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Council refers Marsh Run 3 apartment plan to Planning Commission after introduction
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance and referred a new 44‑unit apartment proposal at 11800 [boulevard] (Marsh Run 3) to the Planning Commission; the project proposes 20% affordable units at 50% AMI and requests $850,000 in city assistance.
The Minnetonka City Council introduced an ordinance and referred a proposed master development plan for a rental apartment at the Marsh Run site to the Planning Commission for formal review.
Staff described a new proposal to remove an existing office building and build a four‑story, 44‑unit apartment building with enclosed parking and a leasing office on the ground level. The proposal seeks master development plan approval under the I‑394 zoning district and requires a floodplain alteration permit, expansion permits for wetland and floodplain setbacks (because the proposal is an improvement over current conditions), and variances for front‑yard setback and floor‑area‑ratio.
City planner Miss Thomas told council that the new apartment concept reduced the floor‑area‑ratio and impervious surface compared with an earlier townhome concept and does not require rezoning; staff will review the application under the existing Planned Industrial District (PID/I‑394) standards. Miss Thomas said the project requires site and building plan review and that expansion permits are needed because the proposal does not meet code but is an improvement over existing conditions.
Tom Dillon of Inland Development Partners, the applicant, told the council the team had gone through multiple site variations with staff and believes the current plan is an improvement. He said the project provides 1.6 parking stalls per unit and includes nine affordable units if the council approves 20% of units at 50% of area median income (AMI). Miss Thomas confirmed the city’s affordable housing term would be 30 years. The applicant is requesting $850,000 in assistance; staff said the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) and financial analysts will review the request in detail.
Councilmembers asked the Planning Commission to examine setbacks relative to nearby Fairfield Road precedents, on‑site parking and overflow impacts from neighboring developments, tree buffering and massing/architecture to avoid “boxy” designs, and to evaluate sustainability measures such as EV charging and building efficiency. The council noted the parking ordinance’s current requirement (one stall per bedroom plus 10 percent visitor parking) produces a 70‑stall requirement for this project; staff said the proposal meets that standard.
Tom Dillon estimated, if approved, construction could start in the fall or next spring with a 12‑to‑14‑month build schedule. The council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance and refer the matter to the Planning Commission (motion by Councilmember Wilburn; second by Councilmember Romilly). The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and return a recommendation to the council before any final action.
