1997-10-14 Council Workshop-Comp PlanO
OCTOBER 14,1997
The first Workshop for the 1998 revision of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of
Mendota Heights was held on Tuesday, October 14, 1997, in the Council Chambers at
City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
The following Councilmembers were present: Mayor Mertensotto, and Councilmembers
Smith, Krebsbach, and Huber. Councilmember Koch was excused from the meeting.
The following Planning Commissioners were present: Commissioners Lorberbaum,
Betlej, Duggan, Dwyer, Koll, and Tilsen. Commissioner Friel was excused from the
meeting.
The following Parks and Recreation Commissioners were present: Commissioners Libra,
Spicer, Damberg, Norton, and Linnell, and Kleinglass. Commissioner Liberacki was
excused from the meeting.
The following Airport Relations Commissioners were present: Commissioners Gross,
Beaty, Stein, May, and Des Roches. Commissioners Fitzer and Leuman were excused
from the meeting.
Also present were City Administrator Kevin Batchelder, Public Works Director Jim
Danielson, City Planners Meg McMonigal and Mark Weigel, and Administrative
Assistant Patrick C. Hollister..
Administrator Batchelder welcomed all present to the first Comprehensive Planning
Workshop and introduced Planner Meg McMonigal.
Planner McMonigal said that the purpose of the Workshop was to provide background
information for the Comprehensive Plan, to present the results of the interviews with
Councilmembers, Commissioners, other jurisdictions and major landowners within the
City, to rank the priorities among those issues, and to get feedback from the participants
about the level of public involvement necessary in drafting the new Comprehensive Plan.
Planner Weegel provided background information to the audience on the content and
purpose of Comprehensive Plans and the Metropolitan Council requirements for
Comprehensive Plans. Planner Wiegel also gave an overview of basic demographic
trends in Mendota Heights.
Planner McMonigal reviewed the results of the interviews between McCombs Frank
Roos and the various stakeholders. Planner McMonigal explained that based upon the
interviews MFRA has discerned forty -five issues in the areas of Redevelopment, Land
Use, Housing, Transportation, Parks and Trails /Open Space, Utilities/Public Works,
Airport Noise, and Administration.
The Workshop Participants then broke into small groups and each group prioritized the
list of issues.
19 al I I; I "I 5
The following top five issues emerged as the highest priorities for the Comprehensive
Plan:
1. Airport Noise: Runway Issues and General Diligence
2. Dodd Road and Highway 110 Intersection
3. Garron Site/Resurrection Site/Highway 55 Corridor:
Air Noise Compatibility Issues for Redevelopment
4. Three -Way Tie:
Maintenance of Older Housing Stock
Creation of an Economic Development Strategy
Preservation of Open Space
0 WI
Planners McMonigal and Wiegel then asked the audience for future direction. In
particular, the Planners wanted to know whether or how to schedule neighborhood
meetings. The consensus of the group was that the Council and the Commissions should
help the Planners to create a draft of the Comprehensive Plan first and then solicit public
input. The Planners agreed to create a draft of the Comprehensive Plan and hold another
Workshop with the Council and Commissions in March or April of 1998 before holding
Town Meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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