Even More Retail Space Coming to Lockheed Martin Site?

CSM Equities LLC, owner of the Lockheed Martin site in downtown Eagan, has scrapped its plans to develop a multi-story office space on the 47-acre property, deciding instead to pursue additional retail development at the site.

Last year, the developer asked the Eagan City Council to rezone 41.2 acres of the site from major office to retail commercial, a move that would pave the way for a planned retail shopping center to be developed on the site. The property, currently home to Lockheed Martin, will

Originally, CSM planned to build 480,000 square feet of retail space on the 41.2 acres, reserving the remaining six acres of the site for the office complex. But the developer changed its plans following the recent completion of a , according to information provided by Eagan city officials.

Now, CSM is considering 520,000 square feet of retail space covering all 47.4 acres of the site, city officials noted in a memo to the council.

On Wednesday, CSM came back to the Eagan City Council with a rezoning request reflecting the changes to their development proposal.

The rezoning CSM is seeking will require an amendment to the city's Comprehensive Guide Plan—a document that sets forth guidelines for development in the community. By state law, however, the council is required to submit any proposed changes in its guide plan to the Metropolitan Council for review.

The council did just that during its regular meeting on Wednesday, unanimously directing city staff to send the amendment request to the Metropolitan Council for evaluation. If the Met Council gives the green light to the amendment, the council may vote to approve the rezoning later this spring, according to Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein.

CSM's plan divided Eagan's Advisory Planning Commission, which recommended denial of the company's latest rezoning request on Jan. 24 on a 3-3 vote. Some Planning Commission members felt the plans for expanded retail deviated too far from the goals of Eagan's Central Commons area.

“I’m concerned that there is a little bit of piecemeal planning happening here, rather than looking at this as an overall piece of the Central Commons Special Area," commission member Mike Supina said during the Jan. 24 meeting. "Are we drifting further from the goals of the special commons area?"

But Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire said the Planning Commission was only reviewing preliminary information, and will get another crack at the whole project once the developer submits its complete plans for the site.

Hohenstein emphasized that the council has not yet given final approval to any development plans for the site. The council's decision, which may come later this year, would be based on whether CSM's plans call for quality development with unique uses that aren't already present in the community.