Council approves Aspen Fields comprehensive‑plan amendment, rezoning and plat to allow commercial and high‑density residential development

The Rosemount City Council on Aug. 4, 2025, approved three separate actions to allow mixed commercial and high‑density residential development at the Aspen Fields site east of Akron Avenue and County Road 42: (1) a comprehensive‑plan amendment changing the site from Public Institutional to Community Commercial and High‑Density Residential; (2) a rezoning from PI (Public Institutional) to B‑1 (General Business) and R‑4 (High‑Density Residential); and (3) preliminary and final plat approval to create four lots for three commercial parcels and one residential parcel.

City planning staff presented the request and said the site — most recently owned by Dakota County Technical College and previously the old City Hall site — will be split into three commercial lots (including a parcel planned for a daycare) and one residential parcel intended for an apartment building. Staff noted two city wells on the site impose 50‑foot buffer areas that constrain development and that a gas‑line easement exists on the property; the applicant reported that the gas line is decommissioned and that a written agreement is in progress to allow limited encroachment (parking and building up to 10 feet from the line) rather than removing the pipeline, which would be costly.

John Anderson, representing Aspen Field LLC (the primary owner), said the applicant has a signed purchase agreement for the daycare parcel and is negotiating with potential residential developers. Anderson said earlier market interest was for a roughly 150‑unit market‑rate apartment building, but current activity has shifted toward interest from two 55+ developers; he said the conceptual design meets current zoning standards and staff would work with the applicant on subsequent site and building review. Planning staff noted the Metropolitan Council must be notified for comprehensive‑plan amendments and adjacent communities have a 60‑day comment period.

Council voted 4‑1 to approve the comprehensive‑plan amendment (one nay recorded), adopted the rezoning ordinance (council roll recorded in favor), and approved the preliminary and final plat by a 4‑1 vote. Councilmembers asked the developer to prioritize senior/55+ housing where feasible; the applicant said two 55+ buyers are the strongest prospects at this time and that the daycare buyer is ready to move forward with site design and seek building review.