Citizens call for environmental review of 600 Main development
The site in question is visually at the northern end of the Stone Arch Bridge. The proposed development would put a 70-foot wall of apartments at the end of the bridge, where the cars are parked in this photo.
Two weeks after the Minneapolis City Council Zoning and Planning Committee deadlocked on proposed zoning changes for 600 SE Main Street, the committee forwarded the decision to the full Council without recommendation. At Fridays meeting of the full City Council, the controversial project was kicked back to the Zoning and Planning Committee in response to a citizens petition for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) that was filed the previous morning.
Stone Arch II, a proposal by Bluff Street Development, LLC for a six-story 79-unit residential building at the northeast end of the Stone Arch Bridge, has been embroiled in controversy and city process since March. Twice rejected by the citys Planning Commission and twice appealed to the City Council, the requested variance for greater density appeared to be headed for a compromise. Once day before the City Councils final decision on the appeal, a city attorney informed council members that a citizens petition for an EAW had been filed and certified by the State Environmental Quality Board. He explained that the EAW petition stopped the 60-day clock within which cities are required to weigh in on development proposals and prohibited them from approving the project. The Council had two choices deny the project or move forward with the EAW. Review of and response to the EAW petition was sent back to the Zoning and Planning Committee and will likely be taken up at their next meeting, Thursday, August 20th at 9:30 am.
The petition came as a surprise to developer Steve Minn, who had inserted a few twists of his own during the second round of this proposed development. After being denied by the Planning Commission in June, Minns attorney forwarded a legal brief to the City Council, which basically amounted to a threat to bring a lawsuit against the city if they did not approve his requested variance and two conditional use permits. FMR, citizen groups and numerous government agencies have all recommended denial of the appeal because the land is identified in city plans as future open space within the Central Riverfront Regional Park. City staff also recommended denial of the appeal, because the requested changes do not meet the citys comprehensive plan and zoning code.
Then in an unusual move, Mr. Minn informed some council members that he was in active negotiation with the Minneapolis Park Board to sell the property for parkland, but he still wanted the city development approvals in case the negotiations failed. His lobbyist provided a list of suggested conditions he wanted tacked on to the development approvals, such as a promise from the city to make acquisition funds for this parcel a priority at the State Legislature and waiving any park dedication fees on the development if negotiations fail. None of Minns proposed conditions were discussed in committee because the issue was forwarded with no discussion or recommendation.
With the threat of a lawsuit hanging over the city, and the threat of a costly environmental review process hanging over the development, it is unclear what will happen next with any negotiations to purchase the property for parkland. The Park Board is in the awkward position of trying to avoid any undue influence over the development approvals, and the City is in the awkward position of having to make legal decisions, that, according to their attorney, cannot take into account the presence of these purchase negotiations.
Friends of the Mississippi River believes the EAW will be a win for the city and park board. It will bring to light additional information about the site and its significance to the area. This information will support the citys interest in limiting development at the site, and potentially raise the profile and urgency of the property to receive state and regional funds for parkland acquisition.