Eagan approves 5-year interim use permit for River Valley Church at Blue Junction Road
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Summary
The council granted a five-year interim use permit allowing River Valley Church to continue operating at 875 Blue Junction Road in a business-park zoning district; the church has occupied the site under prior IUPs since 2011.
The Eagan City Council on Sept. 2 approved a five-year interim use permit (IUP) allowing River Valley Church to continue operating at 875 Blue Junction Road in a business-park (BP) zoning district.
City staff said the church’s most recent IUP had expired July 2, 2024, and noted River Valley Church has operated at the Blue Junction address since 2011 under IUPs granted in 2011 and 2019. "The applicant is proposing another 5 year term for this IUP," Miss Miller said. The planning commission held a public hearing Aug. 26 and recommended approval.
City Planner Schultz told the council the church occupies roughly 16,000 square feet of a 59,000-square-foot building, has about 400 seats plus a youth auditorium of about 100 seats, and primarily uses the site Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Staff reported no known parking or operational conflicts with other tenants at the site.
Councilor Baca moved to approve the interim use permit for the property "subject to the conditions listed in the advisory planning commission." The motion was seconded, carried on voice vote, and the council approved the five-year IUP.
The council’s action extends the church’s authorization to remain at the Blue Junction location; it did not change the underlying zoning code that does not allow churches as a permitted use in BP. The record shows the church previously sought relocation to a former Kowalski site on Diffley Road; that relocation had been approved by council in an earlier proceeding but did not occur.
