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2003-09-12 Friday News The Friday News September 12, 2003 City Council to Determine if EAW Complete In January, the City Council passed a resolution ordering an Environmental Assessment Worksheet to be conducted on the “Bluffs” project. In determining whether an EAW is appropriate, Minnesota Rules state that the RGU: “…shall order the preparation of an EAW if the evidence presented by the petitioners, proposers and other persons or otherwise known to the RGU demonstrates that, because of the nature or location of the proposed project, the project may have the potential for significant environmental effects. The RGU shall deny the petition if the evidence fails to demonstrate the project may have the potential for significant environmental effects. The RGU shall maintain, either as a separate document or contained within the records of the RGU, a record, including specific findings of fact, or its decision on the need for an EAW.” Since that time, Developer Ron Clark has been working on the EAW submittal. If you recall, the City Council hired Colin Brownlow from Barr Engineering to assist the City in determining whether the EAW is complete. Mr. Brownlow has now indicated that in his professional opinion, the EAW is complete. Once the City determines that the EAW is complete, the document must be published for 30 days in the EQB Monitor for public comment. During this 30-day period, written comments from the public are accepted on the EAW. The comments shall address the accuracy and completeness of the material in the EAW, potential impacts that may warrant further investigation before the project is commenced, and the need for an EIS on the proposed project. After this 30-day publication period, the City has an additional 30 days to respond to any public comments and make a decision on whether the project also needs an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The City (RGU) must respond in writing to all of the submitted comments. The City has also hired Barr Engineering to assist the City in drafting responses to technical comments and work with staff in preparing responses to policy related comments. They will also assist the City in drafting final findings of fact once the comment period is complete. Ron Clark will be present on Tuesday night for the discussion. He indicated that he would have representatives from the 106 Group and Hedlund Engineering available to answer any questions the Council may have. On Tuesday night, the City Council will consider whether or not the EAW is complete at this time. Livable Communities Development Grant Update The Metropolitan Council reports that a total of 35 applications were received, requesting approximately $39.4 million in funding. The staff review process has been completed and the applications and comments have been forwarded on to the Livable Communities Advisory Committee. The committee had its first meeting on Wed., Sept. 3rd to receive the applications and begin its evaluation process. Over the next two weeks the committee members will be reviewing the applications and making a preliminary cut identifying the applications they would like to invite in for a question and answer session to get more details. This cut will be made at their next meeting on Sept. 26. The finalists will go on to a question and answer session on thth October 10 and 17. We are hopeful that Mendota Heights will once again receive a livable communities grant for our Village project. We will keep you posted on the progress of our application. Welcome Baby Vonfeldt Officer Jeff Von Feldt and his wife Amy are the proud parents of a baby boy. Johsua Jeffory Vonfeldt was born on August 22, 2003 at 7:47 am. He weighed 8 lbs, 6 oz and was 21 ½ inches long. Mother and baby are doing fine! Congratulations Jeff! Joint City Council/Planning Commission Workshop The Planning Commission and the City Council have recently suggested that there be a joint Council/Planning Commission workshop this year. Some of the topics suggested for discussion include: variance criteria, in-fill development policy and expectations of the City Planner. September is a month with th five Tuesdays. The City Council set the workshop for September 30 at 7:00 PM. The topics will include infill development, variances and the role of the City Planner. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute to Move to 1110 Centre Point Drive Staff recently learned that Brown College’s Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute is planning to move to 1110 Centre Point Drive, commonly referred to as the GNB building. The Institute has been tremendously successful and they are now in need of more space. Representatives from Cordon Bleu have met with City staff and the City Planner and will be going forward with all the necessary approvals. Please see the attached Pre-Application Meeting Synopsis for more details. Burow Pond Fire Training Opportunity th On Saturday, September 13, the Mendota Heights Fire Department will do a live house burn on the Burow Farm located at 1875 Victoria Road. It is their intention to start at 8:00 AM and be finished by 2:00 PM. The Department will do its best to keep the smoke in the area to a minimum. Please note that Victoria Road will be closed at Marie during this training exercise. Public Hearing for Freeway Road Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Project On Tuesday night the City Council will hold the assessment hearing for the Freeway Road Neighborhood Street Reconstruction project. The work is not totally finished yet. Boulevard and turf restoration are major work items left to finish this fall and should be completed by the end of September or early October. The placement of the final layer of blacktop will be laid next June or July. The feasibility report was presented to the Council in May of 2002 and identified 61 residential properties that will be assessed $3,700 per lot. Showing Off the Village at Mendota Heights On Friday morning, a busload of Dakota County planners, community development staff and Met Council personnel visited the “Town Center” site on a tour of progressive development projects in Dakota County. Patrick Hollister and I spoke to the group about the history of the project, acquisition and site components. It was fun to talk about the process we’ve been through over the past few years and be able to see the results in the construction and work that is taking place. Council member Vitelli and Schneeman were also present and gave their thoughts on the project and process as a whole. New Met Council Sector Representative I learned today that due to the Met Council redistricting, Mike King is no longer the Sector Representative for Mendota Heights. Our new representative is Bob Mazanec, who is a planning analyst for the Met Council. Mr. Mazanec can be reached at 651-602-1330. His email address is bob.mazanec@metc.state.mn.us. Final Thought “They found the gene for shyness. They would’ve found it earlier but it was hiding behind a couple other genes.” – Johnathon Katz Respectfully Submitted Cari Lindberg Administrator Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, City Council agenda, Pre Application meeting synopsis, Southwest Review article “Geese hunting approved in IGH” and Village at Mendota Heights town home and condominium ad.