Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

ìI think this complex is inevitable,î said Forest Lake Council member Judy Bull to an audience of over 100 at Mondayís regular meeting.

The meeting was held at the Central Learning Center to accommodate the crowd, who attended the meeting to overhear discussion on a 48 income-based rental unit proposal by Duffy Development, of Minnetonka. If approved, the complex would be constructed on the former District Memorial Hospital site.

The bulk of those attending the meeting opposed the project, as was made evident by Forest Lake resident Brian Tilton who asking for a show of hands of those against the proposal. Nearly all in the crowd responded.

Despite pleas from residents to deny the proposal, City Attorney Dave Hebert and Community Development Director Doug Borglund reminded the council that theDuffy project had met the cityís minimum requirements.

ìIn my opinion, Duffyís application is appropriate and has gone through the process,î noted Hebert. ìWe have agreed from a staff standpoint that the application is complete.î

Council member Susan Young agreed.

ìThe proposed development meets our guidelines,î she said. Young mentioned the project ìsubstantiallyî meets zoning code and zoning ordinances, as the debated land is zoned for multifamily development.

Proposal criticized by council members

Each member of the city council expressed strong opinions regarding the proposal.

Council member Rick Ashbach questioned why the project was initially planned as homes for ownership, compared to the current rental unit plan. Young disagreed with communication efforts used by Duffy Development to the city and Bull suggested the rental complex have less units and a more attractive building-style.

Mayor Terry Smith credited Duffy Development for the quality of their complexes, noting he had visited a previously built site in the metro area.

Smith argued however, that the proposal for Forest Lake was invalid based on a purchase agreement for $600,000 between Fairview Hospital and Duffy Development on the District Memorial land. Currently, the land is owned by the Memorial Hospital District board and Fairview will receive ownership in January.

Further discussion on agreements between Duffy, Fairview and the District Memorial Hospital board was brought up at the meeting by Forest Lake resident Richard Pecar. He presented documents to the council that he said indicated the proposal was invalid.

In agreement with Smith and Pecar, Council member Dick Tschida made a motion to request involvement from the hospital board on the matter. He stipulated that if the hospital board did not contact the city by Nov. 18, the Duffy proposal would be denied.

Hebert disagreed with Tschida.

ìI think the motion itself is clearly improper,î he declared, ìThis purchase agreement between Duffy and Fairview is perfectly valid.î

Though the motion was seconded by Smith, it failed on a 3-2 vote.

A second motion was made by Tschida to deny the proposal based on safety and welfare of the city. It was seconded by Ashbach, who later withdrew it. Again, the motion failed as no other council member would second it.

Bob Butler, of Human Services Inc., a non-profit organization also involved with the proposal, and developer John Duffy defended the proposal.

ìOur track record is a proven record providing safe, quality homes,î Duffy stressed.

ìThis project will be an asset to the community,î said Butler. He mentioned the District Memorial site is the only location left in the city open for a multi-family housing project.

ìThis is it. This is the one thatís available,î he commented.

Council schedules Monday decision

The council opted to table discussion on the Duffy proposal in order for city staff to further research the project.

A special meeting, open to the public, has been scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 21 at city hall on the topic.

A decision is scheduled to be made that evening as Nov. 21 is the deadline for the council to approve or deny the proposal. If the decision is not reached on that date, the project will automatically be approved.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605