After hearing from a developer and a geologist.
After testimony from a bee expert, a poet, a farmer, a precocious child, a pastor, a therapist, an attorney, and more.
After listening to folks from not only Eden Prairie but also Belle Plaine, Blaine, Burnsville, “Dakota Territory,” Excelsior, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Jordan, Marine on St. Croix, Minneapolis, New Brighton. Rogers, Savage, Shakopee, Shorewood, Victoria, Wayzata, and other cities.
After hearing from more than 60 speakers and absorbing more than 1,600 pages of data and reports.
And, as the clock was striking midnight Tuesday after nearly five hours of testimony and deliberation – and despite objections from most of the people heard – the Eden Prairie City Council voted 5-0 to give preliminary approval to the 50-house, Pulte Homes plan to develop near Fredrick-Miller Spring.
In doing so, the council said it had enough expert data in hand and full confidence that the popular spring and nearby Riley Creek would not be degraded by the development, which, pending final council approval, could begin later this year.
“This water will be pure and protected for decades and decades to come,” said Mayor Ron Case. “This project leaves the spring and creek better.”
Pulte Homes plans to build houses on steep land that’s been known as the Riley Creek Tree Farm along the east side of Spring Road between Lions Tap restaurant and the Hennepin Village neighborhood. But many opponents believe the nearby natural spring will suffer as a result.
The project called Noble Hill is on 28 acres that is challenging to develop. It is steep, with an elevation drop of 150 feet from top to bottom, and it touches Riley Creek and scenic land owned by the City of Eden Prairie, including the piece containing Fredrick-Miller Spring.
Last year, Gonyea Homes proposed to build 59 homes on the property, but the project was dropped before reaching the city council. Pulte Homes’ plan calls for 50 homes – two-story in size and roughly priced from more than $600,000 to about $800,000 – but with significant retaining walls and tree loss.
The developer said more than 30 percent of the site will be preserved as open space, including about eight acres near the creek and spring.
But opponents, including residents of the nearby Hennepin Village neighborhood, say the undeveloped site should be protected – and perhaps even purchased and preserved for public use – for additional reasons, including its biodiversity, proximity to Riley Creek and the nearby Minnesota River area, bird habitat, trees that would be lost to development, and steep slopes that invite erosion.
Eden Prairie’s Sue Bennett said Tuesday that neighbors had collected more than 3,200 signatures of people opposed to the development. They had also petitioned the state Environmental Quality Board to perform an additional study, called an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), to provide more data about the effects of the development.
But, because the development isn’t large enough to trigger a mandatory EAW, the city is authorized to decide whether or not to proceed, and Tuesday night it voted to deny that request.
The council, in approving the project, cited the recent work of Summit Envirosolutions, a firm hired by Pulte Homes to do additional study. Principal John Dustman said his analysis confirmed that, while piping has moved the spring’s outlet to the east side of Spring Road, on city land downhill from the development site, the spring’s water source or “recharge area” actually lies on the west side of Spring Road. That would mean, he added, that groundwater from the new homes would need to cross Spring Road and move uphill 50 feet to reach the spring’s source and have any effect on water quality.
An expert representing neighbors, E. Calvin Anderson, professor emeritus in the Earth Sciences Department at the University of Minnesota, noted in written testimony that additional study should be done to identify risks posed to the spring and Riley Creek.
Many of the opponents testifying at Tuesday’s hearing made emotional appeals to the council. “The energy here is strong,” said Emmett Dysart. “You know the right thing to do.”
Others simply asked the council to take more time to either collect data or determine if the land might be purchased and preserved for public use. “I don’t know what the rush is,” said Theresa Shipp. “Why do we have to decide so quickly?”
(Mark Weber is executive director of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. Two of the Foundation’s board members are on the city council.)
9 Comments
Disappointed and disgusted in the EP City Council and their decision. They used an environmental by the builder rather than an independent firm. Money always wins.
To say I am disappointed in this decision is an understatement. After fighting against 2 developments that simultaneously went thru near/on Duck Lake Trail a few years ago, with many promises from the developers and the city, that were not kept, I have zero faith and zero trust in either of them. We were told the houses that were built were going to be similar in value to the properties near the development. Not only are they not similar, they are 3 to 4 times the value of the properties surrounding it. The developer tried to sell us on a walking trail was suppose to go down the hill and around a pond. When the path never appeared, I inquired about the path a year or so after the development was completed, and after being passed around the city, I was told that the developers sold that part of the parcel back to the city so evidently, they weren’t going to create a path and the city wasn’t going to either. Even though I was told they wanted to make an access to the preserve from all directions, including the south, which hasn’t been completed. Not to mention, they DIDN’T mention, the build up of fill to raise the houses so high up that it took away any view we might have had in exchange for seeing the basement levels of the million dollar homes that were build on what used to be King of Glory Church. I could go on…Just keeping the council members in mind next time voting comes up.
I was shocked and disappointed at how little consideration there was after so many people spoke up. There was hardly a hesitation or a thought about anything said, it was like the minds were already set. Cut everyones time to 2 minutes. Think about that, if people have important things to say and youre confining them to 2 minutes is that enough for anyone to get their point across? The mayor gets as long as he wants to talk, but the people he is supposed to work for get 2 minutes each? Who’s working for who here? They were quick to dismiss most of the great points that were made, simply said “we do a great job”, we are so great, then voted strongly against everyone who showed up. Small suggestion, maybe, hey we will do another study to be sure to appease our constituents because its obvious so many of them are concerned? Naw screw them. Thats quite appauling for a democracy. Remember their names and vote these people out, its time for change people. I guess its not just the whitehouse thats having trouble with terrible leadership. Im generally not one to pay attention, but this was an eye opener forsure
I wonder why the city council is ignoring constituents’ calls to preserve this beloved natural area and water buffer?
Public ownership and preservation seems like a wise investment in long term health and well being for all.
Always under the table dealings because $$ talks. Leaders do not care about future generations. So disgusting that the mayor’s mind was already made up and he treated everyone so disrespectfully. What an absolute disappointment! We refuse to ever spend our money in that city again.
It was shocking to learn that Eden Prairie City Council does not hear from its Human Rights and Diversity Commission regarding rezoning decisions that affect access to clean water nor with regard to Native Land Acknowledgement. There is an opportunity to heal the hoop here – minds and hearts can open – decisions can be changed – how can council and all people involved be brought into the healing? Please also note, this land is sanctuary for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee and is a vital part of contiguous habitat that supports the viability of life in this region. Wiser investments and more complete understanding are needed.
Please stay connected with us to learn more about activity around the Friends of the Fredrick-Miller Spring:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/frederickmillerspringfriends
So disappointed to hear this project is still going to happen. I am also disappointed in the City Council members and Mayor for not voting to keep this area natural. So very little of natural Eden Prairie being preserved. It has always been part of our Eden Prairie homeland. It should stay that way to honor the historical and environmental aspects. Will remember when voting next time. So much for listening.
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