The meeting’s most discussion centered around the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the townhome project on Butternut Street Northwest. The applicant, September Sun Architect Ure LLC, sought a PUD overlay to allow residential use in an office zoning district. This overlay would grant the city greater control over the development compared to a straightforward rezoning, which had been previously denied due to traffic concerns. The council deliberated on modifications to the project layout, with access now planned exclusively via University Avenue to mitigate traffic impact on residential streets. While the future land use designation supports residential or commercial use, council members voiced apprehensions about traffic flow and safety, particularly regarding U-turns at nearby intersections.

Council Member Novak acknowledged the housing demand in Coon Rapids, emphasizing the need to accommodate residential development despite traffic concerns. Novak pointed out that U-turns are common in the city, referencing past projects with similar requirements. However, other members, such as Armstrong, expressed reservations about the practicality of executing U-turns in full-size vehicles, citing potential traffic complications at intersections such as University Avenue and Northdale. Armstrong’s concerns were echoed by other members who feared that drivers might seek shortcuts through local streets, increasing traffic in front of a nearby school.

Pedestrian safety, particularly for children walking to Eisenhower Elementary School, was another issue. The discussion included suggestions to introduce a sidewalk along Butternut Street, though cost concerns were raised. The council also debated whether to require a fence along the development’s southern boundary to manage pedestrian traffic and prevent parking overflow into residential areas. The consensus leaned toward incorporating some form of screening, whether through fencing, berms, or landscaping, to address privacy and safety concerns.

Parking regulations within the development were also scrutinized, with a strong inclination to enforce on-site parking to prevent spillover. The Mayor suggested adding a condition to limit all parking to the development’s site, shifting enforcement responsibility to the property owner. Discussions about placing no-parking signs on Butternut Street revealed concerns about enforcing such restrictions. Ultimately, a motion was made to adopt a resolution approving the PUD with 14 conditions, including a privacy fence requirement along the western and southern boundaries, which the council supported unanimously.

In addition to the townhome development, the council considered a final plat request for Creek Commons, a 20-unit townhome project, with discussions focusing on logistical aspects such as trash pickup and access roads. Another notable topic was the design flexibility request for Club Car Wash’s facade, which involved painting the exterior predominantly black. While some council members supported the change, others raised concerns about preserving the natural brick aesthetic mandated by the River Rapids overlay district. The council opted to table the motion for further discussion and revisions.

The meeting also addressed routine infrastructural concerns, such as approving a resolution for the 2025 well rehabilitation project and discussing joint powers agreements for traffic signal reconstruction and ADA improvements. The council reviewed a crisis response grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which would fund an additional embedded social worker within the police department. The grant highlighted the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance crisis response services, supported by discussions on utilizing opioid funds to sustain such programs.