I’m very disappointed in our elected officials and the city council process.
I thought we were following a fair process where 3200 petition signatures had a voice. Instead, the Mayor allowed Pulte 40 minutes to present their information. The concerned residents were only given 2 minutes to speak and present their support for an EAW.
I thought our EAW would go to a neutral third party. A third party that would fairly evaluate the information presented by both parties in an unbiased way. There was no consideration given to the information that was provided by Professor Alexander from the University of Minnesota. No consideration given to the multiple alternatives presented to acquire the land. For example a legacy fund bill.
Now we have an empty nester community that will serve around 100 people and no study to analyzes the effects on this important area of Eden Prairie. Unfortunately the Mayor and council completely missed the point of the petition for a study. They think the petition is about the quality of the water coming from the spring only. People love this unique area surrounding the spring. The environmental review is about the biodiversity and understanding the long-term cumulative effects.
Given all the concerns from the community why wouldn’t the City, at the very least do the environmental study to stop all the controversy?
Sue Bennett
Eden Prairie Resident
Irritated EP resident • May 10, 2021 at 3:36 pm
This is inaccurate. (Like most of the info being spewed about this whole situation) Yes, Pulte was given 40 minutes to present to the council as they are a party involved in this transaction and had many questions to answer bc of all of their due diligence on the project and it’s affect on the surrounding areas. They had info from biologists, ecologists and land planning areas of their company. The 4 hours after that were given to the people opposing the development, two minutes EACH, not two minutes total. 😉 Had this group been organized and had one person prepared to speak and present their information, they would have given a longer amount of time, I’m sure.
It seems you are okay with living in the area as I know you are a Hennepin Village resident. So THAT development (the largest in Eden Prairie and adjacent to this land), is okay and has no impact, but this small, low
Impervious surfaces one is not. Hmmm. An interesting perspective.
There are legalities behind developments like this. Do you know that EAWs are only required for developments of 500+ homes? This development will have only 50, with 30% of the land going back to the city for a park and to be protected. A petition of 3000 signatures of mostly people from outside the city of 65,000 residents cannot dictate requiring something that by law is not a requirement.