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Planning Commission approves rezoning, plat and easement vacation for 184570 Seventh Street West
Summary
The Inver Grove Heights Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve rezoning, a vacation of drainage and utility easements, and a preliminary/final plat that would create one lot for an existing home and an outlot intended for future development; the item goes to city council July 28.
The Inver Grove Heights Planning Commission voted 7-0 on July 1 to approve a rezoning from Agricultural (A) to R1C and R3A, a vacation of existing drainage and utility easements, and a preliminary and final plat that would subdivide 184570 Seventh Street West into one lot for the existing single-family home and one outlot intended for future development.
Planning staff said the 5.08-acre property owner, applicant Steve Greben, has already secured a comprehensive-plan land-use change and that the proposed zoning matches that guiding: R1C (low-density single-family) for the existing home and R3A (low-medium density residential) for the outlot. Ben, planning department staff, told the commission that the rezoning “is consistent with the comprehensive plan” and that the illustrative concept shows capacity for townhomes though any future development would require separate public hearings, platting and a PUD in the northwest area.
The commission’s decision follows a public hearing in which five members of the public spoke. Longtime resident Kate Moulton said traffic is already difficult in the neighborhood and warned the concept could increase vehicle conflicts: “We cannot make a left turn out of 149. To make a left turn onto a Yankee Doodle has taken our life in our hands, especially during rush hour.” Another nearby resident questioned how future developers might combine lots; staff answered that alternative proposals could be brought forward but would be evaluated through future applications.
Staff provided technical clarifications at the hearing: the outlot is about 4.1 acres and the illustrative concept plan shows 17 units, while a straight density calculation would allow up to 32 units at the low-medium guiding; staff said the likely outcome would be closer to the 17-unit illustrative plan due to site constraints. Staff also said the commission would review traffic, grading and stormwater once a formal plat or development application is filed. Ben told the commission that low-medium density corresponds to roughly 4 to 8 units per acre and medium density to 8 to 12 units per acre.
Commissioner Allan Hunting, who moved approval, said he supports the zoning as a compromise reached during earlier reviews and suggested the outlot could be attractive for senior housing. Commissioner Tyken seconded the motion. The roll call vote was unanimous: Commissioners Coasell, Clancy, Heidenreich, Hunting, Wipperman, Tweed and Tyken voted aye. The commission set a tentative city council review for July 28, 2025.
What the approval does and does not do: the action rezones the property and approves a preliminary/final plat that creates one lot and one outlot and vacates the existing easements, but it does not approve any specific development plan for the outlot. Any developer seeking to subdivide or build on the outlot must return for another public hearing and obtain required PUD approvals and engineering review. Notices for this matter were mailed to 93 property owners on June 18, 2025.
The case will appear before the City Council on July 28, 2025 for final action.
