10/09/2024 PZ Combined Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board September 11, 2024 Page 7 DRAFT MINUTES thinks there should be a commercial component for the gateway. He thought Ms. Larsen’s comments about moving the senior living building further east would cause some of the commercial development area to be minimized or push the larger buildings closer to the single-family residential areas. He is comfortable with the taller building height but not with the guidance at 348. Mr. Evenson is comfortable with the studios and the building height. He would like to see more affordable housing. He would like to see trails but understands that area is wet. Mr. Vojtech is not in favor of the apartment building location on the property or when entering the gateway. He would like it moved back on the property. He is comfortable with the studio apartment but would also like to see more affordable housing. Mr. Kohler likes the location of the apartment building. He does not think the development needs affordability to it. He thinks the builder needs to make money on the development. He links the non-potable water system. Ms. Guthmueller questioned what the park fees were used for. Mr. Grochala said the monies can be used for trail or boardwalk costs. A portion will go to the regional trails and our City wide facilities. It is generally reserved for parks in the development area. She also likes the senior living building where it is and likes the retail that is planned. She thinks the apartment building is too dense. She wondered if the Board should be looking at density when there are several studio apartments. Mr. Vojtech is in favor of changing the area to General Business. Mr. Root is in alignment with the comments made by the Board. He thinks retail is key to the development and agrees to having greater flexibility with General Business. He also agrees with the studio apartments. The applicant Mark Houge is with the North Oaks Company located at 5959 Centerville Road, North Oaks, MN 55127. He introduced Lauren Grouws, VP of Development and Jeremy Foss with ISG Engineers. He said Waverly Gardens was the vision to relate to for this development even though they are in two different cities. The building location is due to the proximity of their other building as they share staff. They also like preserving the corner coming into the gateway for single level commercial building. They are contemplating making a trail connection west to Rapp farm. He said the water is a dead-end line that goes to Rapp farm serving 156 homes. He said long term they would prefer loops but believes the water would be very high quality. He would like to use a portion of the park dollars on site for the trail connection to the west.