Eagan council directs staff to ask Met Council to reguide 4290 Blackhawk Road from high to medium density

The Eagan City Council on Dec. 16 directed staff to submit a comprehensive guide plan amendment to the Metropolitan Council that would change the land‑use designation for 0.82 acres at 4290 Blackhawk Road from High Density to Medium Density.

City Planner Schultz summarized the proposal and said the site is constrained (0.82 acres, 5–10 foot grade changes) and surrounded by a mix of apartments, duplexes and single‑family homes. The applicant’s concept shows seven detached single‑family lots (approx. 36 feet wide, 4,700–6,000 sq. ft.) accessed by a shared driveway; the applicant proposed building in two phases and retaining the existing house during the first phase. Planning Commission held a public hearing on Nov. 25 and recommended approval.

Planner Schultz and other staff said that although the site was guided as high density in a prior comprehensive plan update, field conditions and parcel size make a small apartment building unlikely; medium density guidance is more compatible with surrounding uses and can permit modest infill that fits the neighborhood context. Council members noted the Met Council’s regional encouragement of higher density but concluded that the small, irregular parcel is more practically developed at medium density.

The applicant’s representative, Mark Anderson, said the owner prefers a phased approach and that the scheme was designed to respond to the site’s constraints. Nearby resident Bob Richardson spoke in favor of the plan and argued the parcel was unlikely to attract larger apartment development.

On a motion from the council floor, the council directed staff to submit the proposed comp‑plan amendment for 4290 Blackhawk Road to the Metropolitan Council; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

If the Metropolitan Council approves the amendment, the item will return to city staff for zoning and plat review and any necessary deviations from lot‑size standards.