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09 16 2025 City Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the City Council Work Session Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the Mendota Heights City Council was held at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Levine called the work session to order at 4:30 p.m. Councilors Lorberbaum, Maczko (arrived at 4:40 pm), Mazzitello (arrived at 4:34 pm), and Paper were in attendance. Others present included: Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, Community Development Manager Sarah Madden, Assistant City Engineer Lucas Ritchie, Police Chief Kelly McCarthy, City Attorney Amy Schmidt, and City Clerk Nancy Bauer. Mayor Levine asked that the agenda be revised to add item 2c -Discussion of Radar Feedback Speed Limit Signs. Motion made by Councilor Lorberbaum, seconded by Councilor Paper and carried. ZONING CODES ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDING HEIGHT Community Development Manager Madden provided an overview of recent discussions between staff and builders regarding updates to residential roof pitch and building height standards in the updated Zoning Code. She explained that there have been questions about how these standards are interpreted and why they were implemented. Her presentation included a summary of the updated standards and the background behind their development. She noted that the previous code included a minimum roof pitch of 3:12, which remains unchanged, but the updated code now includes a maximum pitch of 9:12. The second standard of the new code maintains the overall maximum height limit. However, for infill development in the R-I Zoning District, the maximum height is based on the average height of the two adjacent residential structures. This calculated average could be less than 25 feet. To build higher than this average, an applicant must apply for a conditional use permit. If the proposed height exceeds 25 feet, a variance application is also required. Mayor Levine asked if a triangulation calculation could be done from the street to get the roof height of adjacent properties. Community Development Manager Madden stated that it could be done that way, but trees or a long driveway may interfere with getting accurate measurements. Mayor Levine stated that the standards may need to be refined for larger lots. These new standards in code were discussed for the infill lots. September 16, ZOZS, Mendota Heights City Council Work Session Minzrtes Page - I Councilor Lorberbaum asked for clarification of a roof pitch. Community Development Manager Madden described how the roof pitch was determined and handed out a sheet that diagrammed roof pitch. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that Council had discussed "character of the neighborhood" standards when discussing roofing standards for the new zoning code amendments. Mayor Levine asked if larger lots could have setbacks for the roof requirements. Community Development Manager Madden stated that in the old code there were increased setbacks from the side property line corresponding with the height and in the new code that language was replaced. Councilor Maczko stated that there were past discussions regarding these issues because of the older homes in the far north end of the city that have smaller lots. Councilor Mazzitello stated that under the updated code, a conditional use permit is required for buildings exceeding the new maximum height, which is capped at 25 feet unless a variance is obtained. He asked whether the 25-foot height is still measured from the midpoint of the tallest gable. Community Development Manager Madden confirmed that this measurement standard remains unchanged. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the previous code had a roof pitch requirement. Community Development Manager Madden stated that it did not have a maximum roof pitch, but it did have a minimum of 3:12 pitch. Sean Doyle, from the audience, commented on the need for clarification of roof pitch standards and expressed concern that the 25-foot height limit may be too restrictive, potentially requiring conditional use permits and causing delays. Mike Fritz, M & M Homes, from the audience, stated he would be happy with a 12:12 pitch for the main body. Councilor Mazzitello asked if the tallest gable, where the highest point of the main structure is measured, has a 12:12 pitch and no ridge exceeds that height, would builders be satisfied. Mike Fritz answered that it would be satisfactory. Mayor Levine summarized the conversation, stating that the questions raised were about the challenges of measuring adjacent properties, if permission is not granted from the other property owner, roof heights and pitch concerns, and the definition of "main body". Council directed staff to look at a 12:12 pitch maximum for a roof as opposed to a 9:12 pitch. She noted that for the height issue, a conditional use permit is needed for more than 25 feet in height. Community Development Manager Madden clarified from what she heard in the discussion that the pitch should be changed to 12:12 and to clarify the language of main body of the roof versus ornamental or accessory roofs. She noted that the averaging of height and the conditional use permit to exceed the height could be reevaluated in the future. September 16, 2025, Alendota Heights Ciry Council hVork Session Mimrtes Page - 2 Councilor Mazzitello added that the main body ridge cannot be exceeded. Community Development Manager Madden stated she will add that language. REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS REQUEST FOR SUPPORT Mayor Levine stated that at the Regional Council of Mayors meeting it was discussed for local Mayors to sign a letter supporting the call to ban assault weapons and high -capacity magazines. The mayor of Minnetonka, Brad Wiesum, wrote a letter on this issue that was included in the packet. With the Council's' permission she would like to sign a letter banning assault weapons and high -capacity magazines. Councilor Mazzitello thanked Mayor Levine for bringing the idea forward. Councilor Maczko stated he agreed with the sentiment of the letter. He stated he believes that more needs to be done to solve the problem than just banning assault weapons and that mental health issues need to be addressed. Councilor Mazzitello stated that he was not in agreement with the Mayor signing the letter. The problems being faced are not addressed in the letter. He clarified his position, saying that the problem is hate and that banning something doesn't help. Mayor Levine stated that the attached letter is not what she would sign. Councilor Lorberbaum stated that she is not comfortable approving the Mayor signing a letter without seeing the letter first. She added that she would like to do something, but does not know what she can do to show her support. Councilor Paper stated that he did not think that gun control was a city issue for the City Council to direct. The Mayor requested Chief McCarthy to comment Chief McCarthy commented that regulating high -capacity magazines and assault rifles to reduce gun violence would be consistent with other regulatory efforts to reduce crime. She stated that this is a leadership question for the Council. Councilor Maczko stated that the Mayor could sign a letter asking the legislature to ban assault rifles and high -capacity magazines, but that his preference would be that she would sign as herself and not as a representative of the entire Mendota Heights City Council, Mayor Levine stated that it is her prerogative to sign a letter, and while she would like the support of the Council, she does not need it to sign the letter herself. She said that she has heard the feedback and comments from the Council. She stated that she thinks it is important to sign the letter but felt that the topic needs further consideration. Septembw16, 2025, Me»dota Heights City Cowacil YVork Session Mi�rudes Page - 3 RADAR FEEDBACK SPEED LIMIT SIGNS Public Works Director Ruzek stated staff will be asking for Council approval to purchase 12 radar feedback speed limit signs. The total cost is approximately $32,000 and is eligible for 100% funding through Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds. In staff s opinion, these signs are effective in slowing down traffic. He stated that Councilor Maczko has asked for additional information, additional speed studies, and questioned whether the signs are going to be effective. Councilor Maczko stated that his background is in traffic safety and engineering. He was unclear of the problem we are trying to solve with these signs. He said that these signs are not effective if permanently installed. He thought that MSA funds would be better used elsewhere. He asked that this item be pulled from the meeting agenda tonight to allow for further discussion. Mayor Levine asked if this is for a study, what would be the goals and outcomes. Public Works Director Ruzek reiterated that staff believe these signs are effective in slowing vehicles, and they would be installed on some of our State Aid routes. Mayor Levine asked if they would be placed in transitional areas. Public Works Director Ruzek stated some would be. He added that they are data collection devices, and staff would receive real-time data. Councilor Lorberbaum stated that staff believe they are effective and that she also respects the experience of Councilor Maczko. She suggested that it is not worth rushing and a discussion can be held later. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that the item can be discussed at a future work session, but the price to purchase the signs will more than likely increase. Councilor Mazzitello stated that he supports the proposal as is but that he would not object if the Council were to table this item. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that there were other ways to collect pre -data and a consultant would need to be hired, which would add to the cost of collecting and analyzing the data. Councilor Paper stated he liked that data is being collected from the signs and understood that a consultant may need to be hired to analyze the data that is captured. Mayor ADJOURNMENT Levine stated if she heard correctly, they would be used in transition zones. Public Works Director Ruzek stated not right at the transition point, but in the transition zone. Councilor Mazzitello made a motion to adjourn the work session, seconded by Councilor Lorberbaum. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m. September 16, 2025, Mendota Heights City Cozrnci! i-Vor•k Session Minzrtes Page - 4 ATTEST: t qfificy Ba er, City Clerk SteplInieeB. Levine, Mayor September 16, 2025, Mendota Heights City Council Work Session Minutes Page - S