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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-30-01CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 30, 200.1 A complete video tape of the City Council proceedings is retained for one year. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was given. Roll call was. taken. Present: Council Members Bellows, Mulvihill, Rieb, Luick and Mayor Johnson. Also present: R. Knutson, City Attorney; R. Erickson, City Administrator; K. Nelson, City Engineer; A. trussing, Community & Economic Development Director; R. Mullenbach, Planner; C. Friedges, City Clerk. Mr. Knutson provided an overview of the process involving an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the TimberCrest at Lakeville project. He explained that because. the proposed project contains more than 300,000 square feet of retail space, an EAW is mandatory. The EAW is designed to set out the basic facts necessary to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. An EIS is only required if the project, as proposed, has the potential for significant environmental affect. On June 18; 2001, the City Council authorized distribution of the EAW. The document was distributed to numerous local state and federal agencies for comment and was made available to the public. The formal comment process closed on July 25, 2001. The purpose of tonight's meeting is to determine whether or not the proposed TimberCrest project has the potential for significant environmental effect. Based on the comments received and the recommendations of the Planning Commission and Environmental Affairs Committee, a draft resolution has been prepared concluding that the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effect. Mr. Erickson stated the Metropolitan Council met on Wednesday, July 25t", to consider the request for a • comprehensive plan amendment for this project. The two-hour. CITY OF LAKEVLLLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 30, 2001 PAGE 2 • discussion included comments from City representatives, Lakeville residents and Metropolitan Council staff. Metropolitan Council representatives were very complimentary of the project design and presentation, including specific comments regarding the storm water management techniques and planned roadway improvements. They felt that the proposed project exhibited smart growth principles and excellent cooperation between the developer, the City of Lakeville and Dakota County. The Metropolitan Council unanimously recommended approval of the comprehensive plan amendment. Mr. Erickson stated the EAW was forwarded to all required governmental agencies and surrounding communities. Comments were received from only eight of these agencies. They are Dakota County-Division of Physical Development; Lake Marion Association; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Dakota County. Soil & Water Conservation District; Minnesota Department of Transportation; Metropolitan Council; Dakota County-Office of Planning; Minnesota Pollution. Control Agency. Mayor Johnson stated the. City's Environmental Affairs. Committee and Planning Commission also reviewed the EAW and unanimously concluded that the proposed project will not have potential for significant environmental effect and recommended the City Council determine that an EIS is not required. Council Member Rieb referenced a concern by the Lake Marion Homeowners Association that over 52 acres of impervious surface is being built in an area that drains into Lake Marion. They are concerned that the lake will be damaged each time there is a rainfall over three inches .and every year when. the snow melts. Brett Weiss of WSB & Associates explained that the drainage plan for this area is going to involve skimmer devices. There will also be a mechanical settling device to settle out any sediment and debris. He explained that there will be storm water ponding for-the 100-year event. He stated the drainage plan for this area does include not increasing the downstream CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 30, 2001 PAGE. 3 runoff from what exists today. He feels that there will not only be less water downstream, but also cleaner water. He also pointed out that the City of Lakeville will be responsible for maintaining the ponds and drainage system.. Mayor Johnson referenced a comment in the July 23rd letter from the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District, which reads, "The Dakota SWCD commends the City and developer for planning to maintain pre-development runoff volumes in apost-development scenario. If this goal is attained, the project may be a model of Low Impact Development for other commercial projects thought the state and nation." Mayor Johnson asked if this is achievable. Mr. Weiss explained that this area has been analyzed from the standpoint of total water volume over aone-year period to show that it can be managed using infiltration basins and other mechanical devices. Council Member Luick stated he would abstain from voting on this matter due to a potential conflict of interest. Tim Watts, 20210 Judicial Road, asked about the proposed time line for the road construction in relation to the opening of the Target store. He stated that according. to information he received from Dakota County and Scott County officials, the road will not be constructed until 2005, while the City has stated it would be constructed in 2003. Mr. Erickson explained that the Scott County Capital Improvement Plan shows CSAH 21 from CSAH 91 to Dakota County (Judicial Road) being improved to a four-lane urban roadway in 2003/2004. This is being coordinated with Dakota County's plans to upgrade County Road 60 (185th Street) to four lanes. Jim Dvorak of SRF traffic consultants, representing Dakota County, explained that Dakota County, the City of Lakeville and MnrtDOT are in the process of upgrading the CSAH 60 interchange area. The first phase is scheduled for construction in 2002. He explained that. the City of Lakeville, Scott County CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JUtY 30, 2001 PAGE 4 • and Dakota County are working together on a very large project that will cost somewhere .between $18 million and $20 million. The project needs to be phased, as it cannot be done. in one year. Total reconstruction of CSAH 60 east of I-35 -will be constructed in 2002, along with relocated frontage roads and ramps to the south. The second phase will involve CSAH 60 to the west of the interstate, along with some additional interchange improvements and replacement of the bridge over CSAH 60. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. Mr. Dvorak explained that a public informational meeting on this project will be held on July 31St from 4-7 p.m. at the Family of Christ Lutheran Church, located just east of Interstate 35. Council Member Bellows asked about the proposed timeline for motorists traveling east. Mr. Dvorak stated the work is proposed to be done without closing the road or detouring traffic.. A fourth lane will be added underneath the bridge to help increase capacity and add flexibility when the bridge is being reconstructed. The improvements being completed in 2002 are being designed to handle traffic projected until the year 2010. Mr. Erickson stated the Target store can not open without these improvements being in place. The developer has agreed to that scenario. Jean Baudhuin, 18625 Kanabec Trail, stated she feels the Target project wi11 not be good for traffic in this area.. She also stated she feels the property associated with the interstate ramp construction was not incorporated in the EAW and should have been. Mr, Erickson explained that the EAW does include the bridge scenario. That is the reason that the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT are so comfortable with the transportation plan associated with this project, as stated in their comments which are before the City Council this evening. MnDOT, he pointed out, recommended adding the hook loop to the project. CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 30, 2001 PAGE 5 01.93 Motion was made by Mulvihill, seconded by Rieb to approve Resolution No. 01-111 adopting Record of Decision, Response to Comments, and Decision on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed Timbercrest Project. Council Member Bellows commended the efforts of the City to preserve the water quality of Lake. Marion and to address the. traffic safety issues in this area. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, Bellows,. Johnson, Mulvihill, Rieb. Luick abstained. There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, yUL,~I.~°~'UC ~J l,~ Charlene Friedges, Clerk Robert D. ]oh~'~on, Mayor