You Decide: Too Many Apartment Buildings Coming to Golden Valley?
Plans for three new apartment buildings are moving through the City's approval process.
It's no secret that redevelopment in Golden Valley is a big deal. The city is full of older homes and structures that remind neighbors of the community's historical roots. But City staff is working to find a balance between honoring Golden Valley's heritage and focusing on bringing in new residents to the area.
Over the last few months, Planning Commission and City Councilmembers have reviewed three separate plans for new apartment construction in Golden Valley.
On Oct. 17, the Golden Valley City Council agreed to move forward with plans to build The Tiburon Apartments.The 142-unit apartment building would be built along Highway 55.
On Oct. 30, The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal reported that renderings for Colonnade Apartments were available. The 173 unit building would be constructed on Xenia Avenue near Interstate 394 if Planning Commission members approve preliminary plans.
Then, on Nov. 5, the Planning Commission approved preliminary plans for the "Three.Nine.Four," a 308 unit apartment building and a 118 unit senior living facility near Circle Down.
In regards to new development on Douglas Drive, Mayor Shep Harris told Patch that new construction is good for the city. "We’ve been reacting to economic development proposals for quite some time, like the Tiburon, and that's a good thing," Harris told Patch.
But what do you think? Vote in our Patch poll below.
susan
7:31 am on Saturday, November 10, 2012
sure would be nice to have a map with location indicators while reading articles such as this.
Chris Hannaford
7:54 am on Saturday, November 10, 2012
More apartments means more transitory residents who are not invested in the community. These are three huge projects that could change the character of Golden Valley for the worse.
Jennifer A.
1:22 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
how many will be low income.section 8???
Nicholas s
2:28 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
Yes I am happy and I think it is very important for golden valley to have more housing options. For instance, the city of St. Louis park is now well known for its progressive apartment and urban infill projects, think the west end, excelsior and grand, and others near highway 100 and the future sw light rail line. It is also important because the younger generation is less Interested in home ownership, if this city is wanting to have a healthy and diverse mix of ages, it needs to have a draw for a growing market: apartments, 'age-in-place' developments, and town homes. I am also thrilled that these projects are located in underutilized sites, such as the one across 55 from kare11: single story commercial or industrial structures that will not be missed, and that may turn out to be a new pedestrian center for our community. Go Golden Valley!
Karen G.
2:33 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
I agree new development is good for the city but please move forward carefully and thoughtfully. I ask the city to look at the early days of Brooklyn Park's planning and the consequences the city has faced starting in the 1980's and continues to worsen today. I believe there needs to be a careful, cautious balance of rent units to private homes. Please consider studying why Brooklyn Park bulldozed so many rental properties in recent history and the impact the rentals and transient community had on crime. Look at the impacts on an individual's property values. Golden Valley had been able to hold a line on property values, in a fashion desired by our northern neighbors. Take a step back and look at the big picture, is this really the right move? Is it a responsible move for the whole of Golden Valley citizenship? Or is this just a route for a quick boost? Rentals bring a transient community that Golden Valley is not accustomed to and maybe not ready for. Will we need to increase the budget for support services, i.e. police? We have enjoyed a long period of low crime rates. "Just sayin" (to quote my teen).
Brad Kadue
7:48 am on Sunday, November 11, 2012
The fact is that the city has looked closely at housing, and has laid out a comprehensive set of goals and objectives in the City Plan. As a result of this plan, the city rezoned the 394 corridor from industrial to high density housing/retail. Both of the projects listed here fit in nicely with that plan.
I'd encourage people to read the plan and decide for themselves if these projects fit in or not. If its the plan your not happy with, there are opportunities to provide feedback through programs like Envision and Bridge Builders.
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/planning/comprehensiveplan/pdf/05-Housing.pdf
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/envision/index.php
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/community/bridgebuilders/index.php
Harry Brady
12:31 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
Apartment buildings ALWAYS mean lowered property values for adjacent home owners and consquently discourages families from investing in an area. I have new neighbors with school age kids who are thrilled to be in Golden Valley because they like the NEIGHBORHOOD. When you are a property owner you typically have a vested interest in what is going on around you. Pride in ownership is not a myth.
Carefree rental is exactly that. No ties. No involvement. No responsibility. No friends. No neighbors. No humanity. No class. These gigantic (142,173 unit) developments are rat warrens offering seclusion and annonymity for predators, bums and miscreants. No thanks.
Valerie Engler
1:33 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
Readers, great input so far. Keep in mind that the City's public hearings are of course the place to truly have your voices heard. I'll Echo Brad Kadue and say that the City's website has great information about how to connect with staff that will take your opinion into account. Patch will continue to bring you updates as these projects move through the approval process at the City!
Kathleen Guerrero
3:52 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
I work in Brooklyn Park with its many apartment complexes and have heard on TV and the radio about increased crime rates there. I would be OK with one new apartment complex in Golden Valley, hopefully with no Section 8 housing in it, but not more than that. I would be in favor of more apartments for seniors; there is already an upswing as the population ages.