Commission recommends Palmer Crossing preliminary plat; resident raises traffic worries and staff clarifies moratorium exemption

Nick Paling of Paling Family Homes introduced a 24‑lot, one‑outlot preliminary plat called Palmer Crossing for a 10‑acre site at 7880 202nd Street. "We're excited about this proposal of a 24 lot development," Paling said, noting he and his brother were local builders and planned homes similar to nearby neighborhoods.

Planner Miss Goodrow described the site layout, stormwater ponding and tree inventory, and noted that all lots exceed minimum width and area requirements. She said Gresham Avenue will be extended to serve the site and that access to County Road 50 is controlled by Dakota County: "No access is planned to County Road 50 nor would it be allowed by the county, and the county has jurisdiction and control over access to their county roads," she said.

Resident Jennifer Klinkner, who lives nearby, said she supported the project overall but asked whether a traffic study had been done and expressed concern about increased traffic on 204th Street where many children walk. "We're concerned about our kids with the increased traffic," Klinkner said, asking whether an access point onto County Road 50 could be considered to relieve neighborhood congestion. Staff responded that a stub street (Aggression Way/Street A) was planned to serve this property and that the county controls access to CR‑50; staff also said the number of units in this preliminary plat did not meet the threshold for a traffic study.

Commissioner Travas asked why the project proceeded during the city's moratorium on new residential applications; Miss Goodrow explained the moratorium (adopted April 21) exempted projects that had submitted preliminary plats before the adoption date, which included this project. Commissioners expressed support for the plat's fit with surrounding development. A motion to recommend City Council approval subject to four stipulations in the July 15 planning report passed unanimously; staff said the council was expected to consider the application at its Aug. 3 meeting.