1985-10-15 Council minutesPage No. 2371
October 15, 1985
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held. Tuesday, October 15, 1985
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City
Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 7:30 o'clock P.M. at City Hall,
750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Acting Mayor Witt called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The
following members were present: Acting Mayor Witt, Councilmembers Blesener,
Cummins and Hartmann. Mayor Lockwood had informed the Council that he would
be late.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Hartmann moved adoption of the agenda
for the meeting including additional items contained
in the add -on agenda.
Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion.
Councilmember Cummins moved approval of the minutes of
the October 1st meeting.
Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion.
Councilmember Hartmann moved approval of the consent
calendar as submitted and recommended for approval as
part of the regular agenda, along with authorization
for execution of all necessary documents contained
therein.
a. Acknowledgement of the minutes of the September
19th NDC -4 meeting.
b. Acknowledgement of a memo from the City
Administrator regarding a metropolitan
significance review of the proposed Homart Office
development in Bloomington.
c. Acknowledgement of the Treasurer's monthly report
for September.
d. Acknowledgement of the minutes of the September
10th Park and Recreation Commission meeting.
e. Acknowledgement of the Fire Department monthly
report for September.
f. Approval of a modified critical area site plan for
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
INTRODUCTIONS
AGENDA ORDER
ASSESSMENT ROLL,
MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD
WATERMAIN
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
Page No 2372
October 15, 1985
an addition at 754 Woodridge Drive, along with
waiver of the critical area site plan review
application fee.
g. Adoption of Resolution No 85-81, "RESOLUTION
ACCEPTING WORK AND APPROVING FINAL PAYMENT FOR
IMPROVEMENT NO 83, PROJECT NO. 4," authorizing
final payment of $7,365.09 to Orfei & Sons, Inc.,
for Evergreen Knolls Addition public improvements.
h. Approval of the List of Claims dated October 15,
1985 and totalling 089,159.96.
i. Approval of the list of contractor licenses,
granting licenses to:
J.R. Walker & Sons, Inc.
DJ's Heating & Air
Conditioning
K.W. Dahm Construction Co.
London Construction Co.
Pacific Pool and Patio
M.B. Enterprises
Quality Design, Inc.
Lindstrom Cleaning and
Construction, Inc.
DJ's Heating & Air
Conditioning
Excavating License
Gas Piping License
General Contractor License
General Contractor License
General Contractor License
General Contractor License
General Contractor License
General Contractor License
Heating & Air Conditioning
License
Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion.
Acting Mayor Witt introduced Planning Commission
member Bill Burke and Park Commission member Robert
Leffert to the audience.
Acting Mayor Witt informed the audience that Mayor
Lockwood would be unable to be present until
approximately 9:00 P.M. and consequently the hearings
scheduled for 7:30 and 8:00 P.M. would be conducted
after the Mayor's arrival.
Public Works Director Danielson reviewed his memo
regarding the proposed assessment roll for Mendota
Heights Road watermain improvements.
Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of Resolution No.
85-82, "RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND CONFIRMING ASSESSMENTS
FOR WATERMAIN TRUNK LINE ALONG TRUNK HIGHWAY 149 AND
MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD."
Councilmember Blesener-seconded the motion.
Page No 2373
October 15, 1985
Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of Resolution No.
85 -83, "RESOLUTION DEFERRING PAYMENT OF ASSESSMENTS
(IMPROVEMENT NO. 83, PROJECT NO. 7B)."
Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
)Nays: 0
PERSONNEL Police Chief Delmont reviewed his memo regarding the
Police Sergeant's promotional exam and tentative
timeline for the promotion of a Patrol Officer to
Sergeant.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
COMPUTER STUDY
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
After brief discussion, Councilmember Hartmann moved
to authorize the City Administrator and Police Chief
to begin the process of testing for a Sergeant and to
advertise and accept applications for a new Patrol
Officer.
Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion.
Mr. Dave McCauley, from DSM Information Services,
Inc., informed Council that an information system
requirement specification has been prepared and that
the next step in the process will be to prepare
purchase specifications. Mr. McCauley reviewed cost
estimates and answered questions from the Council and
audience.
After discussion, Councilmember Hartmann moved to
authorize DSM Information Services, Inc. to enter the
Implementation Phase of the project at a fee not to
exceed $3,600, study preparation costs to be charged
to the budgeted Administration contingency line item.
Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion.
PERSONNEL Council acknowledged a memo from the City
Administrator indicating that three public works
employees have applied for the Utility Leadman
position. The Administrator recommended that John
Neska be appointed Utility Maintenance Worker and that
his promotion to Utility Leadman take place after he
receives Wastewater Operator Certification.
Councilmember Cummins moved to appoint John Neska to
the position of Utility Maintenance Worker.
Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
MENDOTA POLICE
CONTRACT
Ayes: 4
'Nays: 0
COMMUNICATIONS
BIKE TRAIL
RECESS
HEARING -- TANDEM
CORPORATION
Page 2374
October 15, 1985
Councilmember Blesener moved to authorize the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute the 1986 police contract
with the City of Mendota.
Acting Mayor Witt seconded the motion.
The Council acknowledged a notice of metropolitan
significance review on the proposed Bloomington Mall
of America /Fantasyworld.
The Council acknowledged notices of public hearings
from the Regional Transit Board, the Dakota County
Library Board and the Metropolitan Waste Control
Commission.
The Council acknowledged a memo from the Public Works
Director regarding the bike trail along the pond at
Lexington and Marie Avenues. Park Commission member
Leffert stated that the Commission tabled discussion
on the matter to its November meeting and asked that
Council take no action on the matter until the
Commission has an opportunity to discuss and make a
recommendation on the issue.
Acting Mayor Witt called a recess at 8:35 P.M.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:50 P.M.
Acting Mayor Witt opened the meeting for the purpose
of a public hearing on applications from the Tandem
Corporation for rezoning and conditional use permit
for Planned Unit Development.
Mr. Dick Putnam, representing Tandem, stated that his
firm proposes to develop 137 acres of land owned by
the Opus Corporation and Jerry Rauenhorst and located
west of Delaware Avenue, south of the Dodge Nature
Preserve, and east of Delaware Crossing into 181
single family residential lots. He informed Council
that his firm has reviewed several issues which were
brought to their attention by both the City and area
residents: impact of the proposal on the City's
Comprehensive Plan, zoning and park system and the
impact on neighboring properties. With regard to City
issues, Mr. Putnam stated that the property is
currently zoned R -1A and that his firm is requesting
rezoning to urban density (R -1). He pointed out that
lots in Friendly Hills and Delaware Crossing range in
size from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet and that the
Montgomery Addition consists of one -acre lots. He
informed the Council that the density was also of
concern to adjacent property owners who would like the
R -1A density retained. Another item of City concern
Page No. 2375
October 15, 1985
was the issue of park needs. Mr. Putnam stated that
there is a natural park area between the two major
ponds in the first phase of the three -phase
development, that neighborhood parks exist in the
Friendly Hills area and the Comprehensive Plan
designates a portion of the School District property
as a park site. He indicated that there has been some
question about the use of the shonaine area
surrounding the ponds and that the final issue of
concern expressed was that of access to neighboring
properties. In response to this concern, he stated
that the preliminary plat has been revised to provide
two points of access to the Dodge Nature Preserve, two
accesses to the Weed property and access to Delaware
Avenue in Phase 3. He stated that the lots nearest to
the Montgomery Addition have.been realigned to provide
larger lots and a greater feeling of openness. Mr.
Putnam informed Council that all of the lots exceed
the 15,000 square foot R -1 lot size requirement. He
stated that a couple of alternatives were discussed by
the Park Commission relative to shoreline area
ownership and maintenance, one of which was to not use
any of the area around the ponds for park purposes.
He pointed out that his firm has designed a flexible
area around the ponds that can be made a scenic
easement which could be owned by the public or which
could be privately owned with an easement restricting
property owner use of the area. Mr. Putnam stated
that it seems that the neighbors would like to see the
shoreline remain natural rather than manicured by the
property owners. He informed Council that if the area
is to be a public area he would have reservations
about having a trail along the shoreline -- he did not
believe this would work well with the more expensive
homes which will likely be constructed on the affected
lots, the most expensive and desireable lots in the
plat
Mr. Putnam stated that if approved, the development
will be constructed in three phases which will be
developed over a five to six year period. The first
(37 acre) phase is the northerly portion of the
proposed plat and consists of 57 lots. Mr. Putnam
explained that the lots vary in size because he wanted
to provide different frontages on the same street.
In response to a question from Acting Mayor Witt
regarding what park and recreation facilities, such as
tot lots or open space, will be available within the
plat, Mr. Putnam stated that given the proximity of
the Friendly Hills park and the potential future park
southeast of the proposed plat area he does not
believe there would be a need for another neighborhood
Page No. 2376
October 15, 1985
park within the plat.
Mr. Putnam stated that the Park Commission has
recommended that the first phase of the development
be approved subject to resolution of the shoreline
ownership issue and that approval of phases two and
three be withheld until the Commission reviews the
comprehensive park study and can make a recommendation
on park dedication. He informed the Council that he
has discussed trails with the Commission and that the
developers will construct a trail between the ponds
and through the project to Delaware Avenue, through
the Weed property and back to Huber Drive.
Acting Mayor Witt asked for questions and comments
from the audience.
Mr. Texar, 718 Navajo Lane, complimented Mr. Putnam on
his presentation and asked what good the development
will do for the City and how it will affect the values
of properties in Friendly Hills and Delaware Crossing.
He also felt that the shoreline area should be
privately owned and should not be publicly accessible.
Mr. James Losleben, 815 Hazel Court, asked how many
homes could be built under existing zoning.
Mr. Bernard Friel asked how much the natural terrain
will be altered to accommodate the plat'and whether
the developers had done any planning under existing
zoning.
Mayor Lockwood arrived at 9:05 P.M.
Mr. John Campbell, 2348 Apache, noted that 117 of the
lots are under 20,000 square feet in size.
In response to a question from Council, Mr. Putnam
stated that it is likely that at least 3 or 4 builders
will be interested in constructing homes within the
plat and that lots will also be available for
individuals to purchase, however, there will be
covenants developed and an architectural control
committee so that if an individual buys a lot his
house plans would have to be reviewed and approved by
the committee.
Mr. Ulton Duggan, 813 Hazel Court, asked whether the
developer would agree to a 10 acre park dedication for
Phases 2 and 3 if such a dedication were required by
the City, since Mr. Putnam had indicated that 181 lots
are necessary because of development and improvement
costs.
Page No 2377
October 15, 1985
Mr. Charles Mertensotto, 2371 Rogers Avenue, stated
that the School District property (proposed park site)
will double in value if the proposed project develops.
Mr. Losleben suggested that the City will . be faced
with the situation where the school property is not
available for park or the neighborhood does not want
the site developed for ballfields. He asked what the
City would do then in terms of parks for this
development.
Councilmember Cummins commended Mr. Putnam for working
with the community to resolve problems but stated that
one complaint still not resolved is the concern about
the minimum lot size of 15,000 and frontages of less
than 100 feet per lot. He indicated that while he
understands the applicant's desire to create different
sizes and shapes of lots he is concerned that the
minimum lot frontage will be 85 feet at the front yard
setback. He expressed concern that there are so many
lots of 15,000 and 16,000 square feet and felt that
the City has an abundance of plats with those lot
sizes and this is one of the last areas in the City to
have the opportunity to develop larger than average
size lots and high quality homes. He stated that he
could support the proposal for the portion of phase
one north and west of Huber Drive but would like to
see a minimum of 100 feet of frontage for the
remainder of the plat. He also felt that the lot
sizes should be increased to a minimum of 17,500
square feet and suggested that a new zoning district
specificying 17,500 square feet be adopted.
Councilmember Blesener agreed, stating that she
believes it is appropriate to create larger lots,
particularly in the northeast corner and to better
accommodate the existing grades without having to do a
great deal of earth moving. She also felt that there
should be a 30 to 50 foot trail easement around the
ponds to tie in with the City's trail system.
Mayor Lockwood agreed that there should be a public
easement around the ponds.
Mr. Campbell stated that the ponds are protected
waters and therefore an environmental assessment
worksheet must be prepared.
Administrator Frazell informed Council that the City
must prepare an EAW for developments in excess of 100
single family homes and that the Environmental Quality
Board has indicated that the worksheet could be done
during phase two.
Ayes: 5
lNays: 0
1
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0 _
Page No 2378
October 15, 1985
There being no further questions or comments,
Councilmember Blesener moved that the hearing be
closed at 9:57 P.M.
Councilmember Hartmann seconded the motion.
Councilmember Blesener moved approval of phase one of
the proposed development contingent upon eliminating
one lot per street to increase front footages,
increase in the size of the lots nearest the
Montgomery Addition and revision of the proposed cul-
de -sac.
After discussion, the motion was withdrawn.
Councilmember Cummins moved to lay the matter over
until the comprehensive plan has been discussed.
Acting Mayor Witt seconded the motion.
RECESS Acting Mayor Witt called a recess at 10:05 P.M.
The meeting was reconvened at 10:15 P.M.
SOUTHEAST AREA/
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Lockwood informed the audience that on October
1st Council accepted the Planning Commission
recommendation on proposed amendments to the
Comprehensive Plan relating to the southeast area of
the City. He stated that he would like to reopen
discussion on the proposed amendments and consider
additional information.
Mayor Lockwood moved to reconsider action taken on
October ist on the Southeast Area Comprehensive Plan
changes.
Councilmember Witt seconded the motion.
City Planners Howard Dahlgren and Phil Carlson were
present for the discussion. Planner Dahlgren informed
the audience that after the last Council meeting, at
which the plan amendments were approved, he had dis-
cussions with two of the Councilmembers who were con-
cerned about the plan. As the result, additional ideas
have been generated regarding plan implementation
He explained that Concept B -1 in the Southeast Area
Study was the amendment approved by Council with a
modified boundary line between medium residential and
high residential, with densities of 1.6 units per acre
for low density residential, 4 units per acre medium
residential density and 10 units per acre high density
residential. He further stated that Council had
determined that the possibility of developing a local
Page No.2379
October 15, 1985
commercial center at Dodd and Mendota Heights Road
be held in abeyance.
Mr. Dahlgren stated that the two Council members
expressed concern over the size of the multiple
dwelling development proposed by Mendota Heights
Associates which would consist of 8 - 75 unit
structures,and felt that Council should be able to
limit the size of the structures in a high density
project. He suggested that one approach would be to
permit structures of a certain size, for instance 24
units per building, and to consider proposals for
larger structures under a conditional use permit
process. Another concern expressed by the
Councilmembers was that the developer proposes
constructing 592 housing units of a single type and
were greatly concerned that it is important to have a
variety of housing types and not have up to two- thirds
of the entire area usurped by a single type of
development. Mr. Dahlgren felt that the City must
provide diverse housing options for the community, and
for that purpose there should be some variety, rather
than 592 unite of one type. He stated that the
Councilmembers wanted some type of control over the
number of units which could be constructed in the high
density classification.
Another suggestion was to rezone properties in the
southeast area to a specific planned unit development
so that it would become a contract zone with specific
types of uses and size of structures: the developer
would then have the right to construct that
development according to the PUD plan but could not
vary from the plan as approved. Under such a
circumstance, the City would have specific control
over such items as size, shape and quality of the
structures and the development proposal would be
subject to the public hearing process. Mr. Dahlgren
stated that it was also the explicit desire of the
Councilmembers to change the density for HR from 10
units per acre to 8 units per acre: while some
portions of a development may have a density of 10
units per acre, others would then have a density of 6
units per acre to achieve an overall density of 8
units per acre.
Mr. Dahlgren then gave a slide presentation
illustrating various housing types. He pointed out
that one important item to keep in mind is that there
is very little opportunity to make any changes in the
Comprehensive Plan from 15,000 square foot single
family lots: if the City is to offer a variety of
housing types at 10 units per acre or less where it
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Page No. 2380
October 15, 1985
would not adversely impact any land owner, it would be
in the area of the City contiguous to I -494 and south
of Mendota Heights Road.
He pointed out that the lots in Friendly Hills are
10,000 square foot single family lots. The area south
of Mendota Heights Road could be developed as a mix of
high quality townhouses at 4 units per acre and high
residential, 8 unit per acre density, multiple
dwelling units with a stipulated maximum number of
units per building. The result would be a variety of
structures constructed in accordance with very
specific development controls.
Mayor Lockwood asked how much of the MR area can
really accommodate a large building without radically
altering the topography of the land. Mr. Dahlgren
responded that the site is basically gentle and
rolling land and it is possible to locate 8 seventy -
five unit buildings on the site: the question is
whether the Council wants that many of the same type
of building, all three stories, with the same number
of units each on one site. Councilmember Witt
suggested that if the developer were to instead
propose 70 eight- plexes there would be nothing but
concrete, blacktop and buildings and the natural
terrain and amenities would be destroyed.
Mayor Lockwood read the recommendations contained in
the City Planner's report dated October llth.
Councilmember Blesener stated that she did not believe
the recommendations contained enough controls and that
there should be a better understanding of the
Council's desires. She felt Council should define its
goals and objectives for MR and HR districts and
incorporate those goals into the Plan amendments:
the amendments should include Council's goal for
the density of the area south of Mendota Heights Road,
5 units per acre overall; a new PUD zoning district
should be created to allow rezoning on a case by case
basis; the R-3 District Zoning Ordinance density
should be reduced to a maximum of 8 units per acre;
and that all the undeveloped land in the southeast
area of the City be developed under the PUD process.
There was brief discussion over the area on the north
side of Mendota Heights Road designated as "Park" in
the Comprehensive Plan.
Councilmember Blesener moved to create a PUD Zoning
District category.
Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
HEARING - MENDOTA
HEIGHTS ASSOCIATES
HOUSING BONDS
Page No. 2381
October 15, 1985
Councilmember Blesener moved to amend the R -3 Zoning
District to reduce the density to 8 units per acre.
Councilmember Witt seconded the motion.
Councilmember Blesener moved to draft a statement for
incorporation in the Comprehensive Plan amendments
which states the goals and objectives for the
southeast area of the City, applying specific controls
to development which occurs, such as providing a
diversity of housing types, retention of the natural
beauty of the terrain, building scale appropriate to
the terrain, multiple family buildings of 24 units per
building or less except by special use permit,
repetitive design structures limited to a maximum of
150 units and a strong preference for owner - occupied
housing.
Councilmember Witt seconded the motion.
Councilmember Cummins stated that he participated in
the discussions which led to the series of changes
discussed tonight and still has misgivings. He stated
that he would like to see the land stay single family
but believes the changes just acted upon give the
Council sufficient control to assure moderate scale
development in the area.
Councilmember Blesener moved to amend the
Comprehensive Plan in accordance with Concept B -1, the
City Planner to establish a reasonable location for
the line between HR and MR to provide an HR /MR
distribution appropriate to establish an average
density of 6 units per acre, and on the basis that
each parcel included in Concept B -1 be designated as
PUD.
Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion.
Mayor Lockwood opened the meeting for the purpose of a
public hearing on applications from Mendota Heights
Associates for preliminary approval of four
applications for $10 million each in multiple family
housing bonds. Mr. James Riley, representing Mendota
Heights Associates, along with architect Steve Young,
were present for the discussion.
Mr. Riley stated that he has prepared two different
proposals which he believes meet the spirit of what
Council has been discussing: ten acres has been added
to the proposed apartment complex site and the average
density of the 80 acre site would be 7 units per acre
Page No. 2382
October 15, 1985
- the overall density of the site and the adjacent
property he owns would be 6 units per acre.
Mr. Young, from Young and Wilk Architects, informed
the Council that he was retained by Mr. Riley two
weeks ago to try to develop a proposal which meets
City requirements. He stated that he has looked at
densities, building forms, topography, etc., that Mr.
Riley is anxious to get the project in a form
acceptable to the City, and that he has reviewed four
options with Mr. Dahlgren. He explained that he has
prepared two possible schemes which step down the
density from west to east on the site, addressing soil
conditions and terrain. He stated that one concept
is for construction of four larger -scale structures,
70 units per structure, on the westerly portion of the
site and screened from the neighborhood, stepped down
to 40 unit - buildings and then 20 unit buildings on the
east portion of the site. The other concept would be
70 unit structures stepped down to 24 and 10 unit
structures.
Mr. Young stated that the critical point for the
developer is that while he does not expect resolution
of the issue tonight, he is trying to work toward an
end that is acceptable to the City. He indicated that
he is only reviewing concepts this evening and cannot
get into specifics because detailed plans have not yet
been prepared.
Councilmember Blesener stated that part of the
language just discussed by Council was a strong
preference for ownership versus rental, yet the
developer's financing plan dictates rental for ten
years. Noting that the developer has not reduced the
number of housing units proposed for the site,
Councilmember Cummins stated that Council is saying
that he should downscale the project - Council is
talking about 200 units of HR.
Mr. Young responded that he is moving in the direction
of complying with what Council is requiring but that
the owner must decide whether it is economically
feasible to develop smaller scale buildings. Mr.
Riley stated that he is confident Council can see that
he is trying to meet the Council's desires. He
pointed out that he is just asking for approval of the
preliminary financing resolutions tonight so that he
can meet financing requirement deadlines. He
suggested that he can work down in both size and style
of buildings and further suggested that the only way
the land will ever be developed will be in rental
units.
Page No 2383
October 15, 1985
Councilmember Blesener stated that another item
discussed by Council was achieving an average density
of 6 units per acre, which would require 100 acres.
Mr. Riley responded that he owns 120 acres and the
rest of the land will be developed on the basis of 4
units per acre so that he will actually be achieving a
project under the 6 unit per acre average basis.
Mayor Lockwood asked for questions and comments
from the audience.
Mr. James Losleben stated that the Council has never
had to subsidize development within the City and asked
who the Council is going to accommodate. He asked
what the proposed density will do to traffic on
Mendota Heights Road and stated that the people in
Mendota Heights are not interested in high density.
He urged Council not to subsidize.a project the
residents do not want.
Mr. Bernard Friel stated that the taxpayers are
providing a subsidy for developments such as that
proposed. He stated that Mr. Riley indicates that he
needs $40 million in financing in order to build units
of a high quality nature and asked whether the
developer is suggesting that he would build something
less than quality unless he gets the subsidy. He
urged Council not to approve the bond request.
Mr. Russell Wahl, 631 Callahan Place, stated that he
cannot understand why the Council rezoned the property
and that the City is putting gold in the developer's
pocket.
Mr. Riley responded that the project would have an
immediate income to the City of one -half million
dollars in permit and bonding fees.
Mrs. Mike Kennedy, 2567 Delaware Avenue, submitted a
petition in opposition to the proposed project.
Mr. Dale Glewwe, 735 Blue Gentian, stated that the
City invited the freeway and the traffic on Dodd: when
the freeway was built, the City opened itself up to
problems. He pointed out that the property is also
affected by airport noise. He stated that these are
considerations that the people north of T.H. 110 know
nothing about. He suggested that before the federal
government steps in and tells the City that nothing
can be built on the land, the City must recognize that
what is being proposed may be much better than what
will be forced on the City in the future.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Page No. 2384
October 15, 1985
Mr. Losleben stated that airport noise and traffic are
only excuses, that Mr. Dahlgren says that the City
wants to accommodate diversity in housing. He
suggested that senior citizens will not locate in the
type of building proposed, that the issue of senior
citizen housing is not being addressed, and asked who
would be accommodated by the housing proposed.
Mr. Friel suggested that aircraft and freeway noise
are rationalizations to reach a result and that if the
FAA is going to start restricting development, it will
start in Bloomington and not Mendota Heights. He felt
that it makes no sense to insist that the property be
used for multiple development and stated that he
believes that the property would be a desireable
single family area because airport noise will be
reduced over the next five years.
Mr. Ben Thompson, a resident of Delaware Crossing,
stated that he recently moved to Mendota Heights
because there wasn't high density or congestion and
traffic wasn't bad. He stated that he is not in favor
of high density south of his property.
Mr. Tim Urkula, from Westwood Planning, stated that he
would like to remind the group that the land is unique
in many ways, and suggested that it is a damaged site
because of the airport noise, gas pipeline, overhead
electrical and freeway impact.
There being no further comments, Councilmember Cummins
moved that the hearing be closed.
Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion.
Councilmember Blesener stated that the earlier
discussion on the Comprehensive Plan was that the
Council is looking for diversity of housing types in
the area with a 150 unit maximum in a given
development and with a preference for ownership versus
rental. She stated that she cannot support more than
150 units of rental housing.
Councilmember Cummins stated that he has continued
reservations and that he feels that action on the
Comprehensive Plan was appropriate. He stated that
nothing the developer stated tonight had given him
confidence that the developer will come into
compliance with the Comprehensive Plan changes and
that he can not therefore support the public
financing.
TANDEM CORPORATION
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
MENDOTA HEIGHTS
ASSOCIATES
PROCLAMATION
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Page No. 2385
October 15, 1985
Councilmember Cummins moved denial of the mortgage
revenue financing for the project.
The motion died for lack of second.
Councilmember Blesener moved to give preliminary
approval to $10 million in financing for a maximum of
150 units contingent upon adoption of an acceptable
development proposal and on the basis that the City
assumes no obligation or liability for costs the
developer or his bond agents may incur in proceeding
to develop the bond issue.
Mayor Lockwood seconded the motion.
Mr. Riley stated that he could not accept approval of
only $10 million in housing bond financing and left
the meeting.
Mayor Lockwood withdrew his second to the motion.
Councilmember Blesener withdrew the motion.
Councilmember Cummins moved adoption of Ordinance No.
217, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 401," to
rezone Tandem Development's Phase I to R-1 and
approval of the Tandem Development preliminary plat
on the condition that one lot in Lots 7 through 14,
Block 4 be eliminated and the area spread among the
lots on that side of the street and with the proviso
that before approval of the final plat Council will be
given the restrictive covenants for review.
Councilmember Blesener seconded the motion.
It was the Council concensus that building permits for
model homes in Phase I could be issued prior to final
plat approval, since plat approval cannot occur until
after completion and review of the comprehensive park
study.
City Attorney Tom Hart stated that Mr. Riley's counsel
has spoken with him and asked that he inform the
Council that Mr. Riley has not withdrawn his
applications but cannot live with the motion that was
on the floor.
Councilmember Hartmann moved that the Council proclaim
October 21st through the 25th as National Business and
Professional Women's Week in Mendota Heights.
Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS
ASSOCIATES
(—])
ADJOURN
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
ATTEST:
Page No. 2386
October 15, 1985
Mr. Tim Urkula asked for clarification of the Council
action on the Comprehensive Plan amendments along with
direction and guidance on how to proceed with
development of the site.
Councilmember Hartmann moved that the meeting be
adjourned to closed session for discussion of park
land acquisition negotiations.
Councilmember Witt seconded the motion.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 12:43 o'clock A.M.
7&., o-eit,uvtiL
Robert G. Lockwood
Mayor
72)
K thleen M. Swanson
ity Clerk