2020-10-13 PC Minutes
ALBERTVILLEPLANNINGCOMMISSION
TUESDAY,OCTOBER13,2020
APPROVEDMINUTES
ALBERTVILLECITYHALL7:00PM
1. CALLTOORDERȟROLLCALLȟADOPTAGENDA
Chair Buhrmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Maeghan Becker conducted roll call.
Present:Chair Buhrmann and Commissioners Huggins, Hayden, and Zagorski.
Absent:Commissioner Anderson and Council Liaison Halling.
OthersPresent:City Planner Al Brixius, Building Permit Technician Maeghan
Becker, Ian Peterson and Tom Gonyea from Gonyea/Watermark.
MotionedbyZagorski,secondedbyHuggins,toapprovetheagenda.Ayes:Buhrmann,
Huggins,Hayden,andZagorski.Nays:None.Absent:AndersonandHalling.MOTION
DECLAREDCARRIED.
2. MINUTES
MotionedbyZagorski,secondedbyHugginstoapprovetheSeptember9,
2020PlanningCommissionmeetingminutes.Ayes:Buhrmann,Huggins,
Hayden,andZagorski.Nays:None.Absent:AndersonandHalling.MOTION
DECLAREDCARRIED.
3. PUBLICHEARINGS
A. None.
1
4. OTHERBUSINESS
A. ConsideraconceptplanforGonyea/Watermarkregardingasingle
th
familyrentalsubdivisionofthePsykpropertylocatednorthof50
StreetandEastofMainAvenue.
City Planner, Al Brixius, did a brief introduction for the Gonyea/Watermark Single Family
Concept Plan. The applicant is looking for feedback for their proposal to construct 70
th
single-family homes on 39.05 acres, located on 50 Street NE.
This concept plan is for single-family rental housing that is to be managed by a single
entity. The concept is to have maintenance-free lifestyles while enjoying amenities such as
pools, clubhouses, dog parks, and fitness trails.
Tom Gonyea, with the State Development Corporation, introduced himself working with
Ian Peterson on this project. He said that these homes are of a higher product and that the
people living in these houses choose to live this way. Gonyea mentioned that there are still
items like the entrance to the development and the smaller lots that may need to be
discussed further going into this process.
Ian Peterson, with Watermark, approached the podium to present the single-family rental
community. Peterson said that all these homes are for rent only, no owner-occupied units,
and they are managed under one management company. These will be new construction,
open style floor plans, energy efficient and maintenance-free lifestyle. The customers for
these types of homes are every age. These units are filled with young families and elderly
people, along with single people who enjoy the space and amenities with little
maintenance.
Peterson showed Commissioners some exhibits at their Maple Grove location and their
under-construction location in Woodbury.
Peterson discussed lot sizes to the Commissioners that would need to be confirmed in
further planning stages for the development and that they also need to get a detailed
grading plan completed if they choose to move forward.
Buhrmann asked Peterson what the typical lease time is for this type of housing. Peterson
responded that a typical minimum lease time is 12 months, they have leases from 12-36
months, they have done a 6-month lease for special situations.
Burhmann asked how long does it take to rent out the community, Peterson responded that
these homes are in very high demand, and that these properties are spoken for before they
are even finished building the community.
Buhrmann asked why they would like to build this development in Albertville. Peterson
responded that St. Michael/Albertville has a great school district, they take into
consideration the average income of the population, they look at the apartments and
single-family dwelling homes for rent in the area, and also ease of access for transportation.
He believes that this area is a very strong submarket.
Huggins asked if there is any long-term benefit to a renter or if there is a possible option for
them to buy in the future, and also if an upfront investment is possible. Peterson responded
that these are rented just like an apartment complex. You have your typical deposit, there
will be no option to purchase these homes, they will all stay rental.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2
Regular Meeting of October 13, 2020
Huggins asked Peterson if he ever foresees the company not wanting to manage the
community anymore and possibly selling the homes. Peterson responded that he does not
foresee that happening - Peterson has not heard of a community that has gone for sale or
where they have quite the rental program.
Buhrmann asked about the amenities being all inclusive. Peterson responded that all the
amenities are included in the rent. The lawn care, irrigation, snow removal, changing of
your furnace filter, etc. is all included. He said that if you would like to rent out the club
house for an event, there are charges, but everything else is included.
Hayden stated that rentals can be known for having lack of upkeep and he is wondering
who would be in charge of this community. Peterson responded that the management
person would be located on site for all the upkeep that is needed.
Zagorski stated that he went out and walked the property and brought up the walk out
housing they are proposing. Peterson said that depending on how short or long the grade is
will determine if the house is a slab on grade or not.
Zagorski brought up the entrances and that they may have a second entrance. Peterson
stated that they will need to look further into how they will be doing the entrance/exit for
the development. Zagorski stated that the traffic study may help determine if they need
another entrance/exit or not.
Zagorski also asked about the 50-foot width lots and if that is the largest that this group has
developed so far. Peterson stated that the Plymouth development has a little bit of larger
lots, but that the usual is 45 to 50 for the typical lot size.
Brixius presented his planners report and the comprehensive plan and presented the three
options that they are asking the Commissioners to pick from for a recommendation.
Zagorski asked how they will manage the snow removal. Peterson responded they typically
store it on site, but if needed they will haul it off site.
Burhmann stated that this type of development intrigues him because of where he is at in
his life. He thinks that this will attract a higher grade or level of people. He is going with
option number two, with the formation of zoni¦ ¨³ ² 05$Ǿ ² «¨²³¤£ ¨ ³§¤ ¯« ¤±Ȍ²
report. He also believes that this would bring a lot of value to the City.
Huggins stated that he agrees with Burhmann and that this would bring a lot of value to
Albertville and that the product is very appealing. Huggins has reservations about having a
corporation handling a rental development and it having the possibility of not working out
and the development selling into something other then what it was intended for. Huggins is
thinking long term vision, 30 years or so down the line, and has concerns of this concept
falling apart. Huggins would like to know how the corporation can ensure that this
proposed community will always be maintained by an HOA or management company.
Huggins agreed with option number two for th¤ ±¤¢®¬¬¤£ ³¨® ² «¨²³¤£ ¨ ³§¤ ¯« ¤±Ȍ²
report.
Zagorski would like to create a hybrid from option two and three listed in the planners
report. He would like to see the inclusion of 60ft width lots and larger garages.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3
Regular Meeting of October 13, 2020
Hayden stated that he likes the concept, but also has concerns about the lot sizes and
looking at the development in the future and what is going to happen to it. He is between
options two and three as well, and he would like to make the lots more desirable for resale
value, if ever needed.
"±¨·¨´² £¨£ ®µ¤±µ¨¤¶ ®¥ ³§¤ #®¬¬¨²²¨®¤±Ȍ² statements stating that they are interested
in moving forward with the plans and working with staff on the concerns brought up.
B. Upcomingzoningapplicationsanddevelopmentinquiries.
C.DiscusstheAlbertville2030Visionstudyandanyneededupdates
Brixius combined the two above items and presented the Albertville 2030 vision study with
the Commissioners. He went over what type of properties that were left for development
and what they are currently zoned as. He spoke on the following upcoming zoning
applications and development inquiries that may be submitted.
There is a manufacturing plant for modular apartment complexes that is looking to go
where the former Mall of Entertainment development (which is no longer in the works)
was going to go, along with multi-living housing.
th
On the corner of 70 and CSAH 19 there is interest for a self-storage facility.
The east side of the Outlet Mall is looking to redevelop and they have interests in multi-
family housing.
There is interest in the Psyk farm for multi-family housing. This could be apartments or
townhomes.
Huggins made the comment that he has a concern with more families and youth coming in
as there is no entertainment for school aged kids besides sports.
Brixius brought up the lots over in the Green Haven Estates that have no sewer or water
yet and the owner is interested in doing a 2,000 square foot building, but the building
would need to be sprinklered due to our 1306 fire code. Since there is no sewer and water
that makes it difficult for her to develop at this time.
Brixius introduced the Fehn plans to move and redevelop a shop and outdoor storage over
on Marlowe Avenue.
Buhrmann and Brixius discussed bringing more people into the community versus having
amenities to support the population.
Zagorski and Brixius discussed transportation and traffic around town.
Hayden asked if anyone expressed interest where the former Hana building was. Brixius
stated there has been no current interest.
Brixius wants the commissioners to look at the open lots and do some research on what
they would like to see developed. A workshop with the City Council and Planning
Commission is going to be scheduled for November 12, 2020 to discuss these items further.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4
Regular Meeting of October 13, 2020
5.ADJOURNMENT
MotionedbyZagorski,secondedbyHayden,toadjournthemeetingat
8:49p.m.Ayes:Buhrmann,Huggins,Hayden,andZagorski.Nays:None.Absent:
AndersonandHalling.MOTIONDECLAREDCARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Maeghan M. Becker, Building Permit Technician
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5
Regular Meeting of October 13, 2020