There is an interesting article in today’s Star Tribune concerning the increase in housing density in Twin Cities suburbs. The increase in housing density is attributed to the increase in condo and townhouse developments. Accompanying the article in the newspaper (but, unfortunately, not in the online version of the article) is a graphic that shows selected Twin Cities suburbs and their respective housing units built per acre for the time period 2000-2004. Among these suburbs Eden Prairie was tied with Inver Grove Heights for the most units per acre at 6.0/acre. Chanhassen was at 5.1/acre. Shakopee at 4.1/acre. Woodbury 3.8/acre. And last on this list was Victoria at 2.9/acre. The data was supplied to the Star Tribune by the Metropolitan Council.
I think many people will be surprised to see Eden Prairie’s spot on that list. The community’s reputation among most people in the metro is probably quite the opposite.
But Eden Prairie did not get on to this list by accident. During this time period, our City Council has expressed a consistent desire to see more affordable housing in the city. More affordable housing translated into more attached multifamily housing, which translates into condos, town homes and apartments. The Council has supported this policy because they want Eden Prairie to be a place where people who work here can live here too. That’s been an important driving influence for this policy preference, and it’s been supported by the community as well.
Has increased residential density been good or bad for the city? I see no evidence of it being bad for the city. It has not been detrimental to property values or for the community’s image in the metro area. We’ve not seen any significant uptick in crime related to increased housing densities. I think it’s been good for local employers and good for working families who’ve been able to join the community and enjoy its relatively high standard of living.
