Planning Commission Deals Blow to Parkview Golf Course Redevelopment Plans

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In the end, the debate over the proposed redevelopment of came down to senior housing.

On Tuesday, the Eagan Advisory Planning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend denial of a Comprehensive Guide Plan amendment that would allow developer Hunter Emerson to convert the 18-hole golf course into a 175-unit residential development.

The denial is a blow to the , but not a complete reversal; the Eagan City Council is expected to consider the request on June 19. If the council chooses to move forward, the request would go to the Metropolitan Council before returning to the Eagan council for final approval.

Of the six commission members present at the lengthy meeting, three cast their votes in opposition to the proposal because they felt adding low-density, single-family housing didn’t fit the city’s current housing goals. Those goals include preparing for the city’s rapidly aging demographics by making more senior housing available.

One opposed the development because of its proximity to significant parkland, while another—Commissioner Dan Piper—voiced concerns about the reduction in recreational space in Eagan. Only one member, Tom Heaney, voted to recommend approval of the amendment change. Commissioner Peter Dugan was absent.

The vote followed nearly two hours of charged testimony from neighbors and community members, who complained about the increased traffic the new housing development would bring, the projected drop in nearby home values and the loss of a recreational asset like the golf course. One resident encouraged the city to use eminent domain to purchase and preserve the land, while another claimed the course was home to at least two endangered species and shouldn’t be developed.

Many others cited their emotional or personal connection to the golf course.

“With the closing of Carriage Hills and now potentially Parkview, where are these golfers going to go to learn the important skills and etiquette?” Eastview High School Golf Coach Mark Wanous asked. “It just really concerns me as a golf professional in the business.”

“The golf course is a social gathering place where older folks mentor younger folks,” Eagan resident Bill Cutter added. “It’s a place where young kids learn responsibility.”

The support demonstrated at the meeting was heartening for Parkview Golf Course co-owner Robert Zakheim. But he said it probably won’t be enough to change the fate of the club, which may close regardless of whether the city approves a housing development on the site.

Long-term trends in the golf industry, including over-saturation of the market, rising costs and declining golf participation numbers, have put the course in a difficult financial position, Zakheim said during the meeting.

Although investors sunk more than $1 million into improving the course since 2001, Parkview has been bleeding money for a number of years, Zakheim said.

“We’ve been unable to have the course achieve any of our financial goals,” Zackheim said. “As much as we would like to make it work, continuing to run our golf course operation is not viable.”

Despite the commission’s recommendation to deny a guide plan amendment for the housing project, Hunter Emerson Director of Development Kurt Manley wasn’t ready to throw in the towel.

To address some of the commissioners’ concerns, Manley said they may tweak the development plans to include senior housing units before the June 19 council meeting.

“Of course we’re disappointed, but we’re planning on moving forward to the council,” Manley said.