Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Proposal to Develop a Multi-Purpose Velodrome Facility at 1600, 1620, and 1710 78th Street East
The Minnesota Cycling Center (MNCC) was scheduled to present a proposal to develop a multi-purpose velodrome facility on city- and HRA-owned parcels at 1600 and 1710 78th Street East, along with the adjacent privately owned parcel at 1620 78th Street East held by the Mathwig Trust. The proposed facility was expected to include a 200-meter cycling track, a flexible infield potentially accommodating basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts, plus concert space, meeting rooms, and retail. Three development options were on the agenda: a temporary outdoor wood track, an indoor facility with an inflatable dome, and a permanent enclosed building.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: 50-150 jobs — Estimated jobs created depending on facility type
Potential benefit
If developed, a velodrome would bring a regionally unique recreational and competitive cycling facility to Richfield, potentially drawing visitors and economic activity while activating long-vacant publicly owned land. The multi-use infield and event spaces could provide community benefit well beyond cycling, and MNCC indicated existing school partnerships and youth training opportunities.
Concern to consider
The city and HRA own two of the three parcels involved, raising unresolved questions about whether public land would be sold or leased and on what financial terms. A Request for Interest published in January 2023 attracted no applicants, suggesting limited prior developer interest in the site, and no construction cost estimates were presented in the agenda materials.
What happens next: The City Council was expected to provide direction on whether staff should continue discussions with MNCC and the Mathwig Trust. If the Council expressed support, staff would proceed with further negotiations on land use terms, potential sale or partnership arrangements, and the path toward a formal development application.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Outcome pending
Proposal to Amend Lyndale Gardens PUD: Replace Planned Commercial Space with Multi-Family Residential and Small Restaurant
Developer Abdo Markethouse was scheduled to present a proposal to amend the Lyndale Gardens Planned Unit Development (PUD) at the southwest corner of 64th Street West and Lyndale Avenue South, replacing previously approved commercial space with a multi-family residential building and a small restaurant. The change would constitute a major PUD amendment, as it represents a significant departure from the 2013-approved development plan for this portion of the Lakes at Lyndale area. Staff identified several preliminary technical concerns with the concept plan, including a parking structure encroaching on a stormwater easement, 31 excess parking spaces, and an 11-foot gap between the proposed building and the adjacent Lakewinds Food Co-op that staff flagged as a potential safety issue.
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Potential benefit
If approved, the amendment could add multi-family housing units in Richfield's Lakes at Lyndale district — considered the city's downtown — where high-density residential use is supported by the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A small restaurant adjacent to the amphitheater and Richfield Lake path could add an active, pedestrian-friendly presence in a heavily invested public space.
Concern to consider
The proposal would eliminate commercially designated space that was part of the original Lakes at Lyndale redevelopment vision stretching back to the late 1990s. Staff raised concerns about whether the design maintains the open, publicly accessible character the area was intended to have, particularly regarding pedestrian connectivity between Lyndale Avenue, the amphitheater, and Richfield Lake.
What happens next: The work session was expected to generate feedback from the City Council, HRA, and Planning Commission on whether to support the concept. If policymakers expressed interest, Abdo Markethouse would submit a formal major PUD amendment application subject to staff technical review, Planning Commission recommendation, and a public hearing process before any formal vote.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 1Outcome pending
Proclamation Celebrating Ron Cottone
The Council presented a proclamation celebrating Ron Cottone.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3AOutcome pending
Amendment to Conditional Use Permit for preschool and daycare at 7132 Portland Avenue
The Council considered and approved a request to amend a Conditional Use Permit to increase the capacity of the preschool and daycare at 7132 Portland Avenue to 330 children as part of the consent calendar.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3BOutcome pending
Billboard relocation request at 7731 4th Avenue South
The Council considered and approved a resolution allowing the relocation of a billboard at 7731 4th Avenue South for Blaylock Plumbing as part of the consent calendar.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3COutcome pending
Perpetual easement agreement for roadways bordering ISD #280 schools
The Council considered and approved an easement agreement for perpetual easements on four roadways bordering the tax parcels containing ISD #280's STEM and Dual Language Elementary Schools as part of the consent calendar.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3DOutcome pending
Resolution supporting Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development funding application for Aster Commons
The Council considered and approved a resolution identifying the need for Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development funding and authorizing a grant application on behalf of the Aster Commons development at 6613-25 Portland Avenue as part of the consent calendar.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3EOutcome pending
2023-2024 Emergency Preparedness agreement with Bloomington
The Council considered and approved the 2023-2024 Emergency Preparedness agreement with the City of Bloomington, using public health emergency preparedness grant funds to provide services related to public health emergency preparedness, bioterrorism planning, and response system development, as part of the consent calendar.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3FOutcome pending
Resolution supporting state bonding funds for Nicollet Avenue reconstruction
The Council considered and approved a resolution supporting a request for state bonding funds to pay the City's share of reconstructing Nicollet Avenue from 77th Street to 66th Street as part of the consent calendar.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending
Consideration of items removed from Consent Calendar
No items were removed from the consent calendar for separate discussion or action.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Second reading of interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on cannabis businesses
After a public hearing, the Council considered the second reading of an interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on the operation of cannabis businesses in Richfield. The agenda stated the moratorium would expire on January 1, 2025 or upon the City's receipt of an application from the Office of Cannabis Management for a cannabis business within Richfield, whichever occurred first, unless repealed earlier by the Council.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Second reading of ordinance repealing edible cannabinoid moratorium
The Council considered the second reading of a transitory ordinance repealing Ordinance 19.26, which had authorized a study and imposed a moratorium on the sale of edible cannabinoid products.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Second reading of ordinance eliminating flavored tobacco sales and capping tobacco licenses
The Council considered the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 11, Section 1146 of the Richfield City Code to eliminate the sale of flavored tobacco products and cap the number of tobacco licenses.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
City Manager's Report
The City Manager delivered a report to the Council.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending
Claims and Payroll
The Council considered and approved claims and payroll for the meeting cycle.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Council members shared community announcements, recognitions, and updates during Hats Off to Hometown Hits.
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗