The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCity Council - 05/19/2026 - WorkshopEden Prairie City Council Approved Workshop Minutes 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2026 City Center Heritage Rooms, Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES City Council Members: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey City Staﬀ: City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Sara Potter WORKSHOP AGENDA Heritage Rooms 1. Development Update Klima explained she will give an overview of the 2050 comprehensive plan update, review upcoming and potential development sites, and discuss data center regulations. The City’s comprehensive plan is due to the Metropolitan Council by the end of 2028. The last comprehensive plan update was ten years ago and included a complete overhaul. This update will be more minor and focus on the changing oﬃce market and aﬀordable housing. The City received a grant from the Metropolitan Council to fund a housing study. Narayanan noted aﬀordable housing is a priority to many residents. The City should promote its eﬀorts. Klima explained Public Works is partnering with a consultant to review the transportation portion of the plan. Narayanan asked if the City can collaborate with Southwest Transit on the transportation plan. Klima conﬁrmed the City coordinates with several agencies including Southwest Transit, the Metropolitan Airport Council, and others. Klima overviewed the City’s communication for proposed development projects. A Proposed Development Project Site sign is installed on properties with a QR code linking to the City’s development project map. Residents can ﬁnd an overview of the project including staﬀ contacts, development contacts, and documents from the Planning Commission and City Council meetings. Klima next detailed pending development applications. There is a proposal to demolish the Eden Bluﬀ Corporate Center oﬃce building at 14800 Charlson Road to construct 170 townhome units and 15 single family homes. This project received unanimous approval from the Planning Commission and will come before the City Council shortly. There is another pending application at Leona Road and Flying Cloud Drive to construct a Shake Shack and a Valvoline. This proposal will likely come before the Planning Commission and City Council this summer. Another pending application for the Marshall Farms property is proposing 50 single family detached homes. 12 acres of slope and wetland will be preserved and deeded to the City. Klima next moved to emerging development sites, which do not have a pending application but one may be submitted in the future. There are four acres oﬀ Terry Pine Drive that could be divided into ﬁve or six smaller single family detached lots. The City would request a conservation easement for some property to the south bordering the lake. Case noted there may be important Native American archeology on the site. Klima detailed another emerging development site near the former American Family campus north of highway 62 bordering Minnetonka. The property is 3.5 acres and has never been developed. The proposal would include a ﬁve- or six-story building of approximately 200 multifamily units with underground/structured parking. Case asked if the City has a preference if Eden Prairie or Minnetonka provides sewer and water. Ellis conﬁrmed Eden Prairie would preferably provide sewer and water to collect associated fees including park dedication. Nelson asked if the building would have a play area away from the freeway. Klima noted there has been no formal application or plans submitted, but in similar buildings amenities such as play areas are built into the structure such as in the rooftop. Additionally, Minnetonka has a park planned for the area. Nelson asked if the property would fall in the Eden Prairie or Minnetonka school district. Klima conﬁrmed the property would be zoned for the Minnetonka school district. Narayanan asked if residents could walk to the light rail. Klima conﬁrmed there would be a pedestrian connection to the Opus station. Klima presented the next emerging development site, Prairie Community Church with 11 acres oﬀ Eden Prairie Road and Pioneer trail. The City has received inquiries to construct approximately 12 single family homes on the eastern portion of the parcel. Another emerging development site is the former Danfoss site oﬀ Mitchell Road and Technology Drive. The City has received inquiries about mixed use development including residential senior housing, town homes, and commercial. The is potential one or more existing buildings would be demolished due to obsolescence. Freiberg asked how old the buildings are. Klima conﬁrmed they were built in the early 1970s. Toomey asked if the City is still purchasing one of the Danfoss buildings for Public Works. Ellis conﬁrmed there is an accepted purchase agreement. The City is waiting on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to rule on some environmental issues before closing. Klima presented the next emerging development site, four vacant acres at Pioneer Trail and Hennepin Town Road. Inquiries have included auto oriented sales, drive through coﬀee, and other retail. Staﬀ is encouraging applicants to request no waivers due to the site’s uniqueness. The property is zoned neighborhood commercial, which allows residential uses if a Planned Unit Development (PUD) is requested. Nelson noted she liked the idea of townhomes so there isn’t a large increase in traﬃc accessing the site. Klima next moved to potential development sites. The Council recently approved a lot split at 11010 Prairie Lakes Drive that positions the site for redevelopment. Potential developers are inquiring about small lot single family homes or attached townhomes. Narayanan asked if anyone is proposing high density small homes for aﬀordability. Klima answered large homes on small lots are a trend. Klima moved to the next potential development site, the former Optum building at 12125 Technology Drive. This building is vacant and has a parking ramp. This site would be an opportunity for transit oriented development like apartments similar to Elevate. Staﬀ does not receive many inquiries on this property. Narayanan asked why. Case stated the owner has a multi-year lease and is getting paid by the lessee, there is no incentive to market the property. Klima presented a potential development site on Flying Cloud Drive and College View Drive, three parcels for a total of four acres. The east portion of the lot is not developable due to wetland. It is currently guided medium density residential. Case asked if the property could be used for commercial. Klima noted it could pending a reguiding and rezoning. There are commercial properties nearby. Inquiries have been for assisted living and townhomes. Klima next displayed the Marriott Residence Inn on Flying Cloud Drive. The owner will likely sell once the new Residence Inn on the former UNFI campus is ﬁnished. Preliminary discussions with the owners show potential for rebranding as a diﬀerent hotel or construction of multi- family residential. Case noted this location would make excellent aﬀordable housing as each unit has its own exterior entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and parking. It would need an investor. Klima noted per conversations with the owner there are several concerns including cost. Klima next displayed the Huber Funeral Home oﬀ Glory Lane. This property is guided for commercial. An inquiry has been received to repurpose the site for a daycare. Staﬀ intends to work with the next owner to secure more parking for Smith coﬀee. If no commercial development moves forward, staﬀ would likely reguide the property for medium density residential. Narayanan asked Klima to elaborate on parking. Klima explained staﬀ could coordinate options such as a shared parking agreement. Case suggested the City purchase the funeral home, carve out the necessary Smith Coﬀee parking, and sell the remainder of the property. Toomey suggested the City buy just the portion of the property needed for parking. Case stated the City could also possibly get parking dedicated for free. Nelson suggested it would be a good location for small start up businesses to collaborate. Klima presented the next potential development site, Eden Prairie Center. The legislature recently allowed the City to extend the mall’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district until December 2028. The owner is planning to redevelop the north end of the mall. Possible uses include residential, commercial, hotel, and/or oﬃce. No formal application has been submit as the project has been slow to gain traction. Case noted many investors are investing in data centers, leaving less investment dollars available for redevelopment projects. Case asked if a less robust plan would still require TIF. Klima answered it would depend. She’d expect the developer to request housing TIF for any multifamily housing, however the City received the special legislation extension for redevelopment TIF. Klima presented the next potential development site, the former Optum/ADC site oﬀ Technology Drive and Mitchell Road. This location is currently vacant. It is an opportunity site for transit oriented development or mixed use. Case noted the parcel includes wetland and asked how much is developable. Klima estimated two thirds based on a cursory review. Case asked if the owner is interested in marketing the property for sale. Klima said a meet and greet to discuss the property could be arranged. Klima discussed a few remaining potential development sites including the Ingram property, the Kline Property, and the Bunn property. Klima explained the Council recently expressed interest in amending City code to deﬁne and regulate data centers. The draft code amendment would deﬁne a data center as a standalone primary use of site. Data centers would be limited to the I-General zoning district. Staﬀ are currently researching required distances from residential areas. Most communities use a 500 foot buﬀer. Case added size restrictions might be a good idea, the City could then mandate water is recycled and solar electricity is used. Nelson noted she agrees with the idea. Data centers can ruin communities and decrease property values. The Council thanked Klima for her time and presentation. Council Chambers 2. Open Podium 3. Adjournment