Neighborhood concerns: City Council urged to vote ‘no’ to Hennepin Town Road and Pioneer Trail project

The Eden Prairie City Council will vote on a mega gas station project this Tuesday, August 17.

The project is planned for the corner of Hennepin Town Road and Pioneer Trail, surrounded by neighborhood homes to the north, south and west.

The Planning Commission already rejected the project in a stunning  8-0 vote. Typically a developer would reassess the project after such a vote. They would understand the concerns of the community and the planning commission.  

Here’s what the Developer failed to recognize, and what we urge Council members to consider:

Super-Size

What a whopper of a project!   5,200 square feet of a gas station, 16 pumps, a convenience store, 11, 280 sq ft, 10 Bay car repair business, parking lots, 24 hour car wash. Lights, signs, noise.  It’s too intense and huge for this spot, obvious by the number of waivers and concessions needed. (8!) That’s a key reason why the Commission rejected this project and so should the Council.

Zoom-Zoom

This project increases traffic in and around the neighborhoods at Hennepin Town Road and Pioneer Trail. This area is  rated “F” in traffic studies. (disclosed at the June Planning Commission meeting). Adding a gas station in this spot means fuel tankers, auto part trucks, delivery vans, and lots of cars going in-and-out of our neighborhoods.

More traffic means less walkability:  For me, and other residents who enjoy walking, biking, and even winter snowshoeing to the businesses along Hennepin Town road, this becomes a hazard. The Prairie Bluffs Senior building (across the street from the proposed site) was approved by the City Council. One of the merits was walkability for health, and to businesses, for Seniors.  

Back to the Future

Don’t throw us back into the 50’s by building a Gas station project. This Summer, City of EP Police added an EV Tesla to their fleet.  In March 2020 the council  adopted a Climate Action Plan with the goal of achieving community wide carbon neutrality by 2050. This project neither supports the plan, the future needs of consumers, or city fleet updates.

Pit Stop

Our neighborhood will be transformed into a Pit Stop for nonresidents pulling off of HWY 169 to fuel up and leave. (IF they missed the Super America station just one exit north).  A 24 hour gas station serves nonresidents.  We don’t buy gas and get our car washed in the middle of the night.

Vote No Thanks

We urge the City Council to vote NO on the Gas station, car repair, car wash project.  We look forward to welcoming a different business development that supports our neighborhoods and future residents.

Beth Beutell