Prior Lake City Council — Transcript
Monday, June 1, 2026
Commercial Development and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Variance
Preliminary Subdivision and Future Residential Development (Marlo Ridge)
Votes (2)
PDEV26-00000010 Duth Avenue Southeast to combine preliminary and final plat and variance
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Rook [00:50:07] · Seconded by Unknown [00:50:11]
Prior Lake Revival LLC requested approval for a combined preliminary and final plat and a variance from the minimum 0.5 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to construct a new commercial building. Staff supported the variance, citing the unique location within the Town Center district, lack of municipal parking, and the need to accommodate on-site parking for the proposed 11,000 sq ft building (resulting in a 0.23 FAR). Public comments raised concerns about the building's perceived 'two-story facade,' potential light impacts, and the size of planted trees. The applicant, Carla Construction, detailed the need for ample parking for potential medical tenants and confirmed construction access via West Avenue and Reine Street. Stormwater management plans involved a larger private pond on Outlot A, discharging into an existing county-owned 'frog pond' after treatment.
PDEV26-000000007 14091 Eagle Creek Avenue Northeast. Combined preliminary and final plat for Marlo Ridge.
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Rook [01:40:08] · Seconded by Unknown [01:40:11]
PY Homes of Minnesota LLC sought approval for a combined preliminary and final plat to subdivide a 165-acre parcel into three outlots (A, B, C), which are not immediately developable. Staff presented this as a procedural first step, with future phases involving detailed development plans. PY Homes' representative, Paul Hoyer, shared conceptual plans for 262 residential units (townhomes, twin homes for 55+, and single-family homes) aimed at 'life cycle housing' with varying price points. Public comment highlighted significant concerns about increased traffic, speed, and pedestrian safety on Carriage Hills Parkway, the need for intersection improvements at Fountain Hills and County Road 21, and the overall housing density. Residents also questioned the absence of new parkland, the impact on existing wetlands, and requested more comprehensive communication for future meetings.
Notable Quotes (9)
So unlike a lot of variances the planning commission sees, this variance request is to build a smaller building than our city code requires.
This is really the only area of our town center that doesn't have great uh parking in close proximity.
I would argue, I guess, to not take away parking at this time with it being a medical professional building, quote unquote, or small medical um between staff and patients. That can it can really um occupy a lot of the the parking space.
I don't know why you would spend all that money to build a two-story building as a facade. Um, I somebody needs to explain that to me.
Our goal was life cycle housing, which means the whole cycle from young to old on one neighborhood.
So what the watershed district has asked us to do is to raise the water level which will prevent many of those nutrients from washing downstream into Pike Lake. So it will actually look better uh the wetland and also greatly improve the water quality downstream in Pike Lake.
If my main question would be looking at like the preliminary thing, there were um there's Pike Lake Trail comes down on the Car Hills Parkway and then two or three new intersections would be in there and is there a where do we ever ask questions to try to influence that like one good roundabout be put in rather than three new intersections?
That's a lot of high density housing in a small area and the park is directly across the street of Carriage Lane. If you have not been on Carriage Hills Drive, it is very busy. It's windy and it's hilly and so there's a lot of traffic walking there. I honestly would be fearful for small children and families trying to cross to get to the park that's directly across the street.
Carriage Hills is a nightmare. Um especially in the summertime. Um the one thing about Carriage Hills is I moved in that neighborhood 11 years ago. that road was closed because they were doing whatever to it. Uh Reer said it's it's a it's going to be busy. Um they put the police put the little speed limit thing out there. Um one guy went by at 98 miles an hour twice.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
Docket ID for the combined preliminary and final plat and variance for Duth Avenue Southeast.
Approval request for the subdivision of property.
Request for a variance from the minimum 0.5 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) requirement.
Governing document for zoning, FAR, and development requirements.
Guiding document for land use and zoning consistency.
Docket ID for the combined preliminary and final plat for Marlo Ridge.
Document for environmental review of the Marlo Ridge project, to be reviewed by City Council.
Future application for Marlo Ridge, outlining detailed development plans.
Future application to reconfigure residential densities and commercial areas within the Marlo Ridge property.
Future application to match zoning to the land use guidance for Marlo Ridge.
Future application for drainage and utilities related to Marlo Ridge.
City's guiding document for park planning and maintenance, influencing decisions on new parkland.