2003-11-21 Friday News
The Friday News
October 31, 2003
“The Bluffs” EIS Ordered
On Tuesday evening the City Council considered the EAW Comments that the City had received
concerning “The Bluffs” development. There were over 150 comments received on or before the October
th
30 deadline. Comments continued to come in after the deadline and well over 200 were received before
the meeting. Based on my discussion with others who have processed EAW’s, this amount of comments
seems to be unprecedented. There were 40 agencies, organizations, companies type of comments, which
is also unheard of. Except for one or two comments, all of them encouraged the City to order an EIS.
The City’s Engineering Consultant upon reviewing the comments also recommended that an EIS be
ordered.
Because the comment period was over, the Mayor announced to the Council Meeting audience of 90+
people that the comment period was over and there would be no public comments accepted, the City
Council would deliberate based on the comments and information already received. According to the
EQB, this is the standard procedure for RGU’s when deliberating EAW comments. There was a huge
amount of information that had been submitted for the Council members to review and consider – they
should all be highly commended for their work. After deliberation, I am pleased to report that there was a
unanimous vote of the City Council, finding that there is the potential for significant environmental
effects and that an EIS be prepared for the project.
Par 3 Update
Mr. Pete Regnier and Ms. Jessica Schwie appeared before Dakota County District Court Judge Lacy on
Wednesday of this week to present the City’s arguments for a Summary Judgment on whether or not the
City should grant a Comprehensive Plan Amendment allowing the owners of the Par 3 to redesignate
their land for development as Single Family Homes. Judge Lacy heard the arguments from both sides and
now has 90 days in which to consider the issue and prepare a ruling.
New Prosecuting Attorney
At last Tuesday nights meeting the City Council selected the Grannis and Hauge firm to provide the
City’s Prosecution Services beginning January 2004. There were a number of highly qualified firms to
consider and it was a difficult decision, but the Grannis Firm was extremely well thought of by all
references that were contacted and they have a much greater depth and breadth of experience then some
of the other firms being considered.
Village Commons Open House Held
On Thursday evening of this week the Dakota County CDA held an open house for Village Commons,
their new Senior Facility located in Town Center. The open house was extremely well attended. There
were speeches by all the dignitaries, food, and tours of the facility. It is the first building to be
constructed in Town Center and is the center of Ross’s “Swiss Watch”. Ross was there along with the
owners of the new Gateway Bank, which will soon have their temporary bank facility open on the Town
Green located in front of the Senior Center. Ross told meat the open house that he plans on beginning
construction of his first set of Town Homes this December.
Thanksgiving
With this Thursday being Thanksgiving Day, City Hall will be closed and business will resume again on
Friday. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Danielson
Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Planning Commission agenda, City Council Meeting agenda Letter
to John Maczko, Fire Chief, Open House for Village Commons brochure, Pioneer Press articles
“Developing Pilot Knob draws fire”, “Mendota Heights Oks bluff plan study” and Star Tribune article
“Proposal to build on bluff creates odd allies.