09/09/2025 - City Council SpecialMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
5:30 P.M.
A Special City Council Meeting was held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the
Eagan Room of Eagan City Hall. City Councilmembers present: Councilmembers Fields, Bakken,
Hansen, and Supina. Mayor Maguire arrived at 5:38 p.m. City staff present: City Administrator
Miller, Assistant City Administrator Alig, Communications Director Horwath, Community
Development Director Hutmacher, City Planner Schultz.
I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Acting Mayor Fields called the special meeting to order.
Councilmember Bakken moved, seconded by Councilmember Hansen, to adopt the agenda as
presented.
Aye:4, Nay:0; Motion carried.
II. VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
III. COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS SUMMARY REPORT AND PRESENTATION
Assistant Administrator Alig introduced the item and invited Paula Forbes and Robin Francis
from the Finding Human Institute to present a summary and report on the Community
Conversations Project, which began in August 2023. The presentation highlighted feedback from
community members, outlined project progress, and provided recommendations for next steps.
Council feedback emphasized ensuring the project results in actionable change rather than
being performative. Mayor Maguire underscored the importance of collaborating with existing
community organizations engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. The Council
expressed support for continuing the annual summit, noting the need for measurable growth
and avoiding redundancy.
Mayor Maguire also expressed interest in cultivating safe spaces for ongoing conversations
about race and equity, as well as learning more about cultural celebrations meaningful to Eagan
residents and exploring ways the City could support them. Additional suggestions included
establishing a volunteer coordinator role for future discussion and hosting quarterly
“community coffee breaks” to foster connections between City staff and community members.
IV. APC JOINT MEETING
A. 2026 WORKPLAN
Mayor Maguire introduced City Planner Schultz, who invited Advisory Planning Commissioners
Christos Jensen, Chris Whitfield, Tara Walsh, Corey Bultema, and Dave Cherner to introduce
themselves. Schultz presented an overview of the 2025 work plan and provided an update on
the status of current projects, as well as a brief outline of the proposed 2026 work plan.
Discussion included upcoming 2050 Comprehensive Plan Amendment process, the anticipated
redevelopment of the former Delta Airlines property by Dakota County CDA, use of A.I. and
reimagined staff reports, data centers and their impact on the community, along with related
zoning considerations, and wrapping up miscellaneous Code amendments. Council supported
prioritizing clarification of existing city code language and completing certain minor code
adjustments understanding the 2050 Plan and CDA redevelopment would inevitably be part of
2026 projects. Mayor Maguire expressed interest in proactively developing zoning ordinances to
support high- to medium-density housing before potential state-level legislation is enacted and
suggested APC’s involvement on potential land use strategies.
B. RELIGIOUS LAND USE ZONING
Planner Schultz introduced the item and outlined proposed amendments to the zoning code
related to religious facilities. The proposed changes aim to provide greater flexibility for smaller
congregations, remove burdensome land use regulations, and update terminology by replacing
“church” with a broader, more inclusive term.
Schultz reviewed the current legislative and City Council approval process and shared research
on how other cities—such as Woodbury, Apple Valley, and Plymouth—address religious facility
zoning. Proposed updates included revisions to permitted and conditional use permits by zone.
Discussion included concerns about parking and congregation size. Staff clarified that occupancy
limits are based on city code and that facilities could hold multiple services to remain compliant.
Council expressed support for removing the definition of “church” in favor of more inclusive
language and endorsed the Advisory Planning Commission’s recommendations to provide
greater flexibility for religious uses. Additional discussion included multi-tenant spaces and
ensuring the proportion of use aligns with issued permits.
V. CANNABIS REVIEW
Planner Schultz provided an overview of the current city code related to adult-use cannabis,
including the retail registration process and zoning ordinances. The unique licensing status of
Rise Dispensary was discussed, noting that it holds a medical cannabis combination license, that
allows both medical and recreational cannabis sales. Schultz explained this license type is not
subject to local caps. Schultz indicated that a minor code amendment may be needed in Chapter
6 to address this exemption.
Schultz also relayed a resident complaint regarding the fairness of the retail registration process,
specifically questioning whether applications were codified on a first-come, first-served basis. A
separate concern was raised about potential unfair advantages based on applicants’ proximity
to the city’s servers. Schultz noted the City Attorney has confirmed that the application process
was conducted fairly.
City Council expressed support for modifying the allocation of retail registration.
Council discussed adjusting or eliminating separate caps for commercial and industrial
zones to allow greater flexibility in response to market demand. Ultimately, Council
agreed to establish a flat cap of nine total cannabis licenses and for staff to evaluate the
350-foot spacing requirement to include the same parcel or shopping center to avoid
clustering of retail cannabis facilities. [Note: following this meeting the City Attorney’s
Office opined the cap remain at 8 as medical cannabis combination licenses are exempt
from local registration caps under State Statutes]
VI. 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Director Hutmacher introduced the item and provided an overview of Metropolitan Council’s
Imagine 2050 plan, adopted in February 2025 as the regional development framework.
Hutmacher explained that the plan’s primary goal is to accommodate forecasted growth within
already developed areas and noted that Eagan is currently meeting its affordable housing
allocation due to existing approved and special area plans.
Discussion included regional housing forecasts projecting an additional 4,700 housing units in
Eagan by 2050, with 3,000 units already accounted for through current developments, leaving a
shortfall of approximately 1,700 units. Hutmacher outlined potential strategies of addressing
this housing shortfall. Council provided feedback on strategies to address this need. Hutmacher
emphasized the importance of issuing an RFP for a consultant and defining the consultant’s
scope of work, which may include land allocation strategies and consideration of expanded
density ranges.
A map highlighting potential areas for density modification was reviewed, along with discussion
on the redevelopment of Class C office space and other potential reclassification areas. The
timeline for the planning process was also discussed, with acknowledgment of potential
legislative impacts. Council expressed support for the proposed strategies and the outlined
timeline to ensure adequate land supply for forecasted housing needs.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Bakken moved and Councilmember Hansen seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting.
Aye:5, Nay:0; Motion carried
The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
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Date
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Mayor
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City Clerk
10/21/2025