2003-06-06 Friday News
The Friday News
June 6, 2003
City Code Update
The City Council adopted the new City Code (recodified city ordinances) on Tuesday evening.
The new code will become effective upon publication of the enabling ordinance on Sunday, June
8, 2003. Copies of the code are available at City Hall for use by staff and the public. The code
is also available on-line at our codifier's website. A temporary link has been created on the city's
website, under "What's New." A permanent directory item on the Government heading of the
website will be created within the next few weeks
.
Critical Area Ordinance
On June 3, the Council ordered a public hearing on the proposed revision of the Critical Area
Ordinance for the Planning Commission meeting on August 26, 2003. The Council also
instructed Staff to publish notification of the public hearing in both the City's designated
newspaper and the next issue of the Heights Highlites. Since the Metropolitan Council has
approved the City’s revised Comprehensive Plan, the City is required to bring all ordinances into
conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and state requirements. This includes the City’s
Critical Area ordinance, which needs to be updated to conform to the most recent standards of
the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
St. Peter’s Church
This Tuesday, the City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and site plan within
the Critical Area Overlay District, which is adjacent to the Mississippi River, allowing the
Church of St. Peter to construct a new church building at 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway. The
property currently contains an historic church building and three other buildings. The site plan
includes preservation of the historic church and the largest existing building, along with
construction of a new church building with a footprint size of almost 28,000 square feet. Two of
the existing buildings would be demolished. New parking areas are proposed south and east of
the proposed church building and east of the historic church. The property is 16 acres in size and
is zoned R-1. The Church was approved for an extension to their construction schedule to allow
time for them to conduct a funding drive to finance the construction.
Poles to be Painted
This Tuesday, the City Council considered requests from area residents to have Xcel paint their
new electric transmission line poles eggshell to match the City’s water tower. Xcel was
recommending that the poles be galvanized. The Council granted the resident’s request and is
asking Xcel to paint the poles. The poles will be installed this coming winter and spring.
Parks Celebration This Weekend
The annual Parks Celebration (and Bike Rodeo) is scheduled for this Saturday, June 7 from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mendakota Park. The Minnesota Twins Baseball Clinic will start at 9 a.m.
Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks is made possible by the generous support of residents,
community groups and community businesses. We hope to see you at the park on Saturday!
Final Thought
“We are the hero of our own story” – Mary McCarthy
Respectfully Submitted,
Emmy Foster
HR/Communications Coordinator
Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, Planning Application Synopsis, Parks & Recreation Commission
Agenda, Airport Relations Commission Agenda, SouthWest Review article “Come Celebrate Mendota
.
Heights Parks” June 7