Planning commission recommends council approve larger apartment building at Victoria Ridge Second Edition

The City of Victoria Planning Commission recommended the City Council approve final plat, site plan, building materials and a planned-unit-development amendment for Victoria Ridge Second Edition, a multi‑phase residential project that adds a 165‑unit apartment building and associated private amenities to the Victoria Ridge development.

City planner Brian McCann summarized the request and the staff conditions, saying the second edition covers the apartment building on a 4.1‑acre lot and asks to increase the previously approved dwelling units from 144 to 165 while seeking minor parking deviations and PUD adjustments. McCann noted the site will be served by utilities extended from the adjacent Marsh Hall development and that several standard conditions and reviews remain, including a development agreement and city attorney plat opinion.

The commission’s recommendation follows a developer presentation and detailed commissioner questions about density, parking counts and unit mix. Cal Hyder of Inland Development explained the project’s parking strategy and market rationale: "Typically in suburban markets, we park about 1.6 stalls per unit," he said, adding that the applicant’s analysis and experience with similar suburban projects support the proposed 1.77 stalls per unit (1.9 previously reduced to 1.77 under the PUD) and enclosed parking at 0.98 stalls per unit. Hyder said the developer also plans 10 prewired electric‑vehicle stalls and sizing to support additional chargers in the future.

Hyder and Matt Havoc, the master site developer, told commissioners the increase in units reflects current market demand for smaller units and enables the amenity package the applicants intend to provide, including a pool, dog run, fitness center, club room and sauna. The developer said 20 percent of the building (about 33 units) will be set aside as affordable housing tied to county area‑median‑income rules; Hyder provided example rents for 50% AMI units compared with market rents.

Staff noted the development’s density will be about 40.25 units per acre on the 4.1‑acre apartment lot, exceeding the city’s high‑density guidance of 12–36 units per acre. McCann said the Metropolitan Council was consulted during the preliminary plat review and did not object to the phase‑based approach despite the higher parcel density. He also noted wetland areas on the broader development site are not applicable to this specific lot, and that stormwater must comply with CCWMO (Carver County Water Management Organization) rules.

Commissioners raised traffic and parking concerns, whether visitor and accessible parking counts were adequate, and questions about unit sizes and the mix of one‑ and two‑bedroom units. The developer provided approximate unit sizes (one‑bedroom around 700–800 sq ft; one‑bedroom plus den around 900 sq ft; two‑bedroom about 1,200 sq ft) and said the project’s mix reflects leasing patterns favoring smaller units. McCann added that the final plat includes a condition delaying installation of landscaping until Well No. 6 is permitted for pumping by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to limit irrigation demand until the well is operational.

The commission closed the public hearing (no public comments were received) and voted to recommend approval to the City Council with the staff‑recommended conditions.

Votes at a glance: The Planning Commission made and seconded a motion to recommend the City Council approve the Victoria Ridge Second Edition final plat, site plan, building materials and PUD amendment with staff conditions; the motion carried (vote counts not specified in the transcript).