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Saint Mark’s church site cleared for 16 owner‑occupied affordable homes; council approves comp‑plan change
Summary
The Bloomington City Council voted 7–0 to change the comprehensive plan guidance for Saint Mark’s Church (8630 Xerxes Avenue S.) to low‑density residential so the Bloomington HRA can buy the land and build roughly 16 owner‑occupied units using a Minnesota Housing grant and other funding.
The Bloomington City Council approved a comprehensive‑plan amendment on Monday to allow Saint Mark’s Church at 8630 Xerxes Avenue South to be redeveloped into owner‑occupied homes. The council voted 7–0 to reguide the property from quasi‑public to low‑density residential, clearing the way for the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority to subdivide and develop the site.
Why it matters: The HRA is targeting the site as part of a larger Minnesota Housing grant program to create roughly 16 owner‑occupied units (a mix of single‑family and two‑family homes) to increase affordable home‑ownership opportunities in Bloomington. The grant and local funding are intended to close the gap between construction cost and the sale price for income‑qualified buyers.
Details and context: Staff described the property and surrounding R‑1 single‑family zoning and said the HRA plans to replat for about 13 single‑family lots plus a small number of two‑family dwellings (the HRA described the total phase as 16 owner‑occupied units). The HRA said the units will be targeted to households earning about $105,000 per year (consistent with the local census tract median) and that Minnesota Housing funding would cover a large portion of the subsidy gap. Staff estimated preliminary development costs of about $600,000–$800,000 per home and said market value would likely be higher than the sales price once subsidies are applied; the HRA and city said the difference will be covered by state grant funding and other sources.
Community engagement and conditions: The HRA said it held a neighborhood meeting at the church and has engaged with Washburn Elementary and other local stakeholders. Pastor Jennifer Jaimez described the congregation’s decision to close the church and donate the site for affordable home‑ownership, saying Saint Mark’s “supported Every Meal, partnered with Washburn Elementary and offered the church to the community” and that the congregation wanted a legacy use that would provide home‑ownership. Planning staff and the HRA said a type‑3 preliminary and final plat application will follow, requiring public hearings at planning commission and subsequent council review of the plat and street naming; the HRA said it has awarded grant funding and is budgeting HRA funds for the project and will use restrictive covenants to preserve affordability for a multiyear period.
Council action: Motion by Council member D’Alessandro, second by Council member Rivas to adopt the resolution approving the comprehensive plan amendment. Vote: 7–0.
Ending: The comp‑plan change clears the path for HRA acquisition and a follow‑on plat and development process; staff said the HRA expects construction and lot work next year following final approvals and that streets and stormwater work are part of the design phase.
