Apartments pitched for Richfield Lunds & Byerlys site.

Byline: Brian Johnson

Lunds & Byerlys is on the cusp of getting final city approvals for a proposed market-rate apartment building in Richfield, a $30 million project that would add 127 housing units to a city with a hearty appetite for new rental housing.

The six-story building would rise on a surface parking site next to the Lunds & Byerlys store at 6228 Penn Ave. S. The existing grocery store would remain and new parking would be constructed under the apartment building, according to city documents.

Richfield's Planning Commission is expected to review the proposed development on Oct. 28, and the City Council is tentatively scheduled to have a look on Nov. 12. Construction could begin this spring.

Other than some minor changes, the plans are similar to what the developer presented to Richfield's Housing and Redevelopment Authority a year ago, said John Stark, Richfield's community development director.

The developers are not seeking public financing, and they only need some "pretty minimal" approvals related to planning and zoning, Stark said.

If approved, the project would join a crowded field of apartment developments in the inner-ring suburb.

More than 1,210 new rental units are recently completed, under construction, or proposed in Richfield, said Melissa Poehlman, Richfield's city planner. At least 709 new multifamily housing units are currently in the ground, according to the city's website.

The city has approved plans for the 183-unit Novo Apartments at 2400 66th St. W., and Fargo-based Enclave Development is proposing a 120-unit, five-story apartment building with ground-level retail at 6439 and 6437 Lyndale Ave. S., and 415 64 St.

The projects under construction include:

RF 64 Apartments and Townhomes, developed by NHH Properties and The Simmons Group. The project, at 6400 Richfield Parkway, includes 218 apartments and 72 for-sale condominiums.

Lyndale Gardens, developed by the Cornerstone Group and North Bay. The project will bring 66 apartments, 30 condominiums and eight townhome units to a redevelopment site at 6400 Lyndale Ave. S.

The Chamberlain, developed by Inland Development Partners and Kraus-Anderson. The project includes 284 apartments in three buildings at 6630, 6700 and 6701 Richfield Parkway.

EMI, developed by PLH & Associates. This 31-unit project is a redevelopment of the former Southview Baptist Church site at 101 66th St. E. The project also offers 6,000 square feet of retail space fronting 66th Street.

The...