interested due to the condition of the property. Motion carried 5-0. __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 3 May 18, 2022 22-05 Authorize Land Disposition of 512 Otter Avenue to Habitat for Humanity ($1.00) Motion by Stam to approve 22-05. Seconded by Belter. Nieforth stated that Habitat for Humanity is interested in purchasing the lot for a new home. The house has been demolished and it will be planted with grass seed. Pausma stated that it’s in the River East Neighborhood. They are recommending that a garage be included with the reconstruction. Stam asked if they needed to put grass seed in since they will be donating it. Nieforth replied that they put the seed in to meet code and finish the job. Fitzgerald stated that Habitat does not intend to build on it for some time. Pausma replied that Habitat offers two different lots to buyers. Until someone chooses this lot, it will be sitting like this. Habitat just acquired six properties on Grove Street and there is a lot of interest in those. They are expecting this one to sit for a few years. Nieforth replied that Habitat will be maintaining the lot. Belter asked what the setback requirements are. Nieforth replied that they are going to have some challenges and the garage will most likely be in the back. Belter replied that with the road to the garage and the setback from the property line, they’re going to have a 20-foot wide house. Stam replied that it has an alley. Nieforth replied that they will work with them. They will also be discussing with Council how they can encourage more infill lots. Belter asked if there is a city setback requirement that he doesn’t know about. Nieforth replied that she doesn’t know what the setback is for that zoning. It’s probably single family, so she would guess its five feet or less. Motion carried 5-0. EPA Grant Update __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 4 May 18, 2022 Fitzgerald provided an update regarding the $300,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Brownfields Assessment Grant the City received in 2019. Staff were able to utilize the funds for several RDA properties. Palmeri asked if the funding could be used on the community garden sites requiring raised-bed gardens. Nieforth replied that they could use funding for the assessment, but not any remediation. RDA Landbanking Strategy Nieforth summarized RDA’s previous discussions on this item and provided an update for each redevelopment area. Palmeri asked what the options are for the properties west of the RDA-owned properties in the Oshkosh Avenue/Sawyer Street intersection area. Nieforth replied that those four properties are currently for sale. The broker reached out to staff prior to listing the properties. They passed because they don’t technically need it for their project and it was a little more money than they preferred to spend. Stam asked if there was an issue because of the state highway. Nieforth replied that it’s city jurisdiction. Palmeri asked if the thought with Engineering is that somehow these will be straightened out. Nieforth replied that if you asked an engineer, they would recommend acquiring the two properties to the north and having it go straight in so that the access where Rainbow Drive comes onto Oshkosh Avenue would be closed. They want to make sure it’s functional and easy to maneuver through for boat traffic and bikers. Palmeri asked if the old auto shop owner on Jefferson Street has changed their mind about the price. Nieforth replied that she does not believe so. Palmeri asked if there was some interest in the Jefferson Street properties again in the last year. Nieforth replied that they have been showing the property to several people, but they are still waiting on the re-scoring from WHEDA. Palmeri asked if Electronic Industries is open to selling. __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 5 May 18, 2022 Nieforth replied that they would be very willing to talk to them. Palmeri replied that she has said this many times, but that block is very blighted. If RDA can consider proposals or put a deadline for development on it so they can consider other uses after the deadline has passed, then RDA should do that. It looks really, really bad. Hintz asked if Pedestrian Arts decided to sell. Nieforth replied that they would be open to discussion, but they have not decided to sell at this time. Palmeri asked how long they have to get the blight cleaned up. Nieforth replied that it can stay as long as there’s no violation from a code perspective. Palmeri replied that maybe RDA and Plan Commission need to have a joint workshop to discuss density. It makes sense, but it becomes a bit of challenge when a third of the population is in this two square mile radius. She asked at what point they should look at spreading some of that density outside of downtown. The Environmental Justice screen tool shows some air quality concerns in that area due to traffic. Maybe there are some other creative things this group can consider in terms of density. Nieforth replied that density will be part of the housing study implementation and she expects RDA to be very involved with that. Palmeri asked what kind of company purchased building. Nieforth replied that Bolt purchased the property. They have a division for modular buildings used for things like COVID testing set up in parking lots or hospitals. Palmeri asked for confirmation that they would not be storing the buildings there. Nieforth replied that staff would not be supportive of that. Palmeri asked about the Morgan site. Nieforth replied that they still don’t know the owners of the property, but she talks with their representative regularly. They are hoping to have more information soon. Palmeri replied that they have a forest growing there. Nieforth replied that they have been talking with them about that exact item. Nieforth asked if RDA has any recommendations or guidance for staff. __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 6 May 18, 2022 Belter stated that $5 million of ARPA funds could be used for a really transformative project like buying Pioneer Island and turning into a park. Nieforth replied that they’ve talked with owners of properties that are important in terms of the impact they would have on the community like Pioneer and Morgan. They monitor those closely. Belter replied that he’s thinking of the little downtown plaza in Neenah. Nieforth replied that they continue to engage with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for projects like that. Palmeri asked if there was a proposal at one point for a partially green plaza or amphitheater around 7th Avenue and South Main Street. Nieforth replied that the old gas station is there and there are hot spots for contamination. They had discussed a pocket park or public market because concrete is a great cap for contamination. Staff present that as an option for people who express interest in the parcel. A lot of remediation would need to take place. Palmeri asked if the destination assessment and plaza discussion have focused on the south side of the river. Nieforth replied that right now they are focused on the north side, but it’s something they are planning for in the future when they have more of a population living and working there. Palmeri replied that if there were something catalytic like Belter suggested, and if things are happening, there are amenities, and there’s access to the Riverwalk, then there might be an opportunity for coalescence there. Belter shared an idea he had for closing off 6th Street between Main and Oregon and putting up some Santa Monica Pier-like arches to welcome people to a little plaza off the Riverwalk. Nieforth replied that those are the sort of ideas they’re working on for place-making. They are excited to see what they can do down there. Palmeri asked about the potential acquisition of Congress Field from the University. Neighbors have long been interested and the University is interested in having a discussion about selling it. There are three Neighborhood Associations surrounding it. She recommended that Nieforth discuss this with the City Manager because it’s a new development, but it’s one of those areas for a potential once in a lifetime development. Palmeri asked if the segment of the Wiouwash Trail that is currently going through the wooded area will be re-routed along the water. She asked what the options are. __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 7 May 18, 2022 Nieforth replied that the discussions have stalled a bit with Cummings proposing to purchase the Meriter. They have a few options to get around, but ultimately they would want it on the river. Palmeri asked if Mertier owned that parcel and if they had any interest in disposing of it. Nieforth replied that they own it and they haven’t had any interest in past conversations. Palmeri asked if the little segments throughout the central part of the city owned by the Town of Oshkosh have been discussed in terms of filling those holes. Nieforth replied that they don’t have a boundary agreement with the town. The property owner could choose to annex into the City, but they can’t force them. Everything in the town on the east side of Clairville Road will be coming into the City in March of 2023. The first phase was completed in 2018. Stam stated that he saw someone with their vehicle parked on the bike trail by Rainbow Park. He asked if they needed to have some signage there. Palmeri asked if there used to be a big rock there. Nieforth replied that they have talked about putting a bollard or rock back in now that they have the new trail. She will talk to Parks about it. Palmeri asked if there was any interest or opportunity to go underneath the bridge and boardwalk where the Riverwalk connects with Tribal Heritage trail so that there’s a way for bicycles and pedestrians to cross Hwy 41 instead of going under and boardwalking in by Skipper Bud’s. Nieforth replied that she thinks that option was cost-prohibitive and that the either the Town of Algoma or the Department of Transportation owns the property on the other side of Hwy 41. Hintz stated that he is aware that they have an awful lot of rental housing coming online in our urban area. He asked if they are they trying to anticipate what the possible consequences of this are because there are hundreds of units. Palmeri asked if they were 400 units behind. Nieforth replied that there’s a very low vacancy rate below 2% right now for multi-family units. The developers they’re working with are doing their homework in terms of market analysis. They know there is a need for the units and there are more people who want to have apartments in the central city or by the river. They’re hoping that folks will see this and want to relocate. Developers take the absorption rate into consideration when planning out phases. Palmeri asked what consequences Hintz is concerned about. __________________________________ Redevelopment Authority Minutes 8 May 18, 2022 Hintz replied that he’s not necessarily concerned. There are a lot of people coming in and he’s delighted to see it fill up. He asked if they were considering the impact on traffic and if there would be commercial development to support the new units. Nieforth replied that they do take those things into consideration. They do traffic impact analyses with larger developments coming in and work with city departments to see how it would impact city services as a whole. Executive Director’s Report Nieforth provided updates to the RDA. Adjournment There was no further discussion. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:08pm. (Stam, Belter) Respectfully Submitted, Kelly Nieforth Executive Director