Edina City Council — Transcript
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Allocation of Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA)
France Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Feasibility
Votes (2)
2024 Local Affordable Housing Aid Allocation
Dissent: None. Commissioner Jackson expressed concerns but voted in favor.
Moved by Commissioner Risser [1:52:01] · Seconded by Commissioner Jackson [1:52:01]
Affordable Housing Director Stephanie Hawkinson presented data showing 50% of Edina renters are cost-burdened. The board discussed the impact of rising insurance and HOA fees on affordable ownership. Carrie Thompson (VEAP) confirmed that their existing Edina-specific funding for rental assistance had been exhausted.
France Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Feasibility Update
Dissent: Commissioner Risser voiced skepticism regarding site selection and the 'heaviness' of an underpass design.
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The LHB team presented a concept for a 24-foot-wide underpass involving raising France Avenue by approximately 7 feet. The estimated cost is approximately $20 million. Commissioners raised concerns about safety, lighting, and the 'private' vs 'public' nature of easements through developer property.
Notable Quotes (4)
Housing is becoming more out of reach everywhere. The same job what you could get 20 years ago you cannot get today be that a daycare worker, a cook, a clerk, a teacher, or a public employee.
I would double that and then put the other into one of the existing programs... I'm very concerned about that population right now.
People will continue to cross at grade until there's an easily accessible route to follow. Going up to go down is something that people don't like to do.
I just feel like were we to go down this path and say 'yeah sure' we'd be short-circuiting the process and just kind of pushing it there and I'm very uncomfortable with that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
State-legislated aid distributed to Metro cities based on housing cost-burdened formulas.
Historical document identified as the first to call for pedestrian improvements at the France Avenue location.
Study that explored the transition of the York Avenue tunnel and future France Avenue improvements.
City's long-term financial plan where the pedestrian crossing project may be included.
A land trust program focused on preserving long-term affordability for homeownership.