Building Size A Sticking Point for Linden Corner

At Monday night's meeting of the Linden Hills Zoning Committee, neighbors of a proposed development in the heart of the area business district heard news that many found unwelcome.

“If we get it down to a four-story building, it's going to look like a box,” developer Mark Dwyer told the crowd of about 40 residents, many of whom voiced opposition to the design's five stories.

In recent months, some neighbors have begun organizing opposition to the development, saying it would tower over much of the area.

The main problem, Dwyer said, is the price of land and the cost of building his proposed underground parking ramp forces a minimum number of units in order to be profitable. The size of that profit margin, he said, is what banks will use to determine whether or not to give him the loans he needs to begin construction.

Dwyer's plans for the 90,000 square foot mixed-use building rest on his ability to get a conditional use permit from the city, as the area is not currently zoned for buildings taller than three stories. A formal decision from the city's Planning Commission is not expected until October, but many neighbors are already organizing opposition that may derail the project.

Lori Dockendorf and Terri Schlack, who live in a condominium building adjacent to Dwyer's site, have launched a petition drive to demonstrate what they say is the scale of neighborhood opposition.

“One of the lies Mr Dwyer tries to propagate is that it's only a few people opposed,” said Schlack.

“We feel like not that many people in the neighborhood are really aware of the size and the impact on the neighborhood,” she added.

Schlack said, she and other organizers have gathered about 300 signatures so far, and aim to keep gathering signatures through next month.

In many cases, said Deb Pierce a former member of the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (LHiNC), organizing opposition to a project early is the only way to have a voice in the city's final zoning decision.

“My experience is that by the time (a project) gets to the public hearing, it's too late” for residents' objections to influence the process, she said.

Laurie Foster, another former LHiNC member, called for Dwyer to share his “plan B” with the neighborhood.

“I applaud Mark for showing up (at the zoning committee meeting). He didn't have to, and I appreciate the fact that he's trying to play nice,” Foster said. “But the site is going to be developed anyway. I was trying to ask him if can't get the zoning changed, does he have a plan B? Tell us what it is now, so we can negotiate.”

Dwyer's project is slated to go before the Zoning Committee in a public meeting on Aug. 15, and will likely go before the Planning Commission for a final decision in early or mid-October. Comments on the project should be directed to Hillary Dvorak in the city planning department, at hillary.dvorak@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

See our other coverage of the Linden Corners development: