Map of Minneapolis, Minnesota Adobe Stock / JEEPhade

Lennar Corp., the top home builder in the Twin Cities, has proposed a new community of approximately 200 market-rate and luxury homes on a 188-acre property formerly owned by the late musician Prince. The builder entered an option agreement in May to purchase the property, which has an estimated tax value of more than $20 million across five parcels.

A packed public planning commission meeting on the project drew more than 20 outspoken opponents, many of whom were Prince’s neighbors. Community fears include the destruction of the property’s lakes, forests, and wetlands, as well as increased congestion in the area.

“To accommodate approximately 200 new homes, our community will be burdened by construction activity for many, many years,” wrote local residents Brian and Donna Strauss. “We would imagine that hundreds of trees will need to be removed from the parcels in question.”

The council will conduct its final vote on August 13th. If approved, Lennar will develop one of two buildouts – 202 homes on 138 acres or 199 homes on 88 acres – with construction set to begin by fall 2019. None of Prince’s trademarks are to be used in the new development, per the request of his heirs.

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