Bloomington’s City Planning Commission approved rezoning a plot of land at 700 American Blvd. W. and OK’d Schafer Richardson’s plans for a senior housing project on that site.

After more than a half-hour of discussion and debate Thursday, approval for the change was given by all commissioners. All commissioners also voted to approve of the plans for the project except Commissioner Dan Curry.

The building will be 128 units, with 102 units being affordable for people at 60% of the area median income. The 26 other units will be rented for people at 50% AMI. The project will utilize low-income housing tax credits and tax-exempt funds to ensure the affordability, Schafer Richardson Vice President Katie Anthony told Finance & Commerce in an interview before the meeting. She said Schafer Richardson has also worked with the Metropolitan Council to secure low-cost loans and grants.

“The city has been wanting to redevelop that corner for a while,” Anthony said. “The mixed-use nature of it to provide affordable housing plus a little bit of commercial really drives home and creates this gateway along Lyndale and American Boulevard, which is a very active little corner. It provides a lot of options for people in that community.”

While being questioned by the commissioners, Anthony said some of the methods for making the apartment affordable help reduce parking cost, so they would not be charging for parking.

The project will be the first time Schafer Richardson is developing exclusively senior housing, but Anthony said this means the group has to think a little differently in terms of building functionality. She said seniors need different amenities in the building than a family-based housing project might need.

Commissioners also discussed the availability and safety of public transit around the site. Commission Chair Paige Rohman said he’d encourage the city to consider placing benches and shelters at the transit stops on American Boulevard to make sure they are safer for residents, noting more affordable housing likely means increased use of public transit. He also encouraged redoing the sidewalk, calling it a “hostile place to walk.”

Commissioner Joanna Goltzman said she was excited about the development and that the diversity of housing would allow for the opening of single-family homes.

Commissioner Phil Koktan on the other hand, said he felt disappointed to see the lot be used for senior housing, because he thinks it is unsafe for seniors. He said he would rather see something “spectacular” put there that “told people you have entered Bloomington.” He said he feels like there are other places a senior housing development could be put.

“I don’t think I have legal authority to recommend denial because we have to be fair,” he said. “The applicant is going to purchase this parcel and we have to be fair. Landowners have rights and they can do what they choose with it as long as it’s co-compliant.”

Curry did not elaborate on his no vote for the plan approval.

Both the rezoning ruling and project approval now move to the City Council for final approval, which Schafer Richardson’s Anthony expects will be given at the Dec. 18 meeting of the council. If approval is given, Anthony said she hopes to close the project in the second quarter of 2024 and open the facility in fall of 2025.

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