1995-09-28 Council Workshop Hwy 55 CorridorA
Minutes of the Workshop Meeting
Held Thursday, September 28, 1995
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the joint workshop meeting of the City Council and
Planning Commission, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at City Hall,
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:10 o'clock P.M. The following members
were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Huber, Krebsbach and Smith.
Councilmember Koch notified the Council that she would be late. Planning Commission
members present were Koll, Betlej, Tilsen, and Lorberbaum. Planning Commission members
that were excused were Dwyer, Friel and Duggan.
WELCOME AND Planner John Uban was recognized as being in attendance to
IN RODUCTIONS provide a summary of research that was undertaken to help determine the
feasibility of constructing upscale townhomes on a site located in the
south west comer of Pilot Knob Road and Highway 55/Highway 110.
DISCUSSION OF Mayor Mertensotto reported discussions with Mr. John Mathem.
HIGHWAY 55 regarding a townhome proposal in the Crown Point neighborhood and
CORRIDOR Mr. Mathem's interest in the four lots north of Resurrection Cemetery
for townhomes.
Mayor Mertensotto also reported that Roseville Properties is considering
a 20,000 sq. ft. office building in Center Pointe. The Council and
Commission discussed this possibility and a proposal for assisted living
on a nine acre site south of Cemstone's office building. The Council
and Commission discussed possible standards for townhome
construction.
The Council and Commission discussed the area of land between
Augusta Lake and lake Lemay that is owned by Catholic Cemeteries.
The Mayor stated Dakota County is not interested in this land for park
purposes.
The Council and Commission discussed townhome use on the "Carron
Site". Planner Uban discussed the response from developers about
townhomes on this site and mentioned a mixed use district with
residential and business. Site B (Acacia North) and Site C (Victory
North) were discussed in respect to the Garron site. The Council and
Commission discussed the combination of these sites into one large
Highway 55 Workshop
September 28, 1995
Page two
gateway site that would require a high standard of exterior materials,
preserve the boulevard along Acacia Drive and avoid piecemeal
development.
John Uban discussed the MnD ®T landscape program for the highway
right -of -way. Retail/Service use was discussed for the Highway
110 /11ighway 13 intersection area and there was consensus that this land
use would dilute service uses at Lexington/Highway 110 and Mendota
Heights Road and Highway 55.
The Council and Commission discussed the office use in the Center
Pointe office park. There was a consensus to maintain this land use
designation in this area in order to not have office /warehouse uses and to
keep truck traffic to a minimum.
Councilmember Smith described the Dakota Bank's current interest and
proposal in developing a bank and a SuperAmerica on the Curley site
located at the south east corner of Lexington and Highway 110. She
stated the bank has struck a deal with SuperAmerica in which the SOS
would sell out and SuperAmerica would pay the clean up costs. The
preliminary site plans which include a 12,000 sq. ft. bank, a 3,500 sq.
ft. SuperAmerica and a vacant outlot were discussed. The Council
expressed a concern about the undefined outlot. The Council was of a
consensus that the request for Tax Increment Financing would require a
Comprehensive Plan for the whole site. There was consensus that 2
strips of gas islands that could serve a total of 12 cars would be the
maximum gas service allowed in this area.
The Council and Commission discussed traffic generated by the
proposed car wash at SuperAmerica and the need to minimize signs in
this area. The Council and Commission discussed the need for
landscaping in the corner at the intersection and were not in favor of a
community kiosk or reader sign.
CONCLUSION The Council directed Planner Uban to compile the information gathered
in Phase I and Phase II and prepare a summary report of the Highway
55 Study. Planner Uban estimated this would cost approximately
$1,800. The report was to include land use plan that shows no changes
in land use for the property controlled by the Catholic Cemeteries, no
more commercial land uses along Highway 13 /Highway 110
intersection, a continuation of the office land use designations in the
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September 28, 1995
Page three
Center Pointe office park, and a change to Medium Density Residential
for the Garron and Acacia sites. The Council authorized staff to finish
payments for Phase I and Phase H including additional work requested
and directed staff not to proceed with Phase Ell of the study.
ADJOURN The workshop was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin
Administrative Assistant