Local real estate developer Ryan Cos. is one step closer to a comprehensive guide plan amendment that would change the land use designation for the 179-acre parcel in Eagan that formerly housed Thomson Reuters.

The city’s Advisory Planning Commission voted 6-0 Tuesday night in favor of recommending a land use change for the parcel from major office to a mix of light industrial and residential use.

(Courtesy of the City of Eagan)

As outlined in the developer’s proposal, 120 acres would be allocated to industrial use in the central and eastern portion of the site and could include a data center, research and laboratory spaces and an office showroom.

The remaining 59 acres would have a mix of housing types including townhomes, twin homes and single-family homes.

The proposal indicates that 35 acres at the southwest portion of the site would be marked low-density residential and could house 70 to 140 units, while the remaining 24 acres at the northwest portion of the site would be marked medium-density and house 80 to 180 units.

“There has been a dramatic shift in the office sector,” Peter Fitzgerald, vice president of real estate development for Ryan, said at the meeting. “There isn’t an office campus in the U.S., let alone in the state, that isn’t having to re-evaluate how they’re using their land,” he said.

Some Eagan residents who attended the meeting Tuesday voiced concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian walkways along Elrene Road, which borders the site to the west.

“The amount of traffic that is generated from major office type of land use is, in rough numbers, twice as much as the rate that is generated from industrial land use,” said Aaron Nelson, an engineer for the city.

Other concerns from residents included the preservation of oak trees, duck ponds and green space in the area.

“You have a tree on the city of Eagan flag and, at the rate we’re going, we’re not going to have any trees left,” one resident said.

Two people who live near the property also noted concerns about an increase in park use at Wescott Station Park, located just south of the property, with the additional housing in the area.

Commissioner Brandon Block said he supports the proposal, adding “What else could they propose? High rise apartments? Heavy industrial? … What they are proposing does seem to fit well with this chunk of land.”

Next the proposed comprehensive guide plan amendment will be heard by the city council at the May 7 meeting.

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Ever wander through social media sites and wonder if you can really propagate roses by inserting cuttings into a tomato? Or if that “magical DIY fertilizer” is real? It’s easy to get lost among the thousands of videos offering “can’t-fail garden tips.”

Just how much scientific research goes into these instant success stories?

Let’s examine some of this advice:

“Place one piece under the orchid. It will grow 100 branches and bloom all year-round.”

The “piece” referred to here is a banana peel. The recipe involves fermenting a banana peel with molasses in water then using this liquid as a “magic” organic fertilizer.

Banana peels are actually beneficial to the garden when they are added to your compost. No need to slice and dice and wait three weeks for the magic to brew. Just toss the peels into your home compost bin or add to your green can.

“Use watermelon peels to make organic liquid fertilizer.”

No magic required: Add watermelon rinds to your compost. Or invert melon rinds and place in your garden as traps for snails and slugs. Scrape off the accumulated snails and slugs daily and destroy them.

“Water orchids with ice cubes” and “fertilize your orchids with a solution of rice water and garlic (or ginger).”

Visit the UC Marin Master Gardeners’ website for tips on growing healthy, productive tomatoes. (Photo by Alice Cason)

Ice cubes continue to be a controversial topic. Many online sites recommend that three ice cubes, once per week, offer the proper amount of moisture and prevent overwatering.

Orchids are tropical plants, and ice cubes can lower their temperature. It has been shown that ice cubes can harm the leaves and lead to crown or root rot over time. Water your plant “weakly weekly.” Once a week, water with half- or quarter-strength balanced, urea-free orchid fertilizer, allowing the water to flow through the pot. Do not leave the plant sitting in a puddle.

Numerous social media posts promote using your pasta cooking water to water plants. Most cooks salt their pasta water rather heavily; some chefs say, “Pasta water should be as salty as the sea.” The amount of salt in the water could be unhealthy for your soil and cause wilted or stunted growth. Even in a drought situation, watering plants with heavily salted water is not recommended.

“Chemical free”

Really? And what would that be? Everything that exists is composed of chemicals — water, air, plants, our bodies — all composed of chemicals.

This term is frequently used in marketing to make us feel secure that the product is healthy, safe, free of toxins or environmentally friendly. But, it is not chemical-free.

Phalaenopsis should be planted in a well-draining potting medium, and water should flow through the container. Do not allow plants to sit in water. (Courtesy of UC Regents)

Random garden advisors recommend “natural” weed control using common household products such as baking soda, vinegar or dish soap in a solution.

While these mixtures may not contain toxic chemicals, none of these products successfully kill weeds, but they can add a significant amount of sodium to the soil. Mulch garden areas well to inhibit the growth of weeds while also improving soil structure and providing other benefits.

Watching videos of interesting characters presenting gardening tales passed down from their grandma or picked from other social media sources can be a fun way to fill the day and plan an “instant” and “magical” garden. Still, there’s a better and more reliable channel. Spend some time on the Marin Master Gardeners’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/UCMarinMasterGardeners. Science-based gardening advice is scripted, fact-checked, staged, filmed, edited and presented by UC Marin Master Gardeners. Recently released topics include Earth-friendly gardening, advice for planting natives and succulents, and how to attract birds to your garden. More than 30 timely videos will help you learn about the best practices for gardening in our Mediterranean climate.

Take a spin around our recently redesigned website, marinmg.ucanr.edu, which offers tips on selecting plants for Marin’s microclimates, seeding, soil prep, irrigation and much much more.

Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provides science- and research-based information for Marin home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases. Please call 415-473-4910 to see when a master gardener will be at the office or drop off samples 24/7 in the sample box outside the office. To attend a gardening workshop or subscribe to Leaflet, a free quarterly e-newsletter, go to marinmg.ucanr.edu.

Linda Gassenheimer | Tribune News Service

Here’s a quick sheet pan dinner. I coated halibut fillet with a mayonnaise sauce and chopped pecans, which added a nice crunch and flavor to the fish. The halibut bakes on the sheet pan along with broccoli florets and sweet potato cubes to complete the meal.

Halibut is a tender fish that is tasty with a mild subtle sweetness. Other fish such as mahi mahi, swordfish or even tilapia will work with this dinner. It only takes 10 minutes to cook and there’s no pot to wash.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Sugar can be substituted for honey.

Chop pecans in food processor.

COUNTDOWN:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Prepare all the ingredients.

Bake the halibut and vegetables.

SHOPPING LIST:

To buy: 3/4 pound halibut, 1 jar reduced-fat mayonnaise, 1 bottle honey, 1 jar Dijon mustard, 1 container chopped pecans, 1 container plain panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 pound broccoli florets, 1/2 pound sweet potatoes and 1 can olive oil spray.

Staples: salt and black peppercorns.

Baked Pecan Crusted Halibut with Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

3/4 pound halibut fillet

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

2 teaspoons honey

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

1/4 cup plain panko breadcrumbs

1/2 pound broccoli florets, about 3 cups

1/2 pound sweet potato cubes, about 2 cups

Olive oil spray

Line a baking sheet with foil. Place halibut on one side of the sheet and add salt and pepper to taste to the fish. Mix the mayonnaise, honey and mustard together in a small bowl. Mix the pecans and breadcrumbs together in another bowl. Spread the mayonnaise mixture over the halibut and spoon the pecan mixture evenly over the mayonnaise. Place the broccoli florets next to the halibut on the baking sheet. Wash and do not peel the sweet potato. Cut into 1/2 to 1-inch pieces and place on the sheet next to the broccoli. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste over the vegetables and spray olive oil spray over the fish and vegetables. Place the sheet pan in the oven for 10 minutes. A meat thermometer should read 135 degrees. Bake a few minutes longer if needed. Divide between two dinner plates and server.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 602 calories (40 percent from fat), 26.8 g fat (3.1 g saturated, 10.6 g monounsaturated), 54 mg cholesterol, 44.5 g protein, 48.1 g carbohydrates, 8.1 g fiber, 553 mg sodium.

(Linda Gassenheimer is the author of over 30 cookbooks, including her newest, “The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook.” Listen to Linda on www.WDNA.org and all major podcast sites. Email her at Linda@DinnerInMinutes.com.)

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