BCBS Redevelopment

A 35-year resident of Ashbury Road argued the 600-unit-plus-business-park concept doesn't fit a neighborhood with a busy park, a school, and streets already parking-clogged; warned the proposed Blackhawk access can't handle it.

Asked about building height limits, affordable housing, school and sewer capacity, and light pollution/dark-sky impacts from the new development.

Questioned why the city would entertain industrial/business park uses east of Highway 13 and flagged poor visibility on the proposed Blackhawk access road; asked which school district would serve the new homes.

Supported the residential component, calling the site gorgeous near the river and the park, but asked that residential share be expanded and business park reduced.

Said her neighborhood one block away was never notified, nor was the charter school; said the plan is not compatible and asked the council to deny it, citing truck traffic and no buffering.

An Ashbury Place resident since 1999 asked why the building can't be repurposed instead of demolished and warned the site is being planned in isolation from surrounding office campuses; asked for traffic data to be included.

Called the project way too big for the location, warned Ashbury will become a cut-through to town center, and asked the council to table the item one month for better community notification; noted he also never received a notice letter.

Praised the award-winning existing BCBS building's design and landscaping, suggested reusing it for community uses like senior fitness classes, and called the new four-building concept an eyesore.

A 43-year resident said the site's topography and views of downtown Minneapolis are irreplaceable, questioned the loss of hundreds of trees, and urged the council to 'take a deep breath' and walk the site.

Thanked police for handling break-ins at the vacant building, said times change and the site needs a new use, and welcomed the residential component while remaining skeptical of the business park.

In a brief second comment, urged the council to change the notification process, saying the 100-foot (per his understanding) notice radius meant nobody heard about the plan.

A 30-year Eagan resident demanded protection for Ashbury Road, saying all the new development traffic would dump onto a street full of single-family homes, walkers, and children.

Said the business park and high-density plan is too much, too early, and asked for more studies on roads and access before any approval.

Raised concerns about unsold townhomes elsewhere, the misalignment of the new road with her circle, and suggested relocating soccer fields near the school and park.

Focused on truck and commuter traffic on already-congested Blackhawk Road and Blue Cross Road, and questioned what the four business park buildings would actually be.

Echoed Johnson Brothers traffic concerns, warned the Blackhawk-to-13 intersection is dangerous, and said the developer — not Eagan taxpayers — should pay for any road upgrades.

Feared falling property values and a changed neighborhood character, and criticized the small 350-foot notification radius, promising more neighbors at the next hearing.

Described dangerous left turns onto Blackhawk, severe noise after trees were removed, two vehicles hitting her house, and fears about crime from high-density apartments.

Worried the townhomes would be tall enough to block his view of downtown Minneapolis, which he paid a premium for.

Said Ashbury Road is already a overloaded thoroughfare with a new speed sign, and asked for graduated development rather than an abrupt jump to high density.

Warned about impacts to Sky Hill Park from heavy use, the new charter school across from high density, and dangerous road designs at rush hour.

Said high density tied to low-income housing brought crime problems to Highland, warned of traffic backups to Cedar Avenue, and noted Ashbury Road is a Walmart shortcut.

Raised stormwater backup concerns for the pond behind his house, asked for a holistic plan for other major office parcels, and questioned whether Ashbury choke points actually slow drivers.

Concerned buildings are drawn right up to road edges with too little sidewalk and green space, and urged planning that preserves green space like Burnsville does.