Type: Rental apartments
Units: 13
Developer: Josh Brandsted
Architect: Wells & Company Architects
Details: A quickly redeveloping neighborhood in St. Louis Park near Lake Calhoun will get a new 13-unit apartment building after the City Council issued a conditional-use permit to a developer despite neighborhood opposition.
Developer John Brandsted of Rosemount got the backing of the council for his proposed three-story building at 4101 W. 31st St. after revamping an original proposal that would have required a series of variances. The newer version drawn up by architect William Wells increased the setbacks on the half-acre vacant lot, thus fitting within all city codes.
W. 31st Street, dominated by older, small apartment buildings and single-family rental homes, has been the scene of considerable building activity in recent years.
The new apartments will feature nine one-bedroom units and four two-bedrooms, and will average around $1,500 in monthly rent, providing the neighborhood with a "midrange" housing option it now lacks, Brandsted told the council.
The project was opposed by neighbors concerned about development pressure and rising rents in the area, as well as by Council Member Susan Sanger, who voiced concerns that its size and design were "overwhelming" and that neighbors hadn't had enough time to provide input.
The council voted to issue the permit by a 5-1 vote, citing the developer's meeting of zoning requirements.
Don Jacobson is a St. Paul-based freelance writer. He can be contacted at hotproperty.startribune@gmail.com.
