Minnetonka Development News

Senior Housing Concept Plan Review Sparks Debate on Height, Environmental Impact, and Affordability

The City Council reviewed a concept plan for a senior rental building at 5900 Roland Road. The proposed six-story, 100-130 unit building would replace an existing office structure on the 4.2-acre site, which is zoned B1 (office) and guided for office use in the 2040 Comprehensive Guide Plan. The site is within the Shoreland Overlay District due to its proximity to Nine Mile Creek. The plan would require a comprehensive guide plan amendment to high-density residential, rezoning, site and building plan review, and variances for grading, tree removal, and building placement within 30% slopes. Residents and the Planning Commission raised concerns about traffic, building height and massing, environmental impacts on slopes and wildlife, and requested considerations for affordability, sustainable building practices, and light/noise pollution mitigation. Council members indicated support for a high-density residential use but expressed concerns about the proposed height and potential impacts, suggesting a need for a more compact design, adherence to a four-story or 45-foot limit, and integration of environmental and affordability measures.