Heavy machinery has already started moving soil across a historic family farm in Minnesota. The work is preparing the property for a large new housing development after city officials gave final approval to the plans. The Prior Lake City Council unanimously approved the final plat, planned unit development, and development agreement for the former Vierling family farmstead. Pulte Homes of Minnesota recently bought the 88-acre property. It will become a 262-home neighborhood called Vierling Ridge, with the full development expected to be finished by 2032.
Breaking ground on the former farmstead
People travelling near County Road 42 and Eagle Creek Avenue in Prior Lake have seen heavy equipment grading the property during the past month. According to documents presented to the council by Casey McCabe, Prior Lake’s community development director, general grading work started before final plat approval. The early work was needed to prepare the land for utility installation. Pulte Homes told city officials that it plans to finish the main infrastructure during the autumn. That schedule will allow builders to begin work on model homes and townhouses during the winter. The company hopes to have the first homes ready for the spring housing market. The project was first presented to city planners as Marlow Ridge. It was later renamed Vierling Ridge at Scott County’s request. The county wanted the public records to clearly show the property’s historical ownership.
Phased layout and housing options
The development is planned to offer different types of homes for people at different stages of life. It will include several housing styles and price ranges. Planners estimate that the project will have an overall density of 3.75 homes per acre. The options will include single-level twin homes for couples and buyers aged 55 and older, traditional townhouses for first-time buyers, and detached single-family homes in different sizes. The first construction phase will cover 18 acres of the property. About 12 acres will be used for homes and local roads. Nearly six acres will be used for public rights-of-way. The first phase calls for 12 twin homes, 12 townhomes, and 22 detached single-family homes. It will also include completing Fountain Hills Drive to Eagle Creek Avenue and building Surrey Lane. The new lane will connect Carriage Hills Parkway with Fountain Hills Drive. The second phase is planned to take two years and continue through 2028. The remaining homes will then be built in stages, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2032.
Financial and infrastructure details
In documents prepared for the council meeting, McCabe said the mix of housing types across the 88-acre property would help expand and diversify the city’s property tax base. Vierling Ridge will not have its own dedicated parkland. However, two existing community parks are located within a half-mile of the development. Pulte Homes also signed a detailed development agreement with the city. The agreement includes major financial deposits and guarantees for infrastructure work:Public Escrow: More than $873,000 has been placed in a special escrow account. The money will cover public improvements and planned work at the intersection of Eagle Creek Avenue and Fountain Hills Drive.Municipal Fees: About $843,000 in city fees will cover administrative costs, park dedication, street seal coating, trunk sewer work, and water systems.Security Bonds: Pulte has provided nearly $6 million in security guarantees. The guarantees cover sanitary sewer work, storm water systems, water mains, local streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian trails.
Council approval and next steps
The council gave preliminary and final approval for the development plan in June. It then took its final vote on the development agreement and plat details this week. McCabe asked the council to move the item from the consent agenda to the main discussion session. This allowed the council to formally confirm the change to the name Vierling Ridge, as required by Scott County for its administrative records. The council’s unanimous vote clears the way for site work and utility installation to continue in the coming months. The project will transform the former farm property into a new suburban residential neighborhood.
