Sioux Trail Initiative
Sioux Trail Elementary, a local landmark, ceased operations in 2020. The 12-acre property is zoned for single-family residences. In late 2024, M/I Homes proposed a 116-unit housing development, leading to a rezoning request. However, in February 2025, the Burnsville City Council unanimously rejected the proposal. As of now, the future of the property remains uncertain.
Background and Context
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Sioux Trail Elementary was one of three ISD 191 schools closed in 2020 due to declining enrollment
- The 12-acre property sits at River Hills Drive and Highway 13, zoned R-1 (single-family residential)
- In late 2024, M/I Homes entered a purchase agreement with ISD 191 and proposed 116 units (93 townhomes + 23 single-family homes), which would have required rezoning
- In February 2025, the Burnsville City Council unanimously rejected the proposal
- The property's 7 future remains unresolved
Why Residents Care
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Road infrastructure was not designed for high-density traffic volumes
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Reduced green space would increase walking distances to the nearest park for families with children.
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The site has served as a community gathering space (playground, sledding hill, landmark) since the neighborhood's creation.
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Residents want development that maintains the neighborhood's single-family residential character.
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Over 200 residents signed a community petition.
Community Priorities
Reflecting on the Past & Present
Question | Neighbor Feedback | Notes |
|---|---|---|
What is your favorite memory of North River Hills? Of the Tennisioux Park/Sioux Trail Elementary School Property? | Spring Carnival | |
What would you like to bring back to the North River Hills Neighborhood? | Neighborhood organization | Organization from the 90s focused on trash vendors and established the monuments |
What would you like to bring back to the North River Hills Neighborhood? | Negotiate with the trash vendors for better rates and to limit the number of companies in the area [to limit the trash truck traffic] | |
What would you like to bring back to the North River Hills Neighborhood? | Landscaping & monument maintenance | Peggy Nelson has been leading for over 25 years |
What is your favorite part of Tennisioux Park/Sioux Trail Elementary School Property? | The park and playground is a space for children to play. The out of school time programming was great and the staff was amazing | |
What do you utilize the most? | Frontage Trail | |
What elements of the Tennisioux Park/Sioux Trail Elementary School Property do you want to preserve? | Park, playground, sport fields (frisbee, softball, basketball, playground), green space | Highly Supported |
Looking to the Future
Neighbor Feedback | Notes |
|---|---|
NRHNO to adopt a park | Black Dog Park adopted on behalf of the neighborhood |
Speed bumps on River Hills Drive (traffic control) | |
ISD 191 to lease the building and move administration into the Sioux Trail school building | Already spoke with ISD 191 about this, it is not fiscally responsible to move all the programming out of the current space |
Apply for a grant to buy the property, to transfer to the City of Burnsville | |
South Campus for the Rivers (residence for seniors) | |
One-level housing, accessible for seniors and community members | |
Community garden (green house) | Highly supported |
Keep the school | Highly supported |
Large gazebo/amenities for public use, to rent for parties | Highly supported |
Farmers market/outdoor event space for public use, to host events (music, art, etc.) | |
Community center (may include child care, senior center) | Highly Supported |
Sledding hill | Highly Supported |
Walking path | |
Wildlife garden (native plants) | Highly Supported |
ADA accessible park | |
Partner with the city to save 50% of the green space/park | |
Casino | |
Small businesses, pop-up vendors | |
Sports courts and green space for frisbee, cricket, softball, basketball, tennis, pickleball |
Engagement Timeline
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2020: ISD 191 closes Sioux Trail Elementary
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Oct 2024: M/I Homes enters $3.5M purchase agreement with ISD 191
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Late 2024: NRHNO organizes petition; 200+ signatures collected
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Jan 30, 2025: Neighborhood meeting at Diamondhead Education Center; large resident turnout
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Feb 11, 2025: Burnsville City Council unanimously rejects M/I Homes sketch plan
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Present: Property remains R-1 zoned; NRHNO continues monitoring
Process Update
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As of February 2026, no new development proposals have been submitted for the
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Sioux Trail property. The site remains zoned R-1 single-family residential.
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NRHNO continues to monitor any new activity and will update this page as developments occur.