2020-12-17 Planning Commission MInutesDecember 17, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 1 of 4
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 17, 2020
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday,
December 17, 2020 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:00 P.M.
The following Commissioners were present: Commissioners Patrick Corbett, Litton Field, Andrew
Katz, Michael Toth, and Brian Petschel. Those absent: Chair Mary Magnuson and Commissioner
John Mazzitello.
Community Development Director Tim Benetti commented that the Commission is without a
Chair or Vice Chair tonight and asked a member of the Commission to make a motion to nominate
a temporary Chair for tonight’s meeting.
COMMISSIONER CORBETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL TO
APPOINT LITTON FILED AS TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION FOR TONIGHT’S MEETING.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 1 (Field)
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as submitted.
Approval of November 24, 2020 Minutes
COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CORBETT TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
Hearings
A) PLANNING CASE 2020-25
DAKOTA COUNTY, 1498 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD– CRITICAL AREA
PERMIT
Community Development Director Tim Benetti explained that Dakota County is seeking a Critical
Area Permit to construct and install a number of new improvements to the Big Rivers Regional
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Trail park, located at 1498 Mendota Heights Road. This park is also referred to as Scenic Overlook
Park on the City parks map.
Hearing notices were published and mailed to all properties within 350-ft. of the site; no comments
or objections to this request were received.
Community Development Director Tim Benetti provided a planning staff report and a presentation
on this planning item to the Commission (which is available for viewing through the City’s
website).
Staff recommended approval of this application based on the findings and with conditions.
Commissioner Petschel asked if the semi-circular wall is going to be replaced.
Commissioner Corbett asked for details on the grade of the bluff facing side of the building pad
and whether there would be a fence or wall. He asked if work has already started at this location.
Community Development Director Benetti replied that he also noticed the tire tracks and stated
that perhaps that was related to the trail resurfacing. He noted that they also removed diseased
trees.
Commissioner Toth asked if some trees would be removed near the building site.
Community Development Director Tim Benetti noted that the pine trees mentioned are planned to
remain.
Commissioner Katz asked if there are plans to add vegetation or enhance what is in the area.
Josh Kinney, Dakota County, stated that this is a unique site with great features. He noted that the
wall construction and planting of the pine trees occurred in 1938. He stated that the building pad
will be drained north and south, rather than towards the river. He stated that there is no planned
barrier between the bluff and structure and instead will plan prairie restoration for that area.
Commissioner Petschel asked if the wall would be maintained or replaced.
Mr. Kinney replied that the wall will be maintained and will be on the register of national historic
sites.
Commissioner Katz referenced the natural springs within the critical area and asked if there are
any known springs in this area that would be impacted.
Mr. Kinney stated that the tire tracks were a result of soil borings that were done in order to
complete geotechnical analysis. He stated that the results showed that there were no springs and
that there would not be fractures caused by this activity.
Commissioner Katz asked where the limestone was discovered in the borings.
December 17, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 of 4
Mr. Kinney replied that the depth to bedrock in this location was six feet.
Commissioner Katz commented that it interesting how the depth to bedrock varies in different
locations along the bluff line.
Mr. Kinney stated that as part of the project they will be adding several plantings, focusing more
on shrubs and herbaceous plantings and will look to maintain the large trees that exist on the site.
Acting Chair Field opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Acting Chair Field asked for a motion to close
the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER TOTH MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KATZ, TO CLOSE
THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CORBETT, TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUESTED CRITICAL AREA PERMIT TO
DAKOTA COUNTY FOR 1498 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD, WITH THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS:
1. THE FINAL GRADING PLAN, INCLUDING NEW STORM POND DETAILS AND
CALCULATIONS, MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF ANY GRADING OR LAND DISTURBANCE PERMIT.
2. ALL GRADING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY WILL BE IN COMPLIANCE
WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS AND
CODES, AS WELL AS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY’S LAND DISTURBANCE
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT.
3. ALL DISTURBED AREAS IN AND AROUND THE PROJECT SITE SHALL BE
RESTORED AND HAVE AN ESTABLISHED AND PERMANENT GROUND COVER
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.
4. A BUILDING PERMIT MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CITY OF MENDOTA
HEIGHTS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION
WORK ON THE SHELTER/RESTROOM FACILITY.
5. CONNECTION CHARGES FOR SANITARY SEWER AND WATER MAIN SHALL
BE PAID PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF ANY BUILDING PERMITS.
6. FULL EROSION CONTROL PLANS AND MEASURES, INCLUDING SILT FENCE,
BALES AND/OR BIO-FILTRATION ROLLS MUST BE IN PLACE PRIOR TO ANY
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF
PROJECT.
7. THE PLANS FO THE NEW PARKING LOT AND NEW ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS
MUST BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
PRIOR TO START OF ANY CONSTRUCTION.
December 17, 2020 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 4 of 4
8. A SWPPP SHALL BE DEVELOPED FOR THE PROJECT. PROTECTED BLUFFS
SHALL HAVE A DOUBLE SILT FENCE INSTALLED FOR ADDED PROTECTION
IN THESE AREAS.
9. AN NPDES (NATIONAL POLLUTION DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM)
PERMIT AND A MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DRAINAGE
PERMIT IS REQUIRED.
10. NO STRUCTURES, HARD-SURFACED IMPROVEMENTS, OR TREE AND
VEGETATION REMOVALS WILL BE ALLOWED WITHIN THE 40-FOOT BLUFF
IMPACT ZONE.
11. ANY FUTURE WORK TO REPLACE OR IMPROVE THE EXISTING MONUMENT
SIGN NEAR THE FRONT ENTRY MUST BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED UNDER
SEPARATE SIGN PERMIT APPLICATION TO THE CITY.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
Acting Chair Field advised the City Council would consider this application at its January 12, 2021
meeting.
Staff Announcements / Updates
Community Development Director Tim Benetti gave the following verbal review:
• The Council considered the Culligan request at its last two meetings and the project was
ultimately denied with a vote of 3-2 by the Council. The other lot split requests
recommended for approval by the Commission were approved by the Council.
• The Commission will most likely move to a hybrid operation in January if the same COVID
restrictions exist.
Acting Chair Field asked if the Culligans would be restricted from reapplying for six months
because a Conditional Use Permit was involved in the request and denial.
Community Development Director Tim Benetti confirmed that the applicant would be restricted
from reapplying for a six-month period.
Adjournment
COMMISSIONER CORBETT MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FIELD, TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:22 P.M.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0