2004-07-28 Friday News
The Friday News
July 30, 2004
Mendota Heights History
Bill Wolston, Unofficial Mendota Heights Historian, has been meeting with Ross Fefercorn,
Town Center Developer to identify some historical information that Ross can use for
incorporating within the design of the Town Center Village Green. Bill came in to see me last
Friday to tell me what he was doing with Ross and give me copies of the information that he is
providing to Ross. I have attached copies of what Bill gave to me, it is interesting and
informative. Part of what you will learn by reading Bill’s information is, that Mendota Height’s
history is long – Mendota Heights was part of the US even before Minnesota was, because part
of Mendota Heights was within the Ft. Snelling “military reserve”.
Town Center Visit
Pat, Sue and I visited the Town Center townhomes this week and met Ross there. Ross toured us
through the homes. He has one sold and is finishing another for his model and for including in
this fall’s Parade of Homes. These are the two townhomes that he is concentrating his efforts on
and they are the farthest along. He has received keen interest from prospective purchasers in two
of the other ones. He has retained the Dorn Company to sell the units and they have them open
on the weekends for tours. There have been many interested potential purchasers visiting.
On Thursday of this week the City issued Ross his second permit for a seven-unit townhome in
the east neighborhood. These units will be constructed immediatly north of the ones currently
under construction.
Ecolab Redevelopment
On Monday afternoon of this week, staff and Planner Grittman met with representatives from
Ecolab and McGough Construction. They presented us with sketch plans of numerous proposals
from developers interested in purchasing the Ecolab property and redeveloping it. All the
proposals that we were shown were for multi family developments. Staff informed the
representatives that it was their own decision which developer they chose, but we did provide
them input on what we thought would be the issues with the various plans.
Whoever they choose – it will be complicated process through the City because of all of the
approvals needed. The issues that need to be addressed, include, but are not limited to:
Comprehensive Plan change, Rezoning, Critical Area Permit, vehicle access, traffic and parking,
storm water, park dedication and density. Staff anticipates that this proposal will be processed as
a planned unit development.
Mendota Heights Boys Baseball Team Excels
Planning Commissioner Mark Miller notified the City this week that the Mendota Heights
12-year old boys baseball team won the State Championship for their league this past weekend.
There were 22 teams in the tournament – the kids lost their first game against Burnsville, then
beat New Ulm, Bloomington, New Prague, Brainerd and Chaska to win it all.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, City Council Meeting Agenda, Planning Pre-Application Synopsis,
TwinCities.com (Pioneer Press) Articles “Tribal recognition elusive”, “Reducing static through
cooperation” and “Building on the past”, Sun Current Articles “MAC gives preliminary OK to scaled
back noise mitigation plan”, and “Parties with a purpose” , National Night Out Flyer, Villager Article
“Leadership positions fit twosome to a tee at Somerset Country Club”, Letter from MnDOT, Bill
Wolston Historical Information, and Friday Fax.