Planning commission recommends approval of Willowbrook 12 PUD amendment and plans for 98 townhomes near I‑694

The City of Oakdale Planning Commission on May 1 recommended approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment, final plat and site plan for Willowbrook 12, a proposal to subdivide the last developable parcel in the Willowbrook neighborhood and build 98 market‑rate townhome units. Staff recommended approval with multiple conditions addressing easements, park dedication, adjustments to plats and civil plans, and outside-agency permits.

Planning staff member Luke told the commission the site (partial tax ID 0802921340017) lies at the northeast quadrant of Fortieth Street and Interstate 694 and measures just under 10 acres. The developer proposes 98 townhome lots to be sold as individual units rather than held as rental property. Luke said the site is zoned Willowbrook PUD and that townhomes are an allowed use under the PUD; however the developer requested a formal PUD amendment to reduce the required high‑density range because the proposed product yields about 10.3 dwelling units per acre versus the PUD’s 35–55 dwellings‑per‑acre range.

Luke summarized staff review and conditions. The final‑plat conditions include executing a development agreement, satisfying park dedication, establishing an easement over the private‑street outlot to allow city access to sanitary and water mains, revising the plat to include adjacent surface‑water treatment parcels, and removing encroachments into drainage and utility easements. Site‑plan conditions included approval of the PUD amendment, city engineer signoff on civil plans, city council approval of a noise variance (the site is adjacent to I‑694), fire department approval of hydrant and connection locations, required photometric revisions, and methods for screening mechanical and trash areas.

Builder Steve Trostki of Lennar said the units will be for sale and “there would be a model home that prospective buyers could go and look at, but they’re not for rent.” Project engineer Mark Kromick of Alliant Engineering said the team proposes 97 new trees on site and that mature plantings and a privacy fence would provide a vegetative buffer along I‑694. Kromick said the developer will work with the city to adjust the trail alignment and clarify whether an existing infiltration basin should be part of the plat or covered by an easement.

Commissioners and staff discussed several topics before the recommendation: private streets and a 24‑foot back‑of‑curb lane width for internal drive aisles (the narrower private streets require signage prohibiting on‑street parking and place emphasis on enforcement to keep lanes clear for fire, sanitation and emergency vehicles); a small setback deviation from the PUD’s 60‑foot Interstate‑facing setback (a 4‑foot reduction in one area) and a 30‑foot south setback in a jog area intended for a future pedestrian bridge; material standards (developer provided a materials breakdown showing about 86% fiber‑cement siding, 2% stone veneer and remainder for garages and trim); and a noise variance that will go to City Council because compliance with state noise standards will rely on building materials and special windows.

Public comment was not offered at the hearing. After closing the public hearing the commission voted to recommend approval of the three items. The transcript records that one commissioner (Janet) abstained on all three motions; during the final plat vote a commissioner identified as Epstein registered opposition to that item; the site‑plan motion also recorded an abstention and at least one no vote for the site plan. The motions passed with the recorded abstentions and opposition noted in the meeting minutes.

Next steps identified in the staff report include revising the final plat and civil plans per the city attorney and city engineer, securing outside‑agency permits and approvals, and City Council review of the noise variance and final approvals.