Scott Neal, Eden Prairie City Manager

At their meeting earlier this week, the Eden Prairie City Council took final action on an ordinance change which clarifies what land development and activities can and cannot occur at a golf course here in Eden Prairie. The owners of one particular golf course, Bent Creek, have strongly objected to the City’s actions because they would like to sell their course to land developers for development into new homes. The City believes the golf course was committed to be permanent open space by the original owners and had no development rights. The neighbors of Bent Creek support the City’s actions.

We often receive citizen feedback following a significant Council action. Here’s a few of the comments I’ve received on the Bent Creek matter:

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“Eden Prairie council and City manager:Thank you for your rezoning of Eden Prairie golf

courses to “Golf Course” preventing the loss of our green space.We have lived on the

12th fairway of Bent CreekGolf Club since October,1983 as have

our other 119 condominium owners and neighbors on Fairway dr.Everyone does not

play golf as I do(I have been a Bent Creek golfer since 1984,both as a public course

to start and as a private course since 1990)but the open space surrounding our homes

was a large factor in our original purchase and continues to this day.We support

your rezoning decision and if Sam sues you will continue to have our support

regardless of the outcome.I served on the Village Council in the early sixties and I

can empathize with your tough decisions.

I am closely acquainted with all of the Bent Creek staff as I have mowed the first

cut(about 15 hrs. a week)since my retirement from Starkey Labs several years ago

I know and like Sam Hertogg and I can appreciate his position and those of Mr Kochs

heirs especially with so many dollars involved but there are many homeowners who

would have suffered if you had not rezoned.Thanks,again.”

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Dear Mayor Young, Council Members Butcher, Aho, Nelson & Duckstad and Manager Neal:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you last Tuesday regarding the Bent Creek Golf Course issues. Thank you too for your diligent and careful work on the matter. Your final decision was the product of good research, good listening and firm resolve to do the right thing.

You should also be proud of the excellent work of the planning staff and the city attorney. I believe you have been well advised throughout.

To all: Well done!

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As a Bent Creek member and

Eden Prairie resident, I was pleased to be among the crowd last evening at the city council meeting that stood and applauded your efforts in regard to the rezoning of Bent Creek. It was a standing ovation well deserved by you as a council and those that have worked long and hard to provide you with the information you needed to make this decision. Thank you for your hard work and diligence.

Best Regards,

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If you think for one min. that the people of EP will put up with NOT

allowing the owners of that golf course to sell you and all the council are

really mistaken , in the small neighborhood I live in I can assure you not

one family agrees with your decision.Both myself and others in my family (

living in EP ) agree. I WILL NOT PAY IN EXTRA TAX FOR YOUR FOOLISH MISTAKES

!!

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Dear Scott,

Thanks for the excellent work by you and your staff on the Bent Creek matter. I think everyone felt fairly treated at the hearings. I think the end result is well considered and carefully crafted, and based on solid facts. I think the city is the recipient of A+ work by Mr. Rosow. I have given a copy of his findings to my friend on the Edina City council to show how it can be done.

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