Council approves first‑reading land‑use package for 195‑unit City West apartment project
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Summary
The City Council approved a first‑reading ordinance, PUD concept and comprehensive plan change to allow Rohrer Companies to redevelop a five‑story office site into a 195‑unit apartment building near the future City West light‑rail station; the Planning Commission had voted 5‑0 to recommend approval.
The Eden Prairie City Council voted Oct. 21 to approve on first reading a package of land‑use actions clearing the way for Rohrer Companies to demolish an existing five‑story office building at 6436 City West Parkway and replace it with a 195‑unit apartment building.
The approvals the council advanced include a comprehensive plan amendment, a planned unit development (PUD) concept review and the first reading of an ordinance to change the zoning from office to RM‑2.5 (medium‑high density residential). The Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval at its Sept. 22 meeting.
Nick Asta, senior representative of Rohrer Companies, said the firm plans long‑term ownership and emphasized the company’s vertically integrated development, construction and management platform. "Being that we're also an in‑house management company, that is the plan," Asta told the council when asked about long‑term ownership of the proposed apartments.
Architect Justin Merkovich of JLG Architects presented project design features, including curved massing elements that reference a historic farmstead on adjacent property, and described a building organized with a prominent entry, balconies and a landscaped perimeter. The project proposes roughly 322 parking stalls (about 1.65 stalls per unit) with more than 200 structured stalls and approximately 115 surface stalls, and the development team said the parking count is consistent with area precedents and transit‑oriented expectations.
Council members focused on building materials and aesthetics, rooftop amenities and sustainability. The developer said the project exceeds the city’s material standards with more than 75% class‑1 materials (glass, brick, cultured stone) on the elevations and that rooftop terrace amenities on the Level‑2 deck would include a pool deck, grilling stations and other resident spaces; a dog run is proposed on the south end of the site.
On energy, the applicant said it has completed a preliminary solar study estimating about 400 kilowatts of potential rooftop solar capacity and that design work is underway to pursue an all‑electric mechanical approach where feasible; the developer also said LEED Silver remains an option if needed.
The council and applicant discussed parking spillover and neighborhood impacts. The architect and applicant said the parcel is adjacent to office buildings that vacate at night and that the developer has engaged the condo/office association to address parking concerns; staff said alternative trail alignments linking the site to the City West light‑rail station are being studied and that a trail connection is part of ongoing coordination.
The motion the council adopted directed staff to prepare a development agreement incorporating staff and Planning Commission recommendations and conditions, and approved the first reading of the ordinance and related resolutions. The motion passed with a 5‑0 vote.
Next steps include finalizing the development agreement, returning for second reading of the ordinance and permitting for demolition and construction if the project receives final entitlements.
