Eden Prairie Planning Commission Backs Tandem Parking, Drops Retail Mandate in Transit District
Commissioners unanimously recommended a City Code Chapter 11 amendment that staff said could lower housing costs and end repeated waivers in the TODR district.
The Eden Prairie Planning Commission voted unanimously Nov. 9 to recommend an amendment to City Code Chapter 11 that would allow tandem parking in multi-family districts through a planned unit development and remove the requirement for commercial space in the city's transit-oriented development residential, or TODR, district.
City planning staff member Jeremy Barnhart presented the amendment, telling commissioners that permitting tandem parking — in which one vehicle parks behind another in a single stall configuration — gives developers a way to reduce the amount of structured parking they build, a major driver of construction expense.
it's another opportunity to kind of lessen the cost for parking, which does inflate to the cost for housing here in town.
Under the proposal, tandem parking would not be allowed by right. Developers in multi-family districts would need to secure a planned unit development approval, preserving a case-by-case review by the commission and City Council.
Ending repeated TODR waivers
The second half of the amendment addresses performance standards in the TODR district, where current code requires a commercial component within residential transit-oriented buildings. Barnhart told commissioners that projects have repeatedly sought waivers from the requirement, and that staff proposed eliminating it rather than continuing to process exceptions.
we're just taking away the requirement for uh a commercial space within the TODR... we're just taking away the requirement for it.
Other Topics from This Document
Approval of August 24, 2026 minutes
Minutes from the Aug. 24, 2026 meeting approved unanimously without comment (D1).
Code amendment: telecommunications conditional use permit (Chapter 11)
Staff proposed removing the conditional use permit requirement for small wireless facilities in right-of-way, created in 2017, and relocating standards to Chapter 6 right-of-way ordinance. Performance standards unchanged; council review expected in December (D1).
Planner's report: comprehensive plan update
Staff continues the 10-year comprehensive plan update, with a public hearing targeted for late spring (D1).
Member reports and adjournment
Chair recognized Commissioner Taylor's appointment as board chair of Twin Cities Boys and Girls Clubs; meeting adjourned (D1).
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