Council reviews rezoning request to allow planned residential project on Woodland Avenue site; councilors press on trees, traffic and long-term conditions

The City of Duluth city council considered an ordinance to rezone an eight-acre parcel from Residential Traditional (R-1) to a Residential Planned (RP) district, part of a proposed multi-family development that the applicant asked to cap at a maximum of 75 units (the applicant has said it plans roughly 66 units). Councilors pressed staff on tree preservation, traffic capacity on Woodland Avenue, stormwater treatment, and whether conditions attached to the rezoning would remain with the property if sold.

Vice President Nephew, Councilor Mayo, Councilor Dirwachter and other councilors asked detailed questions. Jen Moses, staff presenting the item, said the RP application identifies preservation of open space, retention of significant trees, and a public trail as public benefits tied to the rezoning. Moses said the site is roughly eight acres and that, according to the city’s comprehensive plan guidance for an R-1 base district, a goal density would be roughly 4 to 8…