by Erin Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers

"This is probably one of the most painful decisions I've had to make in the year and a half I've been mayor,î Pat Geagan told the crowd gathered at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "But I do believe the city's strength lies in its plan.î

The Eagan City Council voted unanimously Monday to deny changing the city's comprehensive guide plan to make way for housing on Carriage Hills Golf Course.

Wensmann Homes was seeking an amendment to the city's guide plan to build 480 units of housing on the 120-acre golf course.

The golf course, located at 3535 Wescott Woodlands, is currently guided for public and quasi-public facilities. Wensmann's plans for the site included mixed-use housing such as single family homes, townhomes, condominiums and senior condominiums.

The purchase agreement that Wensmann signed with current owner Ray Rahn was dependent upon the city's approval of the change.

The project has been controversial from the start, just as a similar housing proposal for the site caused a stir in 1996. That proposal was also defeated.

The Carriage Hills Coalition, a highly-organized opposition group, sent hundreds of letters and e-mails, as well as a petition, to the city opposing the project.

Members argued that the city shouldn't change its guide plan to put housing on open space, citing traffic and safety issues as well as additional cost burdens. They also said the development would place a burden on School District 196, which is already filled beyond capacity. The District, however, said it could accommodate the additional students.

But Rahn family representative Peter Beck said the golf course has been failing for years, and the owners have been pouring in money from their personal savings to keep it afloat. They have also used profits from their other course, Rich Valley in Rosemount, to feed Carriage Hills.

Since taking ownership, the Rahns have installed a $100,000 irrigation system, remodeled the clubhouse and put in a driving range. The driving range was eventually closed due to excessive losses.

"They can no longer afford it,î he said.

Beck added that the course is currently $3 million in debt, less than the value of the property. He also cited studies that show "no amount of investment on this land will create a golf course that can compete.î

The Rahns have lost $775,000 on the course in the past five years, said Terry Wensmann of Wensmann Homes. The course is too short, its topography is too steep, he said.

In addition, the community does not seem interested in the course.

Of the 679 people living within a 600-ft. radius of Carriage Hills, only one is a member, he said. Only 18 people in all of Eagan are members of the golf course.

"That's sad. They just don't support it,î he said. "They are simply going elsewhere.î

Geagan said that he has known the Rahns for years, and Wensmann built his first home.

But "the history of the council has been to change (the guide plan) very cautiously,î he said.

The council agreed that Wensmann's plan was very good, but none were convinced it warranted a change in the city's guide plan.

"I can't see the land use change. I can't see it at this time or at any time,î said Council Member Peggy Carlson.

Council Member Mike Maguire said the guide plan should only be changed under two circumstances: If the current plan is proven to be not viable, and during the city's update of the plan every 10 years.

"The burden of proof on viability is not, for me, met,î he said.

However, he put the neighborhood on notice that the viability measure was "just shortî of being met in his mind, and it likely will be met in the future.

"I don't think that test of viability is too far away,î he said. "I would encourage everybody involved to have a more productive dialogue about what will happen with that land.î

Carlson also had a message to the community.

"If we want to keep an amenity in our city, we should support it,î she said.

Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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