Questions Remain About Pillsbury Commons Proposal

Richfield residents overflowed Richfield City Council chambers Tuesday night to show their concern, and maybe some support, for the proposed Pillsbury Commons affordable housing unit.

The $12.6 million project has inspired mostly opposition from residents who are concerned that the high-density, workforce housing unit will drive down property values and raise crime and traffic in the area. Each seat in the council chambers was taken, with some forced watching televisions outside the chambers to keep up with the discussion.

Council members and commissioners threw tough questions at Ron Clark Construction & Design representatives—and even at city staff—focusing on the development's impact to Richfield schools, guidelines for fulltime student tenants, tax increment financing and the city’s financial obligations moving forward. At times, the developers and staff struggled for answers.

“How do we make a knowledgeable decision without all the answers?” asked Council Member Pat Elliott.

“We have now gotten into a situation where [the developer has] gone out and gotten the financing and now we’re trying to do anything to make it work,” Council Member Fred Wroge said. “That’s kind of doing it backwards.”

Richfield City Attorney Corrine Heine and City Manager Steve Devich addressed another concern by saying the city isn't obligated legally to award financing or rezoning approval.

“At this point, the city council is not in control of this project, the developer is,” Heine said. “[Ron Clark] is expending his money at his own risk.”

Ron Clark Construction & Design said it would soon submit a formal design plan along with tax increment financing and rezoning requests. From there, the planning commission will likely be first in line to make its recommendation to the council.