StoryAffordable housing compliance improvements and property redevelopment proposal reviewApril 24, 2025

Edina HRA Reviews Affordable Housing Compliance Progress

Meeting date: Apr 24, 2025
Published Jul 2, 2025

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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Full analysis

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

CarriedNot specified

Moved by Commissioner Jackson · Seconded by Commissioner Agnu

Amend and approve the April 10 2025 minutes to include corrections and the word directly

Carried3 in favor, 1 against, 1 abstention

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

— Risser
Meeting Minutes PolicyArguing for direct quotes in official minutes.

when we start getting into quoting anybody... I think that's a slippery slope

— Jackson
Meeting Minutes PolicyOpposing the inclusion of quotes in meeting minutes.

we can look at the compliance level and hold the TIFF payment or not based on the compliance

— Hawinson
Affordable Housing ComplianceExplaining enforcement mechanisms via TIF agreements.

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

— Hawinson
Affordable Housing Policy ImpactDefending the effectiveness of the affordable housing policy.

People (6)

Ari LenserActing Executive Director

Facilitated meeting roll call and administrative coordination.

HavlinChair

Presided over the meeting.

1 quote

“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.

RisserCommissioner

Advocated for including direct quotes in minutes based on Minnetonka style.

1 quote

“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.

JacksonCommissioner

Opposed excessive quoting in minutes; proposed amendments for corrections.

1 quote

“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 Manager

Presented the Affordable Housing Compliance Report.

2 quotes

“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/A

Reference to a previous statement regarding lodging tax funding usage.

Places Mentioned

Edina

Events & Meetings (2)

  • April 24 2025 at 7:32 a.m.
  • April 10 2025 (Previous meeting minutes)
Source document

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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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