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Residents press council to reject Clear Lake apartment concept over lake, traffic and process concerns
Summary
Neighbors opposed a six‑building, 228‑unit concept plan near Clear Lake, citing wetland impacts, boat‑access concerns, traffic and safety on Everton Avenue and incomplete permitting. The developer and staff said the plan is conceptual and could be revised; staff urged continued engagement and agency review.
Forest Lake City Council spent the bulk of its meeting hearing more than a dozen residents urge the council to stop or substantially change a concept plan for a six‑building apartment project adjacent to Clear Lake.
Residents told the council the concept plan — as presented — threatens water quality and neighborhood safety. "There's nothing from Washington County with a traffic study," Edward Eigner said, asking why the project has advanced "without permitting." Becca Grossman said the site sits on wetlands next to a small recreational lake and warned that increased access and density would cause "irreversible damage." Deanna Schmidt, who said she has 40 years in property management, raised operational concerns and questioned reliance on a single access from Everton Avenue for an estimated 228 units.
City staff described the submission as an early, non‑binding concept review meant to surface neighborhood concerns before a preliminary application is filed. The community development director told the council the property is guided for mixed use under the city’s comprehensive plan and that the current concept meets the plan's minimum target density — roughly 10 units per acre — but that many site design and agency review steps remain. Staff identified likely required steps including a Planned Unit Development overlay, Rice Creek Watershed District stormwater review, DNR consultation regarding lake access, and utility extensions for water and sewer.
Developer Steve Cavan said he has completed wetland delineations approved by Rice Creek Watershed District, rare‑plant studies reviewed by the DNR and 13 geotechnical borings on buildable portions of the site. He described the design as early and flexible: "I think they'd probably be fewer buildings," he said, and acknowledged changes such as dropping boat slips or pursuing underground parking may be considered.
Council members pressed about alternatives — senior housing, villas or smaller units — and about access and MnDOT constraints on adding or relocating signalized intersections. Staff noted a comprehensive plan or zoning amendment would be required to change the parcel’s minimum density, and the council encouraged the developer and staff to continue outreach and refine options that better fit the neighborhood context.
The meeting did not produce a formal decision on the concept plan; staff said the point of the session was to gather feedback before preliminary or final submittals.
The next procedural steps are continued neighborhood engagement and, if the applicant chooses to move forward, formal preliminary and final applications with the required agency reviews.
