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1997-02-01 Council Planning Comm WorkshopCITY OF 1 1 1 HEIGHTS DAKOTA 1 UNTY, MINNESO 1-_%ANNING COMMISSION/CITY 1 1 JOINT 1' /1 MINUTES 1 1997 FEBRUARY 1, The Joint Workshop of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission and the Mendota Heights City Council was held on Saturday, February 1, 1997, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM. The following Commissioners were present: Betlej, Duggan, Friel, Dwyer, and Lorberbaum. The following Councilmembers were present: Smith, Koch, Huber, Krebsbach, and Mayor Mertensotto. Also present were resident Bill Nichols of 685 South Freeway Road, City Administrator Kevin Batchelder, Planning Consultant Meg McMonigal, City Engineer Marc Mogan and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Batchelder welcomed everyone to the Workshop and introduced the participants. PRESENTATIONS OF ISSUES AND EXISTING CONDITIONS Mr. Batchelder told the Workshop participants that the purpose of the Workshop was to discuss three issues: 1. Street sweepings and anti - dumping enforcement: at the Freeway Road site 2. Future development of the MnDOT right -of -way north of Highway 110 3. Future development of the MnDOT right -of -way south of Highway 110 Mr. Batchelder also pointed out that a revision of the Mendota Heights Comprehensive Plan was due to the Metropolitan Council by December 31, 1998, and that planning for the Freeway Road site should be included in the Comprehensive Planning process. Mr. Batchelder mentioned that previous examinations of the site involved the 1985 Downtown Study, the 1992 Survey, and a letter to MnDOT. Ms. McMonigal presented the existing conditions of the Freeway Road site and development opportunities and constraints. Mr. Mogan presented details of engineering characteristics of the Freeway Road site, including drainage, utilities, and traffic. Mr. Hollister presented the results of the questionnaire issued to Workshop participants in advance of the meeting. The Workshop participants discussed the realignment of Freeway Road, potential land use options, acquisition and redevelopment efforts, traffic and roadway capabilities and roadway options. The Workshop broke from 10 am to 10:15 am. DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC ISSUES AND DIRECTION TO STAFF The Workshop participants made the following determinations and the Council gave the following directions to Staff- City-Owned Property North of 110 Discussion 1Jr. Nichols claimed that illegal dumping was occurring at the site, and that the chain intended to prevent such dumping had been down for several months. Mr. Batchelder said that the Public Works department had been ordered to completely cease dumping on the site, and that the City was in the process of looking for an alternative site for dumping. Direction The Council directed Staff to replace the chain with a more secure fence and to notify the Police Department about the alleged dumpings. Staff was directed to research options for 1997 street sweeping. Release of Right -of -Way South of 110 Discussion The Council determined that it should not allow the release of MnDOT right -of -way south of 110 to Paster Enterprises until it had thoroughly studied the development potential both north and south of Highway 110. The Council agreed that the right -of -way north and south of 110 should be planned in conjunction with each other. Direction The Council directed Staff to prepare an add -on item for Tuesday evening's agenda to deny Paster Enterprise's request to release the MnDOT right -of -way at this time until future development options for the right -of -way both north and south of Highway 110 had been explored. 2 Status of City MSA Designated By -Pass Road Discussion The Council determined that the City should attempt to get state and /or MSA funding for the realignment of Freeway Road, which could be justified because its original intent as a distant frontage road for Highway 110 never came to fruition. The Council was also concerned that sufficient right -of -way be reserved north and south of 110 to accommodate possible future increase in traffic at the intersection of Highway 110 and Dodd Road. Direction The Council directed Staff to conduct a Feasibility Study to consider options for realigning Freeway Road and to examine the possibility of MSA status and /or state funding for the realignment of Freeway Road. The Council also directed Staff to determine future traffic scenarios along Highway 110 and to examine the possible necessity of reserving right -of -way on both sides of 110 to accommodate future traffic. Land Use - Establishment of Appropriate Land Use Designations Discussion Mr. Batchelder asked Mr. Nichols to speculate about what preferences his neighborhood might have for a future use of the Freeway Road site. Mr. Nichols said that most of his neighbors were "empty- nesters" and that they would probably not object to some sort of tasteful single - family, multi - family or even commercial use of the site. He suspected that they would, however, object to an active lighted ballfield. The Council and the Planning Commission agreed that it would be best to first examine how to realign Freeway Road to create the largest possible developable parcel with the best access and visibility before deciding on future land use, zoning classifications, and comprehensive plan designations for any or all of the property north of Highway 110. The Council and Planning Commission were willing to look at the possibility of multi - family housing, senior housing, or "life cycle" housing for empty nesters in addition to commercial development or other types of development. Direction The Council directed Staff to draw scenarios showing various possible realignments of Freeway Road and present them at a future Council meeting. The Council also directed Staff to examine the possibility of an overpass bridge or an at -grade intersection across Highway 110. The Council agreed that access to Mendota Plaza was less than optimal, 3 and thus the possibility of providing Mendota Plaza direct access to and from 110 should be examined. Level of City Involvement in Development/Redevelopment Discussion The Council and the Planning Commission discussed transferring portions of the MnDOT ROW north and south of Highway 110 to the City and agreed that this would probably not be desirable (except perhaps what may be needed in the future for interchange purposes), but that the City should use whatever development or redevelopment technique(s) provided the greatest degree of control over the future development of the land. Direction The Council directed Staff to compile a list of development /redevelopment tools and techniques for developing the Freeway Road site, including but not limited to Tax Increment Financing, Redevelopment Zones, and /or the creation of a mixed -use PUD, along with the advantages and disadvantages of using each mechanism. The Council also directed Planner McMonigal to locate and invite a developer with expertise in this type of development /redevelopment to explain to the Council what the possibilities would be on this site. Motion to adjourn made by Huber and seconded by Smith. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 12:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister M