‘Greatly Needed’ Affordable Senior Housing Proposed for Maple Grove Site
A plan is taking shape for new affordable senior housing in Maple Grove, an idea that has been in the works for several years.
The Maple Grove Planning Commission reviewed plans by PGMA Development Partners and Ebenezer Senior Living for age 55-plus senior housing at a city-owned site at 9331 Fernbrook Ln. N. at its Nov. 24 meeting.
According to the plans, a three-story building with 90 apartments would be built at the Fernbrook site, which is owned by the city. The site was previously a recycling transfer station that has sat unused for several years.
Last year, the Maple Grove City Council approved moving ahead with PGMA and Ebenezer for a senior housing project. The selection was based on the development team’s financial proposal, including purchase price to the city, the level of affordability proposed and past performance of the operator. Ebenezer is the largest affordable senior housing management company in the state.
A 2020 Maple Grove housing study identified affordable senior housing as “greatly needed.”
The building would feature a mix of units from studios to two-bedrooms and include a number of amenities, such as a fitness center and club room.
Map shows location of senior housing project at corner of Fernbrook Lane and County Road 30/93rd Avenue.
Traffic Concerns Addressed
The Maple Grove Planning Commission heard concerns from some residents about the project’s scope and traffic impact at the Nov. 24 meeting. A city traffic engineer reviewed the project and did not have concerns about traffic, officials noted.
Planning Commission Chair Craig Lamothe acknowledged that other sites would be difficult to make work financially compared to a city-owned property.
“You need that kind of partnership so you’re not paying market-rates necessarily for land,” said Lamothe. “Otherwise it’s not going to produce the outcomes we want.”
“Affordable housing at the senior level is something very important and needed per the study that the city did,” Lamothe added.
Maple Grove Planning Manager Peter Vickerman said a number of financial steps need to happen for the developer over the next couple of years, including finalizing a financial agreement with the city.
“Getting a lot of different funding sources to make this happen, it’s very difficult to make these things happen with the affordability levels and the cost of construction,” said Vickerman.
PJ Hill, a founding partner at PGMA Development, said the project will target seniors at 30 to 60 percent of area median income.
The Maple Grove Planning Commission recommended concept approval, which is the earliest of development stages. The Maple Grove City Council is expected to review the project at its Monday, Dec. 1, meeting.
Also See: Affordable Housing Proposed for Brooklyn Park Development Site
