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1982-11-23 Council minutesPage No. 1746 November 23, 1982 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting Held Tuesday, November 23, 1982 In accordance with action taken at the regular meeting of the City Council on November 4th, the adjourned meeting of November 16th was continued at 7:30 P.M. at the City Hall, Engineering Conference Room, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Lockwood, Councilmembers Hartmann, Losleben, Mertensotto & Witt. AIRPORT SAFETY Mayor Lockwood called on John Shardlow, of Howard Dahlgren and Associates, to comment on airport related matters. John Shardlow reviewed the latest activities of the MAC Joint Zoning Board, indicating that changes in the "B" zone would probably be undertaken. He reviewed briefly the development activity around the intersection of 1-494 and Pilot Knob Road. He also presented and described a model prepared by Dahlgren and Associates, of the approach zones for the International Airport. The model showed graphically the glide paths across Eagan and Mendota Heights. He indicated that there would be clearance for a six story building located in the northeast quadrant of 1-494 and Pilot Knob Road. After several questions, Mr. Shardlow was thanked for his presentation . and excused. DOWNTOWN MENDOTA Mayor Lockwood called on Administrator Johnson to introduce the HEIGHTS topic. Administrator Johnson thanked the various resource people DISCUSSION for attending and introduced them to the City Council members. He presented a short history of the problems that have plagued the area adjacent to TH 149 between Freeway Road and Wagon Wheel Trail. He noted that it was necessary to site a new fire station in the immediate area, that the second attempt to locate senior citizen housing in the area was under consideration, that there have been a number of complaints on traffic and access into the Mendota Plaza, there has been an attempt to located a park north of TH 110, there has been a study concerning the relocation of TH 149 to the east, and noted that pockets of open area still are developable. He noted that the Council should consider the various presentations and hopefully come to some conclusions, or give staff direction as to future action. He noted that monies have been budgeted in the TIF plan for a planning study. At this point, Mr. Jack Klepp, of A.B. Wilder and Consultant Steve Cox, were introduced to elaborate on the plans for a senior citizen housing complex. Mr. Klepp noted that Eagan and West St. Paul had approved housing plans and were scheduled for housing program hearings in early December. Mr. Cox noted that approximately 20 acres of the property south of Mendakota Country Club and west of TH 149 were under option, showing a print of the property under consideration. He indicated that they were planning 150 units, 90 condominium:units and 60 townhouse units. The complex would be constructed in two phases consisting of 75 units; 45 condominiums Page No. 1747 November 23, 1982 and 30 townhouses in each. The condominium complex would be a three story structure over basement garages. Prices would be: con- dominiums - $65,000 to $95,000; townhouses - $75,000 to $100,000. The average condominium area would be 1250 square feet and the town- house would be 1150 - 1500 square feet. He noted that the park facilities, as described in 1980, could still be developed. Council- man Mertensotto questioned the need for tax increment financing. Mr. Cox noted that tax increment financing was needed to subsidize the interest rates for the first time home buyers. He indicated that the total complex would generate approximately $150,000 per year in taxes. Jack Klepp distribthed a questionnaire that had just been mailed to approximately 2,000 Dart subscribers in Eagan, Mendota Heights and West St. Paul. He indicated that they should provide the basic information for market survey in the area. Councilman Mertensotto questioned the advisability of locating a senior citizen complex on the west side of TH 149 and having the shopping center on the east side of TH 419. Councilman Losleben questioned the need for financing of this large a complex. Mayor Lockwood then noted that the meeting should proceed with other topics and called on Fire Chief Noack and Fire Marshall Lange to discuss fire station needs. Gene Lange indicated that any station location should afford vehicular access to a local street, thence out onto a trunk highway, indicating that the present direct access to a highway is undesirable. Chief Noack noted that approximately two acres were needed for a complete building and parking lot. Councilman Mertensotto noted that this could be reduced if the parking was shared with recreational facilities. There was some further discussion concerning the compatability with residential development if it is located south of Mendakota Country Club. There was no further discussion as to fire station location. Ed Kishel was then called upon to explain the proposed relocation of TH 149. He reviewed a plan prepared by Mn/DOT officials indicating that an at-grade intersection of TH 149 and TH 110 easterly of the Mendota Plaza would involve approximately $2,000,000 for construction and $1.5 million for noise walls. It was noted that such a proposed location for an at-grade crossing was more dangerous than the present intersection. Larry Shaughnessy indicated that MSA funds could be used for "off-system" improvements, meaning that Mendota Heights could use MSA funds to make improvements on TH 149. Councilman Mertensotto questioned the advisability of spending Mendota Heights money for upgrading TH 149. There was further discussion on vehicular circulation around the Mendota Plaza area, including upgrading of existing TH 149. Administrator Johnson then reviewed several other problems indirectly related to the downtown development. He noted that the existing fire station, general store building and gas station are included within the TIF district and subject to renewal action sometime in the future. He noted that this type of renewal is a proper use and would be a step in upgrading the central portion of Mendota Heights. He also discussed briefly the remaining residential and business development within the area. ) Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 RECESS Page No. 1748 November 23, 1982 At this time, Howard Dahlgren was asked to comment on the preceding discussion. He reviewed eight objectives as outlined in his memo dated August 17, 1982. He noted several questionable design features of the Mn/DOT plan for relocated TH 149, noting that a four lane design was not needed for an expected 10,000 ADT count. Councilman Losleben asked about the advisability of senior citizen housing located on the Mendota Plaza site. Mr. Dahlgren responded that both commercial and residential uses could be located within the site if there is sufficient land. The acceptability of this is unknown at the present time. Further Council discussion with Mr. Dahlgren involved two simultaneous alignments of TH 149. Planner Dahlgren estimated that a study concerning the various elements would cost approximately $15,000 and would take 120 days to complete. After further discussion, Council man Losleben moved to request a study outline and cost proposal for the downtown Mendota Heights plan. Councilwoman Witt seconded the motion. Mayor Lockwood called for a 10 minute recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:55 P.M. STREET MAINTEN- Ed Kishel explained a street system map showing the various permanent, ANCE/ASSESSMENT completed streets, compared to the present blacktop, but incomplete DISCUSSION streets. He noted that of the some 52 miles of streets, approximately one-half were permanent and complete. Public Works Supervisor Dick Ploumen, reviewed the several areas that are presently high mainten- ance areas, noting that if the base and subgrade are poor, complete rebuilding is necessary to provide a satisfactory surface. At this point, Jim Danielson provided a Handout relating to St. Louis Park's maintenance/assessment policy. It was noted that the City guarantees permanent, completed streets for a 20 year period. Any repairing work is assessed at 60%, with 40% being absorbed by General Obligation. Non-permanent streets receive maintenance based on 100% assessment. Several Councilmembers indicated dissatisfaction with such a policy. After further discussion, it was agreed that some type of a mainten- ance policy should be formulated. Larry Shaughnessy briefly described a method of starting a revolving fund for street mainten- ance. After further discussion, staff was directed to prepare a policy paper on maintenance/assessments for further discussion. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lockwood moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilman Hartmann seconded the. motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 ATTEST: TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:37 o'clock P.M. ferck,70.0-1 Robert G. Lockwood Mayor Kathleen M. Swanson City Clerk