The commission voted 5-1 to approve the site plan, preliminary plat, and a variance for the five-story building at 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue. The project, funded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, will offer apartments at 30 to 60 percent of area median income, with units ranging from one to four bedrooms.

Developer Johnny Opara described the project as transforming underutilized land into a community asset. "Our vision is to deliver 42 homes of affordable housing," he said, noting the building will include amenities like an indoor tot lot and in-unit laundry. The city required the developer to extend sidewalks along 65th Street down to Oliver Avenue as part of the project.

However, residents raised significant concerns during the public hearing. Michael Gormley, who lives near the site, pointed out that 65th Street is extremely narrow with no sidewalks on either side, and questioned whether the building includes sufficient parking for 42 apartments. Commissioner Hoie countered that the project's impact on regional traffic would be minimal, noting that nearby county roads already handle thousands of vehicles daily.

The discussion was framed by a powerful statement from Stephanie Kolkowski, who shared a personal tragedy involving a pedestrian fatality to emphasize the importance of prioritizing safety in city planning. "Her death must serve as a catalyst for tangible safety improvements," Kolkowski said, highlighting the broader context of the commission's decisions.

In a separate unanimous vote, the commission also approved the sale of a small, irregularly shaped parcel of land called Outlaw A Wexler's Second Edition. The remnant property, created during a 2008 roundabout construction at Richfield Parkway and 66th Street, will be sold to an adjacent dental office that has been leasing it for parking. Staff determined the parcel was not developable as a standalone site.