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HRA begins formal vetting work after complaints about Temperance Trail developer; strategic planning to set policy
Summary
Following citizen complaints about the Temperance Trail developer, the Cook County HRA said it is conducting additional due diligence, will retain land until contractual milestones are met, and will develop a more formal developer-vetting and monitoring policy at its strategic planning retreat on June 18.
The Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority reported May 20 that it is pursuing additional due diligence after receiving citizen concerns about the developer for the Temperance Trail project and will develop a more formal vetting and ongoing-monitoring policy at an upcoming strategic planning meeting.
Commissioners said the finance committee and HRA legal counsel met virtually with developer Peter Grubish of Greenville Construction to discuss an email of specific concerns. The board emphasized that no final decisions have been made and that the HRA retains the land until the developer satisfies contractual milestones, including submission of a county plan approval addressing wetlands, stormwater drainage and septic; homeowners-association documentation; construction documents and evidence of construction financing.
“We take these concerns extremely seriously and have asked Peter for a response,” the chair said during the meeting. The finance committee, counsel and staff will continue to monitor important upcoming deadlines tied to the project.
Board members said the earlier developer vetting had been informal and that a stronger, documented application and monitoring process would be appropriate going forward. Commissioners agreed to defer completion of a formal vetting policy to the strategic planning session scheduled for June 18 at 11:00 a.m.; HRA staff said they would bring examples from other northeastern Minnesota HRAs to that retreat.
Other project updates in the director’s report included a Gunflint View status update — Brand said driving by the site showed units coming online, with remarks that 23 units are available and that the development is beginning to house new tenants — and the June 3 groundbreaking for The Heights. Brand also said assisted-living discussions will be on the strategic-planning agenda and that staff have been collecting information from area aging agencies and local stakeholders.
No formal board action was reported on the Temperance Trail developer at the meeting; the HRA said it would remain transparent and continue monitoring contract milestones and required plan submissions.
