Oakdale approves four-story apartment building with height restrictions
The Oakdale City Council approved an amendment to allow a four-story apartment complex at 390 Helmo Avenue on August 27, but added a 52-foot height cap after residents raised concerns about visual impact on their neighborhood.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the Helmo Station Planned Unit Development amendment, which permits developer Matt Yerger to build a multi-family residential building taller than the original three-story limit. The decision came after heated debate about how to balance new housing with neighborhood character.
The core dispute centered on whether the city should restrict building height by number of stories or by specific footage. Mayor Aabel questioned why the amendment specified "four stories" rather than a maximum height in feet, noting that story heights can vary widely. In response, Yerger explained that a typical four-story residential building reaches approximately 45-46 feet. The council ultimately added a 52-foot height cap to provide clarity and address resident concerns.
Neighbors living near the site expressed alarm about the development's scale. Douglas G. Nelson, who lives across from the proposed complex, calculated that the nearest apartment building would sit only 135 feet from his one-story twin home, making the four-story structure appear to "dwarf" his property. Residents also raised concerns about traffic, stormwater management, and construction noise. The council imposed six conditions on approval, including a 40-foot setback, landscaping requirements, a traffic study, and a viewshed analysis to minimize visual impact.
In a separate vote, the council approved a development agreement for Companion Animal Care despite dissent from Mayor Aabel and Council Member Morome. The two voted against the project because the building was designed to be just under 2,000 square feet—small enough to avoid state fire suppression system requirements. While the City Attorney confirmed the design is legally compliant, the dissenters argued the decision prioritized code technicalities over public safety for employees, animals, and emergency responders. The agreement passed with the majority's support.
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Votes (2)
Helmo Station Planned Unit Development Amendment
Dissent: No explicit dissent was recorded, and the ordinance was adopted.
Moved by Council Member Herf [27:59] · Seconded by Council Member Willenbring [28:20]
The discussion centered on amending the PUD to allow a four-story multi-family building at 390 Helmo Avenue, increasing height from three stories. Concerns included the visual impact on the neighboring Oakrun Shores neighborhood, traffic, stormwater management, and construction noise. Staff recommended approval with six conditions, including a 40-foot setback, viewshed analysis, varying roof lines, additional landscaping, an updated traffic study, and park dedication. A key debate arose over defining 'story' versus a maximum height in feet, leading to the developer clarifying typical residential building heights. Residents expressed concerns about the proximity and visual impact of a four-story building and potential compensable damages due to construction and ongoing noise. The council ultimately added a 52-foot height cap to the amendment.
Development Agreement with Companion Animal Care
Dissent: Mayor Aabel and Council Member Morome voted 'no' due to concerns regarding the absence of a fire suppression system.
Moved by Council Member Herf [42:59] · Seconded by Council Member Willenbring [43:05]
This item, pulled from the consent agenda, focused on the development agreement for Companion Animal Care. The primary point of contention was the modification of the building's size to just under 2,000 square feet, which exempted it from requiring a fire suppression system under state building code. Council members debated the legality versus the 'spirit' of the code, with some expressing strong concerns about public safety for employees, animals, and emergency responders. The City Attorney confirmed legal compliance and the city's limited authority to mandate sprinklers below the threshold. Despite strong dissent from some council members, the agreement was approved.
Notable Quotes (10)
allowing the additional story for the building would not increase the density of the site as the developer proposes keeping the apartment building within the allowed density of the Helo station PUD
Luke does the Pud Define or quantify stories so I'm a bit surprised that we are in the Pud we're saying four stories instead of putting a maximum um height on the overall building because I guess you know stories could be could change you know 12T ceilings versus 20 foot ceilings you know it seems like the Pud is saying regardless of how tall those stories are four is the max well has a big impact on sight lines and all that so is there something in the Pud that Caps or quantifies or limits stories by height
what's hard for the co you know what's hard for all of us to know when that decision is initially made is the economic reality of what what a developer is going to need to do to make any project economically feasible
with four stories that's about 40t and then you add some trust space and um the roof line it ends up being about 45 46 feet or um plus or minus for a four-story flat roof building
We have serious concerns about the apartment complex being set back uh only set back a minimum of 40 ft as stated in condition number one by our calculations the northermost apartment building would be only 135 ft from the southernmost twin Home Building in our culdesac as our Twin Homes are only one story in height with a low pitch roof line a rectangular four-story uh apartment complex will dwarf our properties
there's been some current sales in that uh little cues act area that establishes value prior to and in one case right in the beginning of uh the work projects that's gone out there what happens after this project is done is it will be easily established what the value is before because there's been sales and after if there is a difference there between before value if it goes down you will be subject to compensating that loss
I don't believe um any commercial buildings off the top of my head that have been built um without a fire suppression system in them since we um since city council adopted 1306 which is the fire sprinkler requirements that um we did 15 years ago
the application that you acted on uh not sure it was the last meeting of the one before but for the site plan that building was below 2,000 square ft and did therefore did not require sprinkling system the sprinkling system is part of the building code uh and state law preempts these when regulation building code you can't change those regulations
a public safety mechanism that's all that that is all that is at um at stake here is it a design a design plan was changed for the sole purpose of avoiding a safety mechanism that's it so I as you know I question whether this city should still provide the same flexibility with that in mind
people smarter than you determine that a 2,000 sare ft that's what he I'm just reiterating what you said here you know that that 2,000 square feet is it doesn't need it and so if this client if this uh business owner wants to design something that is just under that you know I I would have to side with council member wenber and and saying hey you know I would make that same decision too if there was a financial impact there
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Amending the Helmo Station PUD to raise maximum building height.
Original Helmo Station PUD language, subject to amendment.
Reference for park dedication requirements.
Statute cited for closing a meeting to discuss attorney-client privilege.
Mentioned in the context of projects impacting flood risk and nearby residences.
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Other Topics from This Document
Acorn Awards Presentation
Proclamations
Northdale Park Signage and Road Conditions
Companion Animal Care Development Agreement and Fire Suppression System
Threatened Litigation over Oakdale Marketplace PUD
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