Initial Plans Approved for Hemlock Apartments

At their May 7 meeting, the Maple Grove City Council approved PUD concept stage plans for the construction of two apartment buildings located at the intersection of Arbor Lakes Parkway and Hemlock Lane. If city council members approve final plans, Hemlock Apartments will consist of two 50-unit buildings and will be built on a 7.7 acre piece of land.

The apartment complex will serve residents with income ranges between $24,000 and $54,000 per year and offer one, two and three bedroom units, a concept that Councilmember Karen Jaeger applauded.

“I think it’s wonderful that you put in affordable housing,” Jaeger said to John Duffy, the President of Duffy Development Company. "There’s certainly a need.”

While the addition of the apartment complex will add to the already busy roadways near Arbor Lakes, Community Development Director Dick Edwards noted that the area is meant to accommodate the increased traffic.

“This area is seen as the melting pot for higher densities due to its proximity to the Arbor Lakes retail and service areas, including…the Main Street shops, Town Green, the library and government services,” Edwards said in council documents. Edwards also noted that the addition of Hemlock Apartments adds to the already diverse market, which includes Arbor Lake Senior Living and Skye neighborhoods.

At the concept stage, architectural details are not typically final. Initial plans suggest that the exterior structure of Hemlock Apartments will include stone, brick and stucco. The south building will be three stories high and the north building will be four stories high, creating a “stepped appearance,” according to city council documents.

“The stepped appearance will create a very pretty skyline in the area,” Edwards said. 

A central courtyard and play area with typical playground equipment was also part of the concept stage plan.

When Councilmember Sargent asked Duffy about the timeframe for building, Duffy mentioned that the process to get full approval could be a lengthy one.

“This requires city, county and state approval,” Duffy said, adding that getting funding for the project could be challenging. “We won't know about state approval until October, so we’d be looking at spring construction.”

"I hope you get your funding," Sargent said to Duffy.

What do you think of possiblity of two apartment buildings being built near the intersection of Arbor Lakes Parkway and Hemlock Lane? Tell us in comments!

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