By: Mollee Francisco 

With the future Heights of Chaska expected to ultimately encompass around 1,000 acres, Ted Beise’s 40-acre plot is just a small piece of the pie.

But as the first concept plan to come out of the future Heights of Chaska, the Beise property is quickly becoming the one to watch, the precedent-setter for the rest of the mega-neighborhood.

The Chaska City Council got its first look at the plans for the site Monday night. And after more than two hours of talk, only one thing was clear – no decision was going to be made that night.

The council tabled the discussion and called for a work session next Monday to examine what importance the city should give affordable housing.

The Beise plan, presented by Klingelhutz Development, calls for 73 lots varying in size from 52 feet to 92 feet in width. All lots would contain single family homes. The neighborhood would connect to Cascade Drive and the existing Highlands neighborhood to the east and County Road 140 to the south.

As part of the city’s policy in the Heights of Chaska to provide for at least 30 percent affordable housing (with 5 percent dedicated as permanently affordable), 24 of the lots would meet the Metropolitan Council’s definition of affordability. That would mean homes in the “low-$200,000s,” said Kevin Ringwald, director of planning and development.

But with 90-foot lots and pricier homes in the adjacent neighborhood, Highland residents were notably concerned about what this diverse development would do to their own home values.

“This is an investment that we’ve made,” said Kevin Kimm, of Cascade Drive. “Probably the biggest investment one can make and we have to protect that.”

“It’s not the goal of the Highland residents to be snobs,” offered Rod Coleman, of Tupelo Way, who went on to question the decision to have 92-foot lots so close to 52-foot lots.

Several of his neighbors agreed and suggested evening out the lot sizes to match those of the Highlands and thus removing the affordable housing element of the plan.

“I wouldn’t even feel comfortable living in a $200,000 home next to a $700,000 home,” said one neighbor who added that there are “socioeconomic, cultural and political differences” between such homeowners.

Other existing neighbors supported the development wholeheartedly.

“I think it’s responsible development,” said Alex Young, who has lived next door to the Beise’s on County Road 140 for almost 30 years.

“I think it hits the mission of Chaska, to live and work in the community,” said Mark Gross, who also lives on County Road 140 just south of the proposed development. “I’m here to support that.”

City staff worried that abandoning the affordable housing element on this piece of the Heights of Chaska could cause problems when other developers are ready to present their concept plans for developments in the neighborhood.

“You’re going to have a problem if you do that,” said City Administrator David Pokorney who felt that removing affordability from the Beise project would set a precedent for future developers to leave affordable housing out of their plans.

“Isn’t this different because we’re tying it to an existing neighborhood?” asked Councilor Jay Rohe.

Councilor Christopher Schulz also questioned whether this part wasn’t unique because of its connection to the Highlands but was wary of removing the affordability element. “I feel very strongly that we need to stay with the 30 percent affordability, 5 percent permanently affordable” he said. “If not now, when?”

Mayor Gary Van Eyll stressed the importance of having life-cycle housing as proposed in the Beise plan.

“I think if we want to say that we don’t want affordable housing, if we don’t want to have life-cycle housing in Chaska, then that’s something we have to say as a council,” he said, visibly upset.

“I don’t want to be portrayed as someone who doesn’t want life-cycle housing,” said Rohe.

“But I have a problem with doing developments like this,” he continued, asking for examples of where such mixed housing occurred in Chaska.

“There are a number of examples,” said Bob Roepke, former mayor and representative for Klingelhutz. “You have King’s Lane in Jonathan next to subsidized housing. You have Clover Ridge and you have downtown on Walnut Street.

“Less density and bigger lots is something we would make more money on but we are trying to follow the policies set out by the city,” he added.

“Maybe we need to re-look at affordability,” said Van Eyll.

“I don’t think we’re in any position to make a decision on this tonight,” said Schulz.

The council will discuss its policies on affordable housing in Chaska next Monday night at a work session and will plan to bring back the Beise development proposal at its April 16 meeting.

SOUND OFF: What do you think about the council's decision to look at their policy on affordable housing? How important is having affordable housing in the city to you? Talk about it in our Affordable Housing forum.