HomeNewsConstruction & Development
Two projects that would feed the demand for new housing in Inver Grove Heights are advancing after positive reviews from the city’s planning commission.
Wednesday night, the commission recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and a planned unit development amendment to allow a three-story, 57-unit senior housing building at 9170 Cahill Ave.
The project, proposed by the Dakota County Community Development Agency, would offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom rental units, and mirror an existing 66-unit senior housing building on part of a 5.7-acre parcel.
Also on Wednesday, the commission signed off on a preliminary plat and planned unit development for a proposed 119-unit rental townhome development at the southwest corner of Argenta Boulevard and 65th Street West.
Developed by Ace Land Holdings LLC, an entity related to MV Ventures and Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, the project would create “an intimate neighborhood setting with ample shared amenities,” according to a project narrative.
Both projects are expected to go before the City Council later this month.
Senior housing
Pending city approvals, the Dakota County CDA plans to begin construction on its senior rental project in late spring, with completion in summer 2027, according to a project narrative.
The units would be restricted to households with a maximum income of $72,950 for a one-person household or $83,400 for a two-person household. Rents in the existing building are $772 for a one-bedroom and $1,183 for a two-bedroom unit.
The narrative cites a recently completed Dakota County Housing Needs Assessment study, which found a need for more senior housing in the city.
Since 1990, the Dakota County CDA has completed 30 developments with a combined 1,755 affordable rentals for seniors.
Kari Gill, deputy executive director of the Dakota County CDA, told the planning commission that the CDA has more than 1,000 people on a waiting list for units.
“Senior housing is in high demand, both in Inver Grove Heights and Dakota County, particularly affordable senior housing,” Gill said.
Even so, the project received some pushback. During the public hearing portion of Wednesday’s meeting, two residents raised concerns about tree removal and other impacts to the neighborhood.
“I love looking up in the morning and seeing the deer in my backyard. I love that. And with all of this coming in, they’re going to be gone,” one resident said.
Gill said the development team made some changes in response to neighbors’ concerns. Changes include a larger buffer zone between the project site and nearby homes, and preservation of “as many trees as possible.”
“We made as many tweaks as we could,” she said.
Scott Clancy, a planning commissioner, said the project “is hitting a lot of the needs that we’re seeing here in our community” and that it’s “respectful to the surrounding community.”
“I think it would be hard-pressed for us right now to find a way to deny [the project] based off of our responsibility here tonight,” Clancy said.
Townhomes
Ace Land Holdings LLC hopes to begin mass grading, site work, utilities and road construction for the townhome project as soon as the “2025-26 timeframe,” according to a project narrative.
Construction would play out in three to four years, starting with a clubhouse, “outdoor amenity areas” and 61 units in the first phase. The remaining units would come in the second round of construction.
David Stofer, executive director of development at MV Ventures, told the planning commission that the development team aims to implement “many of the goals of the public interest” with the project.
“We were not merchant builders. Our company was really formed with the premise of developing, constructing and operating property long term. Our objective is to enter markets and elevate those markets in which we’re invested,” he said.
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, critics raised concerns about the project’s impact on single-family homes in the neighborhood.
“This is not retaining the character of the neighborhood at all,” one resident testified. “It looks like it belongs in Zygi Wilf’s football field area where he’s got the 10 apartment buildings.”
Despite the concerns, the planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the preliminary plat and planned unit development amendment.
Planning Commissioner Jason Teiken said the townhome development addresses a housing need in the city.
“One of the things that we’re doing well with are market-rate townhomes, but one of the things we’re not are rental properties,” he said. “In terms of housing needs, there’s senior, there’s rentals in general, and it goes up from there.
“This particular development, though it’s similar to other developments that we’ve seen, other market rate town homes, it is addressing another … housing need that we haven’t discussed here all that recently.”