Council moves housing project forward for planned new street

The first two of five planned 38-unit apartment buildings to be located on a new street between Flower Lane and U.S. 59/Minnesota 60 are moving forward following action Monday by the Worthington City Council.

A property tax abatement from South Shore Apartments LLC for the first two buildings was approved by council members. Steve Kuepers, chief manager of South Shore Apartments, said that he expects construction to begin this summer and the apartments to be ready next year. Worthington City Administrator Steve Robinson added that building will begin before the new street -- which will be known as East Flower Lane — is finished, and that there will be a temporary driveway allowing access to the work site.

Kuepers said he represents the second generation of a family business, Kuepers Inc., that's marking its 50th anniversary this year. Market-rate rental housing in Minnesota as far north as Warroad and as far south as Marshall has been developed and built by the company.

After voting unanimously Monday to grant the property tax abatement, council members also passed three separate motions needed to advance the project. The council approved both a preliminary and final plat of land for the site that creates five lots, two outlots and street right-of-way. Additionally, the council approved a change of zone from “TZ’ Transition Zone to ‘R-5’ Multi- Family, Medium and High-Density District and ‘B-3’ General Business District for portions of the same property. 

Also Monday, the city council approved the acquisition of the necessary right-of-way for the city's North Ray Drive extension project. The total purchase amount from Slumberland is not to exceed $168,000, as recommended by the appraisal.

Council members then approved a feasibility report on the proposed North Ray Drive extension from Ryan's Road to Kwik Trip road. The proposed improvements involve road base, regrading, curb and gutter, sidewalks, concrete driveways and permanent pavement. A public hearing on these planned improvements is scheduled for the April 28 council meeting.

In another community development item, the Worthington City Council on Monday voted 3-2 to deny a requested Planned Unit Development #9 amendment that would have allowed for a 20-foot rear yard on corner lots where the rear yard abuts the side yard of another property.

Efrain Patino had applied for the amendment and planned to construct an addition to their home, according to staff documents shared as part of the meeting's agenda. The requested amendment would have affected two properties — 1725 Donavon Drive and 1722 Pinewood Drive — city staff noted.

The Worthington Planning Commission had voted unanimously during its April 1 meeting to recommend approval of the requested amendment by the council, though Worthington Director of Community Development Matt Selof noted that multiple neighbors attending that Planning Commission expressed opposition. On Monday, councilmen Mike Kuhle and Chris Kielblock both moved to approve the amendment and voted in favor, but the remaining three council members --- Amy Ernst, Larry Janssen and Dennis Weber — voted against it. 

Among other business Monday, the council approved a tax abatement program application submitted by J Briones Construction for the construction of a two-unit townhome on Sutherland Drive. It also approved a lease agreement with District 518 for green space at Prairie Elementary for recreational soccer play. It is anticipated that the area will accommodate up to three adult and two youth fields.

Additionally, the council OK'd memorandums of understanding with Law Enforcement Labor Services #4 and #274 regarding conversion privileges at separation for vacation, earned sick and safe time and extended sick leave.

This would be the eventual look of the housing project at Worthington's East Flower Lane.