The New Ulm City Council approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) application for the River Haven project at 1800 North Highland Avenue and 1425-1625 Maplewood Drive. The mixed-use housing project will include wo apartment buildings each with 48 units, townhomes, twin homes and six single-family homes. This would create 118 dwelling units on the property. Journal File photo by Daniel Olson

NEW ULM – The River Haven housing project moves forward with the New Ulm City Council approving the Planned Unit Development (PUD) on Tuesday.

The PUD is required for the creation of a mixed-use development at 1800 North Highland Avenue and 1425-1625 Maplewood Drive. The planned housing project consists of two apartment buildings each with 48 units, townhomes, twin homes and six single-family homes. This would create 118 dwelling units on the property.

The property will have four types of housing units on the property: apartments, townhomes, single-family homes and twin homes. Each type of housing will have a separate architectural style.

The New Ulm Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the PUD application during their June 26 meeting. The commission had previously reviewed the PUD during a May 26 planning commission meeting but tabled a decision until the developer provided a Landscape Plan and Grading Plan for the development.

During the first Planning Commission meeting, several neighbors of the projects expressed opposition to the River Haven project. One of the concerns was the height of the apartment buildings. The plans called for the buildings to be four stories tall and to be constructed on an elevated hill. Without grading, neighbors were worried the building would block their view.

The Planning Commission also shared this concern and requested the landscape and grading plan. This information was provided during the commission’s June meeting.

City Planner John Knisley said the staff was able to compare elevation using the submitted grading plan. He said if the twin homes proposed in the project are constructed at the same height as the existing homes on the north side of Maplewood Drive, roughly 26-28 feet of the apartment building would be visible to the existing neighborhood.

Before recommending approval, the Planning Commission will also recommend the developer work with the city to provide enhanced landscaping on the property.

Knisley said the developers have already met the minimum for landscaping, but the commission wanted to enhance the project to further screen the development for the neighbors. This could include planting larger trees at the start of the project or saving existing trees on the property.

The developer is planning to construct the two 48-unit apartments in the first phase of the project. The townhomes/row homes will be phase two of the project. The townhomes will be owned and operated by the developer. The twin homes and single-family lots would be sold to area private developers. When this project was first proposed, the developer had intended to maintain ownership of all the housing units. It was decided to sell the single-family and twin homes.

Councilor David Christian asked if the developers had a concrete timeline for construction. Knisley said the tentative schedule for the project is to begin grading work this year either in the summer or fall. Construction could begin in the winter of 2025. The development of twin homes and single-family lots will be developed based on market demand.

Councilor Eric Warmka made the motion to approve the PUD for River Haven, with a second from Councilor Christian.

The project was unanimously approved.