In This Issue:
- Metropolitan Council Governance Task Force Meets Next Week
- Metropolitan Council CDC Approves Livable Communities Grants
- 2023 Housing Tax Credit Program Carryover Application is Open
- Draft PFAS Guidance Released for Public Comment
Metropolitan Council Governance Task Force Meets Next Week
A second meeting of the Metropolitan Council Governance Task Force, created by the 2023 Legislature, will hold its second meeting next Wednesday, September 13th, at 10:00 am.
The agenda includes presentations on the history of the Metropolitan Council, as well as reports on the Council by the Office of the Legislative Auditor and Citizens League. The agenda also includes discussion on public engagement, and additional questions relating to the Council’s history. These topics received brief discussion at the first meeting. The task force includes one city official, Edina Mayor James Hovland, who was appointed by the Metro Cities Board. Metro Cities is closely monitoring the work of the task force. Questions? Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected].
Metropolitan Council CDC Approves Livable Communities Grants
This week, the Metropolitan Council Community Development Committee approved recommendations for round two of the 2023 Livable Communities Act Pre-Development Grants, as well as the Policy Development Grants. There is $1 million available to be shared between both programs. Pre-Development grants are intended for projects that need to complete additional work to shape and detail a final development. Six pre-development grants were awarded for a total of $898,600, to the communities of Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Saint Louis Park EDA, and Saint Paul. View funding recommendations HERE.
Council staff also presented recommendations for round two of the 2023 Policy Development Grants. These grants are used to support locally adopted policies that influence physical development in the city, and further both LCA and Thrive MSP 2040 goals, with an emphasis on equitable development. Three cities applied for the program, and awards totaled $101,400. The cities of Chaska, Fridley, and New Brighton received funding. Council members discussed parking minimums and accessory dwelling units and how cities are using these options in their cities.
- Chaska received funding to update their zoning code by reducing parking requirements and right-size landscaping for multi-family projects.
- Fridley received funding to update their zoning code to decrease parking minimums for multi-family and industrial projects. They also want to incentivize developers to provide active transportation options.
- New Brighton received funding to work with a consultant to create a new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) policy.
Finally, Metro HRA staff presented the Annual 2024 Public Housing Agency Plan and discussed public comments they have received. Final CDC review and plan approval is slated for September 18th of this year, and full Council approval is slated for September 27th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ania McDonnell at [email protected].
2023 Housing Tax Credit Program Carryover Application is Open
Projects that received a 2023 reservation of 9% Housing Tax Credits (HTCs) are eligible to apply for a Carryover Allocation of 2023 HTCs. This allocates the HTCs to the project and allows qualified buildings to be placed in service up to two years after the year in which an allocation is received. Notice of Intent to Pursue Carryover applications are due on Friday, September 15th 2023 in the Multifamily Customer Portal. Applications for the Carryover Allocation are due by noon on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
For more information on HTCs, visit Minnesota Housing’s Housing Tax Credit webpage, or contact their team at [email protected].
Draft PFAS Guidance Released for Public Comment
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released the draft per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Remediation Guidance document (PFAS Guidance) for public review and comment. The PFAS Guidance outlines the approach used to identify, investigate, evaluate, and remediate PFAS contamination at impacted sites in the MPCA Remediation program. This draft guidance comes after the release of the MPCA’s PFAS Blueprint and PFAS Monitoring Plan. The PFAS Guidance was developed in coordination with an external stakeholder group comprised of academic, consulting, legal, financial, and municipal representatives. The PFAS Guidance will be available for comment until October 5th, 2023. The MPCA plans to incorporate feedback in an updated PFAS Remediation Guidance document. Click HERE to review and comment on the MPCA’s draft per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Remediation Guidance document.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.