Tiburon Apartments One Step Away from Final Approval

There was some confusion among Planning Commission members during their Nov. 26 meeting this week.

Will The Tiburon apartment complex be built if the city doesn't create the public infrastructure necessary to sustain it? Commissioners weren't sure of the answer.

In October, when City Councilmembers approved preliminary plans for The Tiburon, the council liked the idea of new development, but knew the proposed location on Olson Memorial Highway would need some public improvement, like sidewalks and improved street lighting.

Councilmembers asked the Housing and Development Authority to explore the idea of designating the area near Tiburon as a Tax Increment Financing district, or a TIF district. But on Monday night, when the Planning Commission was asked to recommend approval of final planned unit development plans for the apartment buildings, some commissioners weren't sure if they should approve plans without knowing if the area would become a TIF district.

Planning Commission Chair Cathy Waldhauser was able to redirect the group, noting that the approval of the TIF district would come from City Council. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the TIF district resolution earlier in the evening.

Steve Dunbar of Dunbar Development Corporation addressed concerns that commissioners had last September. In new plans, Dunbar showed outdoor bike racks, more green space, fewer parking spots and more landscaping.

If built, the 142-unit complex would be located on Highway 55 and Golden Valley Road.

"The recommendations we made [in September] were to make a good project even better," Commissioner Mike Kisch said. "I appreciate the efforts made by the applicant."

With a unanimous reccomendation for approval, the City Council will review final plans at their meeting on Dec. 18.