Sketch plat for Astoria Laketown proposes 76 senior cooperative units, developer offers 7‑acre trail dedication

City planning staff presented a sketch plat for Astoria Laketown on June 16, a residential proposal at 2285 Arboretum Boulevard that would include a 76‑unit cooperative senior apartment building, six senior duplex/townhome buildings (two units each) and two single‑family homes on roughly 56 acres.

Planner described the project as likely requiring a planned unit development rezoning with an underlying R‑4 high‑density residential district and noted Shoreland Overlay rules apply because the site is within 1,000 feet of six‑mile creek and Auburn Lake. Staff said the project would be subject to a 100‑foot building setback from the stream, open‑space and impervious‑coverage review, and an analysis to verify compliance with DNR density and impervious requirements. The applicant proposes 167 parking stalls (about 104 beneath the building and 63 surface stalls), exceeding the senior‑housing minimums staff cited.

Staff reported parkland dedication calculations equated to roughly $98,000 for the development, but said the developer proposes to dedicate about 7 acres of land for the future Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail corridor. Parks and recreation committee members present recommended the City Council accept the trail corridor dedication, staff said. The planner clarified the city typically accepts land dedication but does not require the developer to construct the entire trail; construction and funding for the trail corridor would rely on the city, county and partner organizations.

The applicant representative described a neighborhood meeting held the prior evening attended by roughly 15 residents and said neighbors raised concerns about trail feasibility, traffic increases on Skye Drive and Lakes Parkway, and a preference by some for lower density than earlier proposals for the site. The applicant said the development team is open to continued discussion with neighbors and parks staff about trail planning and potential funding options.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about access (planner said direct Highway 5 access was not feasible and Lakes Parkway/Skye Drive is the intended connection), whether MnDOT or Minnehaha Creek Watershed District review would be required (staff said MnDOT typically does not review sketch plats but staff could share materials earlier and the watershed district will be engaged at preliminary plat), and whether a previous Emera traffic study — done for a higher‑density prior proposal — remains a useful baseline. Staff said the Emera study (reviewed July 2023) noted about 21 additional peak AM/PM trips for a senior use and that the current proposal likely would generate fewer trips because of the lower unit count.

Because sketch‑plat review is advisory, the commission provided feedback but took no formal action. Staff listed likely next steps: a preliminary plat submittal with traffic, stormwater, wetlands and shoreland analyses, formal zoning and PUD requests as needed, and outreach to MnDOT and watershed district as part of technical review. The item will return to the council with any formal preliminary plat or rezoning requests if the applicant proceeds.