Oakdale’s City Council on Nov. 26 approved changes to the Helmo Station planned unit development that clear the way for a mixed‑use project the developer says will include a 262‑unit apartment building, 112 townhomes and a roughly 2.8‑acre public park.

Planner Luke presented the Enclave Helmo Station proposal and said both the apartment and townhome units would be market‑rate, not income‑restricted. The project relocates some streets envisioned in the original Helmo Station plan; staff asked for and received a traffic study that staff said indicated fewer public streets would have minimal vehicle‑traffic impacts. Luke said the developer added an enhanced north–south pedestrian spine and new sidewalk connections to address walkability concerns.

The developer requested several deviations from the PUD, including exceeding the Helm Station parking maximum (1.5 spaces per unit) to 1.79 spaces per unit. Luke said that increase represents 76 additional spaces on plan documents, 31 of which are listed as “proof of parking” that would not be constructed unless the demand materializes. Developer Brian Bachman told council the actual ratio is about 1.59 and said lenders and market conditions influence parking decisions; unused spaces would remain grass until needed.

The council also approved a deviation from the PUD’s 10‑foot maximum setback between the apartment building and the park; staff said the proposed ~28‑foot setback is mitigated by design choices such as lockout patios and an accessible ramp and that the intent of an urban edge is preserved.

Staff recommended approval; the planning commission had recommended approval after a public hearing in October. Council adopted the ordinance amending the PUD and passed Resolution 2024‑107 (preliminary plat) and Resolution 2024‑108 (site plan) by voice vote. Conditions listed in the approved resolutions require additional details for utility screening, photometrics, a signage package, a development agreement specifying park construction responsibilities, and outside agency approvals including watershed districts and a future noise‑study/variance because of nearby interstate traffic.

A public commenter asked about runoff, drainage and flash‑flood risk; the Enclave team said standard phase‑1 soil work and stormwater designs have been submitted and that the city and two watershed districts will review and approve stormwater measures.

The approvals require the developer to return for final plat and construction plan approvals and to complete the conditions in the resolutions before final building permits are issued.