1973-02-27 Council minutesPage 179
February 27, 1973
VILLAGE OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Special Meeting
Held Tuesday, February 27, 1973
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Village
Council, Village of Mendota Heights, was held at 8:00 o'clock P.M. at the
Village Hall, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The following
members were present: Mayor Huber, Councilmen Lockwood, Gutzmer, Losleben
and Wahl.
HEARING -- Mayor Huber pointed out that the purpose of the meeting is to
MARIE AVENUE conduct a public hearing on proposed street improvements on
STREET Marie Avenue from Dodd Road to Delaware Avenue. He stated
IMPROVEMENTS that the proposed improvements were not petitioned but are
being proposed because Marie Avenue is a Municipal State Aid
Street. Mayor Huber pointed out that anyone wishing to do so
may submit written comments to the Council as well as stating
their comments at the meeting. Mayor Huber turned the meeting
over to Village Administrator Johnson for an explanation of the
proposed improvement.
Mr. Johnson stated that notices of the hearing had been sent to
all of the owners of property affected by the proposed
improvement, and he further stated that hearing notices had
been published in the West St. Paul Sun Newspaper.
Mr. Johnson gave a background of Municipal State Aid street
improvement procedure, a history of Marie Avenue and the
proposed project and a proposed method of financing.
Mr. Johnson stressed the point that a Municipal State Aid
street, unlike other Village streets, is part of an internal
collection system, and is not primarily a private residential
street giving private access to property of the residents to the
exclusion of Other Village residents. He further stressed that
this particular project represents total community needs. He
compared this type of street to the trunk sewer system and the
water system -- it is the Village's responsibility to provide
a transportation system for the entire community. The estimated
cost of the project is $292,600; the proposed assessment would
be $15.00 per front foot.
Mayor Huber stated that the Council and staff would answer as
many questions as possible and that anyone wishing to sign a
petition in opposition to the project may come forward after
the meeting and do so.
Mr. John W. Barber, 1919 Hunter Lane, asked if the Engineer's
feasibility report on the proposed project is available to the
public and Mayor Huber answered that a copy of the report is
on file in the Village Offices and that anyone requesting a
copy of the report will be given a copy.
Page 180
February 27, 1973
Mr. Barber presented the Council with a petition signed by
nearly 100% of the affected property owners, opposing the
proposed improvements. The petition listed twelve questions
on the improvements (the questions represented the reasons the
residents oppose the project). Mr. Barber stated that the
residents feel that the project represents poor timing, little
benefit and lack of proper planning.
Mayor Huber stated that some of the questions could not be
answered at this time because the answers would not be complete
enough and the questions would need proper study, however
he did give brief answers to the questions posed in the petition.
Mr. Robert Maher, 646 W. Marie Avenue, asked if the 80 foot
right-of-way is being considered because a 44 foot driving
surface is being proposed. Village Engineer Kishel stated
that there would be many problems in controlling grades
and backslopes and boulevards and averting making any drastic
reductions in present driveways if a 66 foot right-of-way were
used, and that the 80 foot right-of-way is contingent upon a
44 foot driving surface.
Mr. Maher asked if a 44 foot surface is the minimum MSA width
and Mr. Kishel stated that the State Aid Engineer approves the
plans and that he has indicated that 44 feet is the minimum
that would be acceptable.
Mayor Huber stated that the Highway Department will be
contacted about the possibility of reducing the street width.
Mr. Maher stated that he objects to the entire project. He
feels that if the 80 foot right-of-way is mandatory all of
the trees and shrubs in the area will be taken out and the
beauty of the area will be destroyed. He further stated that
Section 429 of the State Statutes grants the Village Council
authority to assess on the basis of benefits received and that
the special benefits are justified by increased property values
and enhancement of the area. He feels that the improvements
will detract from his property values, rather than enhance
his property.
John Holman, 640 Marie Avenue, stated that he is concerned
by the fact that the original study and decision to make
Marie Avenue a State Aid road was made by the Planning
Commission 20 years ago. He stated that he feels that an error
was made then and that Marie Avenue is not needed as a main
thoroughfare for long distance travel between Mendota Heights,
West St. Paul and South St. Paul and that none of the homes
on this section of Marie Avenue has the benefit of a large
setback from the road. He also feels that there is no
benefit to the property owners in the proposed improvements
and that the traffic generated by the proposed improvements
would cause a depreciation in land values. He further stated
that he does not feel that sidewalks, curb and gutters and
storm sewers are necessary but that he would not object to
resurfacing the present street.
ADJOURN
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Page 181
February 27, 1973
Mrs. LaVerne Nafus, 666 West Marie, stated that her .family
chose living in this area because of the proximity to the
cities without the loss of rural atmosphere. She stated
that she would not be able to afford the assessment on top
of the previ ous assessments. She requested that the Council
use the absolute minimum State Aid standards, excluding
curb and gutters, street lights and sidewalks. She requested
that the Council seriously consider a 28 foot surface with a
stop sign at the top of Marie Avenue.
Mr. Robert Ridder, 1744 Dodd Road, added his support to the
statements made by the other residents and stated that the
least possible improvement would be the best improvement. If
the proposed project is approved it would change the character
of the area. He asked that the least possible improvement
project be accepted.
Mr. Dwight Witt, 605 Marie Avenue, added his support to the
statements of the other residents and stated that he objects
to the project as it is proposed and requested that only the
minimum improvement be considered. He stated that if the
project is approved Marie Avenue will become a corridor and the
entire Village will benefit from the improvements and asked
why only the residents on Marie Avenue must pay for the
improvements.
Village Administrator Johnson stated that the figure of $15.00
per front foot was proposed because from that figure the residents
would be paying for improvements at a similar rate to those
charged other residents for similar improvements. He stated that
MSA funds will support approximately one-half of the cost of
the improvements.
Mr. Nicholas Cheesebrow, 594 West Marie Avenue, stated that his
assessments are approximately $3,900 now and that he could not
bear the cost of the proposed assessment.
Mr. John Barber asked the Council to reconsider the timing
of the project; someday the improvements will be needed,
but the residents cannot afford them at this time.
Mayor Huber stated that all of the residents should feel free
to call upon the Council or Village staff to answer any questions
and asked that anyone wishing to do so should sign a list
provided by the Clerk-Treasurer showing their opposition to the
proposed improvement.
There being no further business to come before the Council,
Councilman Wahl moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Councilman Losleben seconded the motion.
Time of Adjournment: 10:55 P.M.
ATTEST:
Donald L. Huber, Mayor