Chanhassen extends temporary permit for Paisley Park museum

The Chanhassen City Council voted unanimously Monday night to extend a temporary permit to the Paisley Park museum to operate for 12 more days.

The council plans to reconsider the original zoning request — which would allow for permanent museum operation — at its Oct. 24 meeting.

Museum officials can choose which 12 days Paisley Park will be up and running, the council decided, and visitors must be bussed to the site unless they are handicapped, since the site's parking lot isn't complete yet.

Last week, the council tabled a request to rezone the property, which meant the museum couldn't open as planned, despite the fact that many Prince fans had already had bought tickets.

After much hand-wringing, the city administrator granted a three-day temporary permit to museum officials so Paisley Park could be open Oct. 6, 8 and 14th.

Several council members said the past week had been stressful because of a barrage of e-mails and calls from fans who had already made travel plans and stood to lose money if the museum didn't open.

Council Member Dan Campion initially made a motion to approve the rezoning request, but that motion failed.

Elise Ryan, another council member, said she had reservations about Campion's motion because she wanted more time to study the facility's effect on traffic. Issuing another temporary permit will allow for that, she said.

Erin Adler • 612-673-1781