PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council approved a pair of resolutions related to a new apartment development proposed at 1452 Glenridge Drive at the April 13 meeting.

After reviewing two new concept plans from Capital Investment Partners, the council settled on the plan that has three, three-story buildings (106 units, 154 bedrooms), with two accessory structures, 156 open parking spaces, a crosswalk on Dexter Street, modified garage leases (must be used for vehicles, not storage) and signs indicating no off-street parking. The only variance requiring a Planned Unit Development overlay would be the number of buildings on the lot, said CapVest CEO Trevor Bohland. No water main relocation would be required. The units would feature quality LV flooring and granite countertops.

The other concept, not recommended by the Plan Commission, proposed one, four-story building (technically two buildings connected by a fitness center) with 112 units (168 bedrooms), no accessory structures, 206 open parking stalls and no PUD required. However, a costly water main relocation would have been required.

The 3.28-acre parcel is the last undeveloped high-density residential parcel within the city. The Plan Commission approved the project’s concept plan Feb. 2 and the city council approved it Feb. 9, with three principal buildings requiring a Planned Unit Development. However, after the March 2 Plan Commission public hearing, the Plan Commission recommended denial of the PUD. The city council decided to table the PUD question March 9 until the Plan Commission could review new concept plans.

CapVest submitted two new concept plan options and updated the previous plan. Plan Commission voted 6-1 to recommend Concept 2 to council, which they approved.

Per city code, the developer is required to dedicate 10% of the total acreage for parks, playgrounds, recreation and open space. At the discretion of the Plan Commission, the developer may provide a fee in lieu of land dedication. The city is proposing a $75,000 fee because the land to the north is already owned by the city (the skate park) and needs further development, not more space. It would serve as a neighborhood park, City Administrator Matt Wolf said.

“Unfortunately, it is needing some love and care, I would say,” Wolf added.

Bohland presented a map of The Bluffs development, showing a bike path, crosswalk and building location.

“We are empathetic to adjacent landowners who prefer that this inflow not be developed,” Bohland said. “We’ve attempted to incorporate recommendations and suggestions from concerned citizens, from the public hearing, the Plan Commission, community members and city staff into our conceptual designs whenever feasible.”

Joshua Waller from SEH presented the traffic study findings, which included an initial review meant to understand how the development’s possible traffic influx would affect the surrounding roadways. The study, based on Concept 2, predicted 43 vehicles entering and exiting the facility during peak morning hours. That number increased slightly during the evening peak traffic time to 55 vehicles. Waller anticipates 90% of traffic will exit to the north toward Highway 10.

Bohland said CapVest chose Prescott for several reasons. First, it has an expected population growth of 10% in the next five years. They also like its proximity to the Twin Cities, Hastings and River Falls, the ratio of owners to renters, and the number of building permits issued in the past four years. Bohland noted large investments made to upgrade three of the four existing school buildings in the community, along with the school district consistently ranking in the top 20% statewide with a ratio of 14:1 students to teachers.

“Those are things that potential tenants are looking forward to relocated,” Bohland said. “Maybe they work here in town and they’re going, that’s a really good school, and you guys should be proud of that.”

He also noted declining enrollment, a statewide trend, which could result in a 7% decrease in students at the high school. New housing developments may help bridge that gap, he said.

Bohland also spoke to the city’s housing study, which identified a need for 263 units built between 2022-27. Through 2025, only 31% of that number has been constructed, leaving a deficit of 181 units.

After Bohland’s presentation, Wolf detailed conditions of approval for the PUD:

• Installation of a mid-block Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian crossing on Dexter Street.
• Inclusion of lease provisions requiring garages to be used solely for vehicle parking, prohibiting habitation or storage uses.
• Compliance with R-4 accessory structure limits (maximum of two allowed).
• Provision of a minimum of 156 surface parking stalls and about 36 garage stalls.
• Payment of a fee in lieu of parkland dedication consistent with city code.
• A new updated easement agreement for the water main.

Alderperson Dar Hintz said she has struggled with the concept plan in regard to three buildings proposed within that space in Concept Plan 2, along with the significant costs relocating a water main would incur in Concept Plan 1.

“I also see that we are in dire need of affordable housing and it’s obvious,” Hintz said. “For me, I feel like that has to take precedence at this point in my personal opinion.”

The rent will be based on the market. Bohland estimated that could be $1,150-1,250 for one-bedroom units, $1,450-1,650 for two-bedroom and $1,750-1,850 for three-bedroom.

Alderperson Lindsey Sorenson said she doesn’t consider those prices affordable for people looking to stay in a small community. However, the council approved the concept plan and zoning map amendment unanimously.

The west building will have 24 units (9,812 square feet), the middle building will contain 40 units (12,980 square feet) and the east building will house 42 units (12,980 square feet). The building’s top height will be 49 feet at the pitched roof, with one driveway off Dexter and two off Glenridge.

Façade Improvement Program

The council approved two applications for the 2026 Façade Improvement Program, which has a base budget of $50,000, with an additional $8,710.50 carried over from the 2025 program, for a total of $58,710.50 available for this grant cycle.

The first was for the Prescott Historical Society at 235 and 237 Broad St. The project’s scope includes plans to scrape/glaze windows in need of repair, acid washing entire building, removing the information sign and painting the windows and door. The grant will cover $12,000 of the project’s $24,000 cost.

The second application approved was for London Bridges LLC at 206 Broad St. The owners plan to custom historic reproduction arched windows, historically appropriate entry door systems, commercial grade exterior lighting and benches. The project will cost $135,000 and will take place May-December 2026; the grant will cover $46,710.50 of that cost.

Other applicants included 144 Broad St. (the former Heywood, Cari & Anderson building), 209 Broad St. (Aim Joy Boutique) and 231 and 227 Broad St. (Muddy Waters).

Other business

• Council approved a special event permit for 4-6 p.m. June 3 for the Prescott Public Library Summer Kickoff at 800 Borner St. N.
• Council approved a BNSF Grade Crossing and Maintenance Agreement for the Kinnickinnic Street pedestrian crossing as part of the Riverfront Phase 2 Project.
• Council approved a conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 878 E. Washington St.