CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Chanhassen’s City Council expects to vote next Monday on a plan to develop about 180 acres of Prince’s land, which is in the process of being sold. Prince’s Property, along Galpin Boulevard in Chanhassen, is well known.
Developer, Lennar, proposes putting 181-homes onto his property. A neighbor worries more homes would hurt his property’s value.
“Correct, and then more traffic of course,” said Larry Stueve, who lives across the street from the proposed development.
Another neighbor echoed Stueve’s concerns about traffic.
“Absolutely,” said James Gordon, who also lives in the neighborhood across from Prince’s property.
The proposals contains more homes per acre than the city’s zoning ordinance allows. So, Lennar needs permission from the city to carry out its plan.
‘What I want to point out here is compatibility with the existing neighborhoods,” said a Lennar representative at the city’s Planning meeting Tuesday night.
In exchange for permission to build a denser neighborhood, the developer would give about 50-acres back to the city, for a park. The city calls it a density transfer. These negotiations might be typical in development, but what’s not typical is who owned the property.
“Prince,” explained Stueve, “He owned all that land.”
The county assesses the main 150 acre parcel at $17 million. The city’s Development Director says Lennar is currently under contract to buy the land from Prince’s Trust. Gordon says the City Council should factor in the land’s history.
“It absolutely matters that the property was his, because we felt a personal connection. It feels like people are greedy to not leave a legacy to this very important person that put Chanhassen on the map,” said Gordon.
The development plan calls for leaving a gate house and fence as a reminder of Prince. Stueve worries about what else will go on the property.
“We are not against the development, because the development is going to take place, right? I believe that most of the community here is. It’s just that, it’s the density,” he said.
The council’s vote Monday night is to approve, or deny the density transfer. If it’s rejected, the developer could still choose to build, but it would have to be within the city’s zoning ordinance, meaning less homes per acre.