Quoted from the Stillwater Gazette:
> The Stillwater City Council is considering a planned unit development and preliminary plat request for the proposed Brixton development at the southeast corner of Manning Avenue and 80th Street.
The project, presented by Jason Palmby of Magellan Land Development in partnership with Pulte Homes of Minnesota at the April 7 city council meeting, would redevelop three existing single-family parcels into a townhouse community.
The site includes wetlands in the southeast and southwest portions, with plans preserving significant wooded open space due to large setbacks from Manning Avenue and 80th Street.
The development is seeking planned unit development status to meet density requirements under the existing Cove Townhouse Residential zoning designation.
Proposed revisions to the plan include expanded buffer areas, additional landscaping with conifer and dogwood screening, native prairie plantings around a stormwater pond, and an increased eastern buffer from 30 to 52 feet. The developer also proposed replacing a privacy fence with enhanced landscaping and limiting certain construction activities during portions of 2026.
The council also heard public comments, with several residents raising concerns about design and infrastructure.
Roger Thompson, a Stillwater resident speaking on behalf of Sustainable Stillwater, questioned the lack of pedestrian-friendly design elements, particularly sidewalks.
“One of the things that came out of the discussion was the streets of Stillwater,” Thompson said,
noting the city’s historical emphasis on walkable public streets shared by pedestrians and vehicles.
He said the current design prioritizes garage-facing streets and limits pedestrian usability. Thompson suggested reducing the number of units to create space for sidewalks, gathering areas and preservation of mature trees.
“I think it’s just a little bit shy on the people component and the pedestrian component,” he said.
City staff noted that Thompson’s comments were submitted after the Planning Commission had made its recommendation and that specific sidewalk discussions were limited due to site constraints and density requirements.
The developer acknowledged challenges with the site, citing wetland preservation, buffer requirements and parking needs as limiting factors for adding sidewalks. Plans include connections to nearby trail systems and internal amenities overlooking wetlands.
Additional concerns were raised by resident Jim Jutes who expressed general support for the project but questioned aspects of its design based on his experience living in a common interest.
Jutes raised issues related to emergency access, parking limitations and traffic congestion, particularly at the intersection of 80th Street and Manning Avenue. He also cited concerns about pedestrian safety, including the lack of sidewalks and the absence of a designated school bus stop area.
“There isn’t any type of provision for a shelter for the kids,” Jutes said. “You’re going to be sending elementary kids through a development that has no sidewalks.”
Both motions failed due to a lack of votes. A special meeting was scheduled for April 14 at 5 p.m.