Eagan Advisory Planning Commission Meeting – November 26, 2024
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Eagan Advisory Planning Commission Meeting – November 26, 2024
The Eagan Advisory Planning Commission met on November 26, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to consider three development proposals. After public hearings and deliberation, the commission voted unanimously (7‑0) to recommend approval of all items, which will now advance to the City Council on various dates.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item B (Metcalf Park):
- Brianna Reinsberg (2220 Liberty Lane, Eagan) expressed concern about increased traffic from a new full‑access intersection on Diffley Road.
- Austin Peterson (adjacent property owner) spoke in support, noting that similar housing already exists in the area, that trees along the southern boundary are dying ash, and that traffic would be more spread out than school traffic.
- Nick Erickson (Housing First Minnesota) disclosed a relationship with the developer but urged support, stating the development fills a gap in housing for first‑time buyers and empty nesters.
- Teresa Battle, Superintendent of Burnsville‑Eagan‑Savage School District 191, spoke in favor, noting the district’s need to be responsible with taxpayer money and the developer’s responsiveness.
- Item C (Trails End Commons):
- Sherry Richie (3418 Eagan Oaks Court) voiced concern over added traffic on L Reen Road, noting recent signal changes and the existing congestion.
Discussion Items
A. Veterans Village – 3920 Rahn Road
- Staff presented a proposal by Lenar and Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) to rezone from PF to PD, allow 22 townhome units on 2.84 acres, and create 24 lots. The development will serve veterans in permanent supportive housing; 15% of residents are expected to have vehicles. Several deviations from code (e.g., lot size, parking stall width, recreation space) were noted but justified by the project’s mission. The city engineer estimated peak‐hour traffic from the site at only 5–8 vehicles (based on 15% vehicle ownership). The commission unanimously recommended approval with conditions.
B. Metcalf Park – 2250 Diffley Road
- Staff and the developer (Pulte Homes, partnering with Lifestyle Communities and Enclave) presented a plan to rezone 34.5 acres (former Metcalf Middle School) and develop 450 units: 245 apartments, 66 senior cooperative units, 97 townhomes, and 42 villa‑style twin homes. The plan includes shared amenities, a 0.82‑acre city park, and extensive landscaping. Deviations (lot area, parking stall size, setbacks, building coverage) were explained as necessary to fit a master‑planned community and meet modern standards. The traffic study showed no degradation in level of service along Diffley Road. The commission voted 7‑0 to recommend approval.
C. Trails End Commons – SE corner of Yankee Doodle and L Reen Roads
- Staff reviewed an amended plan by Ryan Companies/Lenar for 104 townhome units on a triangular 22‑acre site constrained by topography and a gas pipeline. The number of units was reduced from 134 to 104 to preserve more trees. Tree removal is 81.2% (mitigation required). The developer agreed to a 32‑foot public street width. Traffic from the development is estimated at 750 trips per day (peak hour about 60 vehicles). The commission voted 7‑0 to recommend approval.
Key Outcomes
- Veterans Village (Item A): Unanimous recommendation (7‑0) for rezoning, preliminary PD, and preliminary subdivision with conditions. Scheduled for City Council on December 17, 2024.
- Metcalf Park (Item B): Unanimous recommendation (7‑0) for rezoning, preliminary PD, and preliminary subdivision with 48 conditions. City Council review expected in January‑February 2025, pending completion of the environmental assessment worksheet and Metropolitan Council action on the land use amendment.
- Trails End Commons (Item C): Unanimous recommendation (7‑0) for PD amendment and preliminary subdivision with conditions. Scheduled for City Council on December 3, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
Calling to order the advisory planning commission meeting for November 26, 2024. At this time, we stand and do the pledge of the leisure. One of the individuals with understanding justice. But we should be aware of. Mr. Chair, there are no changes to the agenda. I do want to point out that the there's an email for item uh for item B that's on your day, sir, for your consideration. Um just uh as we always do, Mr. Chair, just uh let's go through and make sure that the council dates um are correct when we go through each item. So thank you. Um at this point, then I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda for I have a motion for Secretary Whitfield and I'll take a second from Member Schwanke. I think I might have heard him just uh here earlier. Um all in favor, please raise your hand, say aye. I see that that passes seven to zero. Um at this point, are there any changes or updates to the minutes? Uh, Mr. Schultz, are you aware of? None of them are. Okay, I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Second. Motion by Secretary Whitfield and uh second by Vice Chair Wisnend. Um, all in favor, please raise your hand and say aye. Um, and that is a that is past seven to zero. Um at this point, I believe it was seven to zero that folks voted. Is that correct? Okay. Um at this point, we will open up uh to the public for any issues that are not currently on the agenda that they would like to add to the agenda. Um we do already have the the published agenda, but if there are anything new items, please um feel free to come forward to request this we put on. Okay, I'm not seeing anybody uh come forward. We will then move forward into our first new business. And this is applicant uh Lenar, I believe, with Mount Calvary Lutheran Church uh for approval of a rezoning, preliminary plan development, and a preliminary subdivision. And I believe Miss Thomas, you'll be presenting on this. Is that correct? Correct. Thank you, Mr. Chair Advisory Planning Commission members. Um as you noted, this is a rezoning, a preliminary plan development and a preliminary subdivision for property located at 3920 Ron Road. The rezoning request is from public facility to plan development, and then the preliminary plan development to allow a 22-unit townhome development on 2.84 acres. The entire subdivision would create 24 lots upon the total of 6.7 acres. The property is developed with Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, which was built in 1971. There are two single family homes and a garage located on the northern portion of the property. The homes have been used for church functions, such as a rectory for youth meetings, and they will be removed as part of the redevelopment. The northern 1.3 acres is heavily treated. The church is located further south on the property, and a parking lot is behind the building as well as to the east. There's a full access drive aisle on the north side of the church and an exit-only drive aisle on the south side of the church. Access is provided to uh Ron Road to the west. The church is connected to City Sewer and Water Services and Sanitary Sewer and Water Main of adequate size and capacity is along Ron Road and available for the subdivision. In relation to this proposal, the 22 unit town homes are are proposed within uh six buildings as shown on the site plan with three to four units per building. A new access is proposed from Ron Road that would loop through the site to the church property. The church and associated parking will remain in its existing condition, other than a loss of 25 parking stalls in the northeast corner of the parking lot.
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