Shortly after getting the go-ahead from voters to develop the former Carriage Hills Golf Course, the developer is nowhere to be found.

Wensmann Homes closed the doors of its Eagan office shortly after voters rejected an initiative that would allow the city to buy the Carriage Hills land Nov. 4. The city had already approved a plan by Wensmann for the development of the land if the vote failed.

The city has not had any official contact with the developer since, said Eagan Communications Director Tom Garrison.

Apple Valley also is home to a Wensmann development in the Midtown Village, which is in progress. Apple Valley Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist said the city has also yet to hear anything from Wensmann.

"It's really premature [to say anything]," said Nordquist.

A reporter's phone call to Terry Wensmann's residence was not returned, and calls to the Wensmann office also did not go through.

In both the Apple Valley and Eagan developments, the conditions of the approved development plans are tied to the land, regardless of the owner.

"The approval is attached to the property and not the owner," said Garrison.

While Wensmann Homes was one of the parties involved in a lawsuit with Eagan regarding the development of the golf course, the land was still in the hands of golf course owner Ray Rahn. According to county property records, Rahn still owns the land.

The plan put forth by Wensmann that was approved by the City Council included 480 housing units, as well as 30 acres of open space as mandated by a settlement reached with the city. The property is southeast of the intersection of Yankee Doodle Road and Lexington Avenue. If voters would have approved the referendum, the city would have paid $10 million for the property.

According to the company's website, Wensmann Homes has been in operation since 1968 and has developments throughout the metro area. There was no reference to the office closing on the website.

Apple Valley Community Editor Katie Mintz contributed to this story.

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(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)