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2023 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 3 <br />COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br />Continued Municipal State Aid (MSA) Funding <br />We support continued funding of Municipal State Aid funding. MSA funding is critical for us in reaching our <br />infrastructure goals. <br />Quiet Zone Funding <br />With 11 at-grade rail crossings in New Brighton, complaints about train horn noise are prevalent and present <br />a significant quality of life issue for not only our residents, but residents in the neighboring communities of <br />Mounds View, Arden Hills, Roseville, St. Anthony, Fridley and Columbia Heights. Quiet Zone Areas are granted <br />an exemption of FRA rules that require a train to sound its horn as it approaches a crossing. They are granted <br />the exemption because of increased safety precautions put in place for motorists and pedestrians near the <br />crossing. In 2022, HF 3262 (Bernardy) requested $2.7 million for costs related to funding quiet zone areas in <br />New Brighton. We support continued legislation that would appropriate similar funding to benefit the quality <br />of life for residents in New Brighton and surrounding communities. <br />Transportation Funding <br />There are many funding sources for transportation and transit projects that come through the State of <br />Minnesota. New Brighton has been the recipient of funding in the past either directly or through Ramsey <br />County. We support continued funding of programs that can benefit us and the surrounding community. <br />Zoning Authority and Delegation <br />In February of this year the New Brighton City Council passed a resolution supporting affordable housing and <br />our local decision-making authority. The New Brighton City Council is a strong proponent of affordable housing <br />and believe that we can make the best decisions locally on how to facilitate this development. We oppose <br />any legislation that preempts our authority to spur development in a way that fits the characteristic of our <br />community. For example, the City of New Brighton recently approved and completed the creation of over 300 <br />units of affordable housing using a Planned Unit Development (PUD) tool. Recent legislation that has been <br />introduced would have prohibited this from occurring. <br />Funding for the Creation and Preservation of Affordable Housing <br />As noted above, the New Brighton City Council supports the creation and preservation of affordable housing. <br />State funding for programs that facilitate these objectives are important to our success. The Metropolitan <br />Council has projected the region will add nearly 35,000 households between 2021 and 2030 that will need <br />affordable housing and require a subsidy of $5 billion to meet the needs of households earning up to 50% <br />area median income. Legislation that supports such funding is important. Additionally, 72% of New Brighton’s <br />multifamily developments were developed before 1972. As such, we have a high percentage of naturally <br />occurring affordable housing units in New Brighton. We support legislation and funding that would help us <br />preserve those at their current rates while also ensuring livable spaces. <br />Primary Contact: Craig Schlichting, Director of Community Assets and Development