25-08 Narrative
100 Lake St W Suite 200, | Wayzata, MN 55391| (952) 495-6240| www.InlandDP.com
April 4, 2025
Eric Maass
Community Development Director
City of Chanhassen
7700 Market Blvd
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Re: Avienda Apartment Development
Dear Planning Staff and City Officials,
Inland Development Partners is pleased to submit for your review and consideration a site plan application for a proposed
412-unit, 4-story luxury apartment community, located within the previously approved Avienda Planned Unit
Development (PUD). Situated on just over 11 acres, this project aligns with the PUD standards already approved for the
Avienda development, which included entitlements for 417 units and a maximum building height of five stories.
This proposal will further activate the Avienda development by offering an additional housing option tailored to both
current and future residents of Chanhassen. In doing so, it supports the adjacent commercial and retail uses planned within
Districts 2 and 3 of Avienda.
Project Overview
The project is composed of two north-south-oriented residential buildings connected via two clubhouse structures—one
on the east and one on the west—creating two U-shaped forms that break down the scale of the building and enhance the
variation in design. These 4-story buildings sit atop a half-exposed structured parking deck containing 492 stalls. This
elevated configuration provides both privacy and visual buffering from nearby retail uses.
Additional surface parking includes 143 stalls, with an additional 101 “proof-of-parking” stalls reserved for future use if
needed.
The project will include a mix of unit types based on market data including studio, alcove, one-bedroom, one-bedroom +
den, two bedroom and three-bedroom units.
Amenities
The two clubhouse structures enclose the following amenities:
Eastern Clubhouse (Main Entry & Resident Services):
Leasing office
Coworking spaces and coffee bar
Clubroom and entertainment spaces
East/west daylight exposure for natural lighting
Golf simulator
Movie room
Docusign Envelope ID: E96A4207-4871-42C7-A271-22C2AB364348
100 Lake St W Suite 200, | Wayzata, MN 55391| (952) 495-6240| www.InlandDP.com
Western Clubhouse:
Indoor sport court
Fitness and wellness centers
Sauna
Courtyard and Outdoor Amenities:
Pool and spa
Putting greens and flex green space
Fire pits, outdoor kitchens, grill/bar stations.
Lounge and hammock areas.
Meandering trail and garden spaces
Pet amenities include internal courtyard areas and two exterior dog runs.
A half-mile trail loop surrounds the site and links to public sidewalks and pedestrian pathways, providing connectivity to
the broader Avienda development and public right-of-way. These internal connections offer an enhanced pedestrian
experience that exceeds the original PUD expectations.
Courtyard and exterior site activities will follow city noise ordinances, closing by 10 p.m., and the pool will close at dusk.
Design Narrative:
The design highlights a contemporary-natural aesthetic, combining light and dark material palettes. Large glass expanses
bring in natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Materials—including traditional lap siding, board and batten
panels, colored masonry, and wood-finish elements—balance timeless character with a modern edge.
The architecture is harmonious with Avienda’s design principles while offering a unique identity for this community.
Landscaping Narrative
Key landscape elements include:
Streetscape tree plantings along north-south drive through the site
Foundation and parking lot plantings
Enhanced screening added landscaping along the western elevation.
Courtyard landscaping
Landscape uplighting and code-compliant site lighting.
Building lighting emphasis is placed on the eastern residential elevation to support the retail corridor and avoid excess
lighting near adjacent residential areas to the west.
Regional Stormwater Treatment
The regional stormwater plan covering the apartment site, and the remaining development of the Avienda project
assumes a 70% impervious area.
Individual lots can have more than 70% impervious as long as the whole site is 70%. The proposed Avienda
Apartments will have a 72.8% impervious area.
Docusign Envelope ID: E96A4207-4871-42C7-A271-22C2AB364348
100 Lake St W Suite 200, | Wayzata, MN 55391| (952) 495-6240| www.InlandDP.com
Landform is not concerned with the extra 2.8% as it relates to the regional stormwater calculations as
disconnected impervious area can be omitted from the calcs which would include the trail system around the
building (4% of the 72.8% impervious site area).
Courtyard Stormwater Drainage
The courtyard storm drainage was designed to sheet drain from the rooftops of the podium towards the central
courtyard through four (4) catch basins/yard drains, then convey water underneath the building through interior
plumbing with capacity to handle a 100-year storm event.
The courtyard sheet drains at a slope at 2% towards center.
The lower podium has not contemplated parking underneath the stormwater pipe structure for proper headroom
clearance to connect the pipe through the parking structure and then connect to the regional stormwater line.
The seller (Level 7 Development) will construct the regional stormwater system and connections to the apartment
site.
The project team will be meeting with the watershed in the coming weeks to work through permitting
requirements.
Sustainability Features
Maximized natural daylighting and light sensors for energy efficiency.
EV-ready infrastructure: 20% of interior parking stalls wired for electric charging.
Collaboration with Xcel Energy for participation in energy-saving programs.
Governmental Approvals
Enclosed in this package are the following items for review:
Site Plan Application
Supplemental Plat Applications (provided by Landform separately)
Civil and Architectural Plans
Prior to submitting a formal entitlement package, the developer did hear feedback from the City Council through a
workshop session on March 25, 2025, which resulted in the comprehensive outdoor trail system around the building.
In addition to early City Council feedback, the developer held a neighborhood meeting on March 26, 2025, 18 individuals
signed into the meeting with an estimated total of thirty that attended. Overall feedback was positive for the project with
the following topics as a focus:
Ensuring pedestrian connections will continue east to west through the apartment development site to ensure
residents through the broader Avienda development could access the much-anticipated retail development.
There were many questions related to timing of the retail development. A representative from Level 7
Development was in attendance to answer those questions.
Residents understood completing the apartment project would create the final momentum to attract retailers to the
site.
Positive feedback on the way the building looked, variation in material, and bringing the height and scale-back
from previous PUD plans.
Docusign Envelope ID: E96A4207-4871-42C7-A271-22C2AB364348
100 Lake St W Suite 200, | Wayzata, MN 55391| (952) 495-6240| www.InlandDP.com
Conclusion
This proposed development represents a significant contribution to the ongoing realization of the Avienda development. It
provides a thoughtfully designed, amenity-rich, and market-responsive housing option that supports the broader goals of
the Chanhassen community.
We appreciate your consideration and welcome any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Jacquel Hajder & Tom Shaver
Inland Development Partners
Docusign Envelope ID: E96A4207-4871-42C7-A271-22C2AB364348