The developers — Dustin Neids and his partner Matt Katzenmeyer — want to build 27 townhomes. They’re pitching them as single-level, low-maintenance homes for empty nesters who want to stay in Eagan but don’t need a big two-story house anymore.

The pushback is coming from local nearby Eagan residents with much debate and testimony.

Traffic and safety topped the list. Lone Oak Road already carries about 7,000 cars a day. Neighbors talked about a blind hill, the setting sun in drivers’ eyes, and no turn lane. School buses won’t even stop on the county road, so where do kids walk?

Then there’s the lake:

LeMay Lake is small, and folks worry about runoff, pollution, and losing wildlife. One neighbor brought a book of animals she’s spotted — turkeys, eagles, swans, a blue heron. Another pointed out the lake already had a mercury warning for fish.

Despite all the turmoil, the planning commissioners passed the developer’s proposal 6-0. According to the story: A few commissioners made the same point: something is going to get built on this land eventually. And a bunch of single-family homes might actually clear more trees and move more dirt than clustered townhomes would.

And what’s next?

This is step one of a long road. The land use change goes to the Eagan City Council on Monday, August 3. If the council agrees, it goes to the Met Council. Only after that would the developer come back with real building plans — and that triggers another public hearing. The wetland line, bluff check, tree survey, and traffic study all come later. If you want to weigh in, the August 3 council meeting is your next shot.

Read the South Metro Scoop article HERE.