Plan Commission approves Odana/Medical Circle redevelopment; Montessori school and neighbors urge design changes and safety studies

The Plan Commission voted March 30 to approve a demolition permit for the Marshall Erdman office at 5534 Medical Circle and to grant conditional uses allowing a proposed 6‑story mixed‑use building on Odana Road and a 5‑story building on Medical Circle, subject to the staff‑recommended conditions. The commission also forwarded the certified survey map combining the parcels to the Common Council with a recommendation for approval.

Developer Nick Orthman said the project would produce roughly 27 income‑restricted units and about 7,000 square feet of commercial space, and that financing would rely on 4% tax credits with affordability in the 50–70% area‑median‑income range. Orthman and other applicant representatives argued demolition is necessary to implement the West Area Plan and said the team would document the Marshall Erdman building with high‑quality photos, as‑built plans and an interpretive lobby exhibit.

Parents, staff and legal counsel for Montessori Children's House (MCH) testified in forceful opposition, saying the proposal’s massing and proximity risk student health and the school’s long‑term viability. Diana Wong, an MCH board member, said the preschool’s children would experience “jackhammers, dust, and diesel exhaust” during a projected construction period and requested a computational fluid dynamics airflow model and an acoustic impact report. Montessori leaders and families requested separating the parcels (decoupling) so the Medical Circle building could be reviewed independently, larger setbacks from the playground, reduced balconies and a developer‑funded mitigation fund or relocation assistance if construction compromises the school’s operations.

Developer representatives said they met with the school, moved the dog run away from the property line, updated landscaping and will provide a construction traffic and safety plan. In Q&A, the applicant said they would pursue 4% LIHTC financing (income limits and rent restrictions apply for 30 years) and seek city TIF to extend affordability to 40 years, and described tenant screening and property management processes.

Commissioners extensively discussed whether the project meets standards for impacts on neighboring uses, public safety, and plan consistency. Several commissioners acknowledged the difficulty of approving a large project adjacent to a sensitive licensed childcare facility while also meeting city housing and affordability goals. After debate, the commission approved the demolition permit and the conditional use application, and forwarded the CSM to the Common Council.

Ending

The commission attached staff‑recommended conditions and documentation requirements; the CSM and rezoning/permit referrals proceed to the Common Council. Opponents said they will press for additional mitigation and design changes as the project advances.