The city of Minnetonka conducted a series of community engagement meetings during the winter of 2015 to further study the southwest sector of the Ridgedale area. As a result of three meetings, the study identified guiding principles to further inform potential redevelopment that may occur in this area. These guiding principles serve as supplemental information to the Ridgedale Vision 2012 document. This southwest sector includes the area generally located west of Plymouth Road and south of Cartway Lane. It's anticipated that further study of the southwest sector could continue in parallel with updates to the city's comprehensive plan which will likely occur late 2016 through 2018.

Meeting Presentations

• Meeting No. 1: Jan. 21, 2015
• Meeting No. 2: Feb. 18, 2015
• Meeting No. 3: March 10, 2015
• Guiding Principles

Updates

March 6, 2015

Over the past several months, a visioning process engaging residents of the neighborhoods near Ridgedale has been underway. The objective is to develop a framework and concept plan to guide future development of the southwest quadrant of the Ridgedale area. The purpose of his process has been to provide additional clarity for neighbors and potential developers around the Ridgedale Vision study completed in 2012.

To date, citizen feedback from the various meetings and other community input has focused predominately on concerns about existing traffic congestion and the way new, more intense development may exacerbate these traffic challenges. Many participants have expressed the view that infrastructure improvements are needed prior to further visioning discussions taking place. Staff briefed the city council on this feedback. Given the merits of these concerns, staff will revise the process to address this key neighborhood concern immediately.

As a result, the neighborhood meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, will present an adjusted timeline and will discuss the next steps in the revised process. After this meeting, city staff will prepare roadway improvement plans for the area to be reviewed this spring. The council will consider a conceptual roadway design to be included in the annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process later this year.

After the road improvements are complete, the neighborhood engagement process will begin again. The goal is to secure neighborhood input and use that as a foundation to identify and articulate a succinct concept plan for the area. That plan could serve as a guide for future redevelopment efforts and as a basis of the Comprehensive Planning update for the Ridgedale area which will likely begin in 2017.

January 2015

From open land to farming to industrial use to development of a major regional mall in the early 1970s, the history of the Ridgedale area in Minnetonka has always been one of constant evolution. Now, this bustling commercial and residential area is poised for yet another transformation.

Two years ago, the city of Minnetonka embarked on a visioning plan for the Ridgedale area. That effort resulted in recommendations for making the area into a community gathering spot and for encouraging a more pedestrian friendly plan.

Ridgedale Mall has recently undertaken significant improvement of its property, with a redesign of the Macy's store and the addition of Nordstrom scheduled to open in fall 2015. Efforts to improve traffic flow resulted in the construction of a new westbound ramp to 1-394 at Ridgedale Drive, completed in fall 2014 as a partnership between the city and MnDOT. Other improvements to Ridgedale Drive and Plymouth Drive are planned for the next few years.

"Changes are going to occur in the area, and it's now a matter of how we manage that change," said Julie Wischnack, Minnetonka's community development director. "We are trying to stay ahead of the game and ensure that what happens fits into the long-term vision for the area."

One of the main findings of the vision study was that while Ridgedale is a well-known area - people know about it and have visited - there isn't anything particularly special about it. There's no green space, no community gathering spot, and little connection to Minnetonka's natural spaces. Additionally, it's virtually inaccessible by any means other than car.

In the wake of recent controversy over a proposed redevelopment of the Highland Bank property, the city has heard from residents that they would like to revisit a portion of the Ridgedale vision plan and have discussions about the long-term outlook for the Ridgedale area. The first meeting about the Ridgedale vision plan will be held Wednesday, January 21, from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive. Anyone who has interest in the future of the Ridgedale area is invited to attend the meeting.

"The city is committed to the continuing success of the Ridgedale area," said Wischnack. "We look forward to working with our residents to discuss long-term improvements needed to ensure the area remains a viable regional and economic center well into the future, while also taking into account the desires of neighboring residents."

Background

The city of Minnetonka is conducting a more focused study of a portion of the "Ridgedale area." This study will identify a more detailed vision for the southwest sector of the Ridgedale area than what was identified in the Ridgedale Village Center study completed in 2012. This southwest sector includes the area generally located west of Plymouth Road and south of Cartway Lane.

The first meeting was held January 21, 2015, to provide background and receive input. The second meeting (February 17) focused on the discussion of development scenario alternatives, while the third meeting (February 18) involved a discussion possible guidelines for redevelopment. The planning commission and city council will then receive information about the outcomes of the process and determine next steps.

Summary of Meetings

• On February 17, at an open studio, about 30 residents and business owners previewed initial ideas in anticipation of the February 18 public open house meeting. For those who could not attend, download a PDF document showing the initial concepts displayed at the open studio. This open studio involved a consultant team working on development concept ideas, which were then displayed for the public to share ideas and comment.
• On February 18, residents and businesses attended a public open house that was highly interactive and involved group exercises to develop general direction toward preferred design alternatives. Download a presentation from this meeting.
• Also on February 18, a neighborhood meeting was held to present a concept plan for a senior living project proposed by United Properties.

Read more information about the Ridgedale Village Center study. The website will continue to provide information and updates for the southwest sector study. If you have any questions, contact Loren Gordon at 952-939-8296.

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