2018-10-15 Council-Plng Commission Work Session minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Joint City Council — Planning Commission Work Session
October 15, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper,
Petschel were present. Planning Commission members present included Chair Litton Field, Jr.,
Commissioners John Mazzitello, Patrick Corbett, Michael Noonan, Mary Magnuson, Michael
Toth, and Brian Petschel. Those absent: None
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Tim Benetti, Community
Development Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources
Technician; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk.
REVIEW OF 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Community Development Director Tim Benetti gave an overview of the updating of the
Comprehensive Plan which is required to be updated every 10 years. This plan is then submitted
to the Metropolitan Council (Met Council), other agencies, and surrounding communities. He
reviewed the purpose and the sections it contains:
• Introduction & Background
• Land Use
• Transportation,
• Parks and Open Space
• Housing
• Economic Development
• Natural Resources
• Resilience
• Critical Area Plan (Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area)
• Implementation
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
Councilor Duggan suggested that the schools be placed in order of size. There was consensus to
leave as is, in alphabetical order, on page 1-20.
Councilor Duggan requested that White Pine Senior Living be recognized as being a memory
care facility on page 1-18.
• LAND USE
Discussion centered around dropping the low density residential uses of LR15, LR9, and LR5 as
proposed since the public has shown much concern for not changing this use, and leaving it as is.
There was consensus to not add the LR15, LR9, and LR5 categories to the plan.
The proposed future Land Use Map, shown on page 2-12, was discussed. Three lots are shown
as medium density, which are now zoned single-family. There was consensus to not change the
zoning for two of these lots. The lot on Lexington/Highway 13 is proposed to be changed to
medium density, to fit in with the surrounding zoning.
Councilor Duggan asked if there might be better language to replace "character of the
community" as stated on page 2.4, Goal 2.
• TRANSPORTATION
Councilor Petschel recommended deleting the paragraph referring to a policy that no longer
exists in regards to runway use at MSP airport, on page 3-17. On page 3-18, she suggested
deleting #6, since that no longer is a procedure that is used at the airport.
Councilor Duggan stated the plan recognizes the Light Rail Transit facility at Fort Snelling, but
does not show transportation option for how to get there. Commissioner Mazzitello stated that
on page 3-14, the plan includes a proposed bus route from Robert Street in West St. Paul to the
Fort Snelling Light Rail Transit.
• PARKS AND TRAILS
No changes proposed.
• HOUSING
Commissioner Mazzitello questioned Goal 1, listed on page 5-1, and asked how the city was
handling code violation complaints. It was noted that issues are handled on a complaint basis,
although city staff has been directed to take care of noticeable ones.
Councilor Duggan suggested on page 5-9, in the last sentence, that the words `or remodeled' be
added with new housing.
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
It was noted that there were few changes made to this section.
Councilor Duggan suggested that `maintain' be added to the title of Goal 5, on page 6-3.
• NATURAL RESOURCES
Councilor Duggan suggested that the key wetland management issues be identified, as stated on
page 7-12. Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director, stated that the plan does include a Significant
Vegetation Map on page 7-22.
Councilor Petschel suggested that any new commissions be thoroughly explored and the City
Administrator be consulted, before they are created, since they take a lot of city resources and
staff time to administer. She suggested in policy # 7.1.1., the word `Implement' be changed to
'Explore'.
Commissioner Corbett suggested that this section includes too many specific actions for the city
to take, and suggested this section be pared down to be broader in scope. These should include
guidelines for staff.
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There was consensus that city staff would rework this section before this goes to the Planning
Commission for the public hearing.
• RESILIENCE
No changes were suggested to this section.
• CRITICAL AREA PLAN
It was noted that this section is recommended by the Department of Natural Resources.
• COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Cindy Johnson stated that she helped to create the Natural Resources section. It is language that
came from Dakota County and other area cities. She asked if the section could be left unchanged
and not pared down, as it includes small steps to the long range plan.
Jonathan Zagel stated the plan should include grand goals for the city. Individual steps are a
challenge, and the goals of the city should be for long-term.
Marty Evans, 2015 Victoria Road South, owner of property proposed to be re -guided from LR to
MR Medium Density Residential, feels the Council and the Planning Commission are taking into
account the will of the people, he would like to have his property remain as single-family.
Jill Smith stated she is a strong proponent of natural resources, but feels the Natural Resources
section to too specific. She stated a Comp Plan should be aspirational and a 20 -year plan.
It was noted that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the 2040 Comp Plan on
October 23, 2018, and the City Council will have this on their November 20, 2018 agenda to
accept the plan.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
c;� —
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Neil Garlock, Mayor
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