Westway Condominiums proposed in former Coldwell Banker office location
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Long time resident and developer Lowell Zitzloff received concept plan approval to remove a 33,000 square foot two story office building and replace it with a 106,000 square foot, 3 story mixed use structure that will likely include 40 condominiums and 3 ground floor commercial spaces.
The Wayzata City Council reviewed the application for a Planned Unit Development Concept Plan presented by Zitzloff at it’s Tuesday, December 6th regular meeting and ultimately voted 4-0 in favor of the proposal.
Included in the application were requests for a 4′ 10″ height variance over the allowed 35 feet, and a shoreland impact plan and conditional use permit for the height variance.
The Wayzata Planning Commission had previously voted to recommend approval of the application on a 6-0 vote in October, and the Planning Commission Report and Recommendation was approved 5-0 on November 7th.
“We had no commercial at all, the 7 units came from, that was Emily [Gellner] that wanted the 7 units, Ferndale Ridge doesn’t want retail coming in and out of that space,” stated Zitzloff during the meeting.
Mayor Johanna Mouton said, “I am less concerned about the Edgewood Court commercial space, I think that would be fine to be residential, it seems appropriate there.”
“The biggest concern I have is the use of a PUD, this is to circumvent some of the requirements in the C-4A [zoning district], height, setbacks, and that is predominantly what we should not be looking at PUD’s for. I’m truly on the fence when we look at the criteria of a PUD, encouraging innovation for development, for Wayzata building another condominium isn’t terribly out of the box thinking,” continued Mouton.
“As you go through the next phase, would you consider renewable energy options for the building?” asked Council member Jeff Buchanan.
“Yes we could, we haven’t approached that level of thought,” stated architect Bruce Schmitt.
“I’d like to see you come up with more trees,” stated council member Alex Plechash, “I’d like to see it more walkable as well with the setback. Generally, I like the plan.”
After debate and some changes to conditions, Mouton motioned to approve the application, and the Council voted 4-0 in favor.
Watch for Zitzloff to come back some time in the future for final approval from the Council.
