Golf course development
By Star Tribune
Published May 11, 2005
Eagan city leaders said they want to explore their options before responding to a judge's determination that the city must rezone the Carriage Hills Golf Course to allow for housing development or begin proceedings to take the course through eminent domain, in which the property would be condemned for public use and the owner would be compensated. Dakota County District Judge Patrice Sutherland's April 28 ruling was a surprise to the city, said John Baker, the attorney representing Eagan. The city has 30 days to comply, though the ruling only takes effect if the owner and developer resubmit development plans to the city. Baker said the city plans on meeting with golf course owner Ray Rahn and developer Wensmann Realty before deciding on a course of action. One option, Baker said, is appealing to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Wensmann previously had proposed building 480 housing units, including single-family homes and townhouses, on the 120-acre site south of Yankee Doodle Road and east of Lexington Avenue. Rahn has said the golf course loses money.
