Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Housing Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Maple Grove council approves Oppidan 195‑unit senior living PUD despite parking objections (3–1)
Summary
The council directed staff to draft a PUD agreement for a 195‑unit Oppidan senior living campus, approving the concept stage plan by a 3–1 vote after councilmembers raised concerns about parking and compatibility with a 2019 small area plan.
The Maple Grove City Council on Feb. 2 directed the city attorney to draft a resolution and a planned unit development (PUD) agreement for Oppidan’s proposed 195‑unit senior living campus, approving the concept stage plan by a 3–1 vote.
Planning Manager Peter Vickerman told the council the proposal covers roughly 10 acres near Niagara Lane North and Arbor Ridge Parkway North and would include memory care, assisted living, independent living and active adult cottages with an approximately four‑acre outlot for future commercial or office use. The Planning Commission recommended approval.
"The applicant believes there is demand for this kind of campus," Vickerman said. Oppidan representative Eric Martin said the campus would allow seniors to age in place and that the site can accommodate additional parking if needed.
Councilmember Mike Ostaffe voted against the motion and repeatedly raised concerns about losing land that the council’s 2019 small area plan envisioned for office and commercial uses. Ostaffe also argued the proposal did not provide sufficient parking, noting the plan counted one stall per senior unit and expressed concern visitors and staff would overwhelm available spaces.
Mr. Martin said the project expects 45–55 total FTE employees split across shifts and estimated 25–35 staff onsite during the day; he said memory care units have negligible resident parking demand and independent‑living units generate the highest need. "Senior housing is a very needed use in Maple Grove," Martin said.
Councilmember Rachelle Johnson and Mayor Mark Steffenson supported the motion, saying the master plan leaves latitude for market‑responding land uses and the city needs a continuum‑of‑care option. The motion carried with three ayes and one nay (Ostaffe opposed). The council required the applicant to address remaining staff comments from Community & Economic Development, Engineering and Fire Department memoranda and to acknowledge park dedication review and Park and Recreation Board action.
Next steps: city attorneys will prepare a resolution and PUD agreement for a subsequent council meeting; the council requested the applicant return with refined parking plans and exterior elevations.
