Council rezones 64-acre Muth property for RM3 multifamily after developer presentation

The Common Council on Oct. 20 approved an amendment to the city comprehensive plan and rezoned approximately 64.13 acres at the southwest corner of East Paradise Drive and South River Road to RM3 multifamily residential and associated wetland and floodplain designations, clearing the way for a two-phase market-rate multifamily project by Fiduciary Real Estate Development.

Fiduciary representatives told the council they have worked with the site owner for several years and proposed a two-story, low-rise multifamily community intended to feel like a single-family neighborhood: each unit would have a private front door, many units would include attached garages, and a clubhouse with pool and resident amenities would serve as the project’s focal point. The developer said the first phase anticipates roughly 230 units; the full two-phase layout preserves significant wetlands and open space and retains an existing historic house on the property that the developer plans to CSM off and sell separately.

During a public hearing at the Plan Commission and at the council meeting, nearby residents raised questions about traffic and the difference between single-family and multifamily housing; the developer and staff said they performed market analysis and saw demand for this product type, and noted other single-family subdivisions and projects are underway elsewhere in the city. The developer and city staff said the plan protects wetland areas, and they discussed ongoing coordination with a nearby driving-range operator (Stingers) to mitigate potential conflicts such as errant golf shots; the developer said Stingers is planning improvements, including a net, and that they will consider berms, tree plantings or site adjustments to increase setbacks.

Council members and staff highlighted that the project is market rate, privately financed (no TIF requested) and that the developer has a track record of long-term property ownership and reinvestment. The Plan Commission had already held a public hearing and recommended approval. The council voted to approve both the comprehensive-plan amendment and the rezoning.