The Metropolitan Council as part of the review of the EAW for Canterbury found that the definition for the Entertainment Land Use from the 2008 Comprehensive Plan was not well defined. They recommended that staff develop a better definition for the designated areas and better define the uses.

There are two areas in the city designated as Entertainment Land Use in the 2008 Comprehensive Plan: Canterbury Park and Valleyfair. Canterbury, in particular, has transitioned since it construction in 1985 as a largely one use facility dominated by horses in an undeveloped section of town to a many use facility, including a major corporate office (Seagate), restaurants and other supportive uses. As time has passed, the Entertainment Land Use needs to better reflect what is actually occurring at these locations or what has been proposed. 

Currently there are approximately 250 acres at Valleyfair and 450 acres at Canterbury Park designated as Entertainment Land Use guiding.

The proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment language would allow uses that are complimentary to the entertainment use, including restaurants, hospitality, entertainment, office, office tech, office flex, medical, retail and commercial recreational uses.  A limited amount of medium and high density residential would be allowed to a maximum of 28 dwelling units per acre and not to exceed 10% of the land area.  That would be approximately 25 acres at Valleyfair and approximately 45 acres at Canterbury.

The various projects proposed in the Entertainment guided areas would have to be approved through additional separate actions of Council that would approve amending the respective Planned Unit Developments (PUD).  PUDs require a higher level of design than in other districts and also require that what is proposed and approved be built in accordance with the submissions.

The following is the criteria evaluated in the granting of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.  The City Council may grant a Comprehensive Plan Amendment when it finds that one or more of the following criteria exists:

         (a)   The original zoning ordinance is in error;
         (b)   Significant changes in community goals and policies have taken place;
         (c)   Significant changes in city-wide or neighborhood development patterns have occurred; or
         (d)   The comprehensive plan requires a different provision.

Given the significant changes that have occurred at Canterbury and Valleyfair and the surrounding land uses, staff believes that at a minimum the amendment is supported by criteria (b),  (c) and (d).