New project for a much-eyed property

An Eden Prairie property that has been the subject of several development proposals had a new plan approved for it Tuesday, May 17, by the Eden Prairie City Council.

Given preliminary approval for a parcel at 9360 Hennepin Town Road in southeastern Eden Prairie was a Hampton Companies plan to build a 32-unit facility that would provide assisted living and memory care to ailing older adults.

Last year, the city approved a project at this location called Morimoto City Homes, which was 16 owner-occupied townhomes. Before that, a plan for a three-story, 52-unit apartment building called The Lofts at Anderson Reserve was considered. Neither project was built.

The Hampton Companies project called Suite Living of Eden Prairie had more favor with the council and neighbors.

“This is the best fit we’ve seen for this property,” said Council Member Mark Freiberg. “We’ve seen a lot of them.”

Hampton Companies currently has seven senior communities operating across the Twin Cities and six others under construction, said Executive Vice President Jeremy Larson. The company builds, operates, and owns the facilities. Residents typically live in the facility 2-4 years, Larson added.

The Eden Prairie care facility would be a 21,000-square-foot, one-story, rectangular building with dormers and other features to make it look residential.

Responding to concerns of a neighbor on nearby Garrison Way, the council asked for additional landscaping on the building’s south side to more adequately screen it from the neighborhood’s view.

Mark Weber is executive director of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation.