HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973 12-12 Council denies construction of five-story apartments REVIEW Council denies construction
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of five-story
by Scott Carlson ditions and would "increase the public "I just can't accept the five story
Construction of five, five story apart- safety risks and problems which might building," Haugan said.
ment buildings at Larpenteur ave. and arise by reason of fire and police services Wiegert said, "That there may be
McKnight rd. is inconsistent with which would endanger the public health, residences in Maplewood higher than
surrounding land development and would safety and welfare." three stories has little to do with what
constitute a public safety hazard, the —That people who have already pur- ought to exist at this (Maple Woods)
Maplewood council has declared. chased townhouses in the planned unit site. The (original) plan, although
Those plus four other reasons were the development"have a right" to know the criticized by some, was designed with
basis for the council's unanimous action property would be developed essentially some respect for its neighbors."
last Thursday night to deny Maple Woods the way same.
a change from its original special use —And that the original plan was WIEGERT SUGGESTED that the
permit agreement. adopted by the Council "to insure developer apparently had not considered
The developers wanted to build five, development of a project in accordance "any other form of medium density
five-story apartment buildings, each with the approved plan." housing."He said the original concept did
including 87 units; and eliminate 13 not "contemplate condominium
townhouse buildings. Charles Cox, a THE DEVELOPERS' new proposal townhouses and it has not been demon-
representative for Maple Woods would have increased the number of strated that the original concept is not
Properties, said they had been unable to housing units by 49 and the population functional."
sell townhouse units built in first phase projection from 1,556 to 1,576. He also added that the developers might
construction of the planned unit But neither councilmen Harold Haugan want to delay construction of the second
development. or Donald Wiegert could accept the phase if the market for townhouses is poor
But the council, as one of its reasons, change and both called it drastic. at this time.
said, "The applicants have not proven
sufficient justification for the proposed
change." It added:
—That the proposed change would
change the ratio of townhouse to apart-
ment units from its desirable 1:4 ratio.
—That the increase in height of the
buildings from three to five stories
violates one of the original permit con-