Council approves rezoning requests and final plat; INH, Sunshine Behavioral Health and Badger Heights actions pass
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Summary
The Rochester City Council approved three land-use items: rezoning ~1.2 acres for an infill apartment project (INH properties), rezoning a 2.71-acre hotel site for conversion to a substance-use treatment facility (Sunshine Behavioral Health) and a final plat creating 32 residential lots (Badger Heights Second). Votes were recorded and conditions described by staff.
Rochester — The City Council approved multiple land-use and development items Monday, voting to rezone two properties and to adopt a final plat that subdivides land for new housing.
Zone change CD2025-007ZC (INH properties): Staff presented a request to redesignate approximately 1.2 acres northwest of 7th Avenue SW and Center Street W from R2X (single-family small lots/residential infill) to R3 (medium-density residential) to facilitate a multi-family infill project. Taryn Edens of Community Development described neighborhood protection standards that would apply to any future development: a 25-foot setback to the north and west, a 50-foot setback for parking areas to the north and west and a 100-foot height step-down within 100 feet of lower-scale housing. Councilmember Fredericks moved approval; Councilmember Miller seconded and the motion passed.
Zone change CD2025-008ZC (Sunshine Behavioral Health Group LLC): Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval to rezone a 2.71-acre site in the Woodlake Business Center from Light Industrial to Mixed Use General (MXG) to allow conversion of a 20,000-square-foot, 103-room hotel into a substance-use rehabilitation facility. Brandon Turner, CFO of Sunshine Behavioral Health Group, described the company’s operations and national experience in converting hotels to treatment beds. Councilmember Fredericks moved approval; Councilmember Keane seconded. The motion passed 6–1, with Councilmember Palmer casting the lone no vote.
Final plat CV2026-002 (Badger Heights Second): Staff introduced a final plat to subdivide previously approved parcels into 32 residential lots; the development review team recommended approval with five conditions. Councilmember Keane moved adoption of the resolution approving the final plat and listing the conditions; the motion passed.
These approvals do not grant building permits or final design approval; staff noted subsequent site-plan, grading and utility reviews would be required and that neighborhood protection standards apply where specified. Council discussion focused on ensuring compatibility with adjacent land uses and on how the unified development code’s protections would be applied as projects return for site-level review.
Outcomes at a glance: - CD2025-007ZC (INH properties): Rezoned ~1.2 acres from R2X to R3; motion passed (vote recorded as motion passes during the meeting). - CD2025-008ZC (Sunshine Behavioral Health): Rezoned 2.71 acres from LI to MXG; motion passed 6–1 (Councilmember Palmer voted no). - CV2026-002 (Badger Heights Second plat): Final plat approving 32 residential lots with five conditions; motion passed.
Next steps for applicants include submittal of site plans, building permits and compliance with neighborhood protection standards required by the Unified Development Code.
