StoryCivic Center North RedevelopmentJuly 21, 2026

Civic Center North Site Eyed for Workforce Housing

Rochester council members reviewed a slate of development and street-design items, with the Civic Center North workforce housing proposal drawing attention alongside a contested Broadway Avenue appeal.

Published Jul 28, 2026

A proposed workforce housing project at Civic Center North was among the development items before the Rochester City Council this week, as members worked through a lengthy agenda that also included subdivision plats, a conditional use permit and a long-debated redesign of Elton Hills Drive Northwest.

Civic Center North was identified in council discussion as the site of a proposed workforce housing development, one of several housing items city staff said were tied to a broader shortage of attainable and single-family units in the community. Staff referenced a current housing project near Discovery Square as a comparison point during the conversation.

While no formal action on the Civic Center North proposal was recorded in the meeting transcript, the discussion unfolded against a backdrop of housing-supply concerns raised repeatedly by community development staff during the same session.

The proposed subdivision helps address the city's current shortage of single family residential units.
— Anthony Cheeky, Community Development Staff

Broadway appeal tests new development code

Much of the housing-related debate centered on an appeal filed by Broadway Enterprises LLC concerning property at 1405 Broadway Avenue North. A representative for the applicant told council members the request was narrow in scope.

We're not asking you to approve a new development... is a continuation of a previously approved project. We're not asking you to take any steps to weaken the newly adopted UDC. We're simply asking you to allow completion of what is a two-phase project that the city has previously approved.
— John Batty, Applicant Representative

Other Topics from This Document

Public Safety and Traffic Calming
Land Use and Development (Annexation)
Read
Elton Hills Drive Traffic Study and Redesign
Development Plan Expiration and Variances (Broadway Enterprises)
Major Land Subdivisions (Westbury First, Century Valley 5th)
Read
North Loop Maywood Bike/Pedestrian Path
City Operations and Public Engagement

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Votes (5)

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by MJK, LLC

Passed Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Council member Palmer [0:40:17] · Seconded by Council member Wall [0:40:24]

The applicant requested a continuance for their Conditional Use Permit application to a later date (September 9th, 2026) to allow for further review and presentation, particularly concerning specific items with airport staff. The public hearing was opened but will remain open until the item is brought back.

Appeal by Broadway Enterprises LLC (CD 2026-002AP)

5-2 Approved

Dissent: Council members Frederick's and Palmer voted Nay, opposing the denial of the appeal.

Moved by Council member Keane [1:16:03] · Seconded by Council member Miller [1:16:32]

This appeal concerned an expired site development plan for a commercial project on Broadway Avenue North. The applicant sought to proceed with a previously approved design (22 ft height) that no longer met the current UDC's minimum height (40 ft) and other standards. Arguments for the appeal cited external delays (pandemic, road construction) and reliance on the original approval, emphasizing the integrated nature of the two-phase development. Staff and council members debated whether the practical difficulties were self-created by the developer's inaction, the importance of upholding the UDC's new standards, and the precedent of allowing expired plans to be revived.

Major Land Subdivision by Bigalow Homes LLC (Westbury First) (CD 2026-014 PLAT)

Passed Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Frederick's [1:23:40] · Seconded by Council Member Doring [1:24:08]

This item involved the final plat approval for the first phase of the Westbury development, creating 105 single-family lots. Staff confirmed consistency with the approved General Development Plan and prior major land subdivision approval. The applicant agreed to the proposed conditions, emphasizing the project's contribution to the city's housing needs.

Major Land Subdivision by Roger Payne (Century Valley 5th) (CD 2026-00009 PLAT)

Passed Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Frederick's [1:29:05] · Seconded by Council member Keane [1:29:32]

This was a final plat application for 16 residential lots in Century Valley 5th. The previous preliminary plat had expired, leading to this revisiting. Staff noted that the plan was consistent with zoning and the revised general plan for Sentry Valley, and that the applicant had met two of the initial four conditions. The motion for approval was made with the remaining conditions.

Elton Hills Drive Northwest Traffic Study and Alternative Selection (Project J7313)

Discussion ongoing, no vote recorded in transcript.

Dissent: Discussion was ongoing, with Council Member Palmer advocating for Option 3, and others voicing concerns about the staff recommendation (Option 1) and supporting the motion for Option 2.

Moved by Council Member Doring [1:57:48] · Seconded by Council Member Miller [1:58:32]

The council debated three options for Elton Hills Drive: Option 1 (staff recommended, 3 lanes, parking both sides, no bike facility), Option 2 (PBAC recommended, 3 lanes, parking one side, two-way cycle track), and Option 3 (4 lanes, parking both sides, no bike facility). Key points included balancing traffic speeds, safety for all users (especially children near schools), cost implications of different bike lane barriers, snow removal, garbage collection, and adherence to the city's Complete Streets and Active Transportation policies. Some council members and residents emphasized neighborhood preference for four lanes and avoiding bike facilities, while others advocated for protected bike lanes and road diets to improve safety and encourage active transport, citing the long-term vision and grant opportunities. The discussion ended mid-sentence during comments on the motion for Option 2.

Notable Quotes (11)

I've been having some going back and forth with the airport staff on some items here really to answer any questions you may have. I understand we asked for the continuance. Uh we do have the blasting expert um here. We don't know if we'll have him at the next available meeting.
— Mark Welch/GCQ Engineering [0:38:52]

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by MJK, LLC

We're not asking you to approve a new development... is a continuation of a previously approved project. We're not asking you to take any steps to weaken the newly adopted UDC. We're simply asking you to allow completion of what is a two-phase project that the city has previously approved.
— John Batty/Applicant Representative [0:43:24]

Appeal by Broadway Enterprises LLC (CD 2026-002AP)

I think that's an important standard that if nothing's done in a year or whatever a time frame is or no extensions are requested, the plan is null and void.
— Council member Keane [1:13:00]

Appeal by Broadway Enterprises LLC (CD 2026-002AP)

This seems to me like we're getting caught up in policy, this, that, and everything. Just use some common sense on it. That's that's where I'm at.
— Council member Frederick's [1:19:15]

Appeal by Broadway Enterprises LLC (CD 2026-002AP)

Ordinances & Resolutions (15)

Active Transportation Plan (2012)Plan

Cited by citizens advocating for bike infrastructure and by staff as a policy to align with.

Unified Development Code (UDC)Ordinance

New zoning code central to the Broadway Enterprises appeal, replacing the LDM.

Land Development Manual (LDM)Other

Previous zoning manual under which Broadway Enterprises' initial plan was approved.

Comprehensive Plan (2018)Plan

City's long-term development strategy, cited in Broadway Enterprises appeal.

CD 2026-002APAppeal

Application ID for Broadway Enterprises LLC's appeal.

CD 2026-00002VVariance

Original variance request for Broadway Enterprises LLC, denied by ZBA.

THE ROCHESTER RECORDER

Civic Center North Site Eyed for Workforce Housing

Broadway appeal tests new development code

Other Topics from This Document

Public Safety and Traffic Calming

Land Use and Development (Annexation)

Elton Hills Drive Traffic Study and Redesign

Development Plan Expiration and Variances (Broadway Enterprises)

Major Land Subdivisions (Westbury First, Century Valley 5th)

North Loop Maywood Bike/Pedestrian Path

City Operations and Public Engagement

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Subdivisions advance

Elton Hills Drive design

Go deeper on this topic

Votes (5)

Notable Quotes (11)

Ordinances & Resolutions (15)

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