Politics & Government

Private Development Picking Up Speed in Eagan

Last year, city officials issued a total of 2,259 building permits for private development worth roughly $58.5 million.

The city may have issued fewer building permits in 2011, compared to 2010, but the amount of new, private development in Eagan is rising, according to a report released by city officials late last week.

City officials issued a total 2,259 building permits for a variety of projects in 2011, compared to 2,616 permits in 2010, according to the report. But many of the permits issued in 2010 were for home remodeling or renovation projects, whereas a growning number of permits in 2011 were for new development.

In 2011, city officials issued building permits for 50 new, single-family homes and 23 new townhomes—a significant increase from 2010, when the city approved 24 building permits for single-family homes and eight permits for townhomes, according to the report.

Find out what's happening in Eaganwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The total value of the private development projects undertaken in Eagan also jumped upward in 2011. Last year, the city issued permits for projects worth roughly $58.5 million, compared to roughly $45 million in private development in 2010.

“Unlike some communities, we have been fortunate with the new activity in the single family and townhouse area," Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein said.

Find out what's happening in Eaganwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hohenstein attributed much of the new development to the in Eagan. Last year, the city issued 43 building permits for homes and conducted 21 final home inspections in that development alone, Hohenstein said.

Activity is also increasing on the commercial side, according to the report. Although the city only reviewed and approved permits for three new commercial projects last year, they issued 117 permits to businesses pursuing exterior or interior improvements or renovations in 2011. In 2010, that number stood at 108 permits.

The uptick in last year's development activity is a good sign for 2012, Hohenstein said, although his optimism was tempered.

“So much right now is dependent on the economic health," Hohenstein said.

Hohenstein was also pleased to see high numbers of residential renovation projects. This year, the city issued a 349 permits for reroofing, 109 permits for siding projects and 697 permits for window/door renovations.

“The point that come out of that is that while there’s a little bit of new construction acitivity, we are pleased to see property owners reinvesting in the buildings they have," Hohenstein said. “With [home] values down, a lot of [homeowners] are looking at spending less to improve their existing home and improve the location that they have."

To view the full building permits report, click on the PDF attached to this article.

PERMITS ISSUED*

2010 2011 New Single-Family Homes 24 50 New Townhomes 8 23 New Commercial Development 3 3 Total Value of Private Projects $45,000,626 $58,515,426 Total City Building Permit Fee Revenue $719,972 $857,058

*Information courtesy of the city of Eagan.


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