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Council advances Fernbrook senior housing concept despite parking concerns
Summary
Council directed the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the Fernbrook Senior Housing concept stage PUD to allow the developer to pursue funding, while Councilmember Mike Ostaffe pressed concerns that the proposed 114 parking stalls may be insufficient compared with a typical 135-space expectation.
The Maple Grove City Council on Dec. 1 directed the city attorney to draft a resolution approving the concept stage plan for the Fernbrook Senior Housing planned unit development so the developer can apply for funding, but several council members raised persistent concerns about parking that will be worked through during later approval stages.
Planning Manager Peter Vickerman explained the city selected the site for affordable senior housing following a 2023 review and a 2020 housing study that identified a need for more senior affordable units. Representatives for the preferred developer (PGMA – Ebenezer) described efforts to balance affordable rents with parking costs and greenspace. Developer representative Andrew McLean said it costs about "$6,000 to provide a surface parking space and $30,000 to provide an underground parking space."
Councilmember Mike Ostaffe said he feared overflow parking could affect a neighboring church lot and that 114 proposed spaces were too few compared with the roughly 135 spaces the city typically expects for similar projects. Planning Manager Vickerman said staff recommended 114 stalls because the ratio matched nearby Garland Commons, which staff said has not shown parking problems; he also said final development-stage plans and funding sources will influence the parking layout. Resident Jill Budzynski spoke in favor of the project, citing the city’s inclusionary housing goals and the need for more affordable senior housing.
Councilmembers Janigo and McCullough expressed support for advancing the concept to allow the developer to pursue funding; the council approved the motion to direct the city attorney to draft the resolution with the condition that outstanding staff comments be addressed.
The council vote was unanimous, 5-0. Staff said development-stage plans are expected later and some funding requirements could limit parking options; the council asked staff and the developer to continue refining parking provisions before final approvals.
