Edina HRA Reviews Affordable Housing Compliance Progress
The Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority received updates Thursday on affordable housing compliance across multiple developments, with several properties achieving full compliance since December.
Housing Development Manager Stephanie Hawinson reported that Aurora, Nolan Maine, The Laurent, Millennium and Maison Green are now fully compliant with affordable housing requirements. Avidor remains "sufficient but imperfect" with minor documentation issues being addressed, while Arya will be removed from future compliance reports due to ongoing disputes over utility cost requirements.
"No property manager or owner were blatantly disregarding the rules," Hawinson said. "They all were willingly working with us and wanting to be in compliance." The authority uses third-party consultant Affordable Housing Connections to conduct annual compliance reviews, which examine tenant files and rent calculations to ensure developments meet affordability requirements.
Separately, Acting Executive Director Bill reported receiving 11 proposals for redevelopment of the former public works site at 5146 Eden Avenue. The proposals range from $1 million to nearly $6 million in land purchase prices and include various combinations of senior housing, townhomes, apartments and commercial space. Some proposals require tax increment financing or federal funding to proceed.
The HRA will review the proposals in closed session at its May 15 meeting and invite selected developers to make presentations before making a final selection in late June. The authority also scheduled a work session for late May or June to discuss tax increment financing policies.
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Areas of Interest (5)
- The Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority is struggling to standardize its meeting minutes, debating whether to adopt a 'quote-heavy' style.
- Housing compliance in Edina is proving to be a 'live evolving phenomenon' as new property managers struggle with complex paperwork requirements.
- The Arya development is no longer being monitored as 'compliant' by the board because the developer refuses to include utilities in rent calculations.
- Despite no blatant disregard for rules, developers face high deficiency rates due to rapid turnover in property management staff.
- Edina officials admit they have limited punitive power to enforce affordable housing compliance, often relying on the 'bully pulpit' as a primary tool.
Votes (2)
Adopt the meeting agenda as published
Moved by Commissioner Jackson · Seconded by Commissioner Agnu
Amend and approve the April 10 2025 minutes to include corrections and the word directly
Moved by Commissioner Jackson · Seconded by Commissioner Pierce
Notable Quotes (4)
because the written minutes according to the state auditor are the official record I think that is something to keep in mind
when we start getting into quoting anybody... I think that's a slippery slope
we can look at the compliance level and hold the TIFF payment or not based on the compliance
I do want to again highlight that the difference in 10 years prior to the policy being passed and the 10 years after the policy was passed... the policy has had an impact
People (6)
Ari LenserActing Executive DirectorFacilitated meeting roll call and administrative coordination.
Facilitated meeting roll call and administrative coordination.
HavlinChairPresided over the meeting.
1 quote
Presided over the meeting.
“if we table the minutes it just get back to the we just come back full circle to the same conversation”
Opposing the motion to table the minutes during the discussion on meeting records.
RisserCommissionerAdvocated for including direct quotes in minutes based on Minnetonka style.
1 quote
Advocated for including direct quotes in minutes based on Minnetonka style.
“because the written minutes according to the state auditor are the official record I think that is something to keep in mind”
Arguing for transparency and accuracy in official records.
JacksonCommissionerOpposed excessive quoting in minutes; proposed amendments for corrections.
1 quote
Opposed excessive quoting in minutes; proposed amendments for corrections.
“when we start getting into quoting anybody whether it's a commissioner a city council member or somebody who testified regarding a matter I think that's a slippery slope”
Expressing concern over the policy of quoting individuals in official meeting minutes.
Stephanie HawinsonHousing Affordable Housing Development ManagerPresented the Affordable Housing Compliance Report.
2 quotes
Presented the Affordable Housing Compliance Report.
“residents don't all move in on the same day they don't all renew their leases on the same day”
Explaining the dynamic and ongoing nature of housing compliance.
“we can look at the compliance level and hold the TIFF payment or not based on the compliance”
Explaining the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a tool for enforcement.
Shelley LobergN/AReference to a previous statement regarding lodging tax funding usage.
Reference to a previous statement regarding lodging tax funding usage.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (2)
- April 24 2025 at 7:32 a.m.
- April 10 2025 (Previous meeting minutes)
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Other Topics from This Document
Dina Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting
Approval of meeting agenda
Community comment session
Approval of April 10 2025 meeting minutes
Affordable Housing Compliance Report update
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