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Council reviews concept for 150-unit garage-condo development near Forest Lake airport
Summary
Developers proposed a planned-unit development overlay for garage condominiums and commercial space on a roughly 30-acre parcel north of Forest Lake Airport; staff and council discussed parking, outdoor storage, architecture, water/sewer and airport overlay height limits.
Forest Lake — Developers presented a concept plan for a large garage-condominium project and associated commercial parcels on a roughly 30-acre property north of the Forest Lake Airport. Councilors and staff gave nonbinding feedback and identified multiple items that will require detailed review.
Planning staff said the project would subdivide the parcel into a northerly 23-acre portion (proposed for up to 150 garage-condo units and about 3,000 square feet of office/flex space) and a southerly 7-acre parcel for a single industrial/commercial user. The property is zoned industrial but sits within an airport overlay district; staff said an industrial condo use is permitted in the zoning district but outdoor storage and the multi-building layout will require a planned-unit development (PUD) overlay.
Staff and the Planning Commission raised questions about parking layout, outdoor storage, building materials and architectural standards; the packet notes the city does not allow 100% metal exteriors in the industrial district, so applicants were asked to consider facade treatments or other design measures. Planning staff also recommended an emergency access in addition to the main driveway because a single access point raises public-safety and operational concerns.
Developers said units are intended primarily for storage of boats, RVs and similar items and to provide options for small businesses. Applicant Austin Hallberg and representative Scott Peterson described market interest in garage-condo products and said some units are typically sold and, depending on market conditions and HOA bylaws, may be rented. Developers indicated the site would be secured and that detailed HOA rules and bylaws would be drafted as the project advances.
Council members pressed for clarity on utilities and taxes; staff confirmed units would receive water and sewer service and noted SAC/WACC (service availability charge and wastewater availability charge) and intensity-of-use calculations will be addressed later in the review. Staff and council also discussed the airport overlay 45-foot building-height limitation and how wetlands, stormwater, landscaping and trail/road improvements would be accommodated. Planning staff reiterated the concept review is nonbinding and that more detailed technical, architectural and covenant documentation will be required at later steps.
