"We think the guide plan is worth fighting for," said a written statement from the Eagan City Council issued shortly before the Memorial Day weekend. The council added that it wants to protect the integrity of the city's comprehensive guide plan and "all the years of careful thought, public participation and work that went into it."

In April, District Judge Patrice Sutherland ordered the city to either amend its comprehensive plan and the property's zoning or begin eminent domain proceedings to buy the 120-acre course that has been closed for the season. The city is appealing that order.

The Eagan City Council wants to block development of Carriage Hills, which is one of the last remaining private open spaces in the built-up suburb, and the city's comprehensive plan has the property zoned only for parks and recreation. Rahn Family LP, the owner of the property, and Minnesota developer Wensmann Realty Inc. want the council to allow them to build 480 condominium, townhomes and single-family housing units while setting aside more than 40 acres as parks and open space.