Trellis’ proposed five-story Treehouse apartments for low-income seniors can finally move ahead. The Saint Paul City Council voted 5-1 twice on February 1 to reject appeals of a variance and site plan for the project. The apartments will be built into the hill behind the Highland Chateau, 2319 W. Seventh St.
Council member Chris Tolbert, whose ward includes the site, said he could find no evidence that the city’s Planning Commission erred last December when it approved the site plan and variance for the development.
Last month, the council also rezoned the property from single-family to medium-density residential.
Cutshall said he and other neighbors understand the need for more housing, especially low-income senior housing. But they believe the building will be out of character with the rest of the neighborhood. “This will tower over everything,” Cutshall said.
Council member Prince sides with neighbors
Council member Jane Prince cast the lone votes to deny the appeals. She agreed with concerns raised by neighbors about a retaining wall that would be as high as 14 feet tall in spots, and a trough-shaped yard between the new building and wall. Council member Nelsie Yang was absent.
A public hearing on the appeals was held on January 25. Chad Cutshall, who lives on the bluff near the development, filed the appeals. He and other neighbors question the wisdom of constructing a five-story building on such a steep slope.
Neighbors contend that the structure will be visible to homes atop the bluff. They also raised concerns about the extent of regrading needed for the site, and the need for the retaining wall and trough-shaped yard. The opponents question whether the project met all of the legal standards needed for the city to grant a variance.
They also took issue with the site plan and the amount of work that will be needed to prepare the site for development.
Cutshall said he and other neighbors understand the need for more low-income senior housing. But they believe the building will be out of character with the rest of the neighborhood. “This will tower over everything,” Cutshall said.
Designing a building for a challenging site
The site would be accessed via a new private street that will loop behind Highland Chateau. Treehouse residents also are expected to be able to use services at Highland Chateau and would also receive services from Catholic Charities.
Dan Walsh of Trellis said the developers have worked hard to incorporate public feedback in the project. He said Trellis has done a good job in designing a building for a challenging site. The developers have indicated that if conditions change they will work closely with city staff. Geotechnical reports and review are continuing.
City planning staff and the Highland District Council support the proposal. Planning Commission members said they could support the tall retaining wall and trough-shaped yard to control water runoff and prevent flooding.
The project was one of the more complex to go before the Planning Commission and City Council in recent years, given the sloping conditions and location. Only a few site plans typically go to the commission in a year. Even fewer wind up on appeal before the City Council.
— Jane McClure
COMMENTS TERMS OF SERVICE
MyVillager welcomes comments from readers. Please include your full name and the neighborhood in which you live. Be respectful of others and stay on topic. We reserve the right to remove any comment we deem to be profane, rude, insulting or hateful. Comments will be reviewed before being published.
