The Chanhassen City Council voted Monday night to table a zoning request that would allow Paisley Park, Prince's recording studio and home, to reopen as a museum. The action is certain to delay the previously announced Oct. 6 opening.
The Council voted 3 to 2 to table the rezoning request after more than three hours of discussion by council members and emotional comments from fans and residents.
Several council members said they wanted more time to study the museum's effect on traffic, parking, public safety and pedestrian safety.
"We only have one chance to get this right," said Council member Bethany Tjornhom.
She said the town needs time to discuss whether it wants to be a "tourist town" and host 600,000 visitors a year.
Fans who already bought tour tickets received an email Tuesday morning from the new museum site, OfficialPaisleyPark.com, alerting them to the city council's decision -- but the message did not say for sure whether or not the tours will be called off for now.
The email read, "The Chanhassen City Council voted late yesterday to table the measure which would have permitted Paisley Park to open as a museum starting this Thursday, October 6. We will email you with updates very soon."
Mayor Denny Laufenburger was frustrated at council members' desire for more time.
"It's just unclear to me what additional time will give us," Laufenburger said. "I understand your desire to slow down, but we're not running."
The city's planning commission unanimously voted to rezone the property Sept. 20.
Some fans at the meeting said they felt they felt the museum was being created too soon, while others spoke about the need for fans to have a place to put mementos dedicated to Prince.
Residents voiced concerns about traffic and the safety of pedestrians.
Erin Adler • 612-673-1781
