Local real estate developer Ryan Cos. is one step closer to a comprehensive guide plan amendment that would change the land use designation for the 179-acre parcel in Eagan that formerly housed Thomson Reuters.

The city’s Advisory Planning Commission voted 6-0 Tuesday night in favor of recommending a land use change for the parcel from major office to a mix of light industrial and residential use.

(Courtesy of the City of Eagan)

As outlined in the developer’s proposal, 120 acres would be allocated to industrial use in the central and eastern portion of the site and could include a data center, research and laboratory spaces and an office showroom.

The remaining 59 acres would have a mix of housing types including townhomes, twin homes and single-family homes.

The proposal indicates that 35 acres at the southwest portion of the site would be marked low-density residential and could house 70 to 140 units, while the remaining 24 acres at the northwest portion of the site would be marked medium-density and house 80 to 180 units.

“There has been a dramatic shift in the office sector,” Peter Fitzgerald, vice president of real estate development for Ryan, said at the meeting. “There isn’t an office campus in the U.S., let alone in the state, that isn’t having to re-evaluate how they’re using their land,” he said.

Some Eagan residents who attended the meeting Tuesday voiced concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian walkways along Elrene Road, which borders the site to the west.

“The amount of traffic that is generated from major office type of land use is, in rough numbers, twice as much as the rate that is generated from industrial land use,” said Aaron Nelson, an engineer for the city.

Other concerns from residents included the preservation of oak trees, duck ponds and green space in the area.

“You have a tree on the city of Eagan flag and, at the rate we’re going, we’re not going to have any trees left,” one resident said.

Two people who live near the property also noted concerns about an increase in park use at Wescott Station Park, located just south of the property, with the additional housing in the area.

Commissioner Brandon Block said he supports the proposal, adding “What else could they propose? High rise apartments? Heavy industrial? … What they are proposing does seem to fit well with this chunk of land.”

Next the proposed comprehensive guide plan amendment will be heard by the city council at the May 7 meeting.

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