1973-10-02 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes11111age of Melydota Aetylfft
BANK BUILDING
750 SOUTH PLAZA DRIVE • MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55120
TELEPHONE (612) 4524850
Parks & Recreation Commission
October 2, 1973
Mr. Edward Stringer
Chairman
Mendota Heights Planning Commission
Subject: Pending request for subdivision variance --
Sheldon property - Lot 3, Block 1, Ridgewood
Park Addition
The subject subdivision was reviewed by the Park Commission
at the September 26, 1973 meeting.
The Park Commission has strong concerns in this matter as
follows:
1. The Commission quickly noted that this piece
of property contains a vital and very active
surface water channel, namely a creek, which has
been and will undoubtedly continue to be an
important element in carrying water from as far
south as Roger's Lake, through Friendly Hills,
the shopping center and the contiguous residential
areas. The Commission recommends that any
proposal concerning the Sheldon subdivision, or
any other related subdivision, should demand a
thorough study of the impact and problems that
future development would necessarily have and
create relative to the disturbance or modification
to this vital drainage pattern. The Commission
recognizes that this factor has little bearing on
the subdivision per se; however, because
development naturally follows subdivision, we feel
that development of at least a major portion of
the northern section of this lot would require a
significant modification to this important Village
surface water drainage link.
2. The Commission promptly noted that this
subdivision and subsequent development has a direct
problematical impact on the Commission's commitment
to the Village residents to provide a corridor for
access from south of proposed Marie Avenue (along
35E) thence crossing under Marie Avenue to the
Mr. Edward Stringer.
-2- October 2, 1973
large Interstate Park site, thence northward
to Highway 13. After much careful deliberation,
the Park Commission (with the expertise of 1of-h
the Village Engineer and Park Consultant) had
decided some time ago to provide an underpass at
Marie Avenue, such an underpass being a reaL.uiial.le
distance from the 35E bridge and consisteni.c•:iC.li
the unusual topographies of both the existing land
forms and the proposed Marie Avenue road bed. The
subdivision and devel.opment of the northwest sectiun
of Sheldon's lot could then easily crea.Lte a
roadblock to the park plans.
3. The Co��mmission .i.s concerned thaC i:he, d�:��elohmcnf:
following the subdivision will have a dec-id(�d
adverse impact on the environmental. and ecological
make-up of this piece or. property. At.. Leas'-_ 50<. ca'
this lot (primarily the northern ha Lf which ahu'.a
Marie Avenue) is lowland -- it contains met slit ri;:
easily visible and constant water table, arid i.t F:,_ease
is substantially peat. Moreover, it l�«rbcrs and
fosters a great deal of intei:est:i.ng wi.ld.1 if,_ . TL:e
Commission evaluates that in the f ixiil.d.1;J4
several l:iomes there, the environment ar,d ecu.ag,wo...d
be altered to destruction, much to the detriment. of
the prospective homeowners on th:Ls property, the
homeowners on surrounding properties, and tli12
environmental and ecological i.ntereste• of not only. the
Park Commission but of many Village resicluai_s who are
and who will be enjoying the naturalof '-.log
Interstate Park. land.
The Park Cornmissi.on �_iryes t:he Ylanniny Coimtu.:arson to care full.Y
deliberate on these points as vital iacto?'s i.n your dec.i.sion-making
process. Purther, we ask that you convey our concerns; to Mr. Sheldon
and all parties concerned.
Sincerely,
Jose 1 telanit"
Ch,u.rman
cc: Orvi.l J. Johnson