Final Plans for Tiburon Apartments Approved

Changes are coming to the northeast quadrant of Highways 169 and 55.

In a Dec. 18 City Council meeting, councilmembers agreed that the construction of the Tiburon Apartments, a 142 unit luxury apartment building, will benefit Golden Valley and unanimously approved final design plans.

“I think this is going to be a great addition to our city,” Councilmember Joanie Clausen said. “I’m excited about it. It offers another avenue for young people to come in.”

Along with approving design plans, councilmembers also adopted a resolution to create a redevelopment area and a Tax Increment Financing Renewal and Renovation District, known as a TIF district.

Housing and Redevelopment Authority Assistant Director Jeanne Andre told councilmembers that redevelopment would extend from Boone Avenue to Highway 169 and from Olson Memorial Highway to lots north of Golden Valley Road.

See map labeled TIF District to the right.

Public improvements, like providing sidewalks that would connect the Tiburon to Boone Avenue and various bus stops, would be necessary from a public safety perspective.

“Any people who take public transit need to get there somehow,” Andrea said, “and we feel like a sidewalk system would enhance the area.”

Steve Dunbar of Dunbar Development Corporation, the developers for the Tiburon, addressed concerns that Planning Commissioners had last September. In new plans, Dunbar showed outdoor bike racks, more green space, fewer parking spots and more landscaping, including lilacs that would blend with the city’s lilac planting project along Highway 55.

The City Council will review the project’s development agreement sometime next month, according to Hogeboom, and the apartments will open in the spring of 2014.