Apple Valley City Council Approves $4M Bond Issue, Supports Single-Family Lots in Cobblestone

The Apple Valley City Council on Thursday voted 4-0 to issue nearly $4 million in bonds to fund park and sewer improvements.

On the parks side, $1.345 million remaining of the park bond referendum voters approved in 2007 will fund the completion of Cobblestone Lake park and other projects at more than a dozen parks, including overlays, tennis court resurfacing, new park equipment and outdoor hockey rink equipment.

Storm water bonds of $2.6 million will fund construction of storm water ponds or facilities at the Galaxie Park pond, Whitney pond and in the Holyoke neighborhood pond system. The $2.6 million will be repaid over 20 years with storm water utility fees.

Councilwoman Ruth Grendahl abstained from voting, stating her support for the storm water bond but not the park bond issue.

The council also unanimously approved a resolution to submit to the Metropolitan Council that would change the comprehensive plan that dictates Apple Valley's path for development through 2030. The change would allow the 11.4 acres slated next for residential development in the Cobblestone Lake neighborhood to be divided into 53 single-family-home lots.

The comprehensive plan currently has the area, south of Cobblestone Lake Parkway and between Elmhurst and Elm Creek lanes, pegged for a denser occupancy containing townhomes. South Shore Developers representative Jacob Fick said townhomes are not selling in today's market.

The city council will await the Met Council’s approval of the comprehensive plan change.

Come back to Apple Valley Patch on Friday for more details from Thursday's meeting.