urbanMSP

Did you attend? Did the commissioners say anything on it?

Nope. Didn't attend. I just saw it here:

http://eminnetonka.com/news_events/show ... d=Planning

Not a bad looking building.....shocked this is causing an outcry in stuffy ole Minnetonka, but maybe I shouldn't be.

The council voted 4-3 against it, saying it is too dense and too tall for Minnetonka's sensibilities.

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/281507431.html

Not sure anyone pointed out the them that their infrastructure is getting older and having more people around to pay to replace it would be helpful. Good luck Minnetonka.

Dang...I wonder if they'll try to retool it slightly and get that 4th vote. It sounds like they were close, and the 4 "no" votes were not in total opposition to development. Just from skimming the quotes, it seems a slight reduction in density with a little more green space, landscaping, wider sidewalks, etc. should be enough to flip a vote. The Mayor was strongly in favor, as was the councilmember who represents the area...shame they couldn't get the votes together.

Unless the plans have changed since the ones posted here in August, the comments about being supportive with changes are just a smokescreen. There is literally no way for the building to be set back further; it sits smack in the middle of the parcel.

The developer requested city action be delayed to Dec 15 and it was granted.

They need to flip just 1 vote. They already have the mayor and the city councilor who represents the area as supporters. If it still pencils out for the developer, I'd bet they'll chop off the 6th floor (and perhaps make another minor concession or two), but I'd be surprised if this project was actually shot down. At least one "no" vote was on record saying they would've approved 4 stories. This looks easy enough to fix.

Going back to give the city one more chance to embarrass everyone all around.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... -with.html

Approved

http://m.bizjournals.com/twincities/blo ... -near.html

Approved

http://m.bizjournals.com/twincities/blo ... -near.html

Good to see. Surprising nobody here (by my cursory glance back) criticized the fact that the building is surrounded on all sides by parking lots. Do we just accept that this is inevitable to make this stuff work in the second ring?

The Strib article actually has some details on the approval:

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/286670981.html

It seems that the revisions include lowering the height by 3 (three) feet and "adding more green space" by eliminating the sidewalk along Ridgedale Drive. The site is ringed by parking, and they cut a sidewalk. Minnetonka is a great example of how most suburbs are as short-sighted as ever. Adding density while doubling down on dismal walking conditions just creates more problems down the road (granted, in this case they'll probably just end up paving over the "green space" they added).

Utility work started around the site.

Utility work started around the site.

You mean the crazies have not files a last minute injunction to stop construction. When there is concrete being poured for the footing I'll believe that it is final underway.

Drive by this today. The retail on the ground floor looked fully leased.

The area suffers from horrendous pedestrian experiences, that’s not the fault of the developer here, Minnetonka and Hennepin County fails that. In this context, the street level isn’t bad in the way things could have been made worse. In fact this improves its location, and IMO the whole area is better for it.

After all the complaining about views (seriously?!), everything is better than fine.