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CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS MID TO HIGH END

RENTAL TOWNHOMES FOR VICTORIA

         Councilmembers received a sketch plat on February 27th for a new townhome development proposed for the Rhapsody area of Victoria at County Road 43 and Vogel Farm Road.  What makes the proposal different than Madelyn Creek or Green Crest, for example, is that these townhomes would be rental units rather than owner occupied.

         As Mayor Mary Thun pointed out,  "We're not being asked to approve anything at this time but to provide feedback for the developer."  The feedback that evening included both support and non-support.  Developer Vincent Lim of Brunsfield America and Architect William Madden of Madden Architects, St. Paul, MN, were in attendance.

         Holly Kreft, Victoria Community Development Director, presented the plat.  "It is in the concept stage," she said.  "It is not the preliminary plat.  It's being proposed for the property that was deeded to the city for a future Public Works site.  It has been determined the site is not feasible for Public Works."

         Holly said that 32 rental townhomes are being proposed for the 4.75 acres.  "The density would be 6.7 units per acre as a stand alone project," she said.  "Overall density would be 2.6 units per acre if you consider the larger area of the [Rhapsody] development."

         Councilmember Kim Roden began the discussion.  "When I think about rental versus owner occupied, I think about the services necessary to support them like transportation and jobs.  When I think about this community, I see we don't have the services to support it."

         Replied Holly, "From the city's perspective, it's a market demand, a universal design for a range of demographics.  I do receive calls from people looking for rental properties."

         Mayor Mary Thun stated that there is a concern in Victoria to have homes available for teachers and volunteer firefighters.

         "What impact would rental units have on the adjacent owner occupied homes?" asked Councilmember Roden.

         Mr. Vincent Lim responded at the podium, introducing Brunsfield America as an international organization headquartered in Malaysia with offices in the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Australia.

         "I've personally been in Minnesota since 1998," he said.  "We tend to look at your city from a big picture.  City service support is a valid point.  Rental will be on the higher end.  Renters will probably have two houses.  They will tend to be less dependent on the city."

         Mr. Lim also said, "Some people lose their homes and need to move and don't need a lot of amenities.  I have to admit this project will probably not address the needs of teachers and firefighters because it is for people with higher end jobs ... We wanted to do high quality.  We have designed tuck behind parking and a generous central community space.  We have plans to beautify that space."

         Asked Councilmember Roden, "Would my property values be adversely affected if I lived next door?  It's a change in the way the community is being developed.  Studies show there is an increase in public safety costs with rental units.  Also, however, because of uncertainty in the market, people might come here for that.  Investing in a home is not a sure thing as it once was ... Is there a difference in taxable valuation between owner occupied and rental?"

         Mr. Lim stated that, in fact, because he is proposing 32 units instead of 10, for example, more taxes would be paid and "that would help the city."

         Stated Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "I'm generally supportive of rental projects.  We need it in the community.  Something that blends in a little better may go over better.  It does jump out at me as different."

 

Click here to continue High End Townhomes.

March 2012