Canterbury Commons on fast track

Shakopee Valley News

Much like the horses at Canterbury Park, a $48 million development near the track is racing towards city approval.

The proposed Canterbury Commons project — an upscale residential and commercial development on excess land across the street from Canterbury Park —  is winding its way through city hall, from the city council to planning commission. The project includes 700 apartments, 156 townhomes, 93,000 square feet of retail, a restaurant and a 120-room hotel.

But the project is a departure from the way the city's comprehensive plan — a long-term planning tool — envisioned development in that area. That's why the Shakopee City Council approved an amendment Wednesday that would allow Canterbury Village, an apartment complex, to be built in the 800-acre "major recreation zones" near Canterbury Park, Valleyfair and the Landing. The recreation zone allowed housing, but not at that density.

The major recreation zones "allow existing operations like Valleyfair and Canterbury Park to function without excessive review procedures, and to facilitate future recreation or entertainment ventures in the city," according to Shakopee's 2030 Comprehensive Plan.  

The amendment allows the density required for the apartment complex, Director of Planning and Development Michael Kerski said. 

"We're just codifying it now and making it a part of the allowed use and we've just now allowed the density," Kerski said.

Councilor Matt Lehman voted against the amendment, saying the city's comprehensive plan does not have residential development in the recreation zone. Allowing certain properties to bypass zoning regulations could open the city up to lawsuits, he said.

The Canterbury project should go through the same process the Stagecoach apartments went through, with rezoning and an amendment to the comprehensive plan to allow that type of density and zoning, Lehman said.

"I'm not necessarily against some of these projects," he said. "I'm against the process that we are using. The process should be consistent for all."

Updating the comprehensive plan is essential to mapping out utilities, Lehman said.

"I think the reason that a lot of these things are in place is actually so other entities being the sewer providers, can gauge what kind of capacity they're going to need into the future," he said. "There is a rational reason for having a comprehensive plan and following it."

Canterbury Park has planned to develop the land since it was purchased in the 1990s, Canterbury Park Media Relations Manager Jeff Maday said.

"The thought is that we bring in a very nice residential setup and then that might attract other retail possibilities as well as different entertainment possibilities," Maday said.

"We can continue to grow and we've got a lot of property still that's underdeveloped. Playing off some of the new businesses that have moved to Shakopee, it just seems like a good fit for us and for what we hope to accomplish."

The apartment complex would include a clubhouse, pool, exercise area, grilling stations, bocce ball courts, putting green, outdoor fire pits and other amenities for residents.

A parking garage would be built in the middle of the complex. The garage would be connected to the apartments so residents would not have to go outside to get to their garages.

"Everything is linked so in the winter you can use all amenities without going outside," Kuechle said.

Rent would range from $1,300 for a one-bedroom to $2,200 for a four-bedroom, Kuechle said. A study found Shakopee's apartment vacancy rate at 1.2 percent so more apartments are needed, he said.

Occupancy would be done in stages as construction is completed, with the first units occupied 12 to 14 months from the start of construction.

The Shakopee Planning Commission unanimously approved a preliminary plat on Thursday for Canterbury Commons. 

"It looks like a pretty unique development to add to our city," Planning Commissioner Lori Brandon said. "It makes sense where it's being placed and I'm happy to see this project move forward and add a lot to our city."

The project now goes to the City Council for approval.

The goal is to start doing what Canterbury Park has talked about for years, Kerski said. 

"Our plan is for them to bring forward a master plan for the whole park, all 300 acres including the track and relocation of the barns and all these other things they've wanted to do for years and basically say, 'We're going to do this and here's the schedule,' " Kerski said.