Eagan City Council Meeting – July 1, 2025

The Eagan City Council met on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center (3830 Pilot Knob Rd.). The agenda was light, with no public hearings, old business, or EDA items. The council unanimously approved the consent calendar and one new business item: a planned development amendment to allow a childcare facility at 1575 and 1580 Thomas Center Drive.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the following routine items by unanimous voice vote:

• Approval of minutes from the May 13 special meeting, May 20, and June 3 regular meetings.
• Personnel items.
• Check registers dated June 13 and June 20, 2025.
• Contracts.
• Change Order No. 10 and final payments for Goat Hill Phase 3 Improvements (City Project 1557) to Rink-Tec International, Berwald Roofing, Minnesota Paving, and Peterson Companies.
• Joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and adjoining resolution.
• On-sale wine and beer license for GKD Pizza, LLC (Italian Pie Shoppe).
• General insurance renewal for July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026.
• Amendment to the 2025-29 Vehicle & Equipment CIP for lake monitoring equipment (Lakescout buoys).
• Modifications to the Special Assessment Policy.
• Award of Contract 25-03 for 2025 Trail & Parking Lot Improvements and temporary construction easement.
• Acknowledgment of completion of Project 21-J Avery Pines.
• Authorization for the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amendment to Section 4.34 (Stormwater Management Regulations).
• Award of Contract 25-05 for Safari Reservoir Rehabilitation.
• Approval of the 2025-2026 Sustainable Eagan Advisory Commission (SEAC) Work Plan aligned with Climate Action Plan Phase 1.
• Contract with UHL Company, Inc. for replacing surveillance cameras at Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 4.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public spoke during the meeting. However, the council discussed written correspondence from a property owner to the south and west of the proposed childcare site (referred to as "Dan"). The correspondence requested that the applicant install a fence along the top of the hill to mitigate noise from the playground. Council members noted that the fence would be located on neighboring properties, not the subject site, and therefore could not be conditioned on this approval. Staff noted that existing topography and vegetation already provide noise mitigation.

Discussion Items

Planned Development Amendment – Today’s Life Eagan/Bruno Donsoy (1575 & 1580 Thomas Center Dr.)

City Planner Mike Schultz presented the request. The site received planned development approval in 2002 for four office buildings, but only three were constructed. The applicant proposed converting the entire two-story building into a childcare center licensed for 128–138 children, with 25–30 staff. Site improvements include a 6,500-square-foot playground on the vacant lot, a second-level toddler play deck, an expanded garbage enclosure, landscaping (including 12 trees), curb and gutter work, and retaining wall stabilization. No exterior changes are planned except new wall signage.

Staff provided an updated parking exhibit showing 138 parking stalls among the four properties (not 124 as originally listed). The two subject lots have 88 stalls, the western office lots have 50, and an additional 67 stalls are available on the adjacent Lifetime Fitness property, for a total of 205 stalls; after modifications, 201 stalls would remain. The childcare use would require only 36 parking stalls compared to 69 for office use.

The Advisory Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 24, 2025, and recommended approval. Applicant Peter Hilger (Rylar LLC) stated he had no objections to the resolution. Councilman Speed asked about drop-off and pickup procedures; the applicant said parents would park in the lower lot and accompany children inside, not a curbside drop-off.

Council members expressed satisfaction with the parking situation and support for reusing the property. One council member noted that the fence requested by the neighboring property owner could not be required because it would be on non-subject property.

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously approved the planned development amendment allowing a childcare facility on 0.78 acres at 1575 and 1580 Thomas Center Drive, legally described as Lots 3 and 4, Safari at Eagan Fourth Edition. The motion carried on a voice vote.
• The consent calendar, including all listed items, was approved unanimously.
• No other business was conducted. The meeting adjourned after the administrative agenda and council comments.