This week’s City Council meeting brought dozens of citizens to our Council chambers, from throughout Minnesota, to take part in a public hearing about a proposed housing development called Noble Hill on private land near the northern border of the Fredrick-Miller Spring (9995 Spring Road). The Council voted unanimously to deny a petition to conduct additional environmental review and approve a zoning change that will allow this development to move forward. I want to clear up any misunderstandings as to why, so that you — the residents of Eden Prairie — can feel confident about this decision.

Role of Government
Municipal governments play an important role in the growth of cities by guiding and zoning the types of development within specific areas, ensuring residential proximity to business, recreational, and religious amenities, and building the infrastructure to support present and future growth. But in reality, cities usually find themselves in the position of simply managing the growth and development of private properties within Federal, State, County and Watershed rules and regulations.

Private landowners have constitutional guarantees to fully maximize the potential development of their properties. Nonetheless, there are constraints and conditions that govern what landowners can or cannot do with their properties. If municipal government wishes to totally control the development and/or keep the land open space, it must purchase the land at market rate.

Environmental Stewardship
In Eden Prairie we are stewards of more than 4,500 acres of open space wetlands, 17 lakes, 37 parks, 15 conservation areas and about 250 miles of paved and unpaved trails. These assets are highly valued by our residents and Eden Prairie’s natural environment consistently ranks higher than benchmark communities in biennial Quality of Life Surveys. Town Boards and Councils representing Eden Prairie residents since the early 1900s viewed our environmental attributes as resources to be protected, valued and preserved for future generations.

The Fredrick-Miller Spring in southern Eden Prairie is just one example of a unique and treasured resource which is valued and loved by local and regional enthusiasts. Known for its healing powers to indigenous people, capped by early settlers in the 1870s, and populated today with lines of cars waiting to fill 10-gallon containers, the spring for many people is their singular entry point experience to our town. The spring is also a local Heritage Preservation Site which is owned by the City and includes protections written in City Code. The spring water will be safe and available for many future generations to enjoy.

Proposed Project
The Noble Hill development project proposal includes deeding 8 acres of wooded land to the City abutting the property that includes the spring and a section of Riley Creek. Those 8 acres will create a stronger buffer between what had been crop-farmland up through the 1970s and supported a Christmas tree enterprise over the last few decades. Additionally, the developed property will eliminate an existing septic system and is designed to capture its stormwater runoff, ending the flow of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers into Riley Creek that occurred over several decades. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) petitioners requested is redundant and would unnecessarily delay this project, as every aspect of an EAW has already been completed. That information was presented and explained in detail at Tuesday’s Council meeting and gives us confidence to move forward with this project. Without a doubt, this new low-density development of 50 homes will enhance the protection of the creek, spring and surrounding natural areas and habitat.

Proponents and opponents of land development often assume city governments have greater powers to affect development than are legal or advisable. The Eden Prairie City Council neither works to promote specific projects nor works against them. We oversee a process that ensures our decisions result in the best possible outcomes that benefit the greater good for the people we represent. After years of individual work on City Commissions and as Council Members, Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, Kathy Nelson and Lisa Toomey are well qualified to represent the people of Eden Prairie now and as we grow into the future.

Thank you for what each of you, our residents, do day in and day out to make our community a friendly, resourceful and compassionate place to live, work and dream. Coming out of a historical year of stress and isolation, I am so optimistic for this summer to once again be able to gather and share our life’s journeys with family and friends. I wish each of you a safe and happy rest of the year!

Take care,

Mayor Ron Case