Council approves first-reading land‑use package for Valley View hotel and parks acquisition

The Eden Prairie City Council on Oct. 21 approved, on first reading and by resolution, a package of land‑use actions to allow CSM Development to build a 157‑room hotel and an approximately 8,600‑square‑foot restaurant at the northeast corner of Valley View Road and Highway 494, and for the city to acquire the northerly 53.01 acres of the nearly 59.6‑acre site as parks and open space.

The action combines a comprehensive plan amendment, zoning changes, a planned unit development (PUD) concept review, site plan and preliminary plat approvals, and direction to prepare a development agreement incorporating staff and Planning Commission recommendations. The Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval at its Sept. 22 meeting.

John Ferrier, vice president of architecture and development for CSM Corporation, told the council the project responds to changes in the hotel brand’s prototype and operational model. "Marriott in recent years has indicated that this residence inn concept is obsolete and needs to be replaced with a new prototype," Ferrier said. He described the proposed Residence Inn as a single, integrated five‑story building with studio, one‑bedroom and two‑bedroom suites, a small meeting space and a full‑service restaurant pad intended to serve both hotel guests and area employers.

The developer requested three waivers: raising the building height from the zoning limit of 40 feet to about 52 feet, reducing a shoreland setback from 200 feet to 100 feet measured from an on‑site pond, and temporary removal of vegetation in the shore impact zone followed by revegetation with native plantings. Ferrier said the additional height enables a more compact footprint to avoid slopes and bluffs and to limit tree removals; he also said the project team plans to pursue LEED Silver certification and follow the city’s sustainable building standard.

Residents who spoke during the hearing raised visual‑impact and natural‑resource questions. Bart Knutson, a nearby resident, asked for elevation drawings and said his "biggest concern" was the 52‑foot height and how the building would sit in the hills. Ferrier and staff said the packet includes perspective drawings and that the building is sited to avoid heritage trees and steep slopes; staff also agreed to provide additional viewpoints for residents before second reading. Another resident asked whether the undeveloped northern portion would be used for park access to Bridal Lake; staff said the city intends to acquire the parcel as park and open space and maintain it in its natural condition with no planned improvements or lake access.

Council members asked about wildlife protections after a commenter reported a possible bald eagle nest. Ferrier said three groups searched the area and could not confirm an active nest; the location described by the commenter, he said, is about 1,120 feet from the proposed buildings and outside the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources / U.S. Fish and Wildlife advisory radius of concern of 660 feet.

The motion the council adopted bundled the guide plan change (converting most of the site to parks/open space and the front 6.59 acres to regional commercial), PUD concept approval, first reading of the PUD ordinance with waivers, rezoning, preliminary plat approval, park‑dedication fee support, and direction for a development agreement. The council voted "Aye" on the motion and the packeted resolutions passed 5‑0.

The developer said most of the site will remain undeveloped and will be dedicated to the city as parks and open space; UNFI/ SuperValu representatives explained they had marketed the land for years and that sale terms will be disclosed in the normal course. Staff noted the project has precedent for reduced shoreland setbacks on the nearby water body and emphasized that removed shoreline vegetation will be replaced with native plantings.

If the council proceeds to second reading and final ordinance adoption, staff and the developer will return with the development agreement, elevation studies requested by residents and any additional conditions negotiated by council. The project record includes Planning Commission materials and the developer’s site and visual studies.

The council’s action tonight advances the project through land‑use approvals but does not authorize building permits; subsequent steps will include final PUD documents, a development agreement and, if approved, construction permitting.