Jul. 14—ROCHESTER — A Plymouth-based developer is planning to bring housing diversity to northwest Rochester with the proposed creation of a 187-unit rental townhome project.
“It’s not a solve-all by any means, but it is an important diversifier of housing stock in Rochester,” Norsq Cos. owner Jeff Koch told the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission of the project aiming to meet local housing needs.
He said the development on 18.5 acres at the intersection of 41st Street Northwest and Arboretum Drive will offer an option that falls between apartment living and homeownership, making it ideal for young professional families.
The proposed final plat allowing the development work to move forward will be reviewed by the Rochester City Council as one of seven scheduled public hearings during its meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers of the city-county Government Center.
The council gave a preliminary plat unanimous approval last month, citing the plan’s effort to add more housing choices in the city.
“This is a good project that will meet another niche for housing in Rochester,” said council member Normal Wahl, who represents the ward where the development is planned.
While some neighbors have cited concerns about traffic impacts and landscaping, Wahl said most appear to be in favor of the proposed project, which has a site plan undergoing staff review.
The council member did voice concern about some comments made by the development team during a neighborhood meeting earlier this year. When neighbors raised questions or pointed to potential concerns, he said the developers’ representatives tended to say decisions were based on city rules and staff, rather than explaining why the rules exist.
“Anything that developers do to promote antagonism between the city and residents doesn’t do anything for what we are trying to do together,” he said.
While asking for greater partnership with the city, Wahl said he was happy to support the project as it began to emerge. He also pointed to efforts by city staff and the developer to address concerns cited during public meetings.
The Norsq Cos. website states the Rochester development comes with an estimated $68 million cost and “will offer “high-quality construction with an engaging Scandinavian design that compliments the adjacent buildings while creating its own unique identity.”
The townhomes are slated to offer two- and three-bedroom options, and development amenities are expected to include a dog park, walking trails throughout the site with a connection to the Douglas Trail, a pool, a clubhouse fitness center and a kid’s play area.
The developer is proposing to start construction this year, with plans to start renting townhomes in the spring of 2026.
In addition to reviewing the plans for the Norsq project, the council is also scheduled to hold public hearings Monday on plans for two other housing developments — 22-unit residential development on nearly 7 acres near Ponderosa Place Southwest and U.S. Highway 52 and a 44-unit residential project on nearly 8 acres on the northwest corner of 55th Street Northwest and 55th Avenue.
Other scheduled hearings include:
* A requested zone change for nearly 5 acres that house the Hollywood 12 theater at 2171 Superior Drive NW, which is slated to close on Aug. 12 . The requested change from a light-industrial designation to mixed-use center zoning is expected to provide flexibility and additional opportunities for redevelopment.
* A request for subdivision of Mayo Clinic’s west parking lot along Second Street Southwest, which is expected to house a hub for the city’s planned bus rapid transit system, as well as a new Mayo Clinic employee parking structure , housing and commercial development.
* Potential city support for Cytotheryx’s planned application for funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as part of a planned expansion. If approved, the city would receive state funds to provide a loan to the company, which uses genetically engineered pigs to make human liver cells .
Meetings scheduled to be held during the week of July 15 include:
Rochester
—City Council, 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE. The meeting will livestream at www.rochestermn.gov/meetings/council-meetings and be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188.
—Fire Civil Service Commission, 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in room 104 in City Hall, 201 Fourth St. SE.
—Park Board, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in suite 101 of the Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE
—Library Board, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the first floor meeting room of the Rochester Public Library, 101 Second St. SE.
Olmsted County
—Physical Development Committee, 1 p.m. Tuesday in conference room 1 of the Government Center.
—Health, Housing and Human Services Committee, 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in conference room 2 for the Government Center.
—Administrative Committee, 4 p.m. Tuesday in conference room 1 of the city-county Government Center.
—Board of County Commissioners, 6 p.m. Tuesday in the board chambers of the Government Center.
—Board of Appeals and Equalization, 7 p.m. Tuesday in the board chambers of the Government Center.
—Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission, 8 a.m. Wednesday with the location to be posted at https://olmstedcounty.primegov.com/public/portal
—Olmsted County Board Retreat, 8:30 a.m. Thursday in room 161 at 2117 Campus Drive SE.
—Planning Advisory Commission, 7 p.m. Thursday, in board chambers of the Government Center.
Rochester Public Schools
—School Board, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom of the Edison Building, 615 Seventh St. SW.
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