After two failed attempts by others to redevelop the Wayzata Bay Shopping Center in downtown Wayzata, the innovative mixed-use design proposed by Wayzata Bay Development and Presbyterian Homes provided the right mix of uses and environmental design to secure critical City Council support for the project, including an essential zoning change. The Larkin Hoffman team, led by Peter Coyle, served as land use counsel for the project. The existing shopping center is constructed on boggy soils and is almost completely covered with impervious materials. Consequently, there is substantial storm water treatment and detention problems, compounded by drainage problems in the adjacent residential neighborhood. We advised on preparation of the environmental review document and on the importance of a strong environmental component to justify the policy decision being requested from the city. The redevelopment plan proposes to construct all of the new improvements (buildings, parking, streets) on piles, elevated above the natural terrain. In addition, the project plan contemplates designing an innovative storm water detention system underneath the parking decks allowing all storm water to be detained on site, including run-off from the neighborhood. By itself, this change will have a significant beneficial effect on run-off to Lake Minnetonka. In addition, the mixed-use design will place several hundred senior and market housing units in the downtown core, along with new retail, office, restaurants and a hotel, all connected by trails for walkability.