Roers Companies is looking to build a new multi-family apartment development at 6850 East Point Douglas Road in Cottage Grove. They submitted an application at the Jan. 17 city council meeting for a new site plan review, planned unit development preliminary and final plat.
Multiple easements and a deed restriction are in play for the proposed new development south of Camel’s Hump Park, including drainage and utility on the northwest, a pipeline in the center, and a trail easement on the east. Roers is proposing the acquisition of three new outlots to move forward with the project. The northeast area is being restricted for development to preserve the trees.
The unit is proposed as a 144-unit mixed income apartment building; 29 units will be designated at 50% area median income (AMI), eight units will be at 60% AMI, and 107 units will be at market rate or below. The minimum rent set by HUD for the 50% AMI units will be priced at $1,087. The 60% AMI units will be priced at $1,398.
The complex will feature a game room, a community room, and a fitness room. City code requires 230 parking stalls for a development of this size, but the developer is proposing 216 stalls, 82 on the surface and 134 in the two-level garage. A 6-foot wide sidewalk on the eastern side of the development is proposed to meet up with the existing natural trail.
Roers has proposed 18% stone and 29% glass for the building, exceeding existing ratios from previous developments like Legends of Cottage Grove, making the property stand out.
The height of the proposed building, built into the hillside, is 67 feet. The downhill side of the building is 55 feet, similar in height to Legends of Cottage Grove.
Landscaping plans fall short on trees per city code, but developers hope to make up for that with ornamental trees and shrubs, which far surpass code requirements.
A traffic study has been completed to make sure that Hardwood Avenue and East Point Douglas Road can handle the added traffic from the new development. Additional daily trips along the corridor are expected to total 1,750 per day.
Roers conducted a neighborhood meeting on Nov. 14, 2023, to allow residents to discuss the site selection, timing of the construction, proposed rents, as well as traffic and noise expectations. The Planning Commission passed the request for the new development unanimously.
Tax Incremented Financing (TIF), public financial assistance, was requested by the developer to complete the project. Ehlers, Inc., a municipal advisory firm, determined that 15 years’ assistance up to a current value of $1.96 million is warranted. A lookback provision is in the contract to “ensure assistance was right-sized.”
Councilmember Dave Thiede motioned for approval of the TIF plan, which was seconded by Councilmember Justin Olsen, and the council approved. Councilmember Tony Khambata moved to authorize the private contractor development, seconded by Thiede. The motion carried.