Eagan, Minn. — The Eagan City Council on May 6 voted to direct staff to submit a comprehensive plan amendment to the Metropolitan Council proposing to re-designate 1581 Century Point from quasi-public to retail commercial to accommodate a proposed 16-unit residential program facility, Eden Hope and Wellness.

The change would allow the property, about 0.6 acres just north of Yankee Doodle and west of Coachmen, to move from its current quasi-public guidance back toward a commercial designation. City staff said the proposed residential program would be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and that the applicant must later seek rezoning and a conditional-use permit if the plan amendment is approved by the Metropolitan Council.

The matter reached the council after the Advisory Planning Commission held a public hearing April 22 and recommended approval. City Planner Schultz told the council the site is currently vacant, that public utilities exist on the block, and that the concept plan shows a two-story building with shared kitchens, multipurpose rooms, therapy rooms and laundry space. Ms. Miller (city staff) noted trunk water-main, sanitary-sewer and park-and-trail dedication fees will be due at development.

Dan O’Meara, the applicant’s representative, attended the meeting but did not add substantive new remarks during the council discussion. Councilor Baca moved to direct staff to forward the proposed amendment to the Metropolitan Council; the motion carried on a voice vote. The mayor emphasized that the council’s action only sends the proposed amendment to the Met Council for review and that a later public hearing and separate city approvals would be required for any final development.

Discussion: Council members asked staff to confirm the site’s prior guidance and the sequence of required approvals. Staff confirmed the property was guided for retail commercial before a prior 2006 amendment and that, if Met Council approves the plan amendment, the applicant must return to the city for rezoning and a conditional‑use permit before development.

Next steps: The city will submit the proposed comprehensive plan amendment to the Metropolitan Council for review; if the Met Council approves it, the applicant will file a rezoning application and conditional-use permit for public hearings in Eagan.

Ending note: No members of the public spoke on the request during the meeting. The council’s vote was to forward the proposal; no development permits were granted or issued at this meeting.