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Richfield council approves 42-unit affordable housing project at Penn Avenue
Summary
The Richfield City Council approved site plan, preliminary and final plats, and a retaining-wall variance for a five-story, 42-unit MHFA‑funded affordable housing development at 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue South.
The Richfield City Council on June 10 approved a site plan, preliminary and final plat and a variance for a five‑story, 42‑unit multifamily housing development proposed for 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue South.
The project, proposed on Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)‑owned land north of Dunkin’ Donuts at the southeast corner of 60th Street West and Penn Avenue, is funded in part by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and is planned for households at roughly 30% to 60% of area median income. Council Member Burke introduced the item and the council approved the recommendations by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Staff told the council the development would include a mix of one‑ to four‑bedroom units, an enclosed parking garage and surface parking, and ground‑floor common areas including a bicycle room, a business/work center, a fitness room, a lounge and an indoor family playroom. The property is zoned MU‑C (Mixed Use Community) and sits within the Penn Avenue Corridor overlay district. The city’s staff report said the proposal met the comprehensive plan, overlay and zoning requirements except for a retaining wall that exceeds the 6‑foot code maximum.
Council members who spoke during the public hearing and discussion praised the design and the added affordable units while asking staff to confirm pedestrian and bicycle amenities. Council Member Hayford O’Leary said, “I will say overall, I'm pretty excited about this project,” and noted the site is unusually hilly for Richfield and constrained by access rules. Hayford O’Leary also asked staff to confirm sidewalk connections; staff confirmed a six‑foot sidewalk will be installed on Penn Avenue set behind a boulevard and sidewalks will be extended to Oliver Avenue and along 60th Street to Oliver.
Staff reported the only variance requested was to allow a combined retaining wall and fence of 13.5 feet along the east property line, requiring a 7.5‑foot variance from the 6‑foot maximum. The staff report recommended approval subject to conditions listed in the draft resolution. The Planning Advisory Commission held a public hearing on May 28; two members of the public raised concerns about increased traffic on 60th Street, and the commission recommended approval by a 5‑1 vote.
During the council discussion, Burke and other members said the benefits — additional affordable housing and an indoor play space for families farther from a park — outweighed concerns. Hayford O’Leary said, “I love the two‑story indoor play space,” as a reason to support the project.
The council’s final action approved the site plan, preliminary and final plats, and the retaining‑wall variance for the development at 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue South. The motion passed by voice vote with all members saying “aye.”
The approval allows the applicant to proceed with building permit and development steps subject to the standard conditions in the council resolution and any required permits and inspections.
