Pine Financial Group Inc., a property investment company based in Colorado, has put forth a concept plan for a proposed development called “Halstead Estates” that straddles Mound and Minnetrista. The proposed development site occupies a 1.66-acre parcel located at 6639 Bartlett Boulevard.
During the May 15 Mound City Council meeting, Rita Trapp, the city’s planning consultant, detailed the proposal, which comprises eight row houses, two duplexes, and one single-family home, totaling 13 units on the Mound side of the project. Additionally, the concept plan encompasses an additional three duplex buildings and 20 single-family homes as part of a larger subdivision in Minnetrista.
Tom Goodrum, a senior project manager at Moore Engineering, attended the meeting on behalf of Pine Financial to address council inquiries. He explained that Moore Engineering, which has an office in Plymouth, Minn., will undertake the civil engineering responsibilities for the project, while the architectural aspects will be overseen by Zaga Design Group of Denver, Colo.
In the past, the proposed project area has seen several development proposals, the latest being Serenity Hills. Pine Financial acquired the property after the Serenity Hills deal fell through.
Goodrum said the project has already undergone review by the Minnetrista City Council, planning commission, and park commission. He explained that the next phase of the process is to seek initial feedback from the Mound City Council and the community.
Following Goodrum’s presentation, two neighboring property owners approached the council to address two concerns about the project. First, they pointed out that the project proposes construction of a new private road off County Road 110 instead of utilizing the existing, albeit deteriorated, Halstead Avenue. The residents mentioned that Mound and Minnetrista had deferred repairing Halstead Avenue with the anticipation that a developer would address it.
The residents also shared concerns about the segregated layout of the proposed development and advocated for a more integrated approach. Additionally, they highlighted that the area is not well-connected or walkable.
Mayor Jason Holt also expressed some concerns with the proposed density and suggested that the applicant consider substituting the proposed row houses or duplexes with higher-end single family homes. In response, Trapp remarked that changing the density would require a change to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and rezoning of the area. Goodrum noted that he would take the feedback back to his client for financial consideration.
Another agenda item for the council was the approval of the 2024 crack repair and seal coating projects. The crack repair project encompasses the bituminous streets reconstructed during the 2013 street reconstruction project in the southeast portion of Island Park. The contract was awarded to MP Asphalt Maintenance of Hanover, Minn., for $22,575, the lowest bid received.
The areas designated for repair with the seal coat project include all sections of the 2012 and 2019 street reconstruction project areas (the north portion of Island Park and Sherwood Lane), as well as the municipal state aid (MSA) route from the 2011 reconstruction project area (Highland Boulevard, part of Idlewood Drive, and Ridgewood Road), and Tuxedo Boulevard west of Brighton Boulevard. Additionally, the project entails sealing of the parking lots around Mound City Hall, the fire station, and the public works building. The city received two quotes for the project and opted to award the project to the lowest bidder, Allied Blacktop of Maple Grove, Minn., for just under $156,000.
The council also deliberated on the presence of the Orono Police Department in the city. Council member Kathy McEnaney voiced frustration over the lack of enforcement of parking restrictions at Surfside Park by the officers. Council member Paula Larson echoed these concerns and proposed a workshop to address the city’s future plans for policing services.
In other news, the council received a demonstration and presentation from the Mound Westonka High School Tonkabots robotics team. The team recently wrapped up a successful season that culminated with winning the 2024 Minnesota State High School League Robotics State Tournament.
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