Time Line for Elroy Site: 1992 � 1994 South Whittier Task Force, Whittier Alliance, MCDA 40 Acre Land Use Study and South Whittier Redevelopment Plan adopted by the City in Dec. 1993 identifying living wage job creation as the goal. Mpls. Planning Staff Report of Feb. 8, 1993, Comments and Findings: The City Planning Commission voted to adopt the Land Use Plan stating among other things that the Land along and adjacent to Lake Street is designated commercial. Land along and � a block south of 28th St.(north of greenway) is designated medium density residential or low density residential. There are other conditions in this report. None, which support housing on top of industrial and none that support housing south of the Midtown Greenway in that area.
It should be noted that the developer owns a major parcel of land North of the Greenway adjacent to the Elroy that has been zoned for and recommended for the placement of housing. 1996: Purchase of Elroy Site 1.45 acres with $401,700 CDBG Miles money. Area zoned I-1. 1997: Environmental Clean up of Elroy Site with $150,000 of Whittier Neighborhood NRP Funds. 2000: September- Motion to support Basim Sabri development fails at Whittier Alliance Board meeting 2001: January � Motion to support Basim Sabri proposal fails at Whittier Alliance Board meeting. February � Motion to support Basim Sabri proposal approved by Whittier Alliance Board with conditions. March � Sale of Property to Karmel Square for $126,000 stated commercial/light industrial development use and vacation and conveyance of Elroy Street. MCDA Contract clearly specifies adherence to South Whittier Redevelopment Plan. December � Progression of process relating to Elroy Site on administrative hold due to Federal indictment of Basim Sabri of Karmel Property. 2002: April � Memo from Chuck Lutz, MCDA Deputy Director recommends rescinding the authorization of the land sale to Karmel Properties and resale through an RFP. September � Administrative hold lifted. �The developer has proposed�.light industry to meet MILES requirements and�.Commercial office space�The developer has agreed to meet design criteria...� 2003: January- Sabri proposed housing as a component per Nikki Newman, Asst. City Attorney. March � Letter from Whittier Alliance requesting RFP if housing is a component of the Elroy Site development. April � Motion from Whittier Alliance Board supporting the original development proposal for Elroy Site. October- Motion to support CUP for market at Elroy fails at Whittier Alliance Board 2004: May � Motion to support CUP for 5 or more units of housing fails at Whittier Alliance Board May � Motion to support original 2-story light industrial with underground parking for Elroy approved by Whittier Alliance Board. May - Land conveyed to Karmel Properties by CPED with an application in the process for housing at Elroy. (Despite neighborhood objections and previous MCDA denials.) May- Whittier Alliance establishes South Whittier Task Force to ensure neighborhood interests and recommendations are supported by city. June-Midtown Greenway Coalition motion does not support current building design due to height issues and the buildings shadowing affect on the Greenway. Did not comment on decision regarding residential vs. industrial. July � Planning Commission Hearing. Actions: PC approves Elroy site as Industrial Living Overlay District. (Commissioners and planning staff was not aware of existence of City Policy document South Whittier Redevelopment Plan) PC approves CUP for 69 units of housing. PC denies CUP to allow farmer�s market at Elroy. CP continued the site plan review application to allow for structure exceeding 20,000 sq. feet and 69 housing units. August � City Council Zoning and Planning Committee meeting. (Z & P Committee members are not aware of City Policy document South Whittier Redevelopment Plan) Actions: Appeal by Sabri Properties from the decision of the Planning Commission to deny a CUP to allow Farmer�s Market at Elroy site. Appeal denied. Appeal by Whittier Alliance from the decision of the Planning Commission to allow the rezoning to include this site in the Industrial Living Overlay District CUP for 69 dwelling units and from the site plan application filed that includes 72 dwelling units. Appeal denied regarding CUP for 69 dwelling units. Appeal granted regarding site plan review to require a 26� set back to prevent shadowing on the Greenway. September � City Council upholds Whittier appeal and denies rezoning to Industrial Living Overlay District a CUP to allow for 69 dwelling units and granting the appeal of the Planning Commission. (City Council was made aware of the City Policy document South Whittier Redevelopment Report by Whittier Alliance Business Development Manager, Marian Biehn) September � Mayor vetoes council action. (Unclear whether Mayor was aware of City Policy document.) Copies of any and all documents referred to in this time-line are available from the Whittier Alliance or the various city departments cited in this document. Barb Lickness Whittier ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? 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