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Council approves first reading to allow limited office, medical uses in public zoning for Valley View Unified Campus
Summary
On a unanimous vote the Eden Prairie City Council approved first reading of a chapter 11 zoning amendment to allow accessory office and medical-office uses in a public zoning district when the primary use is a school, responding to anticipated leasable space at the Unified Campus on Valley View Road.
The Eden Prairie City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 4 to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 11 of the zoning code to allow office and medical-office uses in a public zoning district when the primary use of the building is a school.
Council members said the change responds to the recent purchase of the Unified Campus on Valley View Road by the school district and the district’s interest in leasing portions of the building that are not used for school functions. The ordinance as drafted requires private office or medical use to be accessory to the school use; it does not specify a numerical limit or percentage of leasable area.
Rick Getchell, city staff, explained the amendment targets the specific circumstance at Valley View and is not intended to open all publicly zoned parcels to commercial office use. Julie (last name not specified in the transcript), a planning staff member, explained that the parcel in question had previously been zoned I-2 (industrial) and that the city’s earlier leasing of portions of buildings is a different zoning circumstance.
Council members asked about safeguards if a private use grew to occupy a large percentage of the building. Julie said the code amendment makes private office use accessory to the school; she said a future proposal that staff felt did not meet the amendment’s intent could trigger additional processes, such as a PUD waiver or a code amendment, and would require further council review. “If this ever came up,” the city attorney Maggie told the council, “this would be evidence of the council’s intent” because meeting minutes and the ordinance would show the council’s understanding.
Council members emphasized the desire to retain oversight should the school or building use change over time. The council closed the public hearing and approved the first reading by unanimous voice vote; no members of the public spoke at the hearing.
The ordinance now proceeds to additional readings as required by city code for final adoption.
