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Document - Other - Eight page document from Valerie Moore, about her reminiscences working at the Lost Spur restaurant. - 9/18/1983Fo DER 13Gc7tNS smsad.com • Made In USA PeCYClo CO Aft temotIOK 0 SFISOUNDS MY REMINISCENCES 1942 to the Present George Koplitz purchased the farm house from the Labey family in 1942. During the years 1942, 43 and 44, it was used as a riding stable. On weekends, people would come out and rent horses. About 1943, they opened as a restaurant. George was known for his spaghetti and ribs. He did all the cooking and dishwashing and wife, Irene, was waitress, hostess and busboy. Both would stay after closing and completely clean up for the next day. At this time, the Club was a set-up place with slot machines. George's daughter, Donna Kay, 'said her father heard rumors he was going to be raided, so he got rid of the machines. It was not a private club until 1947. During that time, George was raided by Sheriff Norman Dieter for .having 13 bottles of liquor and a dice box displayed after midnight. The case was thrown out of court because it. was a club, the bottles had names on them and their was no proof of selling other liquor. Don Hawkins from KSTP covered the trial and Fallon Kelly was the Spur's attorney. The highlight of the tr_ 1 was when the Judge sat down on a swivel chair, it tipped and he fell nn the floor. 0n July 1, 1947, it was,..incorporated as a private club with 500 charter members-•.,. ' At that time many changes had to be made in the farm house because a letter written by Marlowe Francis, the first president, told of a big party celebrating the event and, George got a lot of comli- ments on the new dining room and anyone who hadn't seen it should make a point to do so. ::The letter also stated the Club had leased the premises amd-:,club house from George, who had been elected by the officers to manage the property. The Club would receive 10% of the net profits to be spent by the directors for physical and recreational improvements for the members. The annual dues were $6.00 per year and the club was formed for thirty years. The first waitress hired by the Spur was Evelyn Lassonde whose Spur should still be hanging on the wall. She applied for the job after seeing the ad in the paper that said it was worth $400.00 a She applied to a -L- PO Box and Irene called her and hired her. Evelyn did not drive and had to take the street car to 'ortkSnerlinganand take wait in the PX restaurant for someone he to the Spur. She would get a ride back with the first hired conk Elsie's husband either oto the PX orll 7 Corweeners to get the street car home. Evelyn d would help out. Pearl wrkif it got busy on the weekend, outfits complete with was hired next. Both girls wore cowboy boots. No one knows for sure ontheradio where the name "Have"Lost youufoundcame from; but George advertisedgimmick to get the people to the Lost Spur" and some other g r drive so far. It has been said everythng of Georgehistouchedturned to gold. The family was very proud the 6th grade. accomplish- ments because he never went to school past e always had something going on like the big RGeorgAg 1948 where.they set up bleachers in the parrking lot. On teon August 1t,he day the Kentucky Derby was run, he had p his own show going with windows for Win, Place and Show. Pearl, Evelyn and possibly Irene were behind the windows. During the war, George would drive to St.Cloud to hehadbuy do meat on the black market. Hwould aget big open -pit m. this. In the fall of 1950, parking lot and John 3ukr, barbecue in what is now the p barbecued Jauker, steer. who furnished ribs to the Club for years, $e would barbecue smoked ribsisyrd and dd e bring them to complained the Spur until his neighborsso he had to stop. department said it wasn't sanitary The walls of the Club were lined with lockers for storing members bottles which to be Thereoff wasthe alwaysbar yt a.m. a round or they would close the place down. table in the bar area where whichhe waitresses included Grandma Bea,Orge s family on Sunday afternoon Karen, middle George's mother, Donna Kay, oldest daughter, his son. George and Irene would join tdaughter, and Guy, quarters were above the Spur and they hhdm. Their living had to use the stairs on the outside of the building to get into the Club. the George expanded the Club by extending In 1949, floor. dining room, putting in a fire place and a small dance About this time, he built the bar room in the basement with saddle stools and cactus lamps.that he and Irene brought Year's back from Acapulco. Every in January, they would take year left on New Ye a trip and the orClub whatould havebe csed. They you-- and brought back things to Day --blizzard improve the Spur. There was shuffle board out back you reached by going out a door by the downstairs bar. There were beautiful paintings of bucking horses that were done by a member whose name, I believe, was Anderson. He also burned a beautiful western scene across the one dining room wall. The only objection people had was sitting under the light because it was called a black light that brought out the fluorescent denturesi, itescene showed upolikeone youwho had a false wouldn't believe. tooth or d The first bartender at the Club was Arnie Ford. There were many additions throughout the years. A new kitchen with new fryers were installed inMay ye1953, just before.Mother's Day. On Friday Merle, the cthe fryers and the whole kitchen caught fire asa1 there wwas o We fire wall installed behind the fryers. up- stairs to get Irene's clothes outoofntttetclgsets.et n I cadirty still remember Lu Larson telling us or drag them on the ground. The volunteer fire department put it out in no time but there was so much smoke damage, the Club was closed for over a month. Needless to sas, George was very unhappy because Mother's Day was andis the biggest day of the year. The following June an open patio was built on the front of the Spur where the deck is now. The Friday before Father's Day there was a terrific rain and wind storm while the porch was half finished. Iwas t e teln ephorne, at the end of the bar, when George yelled, basement --there it goes." I saw the ladder going over the building as we headed for the basement. I thought we were all goners by the crashing above us. When it quieted down, we headed upstairs and there was a pole driven through the Spur Room ceiling and water flooding the place. The parking lot was littered with poles from the porch and the few cars that were there had damage from debris. In the living quarters there was only one picture tipped over. We all manned brooms and tried to sweep it out. This was about five o'clock so there were not many customers in the er them Club. I believe the Art Weyhs were there. walking up the road and we worried about 011ie because tshe had a breathing problem. The next day an paper said there was a light squall in front oftheo Lost Spur road house which made George very u Hepwys t also ink they referred to his Club in such a way. unhappy because closed row� Club The parentsfor havehtotgoDay. He said, "Two years t Our membership at that time was some of Many doctors,emosttorneys, prominent .people in the Twin Cities.Many name a there was airline pilots, contractors, few,Mee was Cal Karnstedt, a great personality with KSTP, Randy and also Don Hawkins. Harold Cumming is well known in insurance. John Thompson who later owned Diamond Jims. The well known doctors include Logan Levin, Eugene Casper, Hilgers, Francis Lynch --skin specialist--, Harold Hulsik-- knoWn as rear admiral, and Fiannigan--baby specialist.' There was Joe Shiely owner of Sand & Gravel, St. Paul. We also had Jim Lynch, Sr., county attorney and his son, Judge James Lynch, Lee Lull from Lull Construction, Donald Wozniak, an attorney, Fr. William Gibbs from St. Therese and many more. Our more prominent members left to join the Pool and Yacht built in 1955 which George was instrumental in starting and then was not allowed to belong. John Thompson wanted the Spur to buy his pool so they could have their own, but they chose to build one out in front in 1955 or 56. About the same time, they put in the 9-hole golf course. If you have noticed the gold fish in Osman Lake, they were put there after a July 4th party for the kids of the Spur at the pool. All the ones that were not caught were thrown in the creek, as it was known at that time, and have survived all these years. Besides the additions, fires, squalls and so on while George owned the Club, the only other history of importance was the terrible auto accident at the turn into the Spur about 1955. Employees of Minnesota.Mining were coming in separate cars to a party being given for them when one of the cars got hit. Anna Marie, one of the waitresses at the time, ran down with blankets to cover them, but one of them died. After that all parties from Mining were brought by bus. Another point of interest was the liquor lockers. Everyone brought their bottle and paid, I believe, $5.00 for a year's rental. George waited every year for that revenue, but the Board of Directors thought it should go to the Club fund. They asked at a meeting what part of the Club they owned and he said nothing which was true because they leased it. He maintained anything attached to the building belonged to him and so did the fee from the lockers. The Spur was always taking up collections for things they needed like the organ (year 1953). Toby Prin was the first organist. Jean Feeley from Farmington, and many others including Charlie Ludwig played the organ. Whatever became of it, is anyone's guess along with the piano, that was used in the bar room downstairs, that had a green padded headboard with Lost Spur spelled out in brass upholstery tacks. They also donated funds to the Sister Kenny Institute in M'ols. for an iron lung so any member or their family could have the use of it back during the polio epidemic. Different celebrities who came out during the years usually as guests of someone from KSTP were Lawrence Melchoir, who was a great singer, The Four Freshman, Dinah Shore --a guest during the Winter Carnival, Pat O'Brien, Spike Jones, and Les Paul and Mary Ford. - J- George and Irene were the first cook and waitress. Then followed Evelyn as waitress who worked six days a week and Irene helped her out on weekends. Back then you worked by the week and you worked from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. whether there was business or not. No one went home. George never wanted anyone to come out that far and not find the place open when it should be. He and Irene .would play Gin Rummy for hours on end with the members. It would have taken an act of God for one waitress to leave before the other. He'd say, "If they stay, you stay." The first hired cook was Elsie followed by several, until Merle Kline applied for a dishwashing job. She came from out of state, and slept in her car nights till her house was ready to live in. She knew nothing about restaurant cooking and George taught her all he knew. She started in about 1950 and worked until about 1961 or 62 when she was let go two weeks before Christmas by our manager at that time. George sold the Spur in 1960 to five owners: Connie Sheets, Austin Keller, Bill Lethert and Dr. Hyman. We had many managers at that time. Howie Schultz, a basketball coach and math teacher from Mechanic Arts High School who lasted about six months, if that long. He brought quite a few of his athletic buddies to lifeguard the pool when it was open. If i'was busy and they were short of bartenders in the Main Club house, these lifequaroewould come inside in their swimming trunks, hairy chests and.whistle around their neck and bartend. We lost a lot of members at that time.because pantsuits were not in vogue and ladies dressed in pretty hats, and the whole shot, to come out to eat; so this did not set too well with them. Bill Keenan was also a manager, among others. I remember him for the fact the help were all suppose to clean up the place after work. He vacuummed the place, we wiped chairs and put them on the tables and some of the waitresses cleaned the biffs, but thats where I drew the line; Ron Calabretto, who is the chief chef at the Town and Country Club now, took over after Merle left. Another manager, Vern Sanno(sp) from the St Paul Hotel brought him in, along with a lot of the waitresses from there. Sanno gave the ax to most of the waitresses from the Spur and replaced them with St. Paul Hotel ones. He tried to give it to me but I outlasted him, or I out -talked him, I do not know which. Ron was, and is, a terrific chef and I still keep in touch with him; but he had a lot of strange quirks. Every Sunday afternoon, he would put table cloths by the kitchen doors and turn the hose on the floor of the kitchen. He was very clean but it was quite difficult to get an order out of the kitchen when it was floating. He also would take that time to paint refrigerator doors or cupboards so all the waitresses in black uniforms were -6- striped like prisoners from Stillwater. The golfers best remember him for killing their pet duck that wandered up to the back door and he rung its neck and made soup out of it. We also had a manager by the name of Peter Dittloff. He came from the Athletic Club and lasted about six months until Betty and Gordy Christopherson bought the Club. Austin Keller bought out most of the owners and on October 1, 1964 sold the Club to the Christophersons. They sold it to the Osman Temple Shrine in April 1, 1968. While Gordy and Betty owned the Club, they added the ladies rest - rooms upstairs and improved the coat rooms. Until that time the ladies room was downstairs, and was a fright, and always flooded over when it was the busiest. The Shrine bought it at the time I mentioned above with Steve VanGuilder as the Potentate. They have since added some adjoining properties purchased from the Labey's and the Christopherson house up on the hill. George Hobbs was our first manager, Ron Calabretto was still chef, and Arda and Dick Finch were playing the organ and drums. They started in 1963 and played until 1969. They were hired by Gordy and Betty. They left and came back again in 1975 and played until Dick passed away in June 1977. Arda started working as the hostess, at the Spur, in September and is still with us. Since Steve VanGuilder, we have had 14 more Potentates: Earl Holcomb 1969, Charles Brimmer 1970, Russ Hanson 1971, Winfield Mitchell 1972, Gordon Elmquist 1973, Alfred Olsan 1974, Robert Olson 1975, Ernest Williams 1976, Leonard Halper 1977, Melvin Hager 1978, Donald Park 1979. James Sweitzer 1980, Sam Erickson 1981, Fay Hassie 1982 and our present Potentate, Larry Stahl 1983. After George Hobbs, we had Al Ellingson as manager, and probably not in order, Dick Henninger, who was held up at gun point and locked in the office. He got out a window that a bulletin board was covering. We also had Dick Nelson, Bob George, Tommy Thompson, and Paul Hanson, who was our chef made manager. The day before he became manager I told him if he had a brain he would be dangerous. Al Olson managed for about four years during which time the Shrine added new offices, kitchen, banquet rooms, check rooms, entry way, restrooms and expanded the dining room. He was well liked by everyone, showing his appreciation for loyal employees like the time he surprised me on my 25th year at the Spur, with a party in my honor, with family, friends, new and old employees, and even the Potentate, Bob Olson was there. After he left, we had John Guise and Jack Norlin for a short time, until our present manager, Hucky Beyer. _7- ' We have had many chefs since Ron Calabretto left to work at the T & C Club. Vern was our next chef and he died of a heart attack while still employed there. Then followed Lowell Dixon at night and Claude during the day. It has to be noted, there was no day shift until the Shrine took over and started lunches. It was only open during the summer, when the pool was open. The pool lasted until it caved in around 1974 or 75. Then it was demolished. Then we had Paul Hanson and several more including Bernie Kock, Jeff Lemmer, Larry, Frogie and our present Chef John Schneller. Any of you who are interested in the Koplitz family, this is the information I received from the oldest daughter, Donna Kay this week. Karen was killed in a car accident coming back to St. Paul on October 16, 1981. She had three children and owned a bar and restaurant in the Dakota's until she died. Donna Kay lives in Philadelphia and will soon move to Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is Mrs. Paul Rhodes and has three children. Her husband is a flight engineer and pilot. Guy is married and living in Chicago and has one child. Her mother, Irene, died of a stroke in 1972. In talking to Donna Kay, she sounds just like Irene and has silver white hair like her mother. As everyone knows, George was not a well man and during his lifetime had 42 operations. He passed away in September of 1982. To the best of my knowledge, these dates and names are as accurate as I can find them. I have enjoyed all my years working at the Spur and getting to know so many people. Its been like a family for me as I know it was and is for many of you. I want to thank everyone who helped make this history of the Spur, as I remember it, possible. September 18, 1983 (.11CZe) Valerie Moore Waitress 1950-1983 C-jc DS smsad.com • Made In USA Ilf:crg40 t 01", 'fir 0 RIM US®N INS PYOOUC71ti SFI souRomG WWW.GMPROGMAKO Fo LbeR BNS q4i plans to send Carriage Hills fact sheet to residents Information piece aims to answer FAQs about taxes, ballot question, land use and more before November referendum by Erin Johnson JJohnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS If voters approve the No- vember bond referendum and the city purchases the former Carriage Hills golf course, the average hom- eowner in Eagan will likely see their property taxes rise between $19 and $30 per year for the next 20 years. That is just- one of the answers to frequently asked questions the city hopes to address in a fact sheet on the Carriage Hills bond ref- erendum it will send to resi- dents in October. Voters are being asked to decide whether the city should purchase the 120- acre property - formerly a private golf course — for $10.25 million. If voters approve the ref- erendum, the city will hold the land for future use, and that use must fall within three specific categories: public facilities, recreation and open space. If voters defeat the ref- e rendum, the land will be edeveloped by Wensmann Homes into 480 units of mixed -use housing and 30 acres of open space. The fact sheet will be in- cluded in the next issue of the city's newsletter, Expe- rience Eagan, which will be sent to every known house- hold address. It will also be available on the city's Web site, www. cityofeagan.com The fact sheet will in- clude information about the ballot question, taxes, land use and more. For instance, if the bond is approved, it would be paid back over the next 20 years. The owner of a home val- ued at $200,000 would see an estimated increase of $19 per year over that period, while the owner of a home valued at $500,000 would see an increase of about $51 per year. Voting "no" means you are voting for the land to be developed into housing, while voting "yes" means you would like to see the city purchase the land for a future use and prevent it from becoming housing. A non -vote has no effect on the outcome of the ques- tion. See Carriage Hill, 10A CH E r uonai money —on ovci LU1I , city workers will only clear trails and sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on week- days. That could mean delays L'.' +-s impacted. Struve expects the city will probably hear from some residents who are un- happy about the changes, Two Eagan schools by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Two Eagan schools have been named 2008 Blue Rib- bon schools for excelling under the standards of No Child Left Behind. Woodland Elementary School and Trinity School at River Ridge were two of only seven Minnesota schools to receive the na- tional honor from the De- partment of Education. Trinity, a private school, was the only high school among the state's honorees. The No Child Left Be- hind Blue Ribbon Schools program honors public and private schools that are ei- ther academically superior or that demonstrate dramat- ic gains in student achieve- ment at high levels. A total of 320 schools na- tionwide were named Blue Ribbon schools this year. Woodland Elementary School was honored because its students scored in the top 10 percent in the state in reading and math for five consecutive years, Principal Lisa Carlson said. "We are ,so, so humbly { t s t f t c Amummimminimmili 1ETJ1 t 01 Burnsvill4 . • �. Bur ems AND TRINZill ill buy your trade-in, even if you DON'T buy fro. ;REV SILVERADO SS oaded, Leather STK 439549 2004 DODGE RAM 15 47K Miles, 4X4, Local Trade STK Carriage Hills/from 1A If the land were to de- velop as housing, it would generate approximately $432,000 in property taxes each year if calculated at 2009 rates. - While that would mean additional revenue for the city, it could also mean additional expenses to ex- tend city services to a new neighborhood, according to the fact 'sheet. If the city acquires the . land, it would likely be re- moved from the tax rolls and would not generate property tax income. In addition to the fact sheet, the Eagan, City APPLE VALLEY 14714 EXCELSIOR LANE Quality 2 bdrm. + den end unit townhome with double garage & patio. Call now! MARGARET - IBR REALTY Council will adopt a vision- ing statement to inform the public about allowable uses for the property under the three specific categories. It will also lay out how the council envisions a community conversation and how it thinks decisions on future uses should be made. That statement will be posted on the city's Web site as soon as it is avail- able. The November bond referendum is part of a set- tlement agreement reached by the city and Wensmann Homes after a three-year legal battle. Wensmann and Carriage Hills owner Ray Rahn sued the city. after it denied a land -use change in 2004 to allow housing on the prop- erty, which Rahn said was no longer viable as a golf course. The property, located at 3535 Wescott Woodlands, has been closed as a golf course since 2004. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecni-inc.com. to Federal Dr. south $414,900. Cedar - 140th St W - Guild. $559.000. 1.800.784.8949 Cod* 021152 1.800-7114•11949 Cod* 020892 10I It (11'I'0Itl I \I I \ I() Itl 1 I- \O11' al* Roy Pledges 651-683-8289 www.TroyFriedges.com •••Lonsdole • $324,900••• 332 10th Avenue NE Very nice custom-built 4-level. All 4 levels finished! Move -in ready - no fixer upper here! 3 BR on 1 Iv!. Luxury owner's suite & BA. Vaults. C/ A. Fplc. Deck. Pergo firs. Huge W/O family rm. 3-car gar. All appliances included. Front porch & more! 'Savage • 2 ,999• • • 13300 Zarthan Circle Stunning soft contemporary 4 BR, 2 BA 4-level home nestled on cul-de-sac lot overlooking pond! 15' vaulted ceilings, spacious kit. opens to multi - tiered deck, turret w/curved wall of windows, southern exposure, formal & informal dining rms, W/O LL w/ cozy gas fplc. Home warranty! •••Shakopee • $399,900••• 2255 Promise Avenue Executive rambler on 2.5 acres! Great for entertaining. Olympic -sized pool. Gourmet eat -in kitchen. Vaulted great room with large windows. 3- sided fireplace. Main floor owner's suite. Sun room. Formal dining. Full W/O LL. C/A. Vaults. 4-car garage. coLDWe1-L BANI(eR L3 BURN E NEW LISTINGS "FOR SALE" THIS WEEK SuprerneCourt to hear .£arrlage . Hills .case Highest court in state agrees to weigh in on lawsuit. over Eagan golf course by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS ' The Minnesota. Supreme Court will have the final word in a two-year battle between the- city and a housing devel- oper over the future of -an Ea- gan golf course. Carriage Hills golf course owner Ray Rahn and housing developer Wensmann Homes are suing Eagan -for denying a land use change to `allow 480 units of housing on the 120- acre property. ' . The property is currently guided for parks, open space and recreation. - Rahn has maintained that he has lost hundreds of thou- sands • of dollars because- a golf course is no longer viable on, that property., Critics, including local pro- test group the Carriage Hills Coalition, disagree, and the, city has fought. the develop- ment to protect the integrity of its comprehensive guide plan.. - A district court ruling or- dered the city to allow hous- ing on the golf course or buy the property through eminent. domain, but an appeals court. reversed that decision in May. Now the: State Supreme Court has agreed to hear the _ case. "Obviously we're pleased," said Christopher Penvvell, at- torney for Rahn and- Wens- mann. "The case has life for us again." - Penwell said he is. not,con-, cerned about a Minnesota Su- preme Court ruling earlier this year thatsided with the city of • • • Mendota Heights in its battle _ against 'housing on a ..golf course. That ruling prompted Ea- gan to continue fighting the lawsuit after it had agreed to reach'a settlement with Wens- mann. "It's clear to us (the Eagan City Council) took a message from the Mendota Golf de cision, and we don't believe that's the message the Su- preme Court wanted to send," Penwell said. See Golf.Course, 13A RNA II Golf Course/from IA The Supreme Court said Men- dota Heights could restrict the use of the property to a golf course, he said, but it express- ly left open the question of whether it has to pay the prop- erty owner if it is going to re- strict the land to a single use. - "That's the question we be- lieve the Supreme Court wants to answer," Penwell said. But George Hoff, attorney for the city of Eagan, said he. is still encouraged by the Men- dota Heights ruling. "We certainly would hav liked the litigation to have bee at an end, but just because th Supreme Court took the cas does not mean they're going t alter what the court of appeal did," he said. Arguments for the case ar not expected to begin unt next year, Hoff said. Erin Johnson "is at eaga4 thisweek@ecm-inc. corn. Court rules against city �iiijiillcourse Carriage Hills could become housing development by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The city of Eagan must either allow Carriage Hills Golf Course to be guided for housing, or it must begin the process of eminent domain to ac- quire the property within the next 30 days, a judge ruled Monday. Golf course owner Ray Rahn and developer Wensmann Homes sued the city after it denied a comprehensive guide plan change to allow hous- ing on the property. Wensmann was looking to build 480 units of housing on the 120-acre golf course, which is cur- rently guided for public and quasi -public facili- ties. The sale of Rahn's property was contingent upon approval of the guide plan change. Even though he has successfully operated three other golf courses, Rahn claims that he has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars on Carriage Hills and a golf course is no longer viable on the prop- erty. In his judgement, District Court Judge Patrick Sutherland agreed. "Neither capital improvements nor increased marketing can reverse the substantial annual loss- es experienced by the course," he wrote. The course is surrounded by residential zon- See Lawsuit, 5A Photo by Erin Johnson Carriage Hills Golf Course is closed for the season, and could be closed for good after a judge's ruling in favor of zoning the land for housing. All Dodge, Chrysler & Jeep Owners Qualify Valid Towards Lease of '05 Dakota or '05 Ram 1500 • Power • Power • CD Pla • Autom • 5.7 He • Autom • Power • Power • Lawsuit/from 1A • ing and is a "peninsula" among residential uses, he wrote, so re- zoning the property to low densi- ty is the "most reasonable zoning classification for the property" Sutherland argued that by denying the change, the city is effectively forcing Rahn to in- cur increasing debt or let. the property sit idle while still being responsible for bank debt on the property. The burden on Rahn is "grossly disproportionate" while the city receives the advantage of property rights for which it -did not pay.. If the city wants to preserve all 120 acres as open space, it must acquire the property, he wrote. . Mayor Pat Geagan said the ' city was surprised by the judge's ruling. "We had confidence in the City's Comprehensive Guide Plan because of the years of thought that went into preparing it as a master plan," he said. The City .Council has asked its attorney and staff to gather additional information regarding the city's options. "This matter is simply too complex to make a quick deci- sion. We seek to make an in formed decision with the benefit of additional research," he said. The. city denied the request for a Comprehensive Guide plan change last August. A similar housing proposal for the site was denied in 1996. Residents who live near and around the golf course formed an opposition group, the Carriage Hills Coalition, that helped de feat the proposal in 1996.. The actively fought the Wensmann proposal as well, arguing that the city shouldn't -change its guide plan to put housing on open space. The group cited traffic and safety issues as well as additional cost burdens.• . Coalition members have:'ar- gued that Rahn bought the prop- erty after its previous owner had failed to get it approved for hous- ing, so he shouldn't have expect- ed.a different outcome. The city received hundreds of letters and e-mails, as well as, a petition, opposing the project. Coalition member Claudia Battaino said the group is very disappointed with the judge's ruling. • "It renders -the comprehensive guide plan null and void," she said. The group is currently getting legal opinions on their options to challenge the ruling. "We're •going to do what we can to have it overturned," she said.: "We're definitely hoping the city will go ahead and appeal - the decision." . Christopher Penwell, the at- torney for Rahn and Wensmann; said he had no comment other than "we're going to wait and see what the city is'going to do." For more information on the Carriage Hills Coalition, visit www.carriagehills.org. For more information on Wensmann Homes, visit www.wensmann. com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Walk for homeless animals _ at Minnesota Zoo on May 14 "The. Minnesota Valley Hu- day girl or boy to ask for dona- mane Society's (MVHS) 22nd ' tions for the shelter in lieu of annual Walk for Homeless gifts. We've decided to reward Animals will be held Saturday, these small, but important ges- May 14; as part of the "Anim- tures with kid -friendly gifts at aLuau" at the Minnesota Zoo in this year's walk. Donations of Apple Valley. $5 and above 'will receive one Pledge forms are available of our popular "Be Pawsitive" now at the Minnesota Valley wristbands. At $50, kids will Humane Society, the Minneso- receive a kid -sized T-shirt," she to Zoo, and on the MVHS Web said. site, www.MVHSpets.org.They ' Groups of youngsters are can also be obtained by calling encouraged too, but each needs MVHS at (952) 894-5000 or e- a signature from a parent or mailing Kris@MVHSpets.org. guardian' to be at the event. "This is such an important Scout troops should pre-regis- event for animals," said Kris ter at www.MVHSpets.org. Best, spokeswoman for MVHS, "Of course, we haven't for- . "Hundreds of animals come to gotten the adults. They are the MVHS each month in need of ones that really make a differ- ' new homes. The money raised ence. Our sponsors have been from this event will enable. us fabulous this year. We have to feed and care for them dur- tropical yellow shirts to give ing their stay with us. Imagine away to walkers who bring in caring for 25 dogs, 60 cats, $75 in pledges and a useful five rabbits, and a dozen ham- insulated cooler bag for those asters and "guinea pigs.. We go who bring in $150 or more." • through a lot of supplies. And Adult walkers are also asked 'actually our biggest expense is to pre -register at•www.MVHS- their medical care. We spay and pets.org, although pre-registra- neuter each cat, dog, kitten, and tion is not mandatory for atten- puppy before they go to their dance. new home. That's a huge -ex- The event begins at 9 a.m.' pense for us, but something we An alumni photograph for those need to do" animals and their families who This year's event will be big- have adopted from MVHS will • ger than 'previous years. There be at 10:30 a.m. is a new focus on children. The walk, a one -mile trek In addition to face -paint- through the Minnesota Zoo's ing, games, and a performance picnic areas, will begin at 11 by the Teddy Bear Band, kids a.m. A performance by'the Ted- 14 and under will have the op- dy Bear Band and an awards •portunity to earn cool prizes by ceremony will follow. .1 making small donations to 'the = Contests, games, a silent IN BRIEF Liquor moratorium The Eagan City Council has lifted a six-month mora- torium on new off -sale liquor licenses, citing a lack of need. Since the moratorium took effect in October, city staff had studied what, if any, additional licensing controls were needed. 0f the city's 14 off -sale liquor license hold- ers, the majority supported imposing a cap on the num- ber of licenses the city is- sued. The city found, though, that market forces and land - use and zoning restrictions would likely be sufficient checks on the number and locations of businesses hold- ing off -sale liquor licenses. Golf course development Eagan city leaders said they want to explore their op- tions before responding to a judge's determination that the city must rezone the Car- riage Hills Golf Course to al- low for housing development or begin proceedings to take the course through eminent domain, in which the prop- erty would be condemned for public use and the owner would be compensated. Da- kota County District Judge Patrice Sutherland's April 28 ruling was a surprise to the city, said John Baker, the at- torney representing Eagan. The city has 30 days to com- ply, though the ruling only takes effect if the owner and developer resubmit develop- ment plans to the city. Baker said the city plans on meet- ing with golf course owner Ray Rahn and developer Wensmann Realty before de- ciding on a course of action. One option, Baker said, is appealing to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Wensmann previously had proposed building 480 housing units, including single-family homes and townhouses, on the 120- acre site south of Yankee Doodle Road and east of Lexington Avenue. Rahn has said the golf course loses money. Amqng Cable7Satellite TV -Subscribers" by J.D. Power and Associates* dsh� NETWORK Ask about o For a limited time, get FREE Standard Professional Installation for up to four TVs. Call 866-900-TV4U (8848) today. yid and qualifying programming purchase. Participation is ss rk. Limit of 4 tuners per account. Monthly package price inrl.. S 00 equipment rental fee applies for each receiver beynr• - I be waived monthly for each such receiver that is cony in the continental United States. Must be a new, fli• • late sales taxes may apply. Where applicable, equipment subject to the terms and conditions of the porn I ages by satellite are only available to customers who re 7H antenna from DISH Network, installed free of any charges with ;u I orogrammirg availability, and for all offers. Social Security Numbe tt,only or if required by governmental authorities. llite/Cable TV Customer Satisfaction Study.'" Study based on 8,668 s a registered trademark of EchoStar Satellite LLC. All rights rese Learn About An Eder Construction 1 iational meeting on Thursday, M f rr t t }tar niip rc+, Eagan buys four by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS After months of negotiations and setbacks, the city of Eagan purchased a four -acre parcel of the former Car- riage Hills golf course for a new fire safety campus. The land was purchased from Vermillion State Bank for $450,000. The city has been trying for months to secure the land. General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 8 34493 00023 6 acres of Carriage Hi s go course The 120-acre property fell into foreclosure while the city was awaiting the Rahn Family's signature on a purchase agreement. Rahn allegedly owes money to Vermillion State Bank after borrowing against the Carriage Hills property and hii other golf course in Rosemount. Three sheriff's sales — the most recent scheduled for Dec. 8 — were postponed. The city said it reached a deal with the bank Dec. 28. The new fire safety campus, to be located on the cor- ner of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands, will include replacement buildings for an existing fire sta- tion and the fire administration building. Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm-inc.com. BURNSVILLE TOYOTA/SCION Great Deals for The New Year SEE BACK PAGE www.burnsvilletoyota.com • 14730 Buckhill Rd. • 1-800-513-9241 1/1•20177891•ABF -i'h�5 [ig.ak tI dim° *Item of equal or lesser value. Offer valid 1/15/10 thru 5/15/10. © 2009 Red Mango, Inc. All rights reserved. 1/1.2000406R.ABF Eagan needs to appeal Carriage Hills decision The late pro golfer Gardner Dickinson once warned not to believe those who said golf is like life. The reason? Golf is more complicated than life. I'll leave it to more seasoned golfers to debate that one. How- ever, something that is nearly as complicated as the game itself is one of the issues at the heart of a lawsuit over Carriage Hills Golf Course in Eagan. But let's begin by stating the obvious. Golf courses have been disappearing in Dakota County and elsewhere as devel- opment moves forward. Burnsville's Orchard Gar- dens has already been plowed under, Brockway Golf Course in Rosemount closed last sum- mer and Mendota Heights has taken its fight to keep the Men- dota Heights Par 3 Golf Course to the Minnesota Supreme Court. And, now Eagan has its own decision to make after a Dakota County District Court judge ruled earlier this month that the city had acted wrongly in denying a housing proposal for Carriage Hills. The one thing these cases all have in common is the pressure development is putting on Dakota County communities where open, undeveloped space is at a premium. Then again, just like a snowflake, no one of these cases is exactly like the other and must be looked at individually. The Mendota Heights and Eagan suits are examples. Men- dota Heights ran into trouble because while its comprehen- sive guide plan called for the JOSHUA NICHOLS golf course to remain just that, the land was zoned for single-family residential. In Eagan's case, the 120 acres Carriage Hills sits on is both zoned and comp guided as parks. Therein lies the heart of the problem with the judge's deci- sion. If a city makes plans for its land in a consistent manner and then that careful planning is tossed aside, what does that leave the city with? Eagan did nothing capri- cious in denying the housing development proposed for Car- riage Hills by Wensmann Homes and Ray Rahn, whose family -owned company owns the course. The City Council and the Planning Commission listened every step of the way, even praising parts of the proposal. But in the end, they wanted the land to remain in use as ei- ther a golf course or some other natural or park space. You could challenge them if they had left some aspect un- covered such as leaving the land zoned for residential like Men- dota Heights did. You could understand the golf course owner's frustration if he had not known the city's standing on the land in ques- tion before purchasing it. After all, it was only nine Eagan Community Editor years ago that Rahn bought the golf course after the city denied a similar housing proposal for the land. Neither the zoning nor the comp guide for the land has changed since then. There is no doubt a satura- tion of the market when it comes to golf courses. It can be hard for shorter courses like Carriage Hills to compete with the newer, longer, champi- onship courses that have sprouted up like dandelions on a sun -drenched summer lawn. I acknowledged that years ago when weighing in against a city -driven effort to look at turning Patrick Eagan Park into a golf course. None of that however changes the fact that the city should have final say over the use of land as long as it does so consistently and by the rules it has laid out in advance. In her 20-page decision, the judge wrote that Eagan's deci- sion was "arbitrary and capri- cious" because it meant Rahn had to either keep losing money operating the course or aban- don the property. There is another option though. Rahn could choose to sell the golf course to another owner who intends to use it under the same restrictions he faces, restrictions which were already in place when he him- self bought the course. Obviously the sale price wouldn't be as high in that situ- ation as it would be for a hous- ing development, but given the situation the land was bought under, that shouldn't be a sur- prise. Perhaps in the end this is something the city itself needs to pursue. Money is tight, but Eagan residents have constantly shown they highly value open space. While an action like that might take a bond referendum or some other action, for at least right now the city needs to step forward and appeal this deci- sion if nothing else. It's also important for Eagan residents to let the City Council know where they stand on this issue as they face a decision over the next couple weeks. If the city allows this incur- sion into its responsibilities to stand, the whole master plan that took years to build could become just as weak as a slice shot hit high into the wind. iding • Soffit & Fascia • Masonry • Gutter *Windows 10. Over 85,000 satisfied customers and counting... gir g Roofing Siding endows Alb .. NW •• SBA Your Home Exterior Solutions Company MN License # 0001050 MIN INN =III ..... 0 g I I I I I I I I I I I I I I based on 00-Yo discomit st_ I I I I at time I I Coupon must be presented at time I of estimate. Expires 5-30-05 offer. I I Not valid with any other offer. .1 mil am a IN 5-30-05 SAVE up to $1500 on any Window Project ; SEIA 1 1 11111 !',A71,`!S'IAC-51 • Financing by Credit Cards Financing and Refinancing by 1st or 2nd Mortgages • • Combine / Consolidate Debt • • CALL NOW FREE ESTIMATE - FAST! Minneapolis 611823,8046 St. Paul, 651.644.5362 Well meet or beet *ay PRERRRED CONTRACTOR ; Find us fast in the verizqn Future of Carriage Council deciding next step after•judge rules against city in suit over golf course BY JOSHUA -NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Carriage Hills Golf Course is closed for the season and maybe forever, but 'that doesn't mean neighbors "of the Eagan golf course: are givinguphope just yet. . A lot of :people; on• the periphery of -the : issue have been calling this -week: to say sorry,., about the golf .'course;" Eagan -resident "and; Carriage Hills neighbor "Rachel Thorpe New - Man said. "I tell then -all the same thing; that this is not over quite :yet. - Thorpe .Newman -is one of the founding • members of the Carriage Hills Coalition, a group of residents who first fought develop • ment of thecourse in 1996 and again last year. The .chances that the: 120-acre parcel:may stay.a golf course were dealt a blow April 28 when Dakota- County District Court Judge ,77:-Pattice Sutherland ruled for the owner and a :-'7developer in a suit against the city of Eagan. • Although the Eagan_ City Council had de - hied, in August, a request for a comprehensive. guide-planchange for the golf course to be de- veloped into a housing subdivision and park, - .Sutherland ruled the city illegally., CARRIAGE HILLS: To Page'19A to the sport ,BY BLAIR REYNOLDS Sun Newspapers If Dakota County residents Cliff Timm or Pete Schultz have an urge to wet a line, they don't have to travel "up north" to take care of their need to fish. While Timm of West St. Paul prefers fishing from shore or from a boat in a small neighbor- hood lake, Schultz of South St. catching a trophy happens not too far from the friendly con- fines of home. Fish tales from 'Big Muddy' Schultz, a teacher at South St. Paul High School, said it's the combination of location and the tranquility of the Mis- sissippi River that keeps him coming back for more. "I am able to meet friends at g an . ive min- utes to launch my boat. It's aw- fully convenient and the fishing is great." Fishing on the river near South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights has become popular over the years with anglers who can access it almost all year. While the fishing is strictly catch and release, the thrill of catching a big one is still the same, said Schultz. FISHING: To Page 10A Cliff Timm of West St. Paul is a longtime supp waterways more accessible to Dakota County www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eager Carriage Hills From Page lA She ordered Eagan to either -amend the property's land -use designation to allow Wensmann Homes to, build, the. housing development or else begin emi- nent domain proceedings to take the course. Either action would have to - begin in.30 days under the judge's deci- sion. The judge's ruling caught the city by surprise, Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan said in a statement after Eagan, Wensmann and golf course owner Rahn Family Lim- ited Partnership were notified of the judge's decision May 2. • "We had confidence, in the city's Com- prehensive Guide Plan because of the years of thought that went into prepar- ing it as a master plan," Geagan wrote. "The City Council has now asked our.at- torney and staff to gather_ additional in- formation regarding the city's options. This matter is simply too complex to .. make a' quick decision. We seek to make an informed decision with the benefit of additional research." _ - The City Council met in a closed meet- ing May 3 to discuss the issue. A decision to appeal the judge's ruling would put the city at riskfor. financial penalties if the appeal were to fail, however, there is more at stake than just the golf course, neighbors said. "It doesn't make any sense that one judge can undermine a city's policy," Thorpe Newman said. "It just doesn't seem fair. The comprehensive guide plan is supposed to be the foundation for what takes place in a city. Does that now just get ignored and developers can do any- thing they want?" The golf course is not only designated . as park or -recreation in the city's comp plan, but is also zoned a's park. Wens- . mann had asked for a change to allow for low -density residential housing. The project's plan called for 480 hous- ;.....D_ita�»nits that included a mix of condo- miniums, town homes and single-family houses along with 40 or more -acres pre:' • served as either park or open space. • When the lawsuit was filed in Novem- ber -2004, `Rahn said in the suit that he was losing hundreds of thousands of 'dollars' annually. The city's refusal to re- zone the course amounted to taking the land without paying, for it, the suit ar- gued. . _ In her 20-page decision, Sutherland agreed with that argument, stating that the city's denial meant one of two things , for Rahn. Either he -had to continue to lose money operating the course or he could abandon the property. • - . "This one-sided benefit to the city. is not only at odds with its goal of preserv- ' - ing public•arnenities such as parks and open space through private -public part- nerships, it is arbitrary and capricious as a matter of law," Sutherland wrote. :"'Sutherland also pointed to the propos- ' al's park and open. space as supporting the city's guide plan calling for the land to be used for park or recreation space. This is not `the- first time the golf, course has been targeted for develop- ment. In 1996, Pulte Homes sought to buy - the course and develop it for housing, but • its request 'was similarly shot down by the council. It was then that Rahn pur- chased the golf course, paying $3.6 mil- lion for it. Rahn 'has pegged his losses at the. course • over the past five years at about $800,000: . The issue isn't one •that is limited to Eagan. Other areas around the state are likely to be watching what happens with" the case as the.city's situation is far from unique. In fact, just a:few days after Eagan received news about the siiit,-the city of Mendota Heights was itself argu- ing a similar case before the Minnesota Supreme Court. In that case, Mendota Heights has already lost two lower court rulings over its efforts to stop a housing development at the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course. , Unlike the Eagan case, the cityhad that golf course designated as parkon its: comprehensive -guide' plan,- but had it , zoned as residential. • Although Christopher Penwell, an at- torney representing Wensmann and Rahn, said the judge's decision was a big step for his clients, he said they re- mained cautiously optimistic as they wait for word on what the city will do next. "We are obviously aware this is an im- portant case that has a potentially far- . reaching impact," Penwell -said. "Really - all we can do right now' is wait to see what the city's- action though. Were waiting to see if they want to -appeal or if -- they want to come back to talk with us." - 'The Carriage Hills Coalition is simi- larly in waiting mode as its members try to figure out their next move. . " - "At this point, we are all trying to fig- ure out what our next move is and 'en- couraging the city to appeal the deci- sion," Thorpe Newman said. "It's- frus- trating because before we had a part "to play and a direct means to affect change, but we're left waiting for now" Current Thursday. May 12. 2005 www.mnSun.com Relay • From Page lA "I really didn't know what to think at first. I really didn't know it was going to end up being such a huge deal for me and how it would affect my life." Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the cells that produce the skin coloring or pigment known as melanin. Melanin helps protect the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. The treatment and recovery for Thurmes that followed her new diagnosis stretched on for a year and left her with a changed view on life. A surgery to see if the cancer had spread led to another surgery to remove all her lymph nodes. That was followed by a year of interferon treatments, a milder form of chemotherapy. Thurmes, who hopes to one day be- come an elementary school teacher, now goes in for check-ups every three months and for scans on life now," Thurmes said. "Before when one small thing happened to me, I would think it's the end of the world. Now I know that it could always be worse and to enjoy life while you can." Now the Minnesota State University - Mankato sophomore is urging others to form Relay teams to walk the Eagan High School track celebrating life, celebrating survivorship, honoring those who have died from the deadly disease and "sup- porting the work that remains to be done." During the Relay For Life teams of 8-15 people take turns walking or jogging around the Eagan High School track to raise money in the fight against cancer. The deadline for those interested in form- ing teams is Monday, June 20. Thurmes said she jumped at the chance to take part in the event. She said she has never taken part in the Relay be- fore, but is involved this year because she likes to bring hope to people. "There were so many times during my treatment that I got down and wanted to give up on myself," Thurmes said. "But I had a lot of friends and family who helped keep my hopes up and I want to be able to do the same." Eagan resident and Relay For Life Event Chair Melissa Wannigman said it's OTICES Public Notice (Official Publication) MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable consumers to he able to identify the true owner of a business. State the exact assumed name under which the busi- ness is or will be conducted: Stems & Things Floral Design State the address Of the principal place of business. 15884 Hallmark Way Apple Valley MN 55124 List the name and complete street address of all per- sons conducting business under the above Assumed Name. Barbara Wylie Amber Cook 15684 Hallmark Way 55 W 96th St #2M Apple Valley MN 55124 Bloomington MN 55420 I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate. I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Stabiles Section 609.48 as if 1 had signed this certificate under oath. DATED: Apc'15.2005 /et/ Amber Cook. Co -Owner that spirit that is at the heart of the event. "We've been blessed to have coura- geous young people like Karissa serve as honorary chair" Wannigman said. "Her passion, her vitality, is the heart of Relay For Life." Relay For Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington where Dr. Gordon Klatt walked solo around a track for 83 miles to raise money for cancer research. Since then Relay For Life has become a volunteer event in nearly 4,000 communi- ties nationwide raising money one lap at a time to fight cancer, the second -leading health -related cause of death in the Unit- ed States. Eagan's Relay will again feature the popular candlelight luminaria lining the high school track in remembrance of all those families and survivors who have battled cancer. For more information about how resi- dents or businesses can form a team, call 651-454-7034 or e-mail rfleagan- (dyahoo.com. Team captains can also ac- cess the Eagan Relay For Life Web site at www.acsevents.org/relay/mnieagan. Vehicle From Page lA Councilmember Mike Maguire added his own opinion on the 31-year-old bus. "I have a hard time envisioning this bus being useful on a trip to Mille Lacs let alone in an emergency," he said. The replacement? A new. custom- built mobile command center vehicle that will run the city $467,250 and take 220 days to be delivered. The new vehicle will come complete with all cabinetry and technology and will be able to be used in many more sit- uations, Therkelsen said. Features will include a bank of phones and a satellite phone system, lap- top computers, cross -spectrum radio communication, televisions and video capabilities. The vehicle will also come with an exterior lighting system that .11 .,ll....r i4 4.-. 11..1.4 .,,•-• ivs .; d....4 . • The City. Council, set to approve: a:comprornise on housing;plans for the Carriage Hills course, voted ' it down after new facts 'suifaced By SHIRA KANTOR skantor@a startribune.coni Two things happened in the days leading up to the Eagan City Coun-` cil's decision to abruptly change', course in its, dealings with developer. Te `Y. Wens rTmanna who wants to build homes on a golf course. First, the Minnesota Court of' Appeals ruled in favor of Mendota ., Heights in its lawsuit over . a'pro- • posed golfcourse development. Sec ond, council members learned that ' another . Eagan golf course owner and developer had requested a land- • use change to build houses. '" So the Eagan City. Council voted unanimously last week against Wens-' marin's request :to. amend the city& comprehensive plan to allow for homes on'Carriage Hills Golf Club." The decision means the 'city Will • appeal a 'Dakota 'County District- Courtt ruling -in a lawsuit brought by Wensmann and the; golf course own- er. The council had agreed inNo- vember ,.. to consider Wensmann's lat- est development proposal in a pro cess that could have led to a, settle- , ment of the dispute:: ' If the city loses, not only. could the golf course be developed, but thecomprehensive plan —'the; city's main, planning document• .. could lose some of its force.. "I ,just don't know," said council member Mike McGuire, "The fact, of .'s the matter is, we can't know We're playing a really high stakes game of poker here." ' - ; Course continues: Some are worried' about loss of city's open space: Su. ► NUN-t Water Softeners, Filters • Uses NO ELECTRICITY! • No Clocks to Set! • No Batte • You NEVER Have to Make Adjustmer • Saves 75% on Salt and Water over Standar( Water C HAFERMAN 9521 www.ha The BEST PIANO SAI 85 Choice New & Used * Grands, Consoles, Uprights * Most Major Brands * Digital Pianos/Player Grands �i�rit 5ODifl 64 KEYBOARD CENTERS uw+w+ uuw HWY. 50 AT CEDAR AVE., LAKEVILLE, Mil #619015 1 2006 IMPALA LS All RID WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2006 • STAR TRIBUNE • SOUTH • Sil Surprise move on Carriage Hills in Eagan 4 COURSE FROM Si Golf course owner Ray Rahn and Wensmann Realty originally proposed building 480 housing units on the 120- acre golf course south of Yan kee Doodle Road and east of Lexington Avenue. The settle- ment agreement they pitched to the city had included sim- ilar designs, but with a nine - hole golf course. "Obviously, I'm disappoint- ed," Wensmann said at the meeting last week. He would not comment further on the lawsuit or his plans. Dozens of residents who packed the City Council chambers on Jan. 17 gave the council a standing ovation after its vote. They had ex- pressed concerns about traf- fic and limited open space in Eagan, and several expressed great surprise and relief. Council Member Peggy Carlson prefaced her vote by saying that she hadn't thought she would be voting against the settlement agreement, but "the fact that the Parkview Golf Course application came in Friday to go to residential pushed me over the edge.... I'll go the distance." Council member Cyndee Yankee Doodle Rd. Source: ESRI, GDT TO LEARN MORE Carriage Hills Coalition, which op- poses the development: www.carriagehills.org City of Eagan: www.cityofeagan.com Fields agreed, saying "this is not just about the two golf courses, but it's about the rest of Eagan." Parkview Golf Course own- ers later in the week told city staff that they were consider- ing withdrawing their applica- tion to build 316 housing units on the 80-acre course, said Jon Hohenstein, Eagan's commu- nity development director. In the Mendota Heights lawsuit — which also involved a developer's request for a comprehensive plan change to accommodate housing on a golf course — the Minnesota Star Tribune Court of Appeals ruled that "a city has a rational basis to de- ny a proposed amendment to its comprehensive plan with respect to property current- ly used as a golf course when the city has a legitimate inter- est in reaffirming a historical comprehensive plan designa- tion and in protecting open and recreational space." Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan said that he saw similarities in the Mendota Heights case that give Eagan "reason to view a possible outcome of our ap- peal differently than we did one month ago." He cautioned, though, that a risk remains. In Eagan's case, the court will likely rule on whether the city has in ef- fect and illegally "taken" the course from its owner by re- stricting development op- tions, Geagan said. Shira Kantor • 612-673-7275 -• 1- ,' • , • •Ir • 'S12 •,S:OUTIV.- STAR TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25; 2006 • '- • - • • • SKIN & SPA PARTY AT REJUV! SATURDAY JANUARY 28 9-2PM .TiCKETRECWES': Product Sampling, Micrinterthabrision Treatment; Chair Massage & Af akrovers. liptox/ Restylane Q&A JUV Learnbowtotransform your sin with Obig! • :Skincare and receive • •• • : : aSkinAnalysislw.. teNt e 4,* *a a • ta 1 625 LENACOURT. 4 Fi•Et:':&15E' Insurance CALL OUR LOCAL OFFICE FOR A FREE RATE QUOTE. 612-630-2222 1301 East Cliff Reed Burnsville FROM GRANDMA TO HOT MAMA! "I FEEL ,LNE MY OLD,,'SELF AGAIN - ONLY BETTER! 7 - - 'Ihad tried,mierything,', Weight Watchers, self-imposed • diets, '.1ennyCraig. I felt fat! No energy, heartburn, bad. ., ' hotrfashes. I did'not like Myself it all and was not enjoying, my.life. NOW that •hive lost my weight, , :I feel GREAT!!! PAYgr4ndibn didnIreCognize me until he looked at my face and said: , 'Granny, the only thing that'C : . You is your face.: .1 feel like my •' BEFORE • ' 1 179 Pounds old self again only better. I'Loie you SIMALife!" -Sharon Viciceir , , • - . AFTER 127 Pounds • . • • SHARON LOST 52 POUNDS See and Hear More Success Stories•at #iin4tife.coin PROGRAM SERVICE FEES ONLY $ 7 Per Week* . 'With Full Program Exclusive of Products Weight I ass CALL TODAY" ••FOR YOUR FREE coNsuLTADON! 952-698-7546' MULTIPLE. LOCATIONS NOW OPti! AS SEEN ON TV! Make Your Adpointment \‘ On -Line and SAVE!! • , LOSE UP TO 3 - 5 POUNDS PER WEEK I PERSONAL ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING I NO PRE -PACKAGED MEALS DOCTOR RECOMMENDED I INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS I NO HUNGER - REAL FOOD - FASTRESULTS SPORTS Blaze punch ticket to state PAGE 18A .mnSun.com _ 5 iA to Cu i' t. -2sDow Voters will decide Carriage Hills' fate Settlement will put issue on ballot GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Eagan voters will have the final say in a land dis- pute that lawyers have been arguing about for years. The Eagan City Council approved a settlement March 18 that would give voters a chance to decide whether or not the city should buy the 120-acre site that was formerly the Carriage Hills golf course. The issue will appear on the ballot during the general elec- tion this November. While plans have not been decided for how the open space would be used if voters approve the purchase, the cost to preserve it would be $10.25 million. The sale price is $10 million and the rest would account for costs related to capital investment bonds. That amount does not include improvements to the property. CARRIAGE: TO PAGE 17A ZA Apple valley, nosemounl a tagan sun-uurrer Purchase one entree at regular price and receive the 2nd entree k IRE of equal or lesser value Not valid on appetizers, salad bar or desserts. Not valid with any otter others. Expires April 12, 2008. Must present Ihle Coupon. Not valid holidays. GoodMen -Fd 4nd1 end Sun-Thurs dinner. Happy Hour M-F Lunch • Sat & Sun Dinner 4-7 pm sr° off Well Drinks & Wine Mia Dorr 7-10 Pm SingerNoralist rues & Wed •Validated Parking 651-224-5111 175 E.l0th Street St. Paul, MN 55101 t -Thursday, March 27, A ful Alan Van retires a teachin STEFANIE BRIGS Following Alan VanWyn more free time Besides bei School varsit VanWyngarden country, sw' taught physi social studies dux Burnsville-Eagai His last day at School in Burnsv Fifth -grade V Tapper also look Mg days with hi The two have v school since the "He's a very children adore VanWyngarden. him on his last were crying. He VanWyngardel his wife, Sally Si grade at Hidden In the Community With the Community, For the Community Carriage FROM PAGE 1A • Under the agreement, if vot- ers don't approve the referen- dum; Wensmann Homes would •be able to.build a housing devel- .opment on the-site;but must set aside 30 acres of open space. It also states that there would be no north -to -south street connec- tions through the development, but rather an east -to -west con- nection between Wescott Woodlands and Duckwood Drive. The settlement came to fruition after an 11-hour court ordered mediation session March 14, involving landowner Ray Rahn, potential developer Wensmann Homes and' the city. ' Before the agreement, the case was headed back to district court for trial in June. The case has been in litigation- since ' August 2004, • as the city has argued that the golf course can- not be developed because it goes. - - against what is laid out .in the city's comprehensive plan. • "We will be engaged in what some would call a road map to" peace," said Maguire: .The case reached the Minnesota Supreme Court in July of 'last year,. where a judge agreedthat the city had a.right to designate land as open -space in its• comprehensive . plan. However, the: judge remanded' the 'case :to district court 'to • determine .• whether the landowner still had reasonable use of the land. "About the most' agonizing decisions .I've had to -make as a council member and a mayor - were about Carriage Hills," said Maguire. "We've traveled along - road in this case to reach the point where the choice can truly rest in the community's hands." , • Council members - have agreed -not to take sides on the referendum issue. Instead, they will work to inform the public on how the site will be devel oped•through both public hear- ings and open houses. City staff will be working with options for the land and the public should see some . preliminary options, by late spring, said Maguire. . - • There. will also be public -hearings . on the . -potential Wensmann Homes development in May and June, as the ,plans for both options will continue on a dual track. If the council would deny the, s developer's • plan, the issue would still go to trial in June. • "I think there are a lot of - things that are good [about the -settlement]—I think there -are -a. lot of things that are not ideal," .said Maguire. .• However, whenit came down • to the choice between an agree- ment that gave voters a choice in the issue or facing the uncer- tainty and legal costs that came along with the .trial, Maguire , said the settlement was clearly the -best option for the city. "It allows voters to.conie •• and make that Choice,"' he said.' • (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at • www.mnsun.com and/or write a '• letter to -theeditor at suncur- •.. rentsouth@acnpapers.com.) BY THE NUMBERS: 22.4 - Burnsville seniortarell Clark was the leading scorer in Lake Conference boys basketball with a 22.4 average. Burnsville was scheduled to play Robbinsdale Cooper in the state Class 4A quar- terfinals Wednesday afternoon: AT WWW.MNSUN.COM • © 2008 SUN NEWSPAPERS • PAGE 18A )ys punch state ticket wwmnsun:com. The winner is theduled to play Rochester Mayo Henry Sibley in the semifinals : 2 p.m. Thursday, March,27, at the arget Center. "People were saying we couldn't ?at Eastview the first time we .ayed them," said Blaze guard areal Clark. "We just kept playing, id we did the same thing, 'uesday]." • _ • Burnsville and Eastview traded omentum swings in 'the section ak.Burnsville led 15-2 eight min- es into.Ahe game but Eastview ght back, catching and passing e Blaze by halftime. A. basket by the Lightning's los Emory early in the second ran Eastview's lead to 38-29 d.. forced Burnsville to call a eout. The Blaze scored 10 points in its • t four possessions - one free ow and three consecutive three- nters. Nick Krogstad made the t two three -pointers, and Max nOrdstrand's basket with 12:41 put Burnsville back in front 39- Eastview (20-8) never regained • lead. •- • "Eastview plays on adrenaline, d when they get ahead, they're gh," said Burnsville co -coach b Schweim. "But I told our kids at halftime we're right where we need to be. Anybody who's'seen us play knows our second halves have been huge." For long stretches, Eastview • struggled to make a perimeter shot, and Lightning coach Mark Gerber said allowed the Blaze 'to crowd the interior. • "We felt good about where we were in the second half, but we did- n't make enough shots," Gerber :said. "Because we weren't making our shots, [Burnsville] could sag inside." Missed shots also gave Burnsville opportunities to run. "We're a good defensive team 5- on-5," Gerber said. "We're not a good defensive team when Tarell [Clark] is leading a 3-on-2 or going 1-on-1." Clark, the Lake Conference's scoring leader, had a game -high 22 points. Devon Knopke had 14 points and VanOrdstrand 12 for Burnsville. Senior forward Zak Pfeffer didn't score, but Schweim said his hard-nosed play helped the Blaze get back in the game in the second half. Senior forward Johnie Sanders led Eastview with 20 points, Senior guard Ethan Thomforde scored 16 and Emory had 12. . 11.4 MC, 12, Zf`(,) SIBMRTED ART Eagan Council sets stage for Carriage Hills referendum With development approved, focus moves to park plan GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS A big decision on open space is looming for Eagan residents. The Eagan City Council unanimous- ly approved June 3 a change to the city's comprehensive plan to allow for the development of the former Carriage Hills Golf Course. The devel- opment is on hold though, as voters will have the chance to approve a refer- endum to buy the land for $10.25 mil- lion in November. Pending a review by the Metropolitan Council, the motion by the City Council effectively ends a law- suit brought against the city by landowner Ray Rahn and developer Wensmann Homes regarding the area's land use. The city had argued that it should remain as open space but agreed to a settlement earlier this year that would put the issue to a referen- dum upon approval of the develop- ment. CARRIAGEHILLS: TO PAGE 25A 952-920-4300 —Across From Southdale '\hikt (rii t� ! lrf;� �lit►�t iti r, 1.I )I \ That's wha matters to Faster, more COflVE That's what matters to Download your favorite The same great speed, Play _online games, dow •�u rcan ado it,even faster Of#er ezprrese613 (08 is o lygavallahle rri wit e 6 monthhpramoh a pen ljeegu9ar (haa service High Spe . Interi t,service limiter Servlce Po erl cyst vit.nv fesj ursts ofi-t` r� s, ; Cafitfnrtrestrrct'tons"and cb piste 9eta�Ls; �� In the Community,With the Community, For the Community www.mnSun.com - Thursday, June 12, 2008 - App Carriage Hills, FROM PAGE 1A . "If we approve the development. tonight, it does not mean development will happen for sure on .the Carriage Hills site," said Mayor Mike Maguire before the decision. Now the focus for the city shifts. toward providing plans for how the ' land will look if voters agree to buy, it. Maguire said there would be multiple open houses and hearings during the summer on the issue. The council will begin discussion on the issue at a June •12 work session. "We'll have that conversation in the. coming months," said Maguire. The preliminary development plan approved by the council includes 41 single family homes, 52 detached town- ' homes, 39 luxury twinhomes, 96 row. townhomes, 72 new urban townhomes, 60 senior housing units and 120 high - density multiple -family units. The 120- acre site also would include-30 acres of open space, which was a stipulation of the settlement. • If voters don't approve the .referen- dum, the housing development would • be able to move forward immediately. Council members all agreed that the plan was a good.one,: if development is the route that voters choose to go. ' "This is a good development if in fact this is what we end up with,"said Councilmember Peggy Carlson. "It's up to• the people, which is the way it should be." . "I'm not crazy about the idea of this parcel of land being developed for housing," said Councilmember Paul Bakken. "For me, the way to preserve this as more of an open space: use is to get to the referehdum.• In order to get there, we have 'to do this." (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@cicn- papers.com.) nt -:Thursday, June 12, 2008 - www mnSun.com REDEMPTION NOTICE THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE OWNER, THE OWNER'S PERSONAL REPRE- SENTATIVE OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF•A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETER- MINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT•THE PREMIS- ES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. . Dated:•May 14, 2008 HERITAGE WALK ASSOCIATION, Lienor • By /s/ Thomas P. Carlson Thomas P. Carlson (024871X) 1052 Centerville Circle Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 (651) 287-8640 ATTORNEY FOR HERITAGE WALK ASSOCIATION (May 29, June 5; 12, 19, 26 & Juty 3,'2008) c2-Schmidt , Maestri " tro In the Community, With the Community, For the Community below will be sold at public auction held on June 30, 2008 at Public Storage, 15075 Foliage Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124 at 1:30pm. The description of the goods and name of the person(s) whose personal property is to be sold is as follows: • • 227-Kathleen Lane: Boxes, Clothing, Computer, Dresser 29-Dale Hedtke: Lamp, End Table, Coffee Table, T.V. 309-Nanette C Long: Exercise Equipment, T.V Stand, Of- fice Chair 313-Benita Seepersaud: Restaurant Equipment, Saw, Totes, Boxes 330-Kathleen S. Lane: Bed Frame, Bed Mattress, Boxes, Dresser, Totes • 389-Kathy Erkkila: Bicycle, Boxes, Dresser, Fishing Equipment, .Totes - 420-Bryan Olson: Bed Mattress, Boxes, Couch, Dresser, Totes, Toys 429-Katherine A. Harris: .Bar Stools, Boxes, Totes, Lug- gage 466-Todd Seavy: Bags, Boxes, Ladder,Neon Signs, Totes, Pool Table 470-Susan Renee Lukes: Boxes, Chair, Dresser, Table; Totes 490-Tricla Parrish: Bicycle, Dresser, Exercise Equip - Unit 331 John Worrell: Bags,.Mattress, Tool Box, Totes, Mitre Saw. Unit 337 William Harris: Desk, Microwave, Pool, Hand Truck. Unit 224 George Powell: Mattress:Chairs, Lamp, Cof- fee Table. Unit 314 Samia Adenwala: Clothing, Couch,- Dresser, Exercise Equipment. • Unit 313 Marcey Payne: Bags, Mattress, Boxes, Couch, Speakers, Pictures, Toys. Unit 165 Korina Manifold: Bags, Boxes, Clothing, Couch Sofa, Stereo, TV' Unit 312 Barbara Hansen: Bags, Boxes, Couch, Lamp, . Rug, Vacuum (June 12 & 19, 2008)c2- Eagan 25548 Public Notice of Auction (Official Publication) Public Storage, Inc. PS Orangeco / Rosemount *25552 15854 Chippendale Ave, Rosemount, MN 55068 �Yx-Y aY, ioa City wants input o4future of: Carriage Hills Public has another, - chance'to-provide;input- at.July 29 open house • GRANT WELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Suggestions have included a wind farm and,a fire station, but the city is still looking for your vision for the -future of the Carriage Hills Golf Course. More than 50 people showed up to. the first open house designed to gather input on what the city should do with the 120-acre former golf course if vot- ers decide the city should buy the land for $10.25 mil- lion •in a November referendum. • "We were thrilled to see over 50 people in atten-• • dance, said Assistant City Administrator Dianne Miller after the first open house July 15 at the Eagan Community Center. "There was a whole slew of ideas. A great community spirit was demonstrat- ed," she said. Another open house is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July '29, in the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. Those who attended the first meeting: are welcome, but are asked to make that known to the presenters so hat Open house;. regaroing,uses for-'. ;arriage Hills land; •iep6p' Tuesday `July here Eagan a, aom Eagan Ci Hall 3830 Pilot; Knob Road. ntormation 51 675=50001 iofeagan corgi CARRIAGE HILLS: TO PAGE 26A Purchase one entree at regular price and receive the 2nd entree FREE. of equal or lesser value Not valid on appetizers, salad bar or desserts. Not valid with any other otters Expires August 9, 2008 Must present this coupon Not valid holidays Good Mon-Fn lunch and Sun-Thurs dinner. S danpy Hoi7 M-F Lunch • Sat & Sun Dinner 4-7 pm '1°Q off Well Drinks & Wine Mia Dorr 7-10 pm Singer/Vocalist 'hies & Wed •Validated Parking 651-224-5111 175 E.l0th Street St. Paul, MN 55101 TWIN CITIES A Self Guided Tour of Over 100 Ponds & July 19-20 & 26-27, 200 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday Nightscopes Tours 9:00 - 11:00 NEW this year! FREE Admission, Donations Encou Your donation helps support the important mission of Children's Cancer Research Fund. Children's Research Presented by AIL In the Community With the Community, For the Community • Carriage Hills FROM PAGE 1 A • each attendee at either • meeting has a fair say ... • During the open house, which will be:' conducted by a consultant from the Hoisington Koegler Group, participants will be asked their ideas for how the par- • cel should be used. A brief. presentation on the history of . this issue will be • offered attendees. A development plan by Wensmann Homes, which has been approved by the CityCouncil should the referendum fail, will be on display at the open house. During the open house, participants will also be asked to break -into small groups to discuss, their visions for the land, which'will then be shared with the whole group. At the end of the session, participants will submit their wishes. in writing, which will then be presented to the City Council in August. The council has until Sept.2.to finalize a referendum - question. - : • " Sharon Ysbaert, who lives near the golf course, participated in the first ses- sion. She said she came e to the session with more questions than ideas.' She added that she found the session worth- while even though it was difficult to come up with ideas without knowing what the city needs. Although she originally favored keep-' ing••.the land as 'a golf course, Ysbaert said she: realized that it might 'not be a possibility and was in favor of - doing whatever it takes to keep the land from' being developed. "I've come to the realization that what we might want to go in there and what might go in there are very differ- ent," she said. "At this point, people are interested in what the: other options are so we don't have to develop it." In the end, Ysbaert said it was most important that the public be given a clear picture of what the land will be used for before they head to the ballot box. • "If we want to be successful, we have to be able to present to the people exactly what it's going to be used for," she said. Mayor Mike Maguire said that while rumors are flying aroundas to the city's intended uses for the land, the council has not voiced an opinion on the issue and won't do so until it receives the input from the public. "I want to make really clear that this is a public Process," he said. "It is •a process that is of, for and by the commu- nity. There is no predetermined or pre- ordained outcome." Maguire. encouraged anyone with interest in the issue -to attend the open house and warned against putting stock in rumors identifying specific usesfor the land. "Nobody from outside City Hall 'speaks for. City Hall," he said. -. (You are invitedto comment aboutthis story on our website at www.mnsun:com and/or write a letter to the editor at' sun- currentsouth@acnpapers. com.) 1u the Community, With the Community, For the Community OIL �'s',✓ --'FREE A/C CHANGE 7"'Savings Exp 8-15-08 Mendota Heights 2030 Dodd Rd. 651.454.5622 CHECK UP • Measure System Pressure • Measure Vent Temperature • Inspect/Adjust Belt As Necessary Ex.() 8-15-08 West St. Paul 1820 S. Robert St 651.455.2788 Rosemount 14460 5. Robert Tr. 651.423.2910 Environmental waste charge extra Lubricate chassis, dr in oil 8 refill up to 5 qts. 01 oilinstall new oil filter. c eck all fluid levels & comple e safety check. Most cars Special diesel oil 8 filter m y result in extra charges. efec..,,&Orv3lize Organic & Sustainable Living • Full Service Cleaning - 18 years experience • Flexible Scheduling ■ Bonded & Insured Call 612-920-0426 info@cleanandorganizemn.com www.cleanandorganizemn.com BBB 00 Clean ng Off '10eeachlo 1 nnseculive cleanini ngs } Cahill c... inside, oneering training' center not just or boys' hockey, anymore AA7 WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008.•-SECTION AA Golf course creates open (i question on � open space � • Eagan wants help deciding what to do with the former Carriage Hills golf course if voters decide' the city should buy it: Keeping it as . parkland is only one of the options. By SARAH LEMAGIE • slemagie@startribune.com An arboretum with mazes. Frisbee golf, putt -putt or a nine -hole execu- tive course. A fire station, wind tur- bines, a sports dome, a dog park. The city of Fagan is asking res- idents this summer to weigh in on what should happen to the former Carriage Hills golf course if voters ap- prove the land's purchase for public use in November. And to judge from the handwritten slips that covered a wall of the Eagan Community Center one night last week, the 35 people who showed up to a public meeting on the topic had no problem brainstorming. "There's no shortage of creative ideas," said Mayor Mike Maguire. One Carriage Hills neighbor sug- gested building a swimming pool for adults, to complement the city's kid - friendly Cascade Bay. Another, Fran- ces"Pekearo, pointed out that build- ing a mausoleum with quiet grounds and a reflecting pool might give the city a low -maintenance way to use the land — and generate some mon- ey selling crypts. • Eagan continues: Many who live near- by favor retaining open space. AA5 ► AA2 • SOUTH EXTRA • STAR TRIBUNE: • WE tow EAGAN Ex -council member willfill empty seat The City Council has ap- pointed a former council member as an interim replace- ment for the seat left vacant by the recent resignation of Peggy Carlson. Shawn Hunt- er, a resident of the city for 24 years, will serve in the post un- til a special election in Novem- ber. He is not running for the seat. Hunter was an Eagan City Council member from 1993- 1997. Two candidates filed for the remaining two years of the term: Gary Hansen and Buzz Anderson. ROSEMOUNT City will get housing help as growth looms Rosemount is one of five' metro -area cities chosen . to, receive expert help in creat- ing and maintaining a variety. of housing. The city, along with Shoreview, Brooklyn Park, • Minnetonka and -Richfield, will' participate in a program run by the Urban Land Institute Min- • nesota and the Regional Coun- cil of Mayors. The Opportuni- ty City Pilot Program hooks up city leaders with experts in re, al estate, planning and devel- opment. police blotter APPLE VALLEY JULY 1 ' - Theft. Officers cited a 26-year-old man from Otsego, Minn., for shoplifting, giv- ing false information to a police officer (a gross misdemeanor), obstructing the le- gal process, and felony drug possession. BURNSVILLE JULY 4 Multiple charges. A 43-year-old home- less man was arrested for obstructing the legal process, terroristic threats, as- saultinflicting great bodily harm, 2nd de-. The cities fa housing challen trying to meet aging populatio ple, Rosemoun has about 22, may add up to UMore Park 25 years if p1 University of there become Chance t hungry d Look forth Rosemount's Parade, toss in help the food The Co Program is ru for the Pant the town par at 11 a.m. Sa will push gro the parade ro nations, and be placed at out the day. Donations foods such a jelly, soups, are welcome. `Roadeo top bus Bus driver son, Gregg Murphy too at the Minn Theft. A 31-ye was arrested contributing to a gross misdem EAGAN JUNE 30 Theft. Officers an overdue se firm in the 3100 tained $40,000 in $4,000 in fuel co They last spoke when he said h Eagan facing open question about open space EAGAN FROM AA1 "It's kind of gross," she ad- mitted. "Most people don't want to talk about it." Butrgrossdoesn't matter—' it's all about getting a healthy discussion going, the city says. After a four-year court battle with developer Wensmann Re- alty and the golf course's own- er over plans to build homes on the 120-acre site, the city reached a contingent settle- ment this spring that puts the fate of Carriage Hills in the hands of voters. They will de- cide in a referendum whether the city will buy the land for $10 million, plus about $250,000 in bond fees and other expens- es. If voters reject the propos- -al, Wensmann will move for- ward -with plans to build up to .480 homes. The City Council must ap- prove the, wording of the bal- lot question by Sept. 2, and the mayor, for one, wants to be very clear with voters about what the land would be used for. "I'm not interested in vague visions, and simply acquiring the land and saying, Well, we have a bunch of options,"' said Magu- ire, who pointed out that the pur- chase would equal about a third of the city's annual budget. The city has hired a con- sultant to collect input from the public, do what the May- or called "thumbnail feasibil- ity reports" of the most pop- ular ideas and report back in August. In October, the city will mail residents a fact sheet Star Tribune about plans for the land. - In previous debates over Carriage Hills, which is lo- cated south of Yankee Doo- dle Road, many residents have fought to keep the area as green space. But the city isn't coming into this decision with pre- conceived notions,partly be- cause in the past, the most vo- cal green -space advocates have been neighbors of the proper- ty, and city leaders want to hear from the entire cOinm u- nity, Maguire said. Long-range plans show that the city has an adequate sup- ply of most developed park features, such as tennis courts and baseball diamonds, said Ju- li Seydell Johnson, the city's di- rector -of parks and recreation. Two parks'— O'Leary Park and Mueller Farm Park — fulfill, for most Carriage Hills neighbors, the city's guideline of having a park within three-quarters of a mile of every home. • And Eagan's amount of green space already compares favorably with thatof other American cities, she said. With Carriage Hills, she said, "It's more .a question of, 'Does the public want more open space?" Maguire wouldn't say wheth= er he thinks the city should buy the land. But, he said, "I think preserving green space is a true, good, beautiful and desir- able goal for the city. I don't be- lieve that any [singlef parcel is the only way to do that." Sarah Lemagie • 952-882-9016 .:..m.- p.m. today -next Wed. Red Wing City Hall, 315 W. 4th St., Red Wing. 651-258-4233. ROCHESTER: 7:30 a.m.-noon Sat. 4th Av. and 4th St. SE, Rochester. 507-273-8232. ROSEMOUNT: 2-6 p.m. Tue. 13885 S. Rob- ert Trail, Rosemount. 651-227-8101. FOOTBALL YOUTH CAMP: New Prague Trojan footbali coaches will be hosting the 13th annual Trojan Youth Camp. It is open to anyone entering grades 3-9. July 28-July 31, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. each night. New Prague High School Practice Fields. To register, call the Community Educa- n er Drive, Burnsville. 952-895-4500. SONGS OF HOPE: 7 p.m. next Wed. Civ- ic Center Park, 100 Civic Center Drive, Burnsville. 952-895-4500. MARC COHN: 7:30 p.m. today. $43. Min- nesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Val- ley. 651-989-5151. A flSl,il G S MEI51 Americas '1 Warranty XI:09culn01Plo.,nt.Ilutk wn,ut,• No tuducMl,• WI, %Ora e 2008 Suzuki Reno -UPS'; To 2008 Suzuki SX4 [r Up'; To Burnsville. 952-895-4500. LEE ENGELE JAZZ QUINTET: 7 p.m. today. Free. Pioneer Park Plaza, 20801 Holyoke Av., Lakeville. 952-985-0517. TRICK DAISY: 9 p.m. today. Primetime Sports Bar & Grill, 14103 Irving Av. S., Burnsville. 952-435-6111. SERIES 5: 9 p.m. Fri. Primetime Sports Bar Sign and of Net Requires the purchase of qualify 12 months of the 1 DVD at -a It's summer! Now is a movie rentals when yo Internet and DISH Net each per month. And h Frontier services at this I starting at a minimum of entertainment —take a lol w, ;,ww. thisweeklive. com JULY 12, 2008. VOLUME 29, NO. 20 Public can weigh ginon.Carria a Hills g City will hold two meetings on potential plans for former golf course should referendum pass - by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Two meetings will be held to gather public input on possible uses for Carriage Hills golf course, which could be acquired . by the city if a referendum passes in November. • The meetings are sched- uled for 6 p.m. • Tuesday, July 15, at the Eagan Com- munity'Center, and 6 p.m. July 29 in the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall Voters will decide this fall whether the city should purchase the 120-acre prop- erty for $10.25 million, or whether the land should be developed into housing. ".The city has retained consultants with land -plan- ning expertise to- facilitate and host the public meet- ings.. The Hoisington Koegler Group will record all ideas Carriage Hills/from 1A The property, located at 3535 Wescott Woodlands; was guided parks, open space and recreation. As part of the settlements . agreement, the City Council last month approved a land - presented by the public dur- ing the meeting and include them in a report to be pre- sented to the City Council in August. • Eagan Mayor. Mike Ma- guire said he hopes citizens will weigh in on appropriate public uses for the property. Their feedback will assist the council in. creating the referendum question that will be on the ballot in No- vember, lie said. That ques- use change to allow 480 units of mixed -use housing and 30 acres of open space. Approving the project allowed a referendum to be placed on the ballot, letting voters ultimately decide the fate of the land. If the bond referendum tion must be adopted no later than Sept. 2. "I'm often amazed by the ideas and insights citizens have to offer, and we look forward • to their perspec- tives regarding Carriage Hills," he said. The November. referen- dum is part of a settlement, agreement reached by the city and Wensmann Homes in March after a three-year legal battle. • The settlement came out of a court -ordered me- diation prior to trial, which was .scheduled to begin in June. Wensmann and Carriage Hills owner Ray Rahn sued the city after it denied .a land -use change in 2004 to allow housing on the prop- erty, which Rahn has said is no longer viable as a golf course. • See Carriage Hills, 5A fails, Wensmann will pro- ceed with the housing devel- opment. For more information on the open houses, visit www. cityofeagan.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc. com. 2A July 12, 2008 THISWEEK Phal (Store located at Mall of America) Summer Clearance Sale at our warehouse location: 1530 East Cliff Road, Burnsville BILLABONG Saturday, July 19th, 8-4 Sunday, July 20th, 11-4 Tuesday, July 22nd, 10-3:30 40% - 90% OFF I ROXY.COM BRING IN THIS AD & RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $10.00 OFF A $75.00 PURCHASE. SPEND $125.00 AND RECEIVE $15.00 OFF PURCHASE New merchandise has been brought in! New markdowns have been taken for womens, juniors, and girls. Fresh Produce, Roxy, Billabong and much more! ALL SALES FINAL, NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES. CASH AND CHECK ONLY (NO CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS) For further details go to www.kiwibeach.com or call 952.858.9530 Beautify Your Bathroom or Kitchen Affordably Agendas City Council The Eagan City Council will meet Tuesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Eagan City Hall. The following is the tentative agenda. I. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. ADOPT AGENDA (At ap- proximately 8 p.m. the Council will take a short recess) III. RECOGNITIONS & PRE- SENTATIONS IV. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVE MINUTES B. PERSONNEL ITEMS C. APPROVE CHECK REGISTERS D. APPROVE Tobacco Li- cense for Chip Ly Lim, Comer's Liquor, 3090 Courthouse Lane E. APPROVE a temporary on -sale liquor license for Faith- ful Shepherd Catholic School and waive the $150.00 license fee F. APPROVE Joint Powers Agreement with the St. Paul Po- lice Department for assistance durin Education velopment Agency, and the State of Minnesota Office of Enter- prise Technology I. APPROVE Change Order #1 for the Civic Arena West Mezzanine construction J. AUTHORIZE Preparation of an Amendment of City Code Chapter 11 regarding the regula- tion of accessory Structures. K. AUTHORIZE Prepara- tion of a Resolution to allow temporary deferment for MVTA to comply with Noise Attenua- tion Standards for Cedar Grove Transit Station. L. APPROVAL of contract between the City of Eagan and Servicemaster M. APPROVE Amend- ment to Development Contract (Eagan Hills Alliance Church - Completion Date) N. APPROVE Change Order No. 3 for Contract 07-04 (Boul- der Lakes Business Park / Lone Oak Road Street and Utility Im- provements) O. ACKNOWLEDGE Com- pletion/Authorize City Main- tenance of City Project 04-P, Grand Oak 5 RECEIVE Bids and Award Con- tract 0-10 (Patrick Eagan Park R. APPROVE Change Order #3, Contract 07-05 (South Water Treatment Plant - Reroofing) V. APPOINTMENT TO CITY COUNCIL VACANCY VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. VARIANCE - Factory Motor Parts - A Variance of 30' from the 50' setback requirement from Pilot Knob Road to allow construction of a generator and screen wall structure located at 1380 Pilot Knob Road on Lot 2, Block 2, Eagandale Office Park 2nd Addition in the NW 1/4 of Section 03. B. VARIANCE - Shimelfarb I Management Inc. - A Variance ' for a detached trash enclosure located at 4655 Nicols Road on ' Lot 3, Block 1, Cedarview Ad- dition in the NW 1/4 of Section 31. C. VARIANCE - Serviceall, Inc. - a Variance to allow a de- 1 tached trash enclosure and a i Variance of 37' to the required 50' setback from a state highway located at 4651 Nicols Road on Lot 2, Block 1, Cedarview Ad- dition in the NW 1/4 of Section 31. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. GENERAL OBLIGA- F-AIII ' Tnr,'FT e around, he's the boss ns to District 196 after 28 years in Wayzata Public Schools • _a_.t. __ _>, . Rranril will start in the DO- c rs juL� 31Zeo8 Planning`�ommission recommends housing on Carriage Hills Proposal will go before City Council for final vote on June 3 by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The Eagan Planning Commission recommended approval of housing on Carriage Hills golf course Tuesday night, reversing its previous position in the face of a lawsuit settlement. "I think we need to rec- ognize that there are some special circumstances here," Chair Gary Hansen said. The proposal will now go before the City Council for a final vote on June 3. The proposal was sub- mitted as part of a settle- ment agreement between the city and Wensmann Homes, reached in March, that could ultimately put the fate of the former golf course into the hands of Pile photo Carriage Hills golf course, shown here in better days, has been closed since 2005. voters. Wensmann and Carriage Hills owner Ray Rahn sued the city after it denied a land -use change in 2004 to allow housing on the prop - See Housing, 7A • New! Creative Movement Class for 2-1/1 to S- iz fF7iu11r. • Ballet & Tap Classes for 3-6 Year Olds • Kick Team Skills Workshop • Beginning Jazz & Hip Hop for 7 & 8 Year Olds • Hip Hop for Ages 9 & Up SUMMER INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS — July 7-17 & August 11-2 For more information visit us online at www.bettyjosd Apple Valley — 14803 Energy Way — 952 Rates As Low As 5 YEAR/ioo,o MILE WARRAN' APR www.grossmanchev.com 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE Leather, Loaded Local Trade STK # 39339A SALE $16,990 2007 CH Only 16K Miles 2008 CADILLAC SRX - AWD 200 4.9% for Mo* Only 6,500 Miles STK # 39369 Leather SALE $36;862 IJITli111''I3Y1IllM./4:11a<11bi MIErrinq Housing/from 1A eity, which,Rahn has. said is no longer -viable as'a golf course. The property, located at 3535 Wescott Woodlands, is currently guided parks; open space and recreation. Wensmann is looking to build -480 units. of mixed - use housing on the 120-acre. property. The developer's most recent proposal also includes 30 acres of open space. If the council approves the plan-, .the settlement will -allow. voters to decide through ,,a: referendum; in November:.whether the -city should buy the property for $10.25 million and preserve it as open space. - If -the council denies the plan, the settlement will be considered void- and the lawsuit will go back to court. . _. The settlement came out of a court -ordered me- diation prior to trial; which was scheduled to. begin in June.' The city and Wensmann have been in a four-year le- -, gal fight over the property, with both sides winning some battles along the way. A -district court initially ruled in favor -of Wens- mann and Rahn, but -.an appeals court reversed that decision. The state • Supreme Court then'agreed that the city had a rational basis for refusing. to amend its com- prehensive guide plan, but it sent the case back to Dis- trict Court , which origiL • nally.�ruled. against -.the -city, --to determine whether that denial constitutes a regula- tory taking'of Rahn's prop- erty. If the issue does ulti- mately come before voters and the referendum passes, the- city will purchase the land through a property tax increase. -If voters defeat the referendum, Wensmann will beable to develop the land. • -• Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc. com.. stopping at Living Word Lu- theran Church, 4300 Nicols Road, Eagan. - Heritage Lutheran breaks ground Heritage Lutheran Church, 13401. Johnny Cake Ridge ,Road; Apple Valley, will break'grouiid:for a major ekpansiori-project°onf Sunday, June 1,.following the 9 a.m. worship service. The open house and lunch following. are open to -the public. The 11,105-square-foot addition will more than dou- ble the space of the current facility. The project- will add new classrooms, kitchen, rest - rooms, entry way, large mul- tipurpose hall and expanded' and improved parking lot. The Heritage congrega- tion operates a weekday pre- K and -kindergarten program, - which has outgrown the ca- pacity of the present facility. The expansion project will provide the space needed by the school program and the growing needs of the congre- gation. • Heritage is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, headquartered on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Worship is offered at 9 a.m. on Sun- days and-6:30 p.m. Wednes- days. Additional information' about the congregation or, school 'program may be re= quested from the church of- . I fice at (952) 431-6225. , I .. t Praising Princess VIP camp Praising Princess classes will be offered- at 'Berean Baptist Church in• Burnsville beginning June 2. ' Princesses will train in . ballet, singing, theater and Christian character. Each ._:_nr.;ncecQ ax, 1l hP tanall t to DAKOTA COUNTY +2B D THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2006 EDITOR MARIA REEVE 651-228-5562 ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WWW.TWINCITIES.COM EAGAN Golf course open -space battle goes to appeals court Three judge panel to decide fate of golf course BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press The owners of Carriage Hills should not be forced to lose money on the now -closed golf course so the city of Eagan can preserve a public amenity. Conversely, the City Council should not have to change its comprehensive plan and allow development to bail out a failed business. It's up to the Minnesota Court of Appeals now to decide which side is right: Does a city's land -use plan trump a private landowner's develop- ment rights? In an open -space battle that's simmered for nearly two years, lawyers for the city and the 18-hole public course pre- sented their oral arguments before a three judge appellate panel Wednesday, sparring and fielding the judges' ques- tions for 35 minutes. The debate came after the council in January abandoned the settlement it had reached with Rahn and developer Wensmann Realty Inc., which wants to build homes on much of the course. The city decided to appeal the developer's lawsuit largely because of a recent — and divided — state Supreme Court ruling that allows neighboring Mendota Heights to preserve a smaller golf course there against the property owner's wishes. In that ruling, the court decided a city had a rational basis to deny a land -use change when it has "a legiti- mate interest in reaffirming a historical comprehensive plan designation and in protecting open and recreational space." "That case is almost direct- ly on point," Eagan attorney George Huff said, while Car- riage Hills attorney Christo- pher Penwell argued the Men- dota Heights case was a narrower ruling that didn't wholly apply to Carriage Hills. The 120-acre course, located on Yankee Doodle Road on Wescott Woodlands Drive, is one of the suburb's last private green spaces. Eagan has fought its redevelopment since August 2004, when the council denied Wensmann's plan to rezone the 40-year-old course. The city's comprehensive plan — essentially its blueprint for development — has called for the property to be zoned only for parks and recreation for decades. After the city refused the zoning changes, the owner and developer sued in district court. Rahn closed the course in the spring and said he wanted to sell the golf course, which he bought in 1996 for $3.6 million, because it was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In April, District Judge Patrice Sutherland ruled against Eagan and ordered the city to either amend its com- prehensive plan and the prop- erty's zoning or begin eminent domain proceedings to buy it. Sutherland ruled that the city's denial of development amount- ed to taking the course without paying for it. The course is now appraised at just $1 million, noted Judge R.A. (Jim) Ran- dall, who asked why the lower price appears to buck the trend of increasing property values. Hoff cited an overbuilding :of golf courses in the metro era as one reason and said it was- n't the city's fault the land was no longer worth as much. "So Minnesota can no longer have a golf course and a horse farm for every citizen?" Randall teased. Penwell said the Rahns were in a no -win situation, with "no reasonable or viable use (for the land) under the current zoning." "This is the worst of both worlds," he said. "The course is of no use to anybody right now." The court's decision is expected within 90 days. Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. ST. PAUL PIONEE EAGAN GOLF At 1C Helen Donahm of change as shi BY NHIA TONGCHAI Pioneer Press Helen Donahue dre horse and buggy eight into town but never learn drive a car. She walked and a half to school but went to college. Yet sh managed to do something a few will ever accomplis On Wednesday, Do turned 100 years old. "I have never let age DAKi APPLE VALLEY BURNSVILLE EAGAN FARMINGTON INSIDE LAKEVILLE City officials Tuesday agreed to sell city -owned land for a Life Time Fitness athletic club. BURNSVILLE 185th St. I\�. m v 0 8 , 1 1 oAxorA ;FARMINGTON. coUNTY 77 ROSEMOUNT APPLE IFY LAKEVILLE L1 EMPERE TWP. PIONEER PRESS City OKs Life Time Fitness land sale Deal: 20 city -owned acres for $1.68 million BY MARICELLA MIRANDA Pioneer Press Lakeville's first Life Time Fitness club promises to bring Parkvie�v wit draws request for housing • Eagan golf • by Erin Johnson • . THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS An application to change.. Parkview golf course into a hous- ing development was withdrawn last week, according to the city of Eagan. • On Jan. 12, the city: received an application from Blue Dog Development inc. to change the land use designation of Parkview to allow a mix of. housing and a nine -hole golf course. •Opened in 1969, Parkview Golf Club is a public 18-hole golf course and driving range located on Cliff Road. It was designed and built by original owner Ray Rahn, the current owner of Car- riage Hills golf- course, and is now owned by Parkview Golf Associates. The developer' was,'looking course sought land -use change similar to Carriage Hills' to build 206 'condos and' town - homes, 80 row townhomes and 30 single-family homes on the 80-acre property,. along with a 25-acre executive golf course. The property is currently guided for parks, open space and recreation. The application was submit- ted a .week before Eagan City Council members voted to deny •housing on Carnage Hills golf course. Council Member Peggy Carl- son said the Parkview application is what convinced her to deny the Carriage Hills proposal. The city has been embroiled in a legal battle over Carriage Hills to prevent a housing•devel- opment proposed by Wensmann . Homes. Rahn has said that the -gofflcdu'rse1 is `no' longer` 3iab1e;1 change. The -city recently announced it would continue. its appeal of the lawsuit; bolstered by a recent Minnesota Supreme, Court rul- ing in favor of Mendota Heights in its battle against developing. a golf course. The Parkview application was withdrawn on Jan. 24, one week after the council denied the -land use change for Carriage Hills. Frank Blundetto of Blue Dog Development Inc. said that while he is aware of the Carnage Hills situation, it has not been his main focus. Rather, it was the recent changes the city made to zoning rules .that dictated the timing of '_ the,applicatton. • _ and he and Wensmann sued -the "It was a business decision. city after it -denied-the, land use - It had more to do with the city • changing park zoning," he said. On Jan. 3, the' City Council approved changes to park zon- ing rules to allow more flexibil- ity while • still preserving open space. The city , expanded the uses of parks; adding such things as schools•and single family resi- dential, but included restrictions to prevent wholesale develop ment of the property. `Adding .these uses gives more strength to the park zoning category,"• said Eagah City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges. • • Under the new rules, the own- er of a property guided for parks would have more options when it comes•to selling the property, but developers like Blue Dog would See'�'arkview 13A ' "-' -f $1,000 DOWN + 1ST PAYMT & LIC - S329 $O DOWN + 1ST PAYMT & LIC - S349 MSRP $26,590 Discount 45,091 ,499 LOOKING TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS AND LOWER YOUR COSTS? 2006 DODGE SPRINTER IV,• MSRP $22,995 Discount -$1,207 Overstock Bonus Cash.-$1.000 $20, 788 DODGE SPRINTER HAS THE I OWEST OPERATING COSTS IN ITS CLASS! • Sprinter is projected to hold its residual value better than full-size Ford and GM vans* • More room than a conventional van! • 25 MPG - Mercedes Diesel! • 2 Roof heights and 3 Wheelbases • Impressively long service life • 4 Wheel Anti -Lock Brakes ,w► www. DodgeofBurnsvil le Parkview/from 1A likely not be able to build 300- plus housing units. Blundetto said he heard Carl- son's comments about Parkview and didn't want the council to take offense at the application, prompt- ing him to withdraw it. _ "It was not our intent to be dis- respectful," he said. "It was to pro- tect our rights as land owners. We wanted to regroup and step back and not cause angst." Blundetto said that his com- pany and Parkview are not plan- ning to submit another application at this time, but he will be watch ing what happens with Carriage Hills. The owners of Parkview golf course did not return phone calls for comment. Erin Johnson is at earn. thisweek@eon-inc.com. every need, including putting on her makeup. White Minks, who refers to Skinn as a "second father," sent a special curling iron home with him and offered to come to their house to cut Joyce's hair. She died in January 2004. For Quernemoen, being alone Was a new kind of trial. "Especially Saturday nights," she said. "That's a couple's night. Everybody goes out and you sit what we've been through and now we're together," he said. "I just thought before God and his an- gels, I wanted to propose to her." _ "I never dreamed it would be there," Quernemoen said. "But what a meaningful place to do it. It was the perfect place to do it." An August or September wed- ding is planned. John Gessner is at burnsville. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. 22A Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun-Current/Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006 . www.mnSun.com. . Carriage Hills FROM PAGE 1A "I'm obviously disappointed," said Terry Wensmann, president of Eagan developer Wensmann. Homes, which is seeking to develop the 120-acre Carriage Hills golf course. Wensmann declined further comment. The golfcourse, which is along :the south side of Yankee Doodle Road east of Lexington Avenue, has been closed since "last spring. Wensmann Homes and Rahn Family LP, the. ownerof the 'course, sued the city in October 2004 after the council's August 2004 'decision to not change the to the Minnesota Court of Appeals when. it struck a settlement, deal allowing for the reconsideration of the proposal, this` time with a request for , a Special Area. designation. The _ Eagan ' Advisory Planning Commission recommended ,approval of the change in December by a 4-3 vote. :If the: council agreed; it would have • cleared the way for 480 units of housing featuring a mix of single-family, town- . 'houses, senior.housing and condomini- ums, as well as a 30-acre nine -hole golf • course on the property. . However, when it came time for the • council to take up the 'issue, Mayor Pat - Geagan instead , read a statement sug-. - gesting:the city_ should instead return to • its appeal.. ing :the- recent : Minnesota.. Supreme Court decision on _a similar. Mendota Heights case. The council had previously decided to agree to .the settlement, at least par- tially, because at that time therewasno written precedent for- the -case, Geagan:- said. That : changed after" -the Supreme Court ruled Jan. 12 . that., Mendota- Heights didn't have ,to convert the zon- ing for the Mendota: Heights --Par 3 golf course to residential because that city's comprehensiveplan designated it a golf _ course. `There is now reason to view the pos : sible appeal of the case differently than - has [been done] in the past,"the. said. - The decision comes with some risk to "It's- been a difficult path balancing . the city, Geagan_ said. He notedthat the comprehensive guide plan for -the parcel • the comprehensive guide plan with the . Dakota County District Court -judge's •• from park -or recreation definition to low needs of residents living near Carriage density definition. The land is zoned as • Hills. as_ well .as the city as a whole," park. • :Geagan said. .Eagan lost the suit at the District • - Council members said several factors forward. Court level and was appealing the case played a part in "their decision, includ- Another factor in the decision to con- • •opinion that the city's denial amounted to an "illegal taking of the property".. couldbe a challenge as the case moves tinue ,with :the appeal, . at least for 'Councilmember Peggy:Carlson, was the filing of -a -residential development pro- posal for Parkview Golf Club Jan. 13. "That was bad -form and bad timing;" Carlson said "It pushedme over the edge. It was not showing -much respectto the process." • .a: • . •Councilmember Mike Maguire com- pared the situationto a.game of high- -stakes poker. He called the Mendota Heights decision a ."power. card"tor the .. city. . • "We need to - go all in •it and all be aware of the risks," Maguire -said. "It think we should go the distance. We are all pushing our chips in together and I just hope we win." www.mnSun.com Apple•Valley, Rose -mount & Eagan Sun-Current/Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006 21A Deadline FROM PAGE 1A Missing that state -imposed deadline eans the loss of $25 per pupil in state id, amounting to about $120,000. But, the district and its teachers still need to agree on a two-year . contract that will 'over the. current school .year and next ear. `.• "I would ask our employees, parents, nd the community to support both ides in . reaching a fair settlement," chool .Board Chair Lani Bennett said. d "When we project out the settlement impact, we're approximately a.half mil- lion [dollars] apart," he said. "Negotiations :were challenging. It's • something a lot of other districts had to deal -with as well. Many of them went right .down to the wire and in :those cases you can run out of time." Huenecke disagreed with those num- bers, saying they were based off the health insurance costs in the policies the Federation sued the district over in •2004: A court ruling required the district to reinstate -the previous; more expen- sive•policies: . ` He -said that lawsuit has played a part "in the, negotiation 'process this time around:' ' "It's frustrating and a bit .demoraliz- ing," . he said. "We tried very hard .and' • thought. we had a"legitimate offeron the table." • • He:said. he. also felt that the district's efforts to increase the out-of-pocket expenses for teachers' health care shows hat the • ' ' t is devaluing 'teachers. December 1999 teachers voted to author- _ ize a strike but instead reached -.a con- tract agreement the following month. In 2002 negotiations stalled and teach- ers went to a "work to "rule" status, where . they did tasks only •specifically spelled out in their contracts. The dis- trict and teachers eventually• settled in April 2002: . The last contract, which covered the 2003-2005 school years, was the excep- tion, being settled in late 2003. . During those two previous contracts the state- had_ suspended the traditional Jan. 15 deadline for districts to have their teacher contracts ratified: • • • Despite that history Bennett'said the relationship between the district and its teachers is'a good one: - "I actually. see -it as quite good," she said. "There _just seems -to be something unique about the negotiations .process - that makes it more contentious, but I don't think. that reflects on the relation- ship overall." Charles W. Stanley Charles W. Stanley, age 84, .passed away January 13th while on vacation in San Diego, CA. Charles, a longtime Kansas City resident, had recently moved to Apple Valley, MN. Charles was born August 11, 1921 in Kansas City, KS. He attended Argentine High School and graduated from the .University of Chicago with:a B.S. degree in Chemistry. After college, he was hired by the University to work on the Manhattan.Project • in the Chemistry: Division, working -on the plutonium separation process for the atomic bomb. Thai job rook" him from Chicago to . Oak 'Ridge, TN, and • eventually to • Los Alamos, NM. He was present for the nuclear test in 1948 at Enewietok Atoll, where he received -radiation -burns on his left hand that EAGAN * JANUARY 26, 2006 750 NEWSSTAND • VOLUME 31; NUMBER 4 • VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.MNSUN.COM • © 2006 SUN NEWSPAPERS SPORTS BV girls run past Cougars Carriage Hills appeal earns another life City Council rejects new plan, taking case to Court of Appeals JOSHUA NICHOLS • SUN NEWSPAPERS Gearing up for a long meeting they worried would end in disappointment, neighbors of the Carriage Hills golf course instead found themselves standing and applauding Jan. 17. The Eagan City Council mem- bers voted unanimously at their meeting to deny a revised devel- opment plan for the course and instead continue the city's appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals "We are obviously thrilled," said Rachel Thorpe Newman, a founding member of the Carriage Hills Coalition. "We wanted a chance in the courts and that's what the city gave us." The crowd of more than 80 people gathered in the City Council Chambers gave the council a standing ovation following the vote. INSIDE • Minnesota Supreme Court overturns Mendota Heights golf course ruling Page 2A CARRIAGE HILLS: TO PAGE 22A prehensive guide in June 2003, but the Mendota Heights City Council denied the request. Cashill/Spaulding Properties had planned to sell the property to another owner, who would develop it as residen- tial, said Mendota Heights City Administrator Jim Danielson. The city was approached about buy- ing the property, but it wasn't in the city's best interest, he said. Two lower courts ruled in favor of the golf course owners before the case went to the state Supreme Court. The city developed its comprehensive plan in 1979 and reaffirmed it in 2002. Within the majority opinion, the court also directed the city to change its zoning ordinance to be consistent with its comprehensive plan. "We've got some planning and think- ing to do," said Danielson. "The court gave us some direction and we have to act on that." He said the planning department will be working on the issue in the coming months. However, the city isn't ready to move forward just yet. The owners of the course have 90 days after the state Supreme Court's ruling to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The golf course owners did not respond to phone calls regarding the court rulings. 2A Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun-Current/Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006 www.mnSun.com Minnesota Supreme Court sides with Mendota Heights in golf course ruling GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS The fairways and greens at the Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course won't be replaced by roads and houses anytime soon. The Minnesota Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling Jan. 10, overturned a district court ruling that the city would need to amend its comprehensive plan to allow the course to be redeveloped for single family homes. The dispute arose because the city's comprehensive plan conflicts with its zoning ordinance for the property. In the city's comprehensive plan, the area is labeled as "golf course," but a zoning ordinance designates the course as "R-1 One -Family Residential." The Supreme Court ruled that the city's comprehensive plan took prece- dence over the zoning ordinance. In the majority opinion, Justice Paul H. Anderson wrote: "We reverse, con- cluding that the city did not have a clear duty to amend its comprehensive plan and the city had a rational basis to deny Mendota Golf 's proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan." The land h. s been operated as a 9- hole, par 3 go course since the early 1960s and was bought by Cashill/Spaul• ing Properties Inc. in 1995. Alan Spa - •ang, a co-owner of the course, reques ' change to the com- o you have a loved one who Come in and purchase a gift certific FREE Hearing Tes Ear Inspection DIGITAL DEMO Serving The Publi Repair All Makes We Take Trade -In 45 DAY TRIAL P Guaranteed Low No Hidden Cost 2 Year Warranty Digital Hearing We Guarantee Compl D ' +2B D WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2006 KOTA:COUNT.Y EDITOR'INARIA REEVE 651-228-5562 ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WWW.TWINCITIES.COM EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FARMINGTON Businesses to tout their wares An annual community expo, a place. for local resi- dents to learn about local businesses and area' resources, will be from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 28 at Farm-, ington High School, 800 Denmark' Ave. Organizations that support residents of all ages will have display tables and informational handouts, and ,there will be free youth activities, demonstrations, entertainment, refreshments and prize drawings. For more 'informa- tion, call 651-460-3204. , APPLE VALLEY.' Band concert: The Eastview High School concert bands will be featured during performances at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Monday at the school,.6200' 140th'St. W. The formal concerts will showcase music in a wide vari- ety of styles, from John Philip Sousa to the latest in contem- porary music, and will be direct- ed by Bill Henry, Frank Pas- querella and Ben Harloff. Admission is free. For more information, call the high school at 952-431-8900. EAGAN Inventors Fair: Fourth- and fifth -grade students in Rose - 'Enhanced Learning Program teachers, the fair encourages students to use problem -solving techniques and bring creative ideas to reality. Each invention to be displayed is a new prod- uct or an improvement to an existing product. Judging begins at 8:30 a.m., with public viewing at 10:30 a.m. and an, awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call the high school at 651-683-6900. INVER GROVE HEIGHTS' Computer class: The Inver Glen Library„8098'Blaine Ave., will offer a free printing class from 2 to 3:45 p.m. Jan. 30. The class will teach how to -_ print selections from Web'pages, determine the WEST ST. PAUL Winter activities: Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon ' of outdoor events during "Frosty Fun" at the Dodge Nature Center. Activities will include rein- deer -led sleigh rides, sleddog rides, snowshoeing, kick sledding, ice bowling, ice mini -golf and a bonfire with hot beverages. Medallion hunts with pries also are ,plarined;'as well as'a heated, indoor snack shack. The events run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat- urday at the center, 365 Marie Ave.,W. Cost is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 3 to 13, andfree for those 2 and younger. Nature center mem- bers will receive half -off admis- sion. Ari additional fee will be' charged for sled and sleigh rides. For more -information, call 6511455L4531. EVENTS ELSEWHERE Vietnamese festival: The yietnamese Tet New Year Festi- val will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the St. Paul, RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. The free celebration will include a,pageant, traditional dance and music, and martial arts demonstrations. The event is sponsored by the Vietnamese Community of Minnesota. For more information, visit www.vietnam-minnesota.org. • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Subdivision fight is on ��d (cbntinued) spaces in the otherwise built- up\suburb. Eagan had fought its.' redevelopment since 'August`2004, when the council ,, -denied Wensmann's plan to rezone the 40-year-old public course..> The .'city's comprehensive plan — essentially its blueprint for .development — long has called for • the property to be zoned only for parks and'recre- ations' After the city refused the zoning changes, the owner and developer sued in district • court. -Rahn closed the course in the spring and said he wanted to sell the golf course, which he bought in 1996, because it was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In April, District Judge Patrice Sutherland sided against Eagan and ordered the city to The city took the case before the Minnesota Court of Appeals in May, arguing that it must protect the integrity of its comprehensive land -use plan. But the city changed course in November after leaders decided it was not worth the risk to continue with their appeal. Council members wor- ried that losing on appeal could set a binding precedent for a lossof local control over zon- ing and, instead, chose to make a compromise settlement. But Council Member Peggy Carlson said Tuesday she was more worried about another type of precedent: the trend of local golf courses' being trans- formed into developments. She said Parkview Golf Club's own- ers on Friday applied for a zon- ing change to create a subdivi- • sion and nine -hole course on the property. "That pushed me over the either amend its comprehensive ' edge,"• she said. "It was bad plan and the property's zoning form and bad timing. I'm ready or begin eminent domain pro- to dig my heels in now and go the distance." She and others also noted the Mendota Heights case, in which the state's highest court ruled last week that the city ceedings to buy the 18-hole course. Sutherland ruled that the city's denial of development amounted to taking the course without paying for it. "Last week, we were dealt a real power card by the Supreme Court. (The council and the neighbors) are all : • pushing their chips • ,in together. I just hope • we win." Mike Maguire, Eagan City Council member• didn't have to convert a17-acre golf course's zoning to residen- tial because that city's compre- hensive plan designated it a golf course. Council Member Mike Maguire compared the deci- sion to go forward to a high - stakes game of poker. "Last meek, we were dealt a real power •card by the Supreme Court," he said. "(The council and the neighbors) are all . pushing their chips in together. I just hope we win." Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228,5260. "The real basis of this transportation issue is if you're going to ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2006 WWW.TWINCITIES.COM DAKOTA COUNTY APPLE VALLEY BURNSVILLE EAGAN FARMINGTON HASTINGS INVER GROVE HEIGHTS LAKEVILLE MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROSEMOUNT SOUTH ST. PAUL WEST ST. PAUL INSIDE LAKEVILLE DISTRICT 197 EXPECTED TO MISS DEADLINE FOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS 5B Students will get more class time Bus schedule shifted throughout district BY MARICELLA MIRANDA Pioneer Press The majority of students in the Lakeville School District will be setting their alarm clocks a few minutes earlier next school year. The District 194 school board voted to extend class time for middle and high school students and changed the bus schedules to accommodate the change. New bus times also will let mid- dle and high school students start and end school at the same time, a longtime district goal for coordination with co -curricular EAGAN City will fight subdivision plan Council drops settlement with golf course BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press In a stunning reversal, the Eagan City Council decided Tuesday night to renew its fight against a developer who wants to convert the Carriage Hills golf course into a subdivi- sion. Bolstered by a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling last week that supported nearby Mendota Heights in a similar golf course controversy, the council is now pressing forward with its appeal of Wensmann Realty Inc.'s lawsuit and aban- doning the settlement it agreed to in November. "We as a council have been in the very difficult position of trying to balance our desire to defend the city's comprehen- sive guide plan with wanting to ensure the best outcome for residents living near Carriage Hills, as well as the city as a whole," Eagan Mayor Pat Gea- gan told those who filled the chambers for Tuesday's council meeting. "The City Council now has reason to view a possible outcome of our appeal differ- ently than we did one month ago." Residents applauded and neighbors — many wearing the same shocked expressions — hugged each other after the council's 5-0 vote. For months they had accused the council of caving to a developer with deep pockets and had pleaded with the city to rethink its settle- ment. "After the last meeting, I had given up hope," said JoAnne Geister as she wiped away tears. "It took a lot of guts for them to do this." Course owner Ray Rahn and developer Terry Wensmann could not be reached for com- ment Tuesday night. The city's advisory planning commission in December voted 4-3 to approve Wensmann's plan to build a 480-unit housing development on the property while preserving 30 acres as an executive nine -hole public course. The council was sched- uled to vote on the develop- ment application — which amended the city's guide plan — Tuesday. Had they approved the plan, the lawsuit would have been dropped. "We're thrilled. At least now we have a chance in the courts," said Rachel Thorpe Newman, a founding member of the neighborhood's Carriage Hills Coalition, which has ral- lied against the course's devel- opment for years. "We have to go the dis- tance," Council Member Cyn- dee Fields said. The 120-acre course, located off Yankee Doodle Road on Wescott Woodlands Drive, is one of the last private green SUBDIVISION FIGHT IS ON, 2B Arti;azagivists and an obscure law are bringing a resolution supporting withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq to three Polk County, Wis., communities. EDUCATION Grants toimln www.thisweek-online.com • Carriage Hills housing gains OK Protesters act out as Planning Commission changes its position, citing lawsuit as a factor by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS A controversial development proposal caused tempers to flare at Tuesday's Planning Commis- sion meeting, where members voted 4 to 3 to recommend ap- proval of housing on Carriage Hills Golf Course. Wensmann Homes is request- ing a land use change to build 480 units of Ilousing on the 120- acre property, which owner Ray Rahn -said is no longer viable as a golf course. The land is cur- rently guided for parks, open space and recreation. The Planning Commission and City Council both rejected a similar proposal by Wensmann last year, 'prompting a lawsuit by Wensmann and Rahn.- . • A district court judge ruled in favor of Wensmann and Rahn, ordering the city to allow'hous- • ing or buy the property. The city appealed, but re- cently agreed to a settlement that put the lawsuit on hold and new plan for the site. If the plan • is approved, the lawsuit will be dismissed. If the plan is not.ap- proved, the lawsuit will contin- ue. The new planis similar to the original, with mixed -use housing including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, vil- las and senior housing. But the proposal now in- cludes a nine -hole public golf -course.on .30 acres around the. • outside of the development, erated by a homeowner's also: ciation. Terry Wensmann 'of Wens- mann Homes said he kept the golf course around the perimeter of the property so that neighbors who currently look out"onto : a golf course "would also have some benefit" The. golf course would have a conservation easement so it could not be developed in the future, he said. . Planning Commission mem- allowed Wensmann to submit a which would be owned and op- See Decision, 16A 2A December 31, 2005 THISWEEK SIGN & DR1VE 5 LEa DES MILES of FR RA 00 YEAR-END EVENT $2,367 Gas Card • 2 Years Maintenance • 5/ Ends January 3rd FIND AT — IT CaII For An Appointment 1-888-790- DODGE OF BURN 35W SOUTH AND CLIF 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT 3.11, PW, PL, PS, Power Doors, CD, Quad Seats, Rear Heat & Air STOW 'N GO i �ii ,,y,• . "=►tiY 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT 2006 DODGE Loaded! -Free DVD, P. Air, Auto, AM/FM CD & Sunroof, 6-Disc In -Dash Cass, 7-Passenger, OCS CD/DVD. Heated Leather Air Bags Power (Liftgate, #84055 Doors, Wind., Locks, Mirrors), Sunscreen. 6A December 31, 2005 THISW Decision/from 1A . bers who recommended approv- al admitted they weren't crazy about the- plan, but they found the alternative even less palat- able. "My hunch is that the city made a very strategic decision to settle. If we lose the appeal, we're screwed. It's just as plain as that," said Commission Mem- ber Steven Chavez, an attorney. Commission Member Duey Bendt said he is concerned. about the city losing control of the property. _ "There's -.no—one—up here who's cheering to develop this,"• he said: "It's our responsibil- ity to come up with a decision where we have some control over the outcome. The bottom line is, this isn't that bad" But members who voted against the project said it wasn't their job to consider the conse- quences of the lawsuit..,.., "If we lose the•case;'I'm not sure it would result in anything Worse than the 480 units," -aid Commission Member -Ted Glad - hill. "I believe we're being asked EEK EG "My hunch is that the city made a very stra- tegic decision to settle. If we lose the appeal, we're screwed. It's just as plain as that." — Steven Chavez PLANNING COMMISSION to make a decision on the infor- mation put before us and not let the threat of legal action change what that.decision would be." Gladhill and fellow commis- sion members Jennifer Matthees and Dana Keeley voted against recommending the project, but were outnumbered. Many residents opposed to the development .put decorum aside and shouted out comments and questions throughout the meeting, even after the public comment period had ended. One man repeatedly heckled the commission; first shouting that he -couldn't hear commis- sion members, then making ac- cusations 'of conspiracy- when he was .told the large -screen projector wasn't working. When the man was offered another seat from which he could see a smaller TV screen, he declined. Carriage Hills Coalition member Jim Taylor said that the heckler wasn't part of the coali- tion's core group, but members were frustrated that they weren't allowed to respond to informa tion given by Wensmann. "We didn't have the opportu- nity, even though Mr. Weissmann did, to rebut," he said. The Carriage Hills Coalition, a local activist group, has been fighting development on the golf course for years, citing concerns about the loss of green space, in- creased traffic, decreased prop- erty values and the density of the housing. The group helped de- feat a similar housing proposal on the site iri 1996. "Don't push this through just because there's a lawsuit," said coalition spokesman Mike Hau- gen, who spoke at the meeting. "The decisions made by our city officials should take into, account the wishes of the residents, tax- THIGA„• r(( .P.m payers and the people who vofe. Nothing has changed since your last vote other than a lawsuit." Residents also questioned why the city isn't challenging the lawsuit.. "Why was the City Council afraid to fight for our rights? I really would like to have a clear explanation of why they backed down," said Michelle . Har- rington: - The commission ultimately recommended approval of the plan with some conditions, in- cluding more green space, fewer lots, fewer units •and an exit to the south of the development. The proposal is scheduled to go before the City Council for a final vote on Jan. 17. Taylor said the Carriage Hills Coalition is in the process of pre- paring litigation against the city and will run its own candidates against current council members' next year. "We will be a fly in the oint- ment every step of the way," he said. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Ali awards grants rgan zad oinis Photo submitted Carolyn Dobis, director of programs and services for ProAct in Eagan, receives a grant award from the Eagan EG THISWEEK December 31, 2005 15A -42cLoa. galLotile, oeasoch :Of &um dritve2Do ®na New Yez1.09e, Eve by Pam Rutyna. • THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Law 'enforcement officers from various cities in Dakota County will be out in full force on New Year's Eve, targeting driving while intoxicated (DWI) violators. From 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, approxi- mately 25 additional police of- ficers will be patrolling specific roads "throughout northern Da- kota County. - "We're mainly looking for drivers who are intoxicated," said Sergeant John Bermel of the Apple Valley Police Depart- . ment. "But we'll stop any traffic infraction we see." ' The increase in officers is part of the Dakota County Traf- fic Safety Project, which Berm - el heads. Once a month, law en- forcement agencies send'at least two officers to a designated spot to monitor traffic violations. According to Bermel, these areac are ce erteri nn Pveninac number of drivers on the road, and we see an increase in traffic violations, including alcohol -re- lated accidents." Bermel .continued to say that beginning at Thanksgiving and on into the holidays, there is a higher concentration of younger people on the roads. "We see a larger number due to college kids returning home or people visiting from out -of town," he said: "Anecdotally, there is more alcohol involved with the accidents we respond to." - • Each month, the project is hosted by a different city. This month, Eagan is the host. "The goal of this effort is to save lives and prevent the tragedies that have impacted so many families in our community," said Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen. "Dakota County law enforce- ment agencies are united in our goal to improve traffic safety thrnnahnnt the rnnnty" • And while many people will continue to celebrate the new year as they• have in the past, Bermel gives one piece of ad- vice. "Find a designated driver," he' said. "Some people might go out intending to drive home. Then they have a few drinks and they think they are still okay to drive. So they have a few more, thinking that won't hurt." Bermel also - cautions _that even though other cities in Da- kota County may .not have the extra patrols out, .police offi- cers in those cities will be out, watching for DWIs and other driving violations. The Dakota County Traffic Safety Project began in June of 2005. Two months later, the legal. blood alcohol concentra- tion level for impaired driving • decreased to 0.08. The first four months- of the project were not funded,.howev- er after reviewing the. county's rnmmitmF 1 ntc' Guest Editorial There .are facts, myths regarding Carriage Hills Golf Course by Pat Geagan .. MAYOR OF EAGAN Mr. Jim Taylor has been firing off letters to newspapers all over town impugning the motives of the Eagan City Council with respect to_ some very difficult decisions that it faces regarding a development application for the former Carriage Hills Golf Course. I say "former'=' because even though this privately -owned 1-20-acre site is des- ignated as public open space, it has been closed to the public for more than a year now with ho trespassing signs posted. On the Carriage Hills Coalition Web site, Mr. Taylor calls the council arrogant, "impetuous," and even "reckless" to consider a settlement of a. lawsuit and the consideration of a. development application. What's reckless is Mr. Taylor's dis- regard -for facts. Let's review a few. ' Yes, the city's Comprehensive Plan for the current decade called for the property to be zoned only for parks and recreation.. For that . reason; in August 2004 the City Council said "no" to a development proposal for Carriage Hills. - The owner of the_ property and a developer sued the city and won. - ' A judge ruled the city either had to amend • its -Comprehensive Plan or buy ,the property. And anyone with knowledge concedes there is no hidden stash of. city money — the millions of dollars of your tax money it would take to buy - this property. • - At the time, Judge Patrice Sutherland, noted, with irony that of the very people who now want to save the golf course, "[only] one person living within a 600 foot radius of Carriage Hills [was] a member'and only 18 in the entire city [were] . members " What's been widely misunderstood is the settlement agreement the city entered into with Wensmann Realty and' the Rahn family sets forth a process whereby' the, development ap- plication can be returned to local decision-mak- . ing. It avoids a possible negative appellate court precedent that could affect not only this parcel,. but all remaining open.spaces in Minnesota. The City Council has a responsibility to bal- ance the needsof all its citizens. In deference to Mr. Taylor, but still in with the set- tlement process, the council was able to grant a short delay -he requested to approach Wensmann with a group of supposedly private investors to see if they could acquire the -property. What Taylor is not telling you is that this "in- . vestor group" was counting on a loan, of $7.6 million .dollars from the city. — a fraction of what he knows to be the true asking price. Tay- lor wants to use your money_to invest in a golf course when his own documents acknowledge that most Americans "do not play much golf' and to. develop an indoor sports complex "like the. National Sports Center" in Blaine. Mr. Taylor complains about traffic, but how much -traffic would his unfunded plan have brought? He also ignores a judge's finding that the Wensmann development "would not have a negative impact on traffic." Most citizens don't expect the city to be their banker, and in this case the city couldn't legally entertain Taylor's idea because we could be sued again for inter- ference with an existing property owner's rights and development option. • . • • So whydidn't the city continue its appeal? Besides not leaving it to a panel of judges to de- cide Eagan's land use, even if the city had won, its appeal, it's not immediately clear what the city would have won. The developer would have the right to land bank the property for years_and as long as it was mowed for weeds, the property could remain closed to the public. . The agreement the council approved estab- lished three principles: 1) the right for local de- -cision making with the Planning Commission and City Council holding a public hearing and recommending approval or denial of the appli- cation based on its merits, 2) the insistence that if there is a development it must contain at least a 9-hole public golf. course, but paid for not by taxpayer dollars, -but homeowner's association dues, and 3) That if the application is approved the developer's 'lawsuit is dismissed with no ad- ditional cost to the city, and that if the applica- tion is denied, the city•has the right to -continue its appeal. - • " - So why not take -more time? Why decide now? Any settlement involves. give and take. To prevail on some points: the city had to agree to the schedule we are on. To not stick to the dates agreed to would violate the understanding on which the settlement is based. That said, I can assure you that staff review of specific plans and proposals is no less rigorous than it always is and copies are completely available on the city's • Web site. • In my time as mayor these last three years, this. City Council- has always had in mind the welfare of the greater,community as a whole when making public policy decisions. It is no different this time. Pat Geagan is the mayor Eagan. Columns re- flect the opinion of the author: r • a board of- . 'rectors. It is state and federally funded and the school's facili- _ ties are paid for through a lease grant from the state. It is free of charge and accountable to their sponsors, parents, the state, and the public for achieving measur- able results in student achieve - Merit, the same as other Minne- seta'school districts. Crump said the school will accommodate -students from all backgrounds . through English as, second --language._ programs, special educatiorf its and' ex- tracumcLi1arprograms: =x: She. said the., school is looking to reach' out to .minori_ ties and.economically, disadvan- tagedchildreiL. - :.: • i The school's goal is to pre pare students for college. Crump said she would like=to see 70 to. 80 percent attend college and the school -plans to assist them in, finding scholarships. One motivating factor for Crump in starting the school has been: her,' -own children. Being a minority, I saw :this as.an opportunity to have an op-, tion for my children," Crump, a Filipino, said. "There's a lot more opportunity to. develop their - skills and interests in a charter school setting, it's small- er, more personal" - Michael Larson, a board member. for Dakota Academy Chartei-°_School, Said he .was drawn to the prospect of.a public school option that gets students more.involved in .projects. Though they haven't detailed specifics yet, :Crump and Lar- son said the schoolwill be very project -based for higher grades. Crump would like to see a focus on technology, but -admits that it - will depend on enrollment,;and students' interests:;':; ;`_ ;Dakota Acadeiriy::� 1' Charter _ Pat Gough - Owner A Professional Handyman :Service ' Licensed, Bonded, Insured .. 952-891-4994 Checks, Major Credit Cards Welcome! Front Row: • ' Emily Stickler - • • celebrating 10 years at Cedar Cliff Taylor Lock - celebrating 7 years at Burnsville Linnaea Renner - ' • -celebrating 13 years at Eagan Station KatieFlaherty - _ celebrating 1 year at Eagan Station 'Karen Steinert :-celebrating 3 years at Corporate Don Taube•- • celebrating 2_years at Eagan Station . congra to our •annive Second Row: Doug Cole Debbie Offerman - celebrating 25 yea - Theresa San -• ; . ' celebrating 1 year ai Sarah Lindholm celebrating 1 year'ai Danielle•Kruger _ celebrating 2-years' Trish Storhoff - • celebrating 25 years Diane. Larsen - celebrating 4-years' Nancy Miller - celebrating 15 years Not Pictured: Arin Aasve - celebrating 7.years at Marketplac ' . Ryanne Corson - celebrating 8 years at Burns\ appy i'rsary thanks! Cole's Specializing in hair, nails, and spa services. CEDAR CLIFF Eagan 651-454-1390 _COBBLESTO Burnsv 952-435- c I' S2 • SOUTH • STAR TRIBUNE • WEDNESDAY; JANUARY 4, 2006 ices an has citizens in mind in golf course deal :The council's agreement in'a settlement means the development will be guided by local decision -making. MY;V;IEW , PAT ,GEA1GAN Jim Taylor has been firing off let- ters to newspapers all over town im- pugning the mo- tives of the Eagan City" Council with respect to some very difficult decisions that it faces regarding a devel- opinent application for the for- mer Carriage Hills golf course ("Eagan golf course proposal marks `a retreat," Star Tribune South, Dec. 21). I'say "former" because even though this privately owned 120-acre site is designated as public open space, it has been closed to the public for more than a year now with "no tres- passing' signs posted. Yes, the city's comprehen- sive plan for the current de- cade called for the property to be zoned only for parks and rec- reation: For that reason, in Au- gust 2004 the City Council said "no" to a development proposal for Carriage Hills. The proper- ty owner and a developer sued the city and won. A judge ruled the city either had to amend its comprehensive plan or buy the property. Anyone with knowl- edge concedes there is no hid- den stash of city money, to buy this property. What's beenwidely misun- derstood is that the settlement agreement the city entered in- to with Wensmann Realty, and the Rahn family sets forth a process whereby the devel- opment application can be re- turned to local decision -mak- ing. It avoids a •possible.nega- tive appellate court ruling that could "affect not only this parcel, but all remaining open spaces in Minnesota. The City Council has a're- sponsibility to balance the needs of all its citizens. In def- erence to Taylor, but still in compliance with the settlement process, the council was able to grant a short delay he requested to approach Wensmannrwith a group of supposedly private in= vestors to see if they could ac- quire the property What Taylor is not telling you is that this "in- vestor group" was counting on a loan of $7.6 million from the city a fraction of what he knows to be the true asking price. So why didn't the city contin- ue its appeal? Besides not leav- ing it to a panel of judges to de- cide Eagan's land use, even if the city had won its appeal, it is not immediately clear what the city would have won. The develop- er would have the right to "land bank" the property for years and as long as it was mowed for weeds, the property could re- main closed to the public. The: agreement the coun- cil approved established three principles: • The right for local decision - making with the planning com- mission and City Council hold- ing a public hearing and rec- ommending approval or deni- al• of the application based on its merits. • The insistence that if there is a development it must con- tain at least a 9-hole public golf course, paid for by homeown- ers' association dues. • That if the application is ap- proved, the developer's lawsuit is dismissed with no. addition- al cost to the city. If the applica- tion is denied, the city has the right to continue its appeal. To prevail on some points the city had to agree to the schedule we are on. Staff review of spe- cific plans and proposals is no less rigorous than it always is, and copies are completely avail- able on the city's website. In my time as mayor these past three years; this City Coun- cil has always had in mind the welfare of the greater commu- nity when making public poli- cy decisions. It is no different this time. Pat Geagan is mayor of Eagan. bo W E D N E S DAY J A N U A R Y 4, 2 0 0 6h SUBURBS • S T A R T R I B U N E. C O M/ L O C A L Eagan mayor weighs in on plan for golf course troversial elopment fission voted 4- end the golf m a "park" un- nsive plan — a ise — to a "spe- ission also vot- .ouncil approve of what he will opment could homes, de- ouses, and se- �miniums. The a ine-hole golf the Carriage Hills Coalition, a com- munity group advocating against the development, have been vocal. "Green spaces are very special, and once they're gone, they're gone forev- er," said Mike Haugen, a spokesman for the Carriage Hills Coalition who addressed the city's Advisory Plan- ning Commission at the Dec. 27 meet- ing. "We all built or bought homes in the area based on Carriage Hills re- maining a golf course. We feel be- trayed by this." The Carriage Hills development is more controversial than most be- S E C T I O N S What's going on this week in the south metro? RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT AGAINST DEVELOPMENT Jill Nichols Five-year Eagan resident "Before (my husband and I) built our house, I called the city to see if the golf course would remain park land. We wouldn't have built near it if we had known there could be a big develop- ment. I don't believe one person (in the planning commission meeting) ever said they were for this plan. I feel really let down by my represen- tatives." Dan Bailey Two-year Eagan resident "I live near the golf course. If the develop- ment goes through, Nichols Mike Haugen Eagan resident and spokesman for the Carriage Hills Coalition "(My family) is di- rectly affected by this development. When we moved here, we made a conscious decision to find a small, quiet neighborhood. If the development happens, we're go- ing to be right on one of the major intersections. We have two kids that are mentally disabled and they need constant supervision. There is a real safety concern for me." Cristina Stotler Five-year Eagan resident "I live three houses away from the pro- posed development site; it could affect my Stotler Haugen (-1111-ut SuN CURRENT Eagan edition otavis Nana Jan. 5, 2006 Vo1sn elect Mod s, tun fen levy Sun to a, 81/1 'SS Can a Yankee Doodle Rd. Carriage Hills Golf Course spueIpoom noasaM w scott Trail N lid Rose Court Looking back on 2005 PAGE 19A Carriage Hills plan clears first hurdle Eagan City Council gets issue Jan. 17 after APC recommends change BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Nearly 18 months removed from its last vote on a Carriage Hills development proposal, the Eagan Ad- visory Planning Commission (APC) narrowly re- versed itself Dec. 27. The APC voted 4-3 to recommend approval of a comprehensive guide plan amendment that would clear the way for the development of the golf course. "No one is up here cheering to develop this par- cel," said Commissioner Duey Bendt. "But we also have a responsibility to the people of Eagan that we have some control over what happens with the prop- erty." Commissioners Steve Chavez, Peter Dugan and Carla Heyl joined Bendt in voting for the guide plan change. Commissioners Ted Gladhill, Dana Keeley and Jenifer Matthees voted against the change. The vote came after nearly three hours of discus- sion and debate in front of an audience of more than 60 people. HURDLE: To Page 17A : ..• .a. Zr . p� ..�R rn� 2A Apple Vallay`IRosemount; Eagari Sun�Current/Thursda Jan 5, 2006 • From near death, Burnsville HS grad is thriving aftertar accident BY LONNY GOLDSMITH Sun Newspapers' : Last January, Burnsville High School senior Kelly Price was•ahnost killed in a car accident and was in a coma for sev- eral weeks. Six months later, he walked into his graduation ceremony. Almost • a year since the accident, Price is thriving as a student at Nor- mandale Community College, almost completely recovered from his injuries. "He's doing fabulous," said Katharine - Price, Kelly's mother. "It's all gotten bet- ter.. Everything has improved."', Price, an Eagan resident, was in an acci- • dent Jan. 92 after he' lost conlroiof his car -on the en- ' trance -ramp to southbound :In- terstate 35E. He had been slowly emerging Kelly Price from a coma at • Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul when,_on Feb: 12, his rehabilitation took an unexpected turn for the worst. He was to be zipped into bed by special canopy -like netting that surrounded the • hospital bed, and watched by. hospital 'staff . via `video monitor .He got out of • AbeCstarted walking, and' then collapsed to the floor. • The fall led -to a trauma team being called to. the room, where it was deter-•,• mined .that Kelly .damaged in fourth . cranial nerve from the fall. The result was :double vision, which has been re- paired after .three eye surgeries since ' June. He now wears glasses which hadn't been necessary prior to the accident. • Katharine said her son has been back in .the gym bodybuilding, which he had done avidly prior to the accident. - As she approaches the first anniver- sary of the accident, Katharine said she still cries for him. "Kelly told me he's got- • ten over it and asked me why I can't," she Get Moving for as low as 4.ZS%.APR www.mnSun.com ear in review • said. "Everyday I drive that ramp and I relive it everyday." • -New.-ideas in district For most of the year, a task force has , • been meeting to look at new initiatives to maximize learning opportunities in School District'191: • . Task forces have continued to look into several potential initiatives, including an International Baccalaureate Program, • grade configurations - specifically a ninth grade center, gifted programming, English as a second language program- ming, and small learning communities. DISTRICT 191: To Page 11A r r rr i. ,-d' r r- i c• .. % .T'. .,i^ - • www.mnSun.com AppleValley/Rosemount, Eagan SuneCurrent/Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006 17A • Hurdle From Page 1A The property's owner, Rahn. Family LP, .and ..Eagan •developer Wensmann -Homes sued the city in October 2004 after the City Council's August 2004 decision not the change the comprehensive guide plan, for the parcel from park or- recre- ation to low density. - Eagan lost the suit at the District • Court level and was appealing the case to • the Minnesota Court of Appeals when it reached a settlement allowing for the re -- consideration of . the proposal, this" time with a request for a Special Area desig- nation.. • • The Special Area designation is used in areas where unique circumstances exist, said planner Pam Dudziak. It gives • the city more control over = . . in -the area by establishing an overall spe-• - cial area plan, she said. . •If the City Council approves the new proposal, the suit would be dropped. However, if the council rejects it, the ap- peal'process would continue. The golf course has been closed since last spring. The biggest• change in the•proposal this time around. is, the inclusiork.cAa;30-- acre nine -hole golf course that.would ring. the •homes on the southern part. of . • the development..That course Would•aiso be covered by a conservation easement • that- restrict it from ever being de-,. ` veloped.. The original proposal called for.about 50 acres, of open space and wetlands in . place of the newly proposed course. • Mike 'Haugen, a neighbor of the course and a member' of the .residents''. group -Carriage Hills Coalition, ques- tioned why the new proposal includes a golf course when owner Ray Rahn has stated that the land is not profitable as a course. - • "The whole application from the start_ has been . that it's a. failed business, so -why add a golf course now?" Haugen asked. "Why can this be successful but an 18-hole•course can't?". . • Haugen was one of about 15 residents who spoke against the development dur- ing the APC meeting. Other residents tion and would be open for public play," Wensmann said. This is not the first time the course has been targeted for development. In 1996, Pulte Homes sought to buy the ' course and develop it for housing, but the - City Council rejected that•request'and ' the course was instead sold to Rahn for • $3.6 million:: Like Haugen, other" residents said they saw. little change between the plan previously rejected by both the APC and the Eagan City Council and the new pro- posal. "This has been".brought before two commissions -and two councils over the past eight years without one single vote in support," said Tom Reebok. "If this gets passed_ tonight,. I want to know " which of you will be the first to step up ' and explain what has changed over the past 19 months.' • raised concerns over density, traffic and • APC Chair Heyl said the new propos-. the loss of green space; concerns that :al is different because the inclusion of a were . also broughtup the. last • time ` golf . course. and '.the conservation ease- - around. ment reflects a compromise: ' . Wensmann Homes President Terry - "We did not win the lawsuit and it's Wensmann said he listened to residents' • under appeal; but whatif we loser Heyl concerns and called: the new proposal a said. "The city as a whole did not want "win -win" situation for everybody in- housing with no golf course. The ques- volved. ".`We've worked to meet the neighbors': concerns regarding traffic, open space,c, density', and education issues," Wens °T input wasspirited-and even those corn= mann said.L> * missioners supporting the change•ques .-The •proposal features~'480 units of tioned if ti develol5merit,was the right,?.; `• housing, the same nuniberKrn the: reject ,1 "one for'Carrrage `Hills. - } . + + edproposal. That housing will include a - ; -`If We lose the appeal we're screwed," mix of • single-family homes, various kinds of townhouses, senior housing , and four condominiumbuildings on the 120-acre parcel along the south .side of Yankee •Doodle Road, east of Lexington - 'Avenue: The golf course would be .ownedand maintained by a homeowner's associa- 9 5 2 - 3 9 2 - 6'8 8 8 'k:: COBRA TOO EXPENSIVE?" e ICE DAM -ROOF, SNOW REMOVAL Need Short Term or Long Term Health Fast, No Damage Process Guaranteed! •Insurance? Call David CIC 651-454-6401 - www.pwrwash.com * Insured 952-472-4477 Mike's Powerwash COMPUTER COACH AVAILABLE Feeling helpless in the.computer maze? PC instruction in your own home or work. Call THE FOURTH R. 952-898-5880 ICE DAMS? We Steam. Reasonable Rates. Insured. Roof -to -Deck 952-352-9986 LOW MORTGAGE RATES! GRANDFATHER CLOCKS Purchase/refinance/consolidate debt ditwecome CL_-EANEDOILED & REGULATED _ �' _ -- tion.is what do you get if you lose that ap- peal9' 1 , .The =debate that ,followed. the public Chavez said., `I feel like I'm backed into a . 'corner on this one. I'm not wild about the proposal but. I'm going -to vote for it." Gladhill said he didn't think the guide plan change should be granted because the current owner hadn't explored other uses under its current designation. "The'only justification we have so far for the change is that the current owner can't make it work, which I don't think is enough," Gladhill said. - Gladhill said he feels that any housing proposal would be bad for the property, but he especially doesn't like the Wens- mann proposal. He -added that he hopes the City Coun- cil decides instead to continue with the appeal because settling calls into ques- tion the whole metropolitan. -area plan- ning system. • The Eagan City Council will now take up the proposed guide plan amendment at its Tuesday, Jan. 17, meeting: If the council grants the change, detailed plan- ning for the development, . including an - environmental assessment worksheet, would begin. LEGAL NOTICES Public Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure -(Official Publication) NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Date: December 29, 2005 THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AF- FECTED BY THIS ACTION. YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT: 1. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED, WILL BE USED FOR ItiTSl:lltl''CDuRf10s-iI-;'l.% ;I SRC_ u11 W S-1 ir'2.yUNLESS THE_ NAMED -MORTGAGORS OR THE MORTGAGORS' ASSIGNS DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF • THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, WITHIN , THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THIS NO- TICE, THE DEBT WILL BE ASSUMED TO BE VALID. .3. IF YOU NOTIFY. THE ATTORNEYS NAMED BELOW IN WRITING WITHIN THE THIRTY (30) DAY PE- RIOD THAT THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, IS DISPUTED, VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT WILL BE OBTAINED AND MAILED TO THE PERSON SUBMIT- TING THE REQUEST. ' .. . ' 4: UPON WRITT.EN REQUEST, THE ATTORNEYS . NAMED BELOW WILL MAIL THE NAME AND'ADDRESS OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR*IF DIFFERENT FROM^ - THE CURRENT, CREDITOR, TO THE PERSON SUB- MITTING THE. REQUEST.. 5. A'default has occurred in the conditions of that cer- tain_ mortgage executed by Abraham Alem and Freweini Sium, husband and wife, as Mortgagors, in favor of East - Bank, a Minnesota banking corporation, as Mortgagee, dated September:17, 2001, and filed of record on De - School' District 191 (Official Publication) —DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCATION OFFICE/ECSE CENTER . 12701 Pillsbury Avenue • Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 • Independent School District #191 will receive single prime sealed bids for the District Special Education Office/ECSE . Center until 2:00, p.m. local time on January 24, 2006 at the Administrative Services Center, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Jneiddinedouments, including the Proposal Form,- Draw- • ings and Specifications, will be on file at the Offices'of the Architect, Wold Architects and Engineers, 305 St. Peter Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. (651) 227-7773;•at the Minneapolis Builders Exchange; St. Paul Builders Ex- change; Dodge Plan Room (Edina); iSqFt Plan Room (Brooklyn Center); and from . PlanWell at www.ersdigital.com. . This project includes: Remodeling of a 38,000 s.f. former grocery store into administrative offices and an. Early Childhood•Special Education Center. Remodeling in- cludes site improvements,• selective demolition, building shell modifications, interior remodeling, mechanical and electrical improvements. Engineering Repro Systems, 2001 E. 24th Street, Min- . neapolis, MN 55404 (612) 722-2303, facsimile (612) 722- 3745, will provide complete sets of the 'Bidding Docu- -ments to prospective bidders and subcontractors. The copies will be available•about January 3, 2006. Two de- posit checks made out to "Independent School District • , n, .., a .. .............. ... can nn • Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006 ' ' ' ' ' • - • " www.mnSun:com- • girlfriend,• Eagan -.resident Marissa Per-. sand,, whofwas found dead at her -home rs Feb718: Eagan Police found:Persaud's Eagan spent -much of.,the year won- body in an.0m'pstairs bedroowith a'rope From Page:1A . • The on1 remains of the -horse ranch today - are the development's name, Steeplechase:of Eagan: The work on the site has included environmental remedi- ation because of both the use of the prop- erty as a horse ranchand dumping of de-._ "It's gone well," said Toll Brothers representative Joey Zorn. ."Everyone's been really happy things -have gone so farand thefinal development is going to be a great addition to Eagan." Airport •. Perhaps -the biggest change. over the course of 2005 for the city of Eagan and its residents was the October opening of the new north -south runway at the Min- neapolis -St. Paul International Airport. . Runway 17/35 handles about 300 daily departure flights, which is 37 percent of' total airport departures. An average of 132 daily arrival flights will use the new' runway, or 16.5 percent of total airport arrivals. with -Minneapolis and Richfield over the; Metropolitan Airports Commission'si noise, insulation program:. Hennepin County District_ ,Court ;judgerecently; ruledthe suit can,proceed- • , , The cities filed suit after the MAC ap- proved a plan to offer air conditioning for homes in certain areas around .the airport rather than providing full sound- proofing, as the cities say they had been promised. The MAC plan would also re- quire homeowners to pay for a portion of the air conditioning cost, based.on how much jet noise the home' experiences. The noisier the area, the smaller -the co - pay by residents. Eagan, Richfield and Minneapolis of- ficials say they decided not to oppose a new runway at the airport, which opened in October, because -of ,assur- ancesmade to ithem, that homesrreceh ing .ari average of. 60 to -64 decibels•.of noise over a ,day would also receive soundproofing: - • The MAC and Northwest Airlines; which was allowed to intervene as a co- defendant in the case, asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. . The judge declined, concluding in his decision, "The issues in the instant case are complex. Many 'of the arguments have never been addressed by Minnesota case law. Mull record is required to en- sure anyappellate courts have •a full record for Consideration."' : Char -ter- ' :1 ' dering'tiwhat would happenwhen it around her neck and ,bloodstains On a comes to the city's Charter Commission. dresser, near the foot of the bed and on After ;the groups charter proposal .was the carpet: • rejected by voters in. -the fall 2004, the ' In her last known conversation, Per- commission spentthe-first part of 2005 sand told her sister Feb. 16 that she had deciding whether to continue, with its of just had an argument with Ganpat and fort.- - - was afraid he might physically harm her, The commission -decided to- keep up investigators said. . that .work and plans -,to coffer_. another. - Ganpat was` later arrested•trying to charter proposal: While it was making cross back into the United States from '- that decision, it also dealt with -a lawsuit Mexico and was returned to Minnesota - filed -seeking todismiss.the group. . - . - He has remained ira the Dakota _County That•suit was eventually dismissed by Jail on, a $750,000 bond since then. a Dakota County. District Court judge In the:other case, Lavora Anerca.Gal- and the commission is free to continue bert, 43, plead guilty in May to one count its work:' . ' - • • • of second:degree murder•with intent to Thecommission°continues to meet .kill in the Sept. 17, 2004, shooting death monthly andis.looking at several•issues,. -of Cleveland Nason, 31, the father of her' ' said 'Commission,` Chairperson - Jon - 10-year-old son..She was•sentenced in-0c= Felde. tober to 20 years in prison. - •- - "We're doing some more work;(ad ,.-,v., Galbert said she shot.Naspn after he dressing some issues and seeing. -what "'refused to leave after threateningher- changes-we can make Felde said- "It's:a ::•and attempting to choke.' her long process but wehopeto-be back be::.; ". • `When police arrived atthe apartment; fore voters sometime soon." :: --they-found that:Nason had been .shot three times; once in his.arm, once in the pen space tant :issue in Eagan in' 2005 to no sur '•Nason was transported to. Regions ise , = Hospital ri St Paul wherehe died later The Friends of the Core Green-: that day The Ramsey:County medical ex way' and several other, residents' groups aminer ruled the deatha`homicide joined together to form the.Eagan Open In the' -investigation that followed the. Space coalition in May Thatgroup's first • shooting; police learned that'Galbert had endeavor to raise money 'to• help open- purchased the gun and ainmunition.two space preservation_, efforts was • the : -. weeks before the shooting:.They also -de Greenway. Music Festival in August. : termined that Nason had been -living at "It wasa great success," said festival Galbert's apartment on and off since Oc- chair..David Brunet "We couldn't have asked fora betterresponse and it really chest and another time in the head-but- Eaganis, also part;of :a lawsuit,along , Open, space cOntinued to be an imper- -I.:Was still 4live..- ' • that --lay;in.frontpf• us. ' , nee Geagan, diagnosed with Parkinson s disease in 1997 and was elected mayor in 2002said he wants to spend more time with family. . • "I feel good and -I think it's time for me to think about doing something else while: I do feel good," .said Geagan, 61•, who also is Eagan's former police chief. • The announcement -also set' into. mo tion what is sure to be an interesting election. Even before Fields' announce- ment, speculation had begun as to who: will seek the:mayor''s:office.: Councilmember Mike Maguire;•has confirmed his intentionto run for the po- sition, but said he has not yet announced his candidacy. "That's an important dis: tinction for me,". Maguire said. "I hadn't, announced my intention publicly in the past out of respect for the mayor. We will get to politics in due time." Maguire: was diagnosed with colon :- cancer in March and finished his last chemotherapy treatment. in October. He .' • said he feels- lucky doctors caught the' cancer early and his•prognosis is good. "I have• a vision for this community and'a passion':for city government," - . Maguire said. "I have a good sense of where this community has been, where it is going arid the important -challenges • The 'Eagan .City Council approved a change -in 2005:that 'will affect the way the city:runs in 2006 and thereafter. The city - changed from•apart:time fire chief posi- • tion to a full-time position as part of its 2006 budget. . - That means .the city will be going through a hiring process for a fire chief tober 2003. . - •- - - • to start off 2006. That doesn't necessari- got the coalition off to a great start in our Politics effort." - - . The group has continued to be active, including working -to oppose the Car' riage Hills Golf. Course development proposal. The Carriage Hills Coalition, another residents group, is a part of .the Coalition. "There are some challenges to open spacerin_Eagan yetton;theehorazon;';'�;rl said- Jack. ConradrIswithFriends, of. •the. Eagan Core Greenway. "We're hopingwe can continueto work together to make - sure residents' voices are heard and .pre- serving open space remains_a high pri- • ority in the city-'; - • The year also saw two murders, with _ one case still waiting to go before a jury and the other ending in a conviction. Jairam Ganpat, 37, is awaiting trial on The year also saw the official an= nouncement by Mayor Pat: Geagan that • he won't be seeking re-election in 2006. Geagan's announcement came after Councilmember Cyndee Fields an- • nounced in September that she.would be seeking the position in November 2006. :I,rfelt_it�was,ther! ight;time;'�;Fields; said. -I'm ready and it's an excitingtime: for me. I feel I have. the experience and leadership to continue the success of -Eagan." Fields, a 12-year resident of Eagan, .was first elected to the. council in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. During her time. Public -safety •- . on the council she has served as acting • mayor for three years: . : - Fields' announcement led Geagan to publicly •confirm earlier. -than he had, planned that he, would -not seek re-elec- a murder -charge for allegedly killing his tion. • -_ • ly mean current Fire Chief Bob Kriha won't still be chief -after that hiring. Kriha called the position his "dream job" - and said he intends to apply for it. .The change to a full-time position was - one that was considered several times over the years and now was the right ' time to make.the change, Kriha said. The change will not affect the volunteer sta.: tusf,of;,thenoverall;,Firie>Depar.tment_oq •. though. ;;rr • While the firefighters don't receive a . . salary for -their work, they do receive $10 ` . per call, are vested in a pension plan . after,five years and are eligible for re tirenient benefits after 20 years with the department: Kriha receives :a $9000 - • monthly stipend. - "A full-time chief :will have much more of a presence and would be able to focus even more time -on administrative stuff,"•he'said. "It willbegreat fotthe fu-. • tureof this department." . A A -A A famiiar es Year included development, . airport noise, - • open space issues • BY JOSIII3A:NICii0LS • StinNewspapers- 's • • •-•. As the saying goeS,..the more things change, the morethey stay the same. And; that saying applies to Eagan in the year 2005. The year was filled with famil- iar themes for the city, including development issues, airport noise and open space. But, as usual there were a few surprises along the way. • Diamond T It was months in the making, but Toll Brothers had its develop- ment plan approved for the former - Diamond T Ranch property in April.,The final development fea- tures 59 condominium -townhous- es and 37 single-family houses with- work,on the site starting in the spring. EAGAN: To Page 18A ....ci.,�....-- anuary When you're -away and get, for the new y you,are ?ta to; We accept:, r, * Men's,-Women's &.0 * Accessories; Jewelry * Outerwear * Kitchenware .& Wor * Books, Music & Med * Toys & Games * Linens & Crafts * Knick-Knacks, Colle * Luggage * Pictures & Frames * Holiday Decoration * Hand Tools * Vehicles: Cars,Trucl DONATION RECEIVI GreenGuardian.com Proceeds benefit children • and their families through Find out more at www.arc Carriage Hills vote delayed, City puts off settling lawsuit as private in- vestors'group looks to buy golf course by Erin Johnson TMSWEEK NEWSPAPERS • The City Council was - set to vote on whether to settle the lawsuit over Carriage Hills Golf Course when, at the.] lth hour, it announced a two -week postpone- ment. The delay:came after a private investors' group. told the city it is looking to make •an offer on the property and preserve it -as a golf course. • . The group shares some mem- bers with the Carriage Hills Co - See Golf. Course, 5A z I 1 R ' T_H E 'T CLE PURCHASE coupon. Limiited November bonus cash vE Rear Heat & air, 7 Passenger, Power (Seat, Windows, Locks), Golf Course/from 1A alition, an opposition group that has fought plans to develop hous- ing on the golf course. Last year, golf course owner Ray Rahn and Wensmann Homes sued the city after the council denied a zoning change to allow housing on the property. Wensmann was looking to build 480 units of housing on the 120-acre golf course, which is currently guided for public and quasi -public facilities. In May, a judge ordered the city to allow housing or buy the property. The city appealed, and has spent at least the past month in settlement negotiations. "We were ready to take action on it last night, but we wanted to 'give the neighborhood the oppor- tunity to do what they need to do, said Mayor Pat Geagan. "At this point, it's between two private en- tities." Jim Taylor, a Carriage Hills Coalition member and spokesper- son for the investors' group, said he is fairly certain an offer from the group is forthcoming. • "Whether or not it's accepted is a different story," he said. Because the property is likely more valuable as housing than as a golf course, the city's decision on whether to settle could make or break the investors' chances. "Our intention is to keep it. as a golf course. In• our heart of hearts, we believe a golf course is viable," Taylor said. "If the city settles, it kicks the legs out from underneath us." • _ - Local open space groups, in- cluding the Carriage Hills Coali- tion, were outraged at news that the city was to vote on a settle- ment. Members planned to be at the meeting in full force before the vote was postponed. "I'd be very surprised if the city did settle," Taylor said. "I think the city is going to win this case." If the city settles, it will send a message to all developers that all you have td do.to win your case is "out -lawyer" the city, he said. "The . Comprehensive Guide Plan and zoning is an agreement between the citizens and govern- ment of Eagan," he said. "If a judge can come in and rule that out, who can trust any municipal- ity?" • Settling would also "stir up, a hornet's nest" and Lead to more litigation, this time filed by resi- dents and coalition members. The loss of the golf course would ad- versely affect the property values of surrounding homes, he said. "Members within our group will pursue litigation," he said, because allowing housing would cause actual damages and harm to neighboring properties. Because the case is in litiga- tion, Geagan could not say why the city • is considering settling at this point.. But he did say that maintaining local control of deci- sion making, the reason cited for appealing the judge's decision, is still a council priority. The council is •scheduled to vote oh the settlement agreement at a special meeting Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ectn-inc.com. orce makes recommendations • development of a levels of service model .to define services offeredto all levels of students and explore a gifted magnet pro- gram, . • refine and expand the sys- tem for identifying %diverse and underrepresented populations, ' • expand the development of differentiated curriculum for K- 8 ELP learners in language arts, math, social studies, science and the arts, • provide ongoing • profes- sional development for all ELP coordinators and teachers, and • expand the ELP teacher/ coordinator position at each el- ementary and middle school to full-time. The task force developed and implemented their audit of the • t' ECOWATER 9 r 6� TEm 6. (� SINCE 1925. MS • IRON FILTERS • BOTTLED WATER ODOR FILTERS • SALT DELIVERY AL . SERVICE 5333 16OTH Sr. S.E. • PRIOR LAKE 952-4477'2160 on'Softener, Filter. or. NTReverse Osmosis System 41 EXTRA. EXPIRES NOVEMRER 30. 2005. current , gifted education pro- grams in kindergarten through 12th grades this past•spring`Dr. Karen Rogers- and Dr. Jan Han- sen; professors in the School of Education• at the.- University . of -St. Thomas analyzed the current program and .submitted a report with their recommendations to the ELP Task Force in June: The task force then developed its own. recommendations and presented them to the Curricu- lum and Instruction Advisory Council in September. "This has been a huge un- dertaking for the district. I like a lot of the things that I see here," Board Member Jackie Magnuson said after hearing the recommen- dations at Monday's meeting. Board members said they look forward to seeing what the task force comes back' to the board with for program -specific funding. - • Board Member Bruce Endler. said , the recommendations of the task force are based on very solid research, though he ac- knowledged there are some cost concerns. -Board Member Kevin Sampers said improvements in the Enhanced Learning Program were a good example of what.the district should be looking at. )Julie Olson, director of el- ementary education, said the. ELP Task Force plans to put out requests for applications from anyone interes+Pa WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2005 D 3B EAGAN Council delays vote on Carriage Hills u, Residents upset with plan to settle lawsuit BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press Resident outrage appears to have delayed the Eagan City Council's vote tosettle its law- suit over the development of Carriage Hills Golf Course, a legal battle that had attracted statewide and national interest because of its implications for land -use planning. Golfcourse neighbors and fellow open -space advocates spent Monday and Tuesday morning preparing to storm the council meeting. Tuesday night after hearing the city was close to dropping its legal appeal in the lawsuit. They have been lob- bying city officials for more than a year to block a plan to turn the serene golf course into hundreds of homes and condos. By midday, however, residents had called off the dogs and city officials had posted an online announcement from Mayor Pat Geagan letting the public know that the vote was off. "I believe it's because of the huge amount of political uproar," said resident Jim Taylor, a repre- sentative of the Carriage Hills Coalition who met with Geagan and city administrator Tom Hedges on Monday morning. "Our group is very active — it's almost like a prayer chain," he continued. "Neighbor ladies meet monthly for morning cof- fee, and it just so happened that their group started minutes after we left that meeting. "News of the •settlement spread like - wildfire. I'd guess 500 or 600 people knew within hours and 3,000 people knew by the end 'of the night." But Geagan said he post- poned the settlement vote because he and city officials learned Monday the neighbor- hood group had hired a private consultant to review the feasi- bility of residents and other investors buying the 18-hole course outright. "The council was ready to deal with this," Geagan said. "But the group brought up the purchase plans, and I thought it only fair to at least hear them out and give them some time to figure out where they are at." Eagan officials have said the ,city could not afford to buy the course — which was closed last summer — and it is unclear how much the neighborhood investors could offer for the property. Developer Terry Wensmann, of Eagan -based Wensmann Realty Inc., ' did not return a phone call Tuesday seeking 'comment. In August 2004, the City Council denied Wensmann's ' plan to rezone the 40-year-old golf course. The city long has balked at the development of Carriage Hills, one of the last remaining private open spaces in the otherwise built-up sub- urb. The city's comprehensive,. plan calls for the property to be zoned only for parks and recre- ation. . Course owner Rahn Family LP and Wensmann sued the council to change the area's land -use designation to allow housing. Wensmann's plan has been to build 480 housing units — condos, town homes and sin- gle-family houses — while pre- serving 40 or more acres as parks and open space at the property, located off Yankee Doodle Road on Wescott Wood- lands Drive. In April, Dakota County Dis- trict Judge Patrice Sutherland ordered the city to either amend its comprehensive plan and the. property's zoning or begin emi- nent domain proceedings to buy the now -closed 120-acre course. The council appealed her decision to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The Metropolitan Council and the League of Min- nesota Cities have backed the city's appeal, as has a national public -interest law firm. t Looking for a way to save? You need to insure both your auto and your home, so why not save money in the process? Call today for a free, no -obligation look at auto and home discounts from American Family. cr American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin now one -Mm,. wranm American Family Insurance Company American Standard Insurance Company of Ohio two amfancom • o 2005 001728-4105 Linda L Stangland Insurance Agency An Outstanding Cu tomer Experience J.D. Power and Assodates certified Distinguished Insurance Agency RHS Building (35E & Cliff Rd) (651) 456-5841 AMERICAN FAMILY All your protection under one roof Great Value. 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EAGAN Planners .vote to amen 6 PPP y plan City steps closer to ending lawsuit with Carriage Hills developer; council to consider amendment in January BY MARICELLA MIRANDA Pioneer Press The city of Eagan came clos- er to ending a lawsuit Tuesday with a developer who wants to build a housing development on one of the city's last private- ly owned green spaces. After three hours of debate and public comments, the city's planning commission recom- mended the city amend its com- prehensive plan to designate the former Carriage Hills golf course land to be a part of a "special area plan." There are seven other areas in Eagan•that. have been assigned as a special area plan. The amendment passed 4-3 because the new proposed plan included a nine -hole golf course and gave the city more control over the development since it would be in a special area plan. Commissioners Ted Gladhill, Jenifer, Matthees and Dana Keeley voted against it because they 'wanted to preserve the green space in. Eagan and did- n't want to, see the area devel- oped for housing. "The proposal on its own adds a lot to the city of Eagan as a whole," said Commission Chairwoman Carla Heyl. "We can appreciate the neighbors CITY PLAN, 2B Event focuses on rare woodpecker The ivory -billed woodpecker was widely thought extinct until a team headed by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology . spotted one in an Arkansas wildlife refuge last year. Jim Fitzpatrick; director of the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center and one of the few people to see this rare bird, will share stories and a video from the expedition at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 . at the Dodge Nature Center, 365 W. Marie Ave. Cost is $5. For more infor- mation or to register, call 651-455-4531. New dock proposal is on smaller scale Plans for a new boat dock along the Mississippi River in Hastings have received provi- sional support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Eager to promote down- town as a tourist destination, Hastings officials had proposed the construction of a 300-foot dock to run parallel to shore on the river's south side, upstream from the Highway 61 Bridge. Commercial barge cap- tains strongly opposed the project. The Army Corps has whit - quality report from the nesota State Pollution Cont Agency, as well as approval from the Army. The Army Corps did .n allow for overnight moori and allowed no more than feet between the dock's insi edge and the shoreline. Ci engineers will review the li tations before the City Cou cil decides whether to pr ceed. — Frederick Melo FARMINGTON Teachers, board arrrnn run onn+roni CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B City plan (continued) being close to a development with houses, but we're the' planning commission for all the citizens in Eagan." The' commission recom- . mended the amendment with a few conditions: the developer has to add more green space, include an access on the south; and build fewer units and lots, Hey' said. An upcoming envi- ronmental assessment study will suggest proper drainage areas,. wetland retention and adequate green space amounts. The City Council will decide whether to approve the amend- ment in January. If they do, the Metropolitan Council then will consider any regional impact for amending 'the comprehen- sive plan. If the Met Council foresees none, the City Council will implement the change and then consider rezoning the area. However, if the City Council decides not to approve the amendment, the city can continue appealing the lawsuit. "If we proceed with the appeal and lose, it would be worse than having local con- trol with the outcome," said Eagan Community Develop- ment Director Jon Hohen- stein. Eagan -based Wensmann Realty Inc. plans to build 480 housing units — condomini- ums, town houses and single- family houses — while pre= serving 30 acres of the 120-acre. site for an executive nine -hole public course. The property, located off Yankee Doodle Road on Wescott Woodlands Drive, is now zoned for parks and recreation and holds an 18- hole golf course. About 60 people attended the planning commission meet- ing. Many wanted the city to PIONEER PRESS continue with the lawsuit appeal. Residents expressed concerns about retention of. green space, housing density, traffic and the number of stu- dents moving into the . Burnsville -Eagan -Savage school district. Resident Dan Bailey said this development could be a precedent in Eagan for two other privately owned golf courses. Those owners might want to develop their land to make a profit, too, Bailey said. "The hopes and dreams of the community years from now are going to be (dashed)," Bai- ley said. "Once that open space is gone, it will be gone forever." Eagan had fought the devel- opment since August 2004, when the City Council denied Wensmann's plan• to rezone the 40-year-old public course. Some residents previously IF YOU GO formed an investment .group to try to buy the land. After the City Council and planning commission rejected the initial Carriage Hills devel- opment plans 18 months ago, the owner, Rahn Family LP and Wensmann sued the council in district court, to try to force Eagan to change the zoning to permit housing. Rahn 'closed the course last year and said hewanted to sell it because it was losing hundreds of thou- sands of dollars annually. Eagan officials have said the city could not afford to buys the course — and did not want to raise property taxes to do so. Neighborhood investors never made public what they could offer for the -property, but have disputed Rahn's contention that the course could not have been a moneymaker. In April, .District Judge Patrice Sutherland ruled against Eagan. and ordered the city to either amend its comprehensive plan and the property's zoning or begin eminent domain pro- ceedings to buy the 18-hole course. Sutherland ruled that the city's denial of development amounted to taking the course' without paying for it., • . The city took the case before the Minnesota Court of Appeals in May, 'arguing that it' must protect the integrity of its comprehensive land -use plan. "We thinkthe guide plan is worth fighting for," the council wrote at the time. City officials .have said they, worry if. the council went ;for- ward with it's appeal and lost, it would set a, binding precedent throughout the state for a loss of local planning control. They also have said the course pur- chase price was such' that if the city tried to buy it, there'd be no money left to protect other parcels. • Maricella Miranda can be reached at mmiranda@pioneer press.com or 651-228-5421. CONTACT US aria Douglas Reeve Dakota County team leader 651-22$ 5562 email mreeveC� pioneerpress er 7recom' Brian Bonnporter cover mg ver GrovetPaHeights •South St PaInul West Sul Mendota eights Sunfish Lake Lilydale lendota 651, 228 2173 " e mail �bbonner@pioneer "' press com `` COUNT Neggen Lindsay, rerter overing Eagan and Appople 'alley, 651 228-5260 a mall mii dsay@pioneerpress com rederick Melo reporter overing Dakota County"' jovernment public safety astings and"Farmington -1 228 2172 a mail �finelo ioneerpress cor ancella`Mv4n covering Burnsville Rosemoun and Lakeville s651 228a5172 i e mail mmiranda@pioneer a , press corn Michael Krieger news assistant 651 228 2121 a mail ;mkrlegerQ axx� s pioneerpress com �* FAX 651 228 21A79 �. r �Advertisin Jody Henaer k651 228 534 ,�R unclaimed at the shelter for eight days. ICE TRAIN, 6B YEAR IN REVIEW LIVING AFTER THE HEADLINES PIONEER PRESS FILE PHOTO Devin Heule, 14, attends choir practice in May, shortly before graduating from Spring Lake Park High School. College life suits whiz kid BY BOB SHAW Pioneer Press The boy genius of Spring Lake Park likes college life. Maybe a little too much for his mother. "At the end of Thanksgiving weekend, he said he wanted to go 'home' to college," said Doni Heule, mother of Devin Heule, who will soon be a junior in col- lege at age 15. "I had to say, 'Wait — you still live here,' " said his mom. Devin is too young to drive but is studying computer sci- ences at Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity in Delaware, Ohio, where he has a full -tuition scholarship. He was the subject of a Pio- neer Press story hi June, when he graduated from Spring Lake Park High School at age 14. He had more than 11 college credits — he's not sure how many — WHIZ KID, 6B Online: To read the original profile on Devin Heule, go to www.twincities.com/news. On Page 3B: North Oaks man continues fight for a place in Croatian politics. Minnesota's reputation for having nine months of win as 2005 concludes. Alex Opse, 7, had to make do Wednesday For the still -balmy forecast, see Page 10D. BAD SL ALL YES TOUGH STRETCHES Jan. 14-17: Grit and bear it — Bitter cold descends, with daily highs of 1 below, 1, 5 and 3. Early May: A late chill — The month begins with highs in the 40s and snow flurries. July 1-20: Hot and dry — Nine straight days in the 90s from July 9 to July 17 and just a half -inch of rain. Early December: Getting our due — After a mild November, December starts with nine days with highs below freezing. WARMEST YEARS ON RECORD: Average ten 1.1931 2.1987 3.1998 4 50.9 49.7 48.8 4' * Estimate based on forecasts for final days of December. Source:Isi 2005 temperature departures fro MAR.. -0.3 APRIL +5.4° *Note: December numbers are estimates. Source: National Weather Servi Try putting Ariel Sh LAURA BILLINGS After suffering a mild stroke earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon — a man who is said to like "meat in every way" — was instructed by his physicians that he simply had to start eating healthier. Faced with such stern instruc- tions from health professionals, he did what many of us in the same pos pity Chi its 1 kin dui say to c unl IN THE TWIN CITIES MUSEUM PLANNED TO BOOST FORT SNELLI 5 PPP vac .+5-t: PAUL PIONEER PRESS WWW.TWINCITIES'.COM VIEW CARRIAGE HILL DEVELOPMENT Why destroy Eagan's plan? The city .of Eagan has decided to settle its lawsuit with a developer who wants to destroy the city's com- prehensive plan in order to turn' one of our last large pieces of undevel- oped property, Carriage Hills Golf Club, into a very large housing devel- opment. The city used flawed logic to arrive at its decision. According to the City Council, in order to save the comprehensive plan from change they had to change it. Put another way, in order to save the plan they had to destroy it. • The comprehensive plan is designed to devel- op a long-term strategic vision for the city. It is important that thereare procedures in place to .ensure that our city is developed responsibly. and for the good of the entire community. The plan has been developed over decades and involved an enormous amount of effort on the part of past city administrations and count- less citizens. The current City Council has hasti- ly decided it knows best and is prepared to Last time we checked, the council was elected to serve the citizens and not developers. throw away all this effort and careful planning. Eagan's entire infrastructure was developed relying on the comprehensive .plan and plan process. All who have invested in Eagan have also relied on the plan. The Infrastructure was . not designed for nor can it safely and reasonably accommodate more. than 1,000 newresidents and another 3,000-plus car trips a day. That's why the comprehensive plan has Carriage Hills remaining as it is — open space. .The city is trying to endorse this whole issue "under the radar screen." It ' is doing this by' rushing the change through the planning com- • mission process and scheduling the planning commission hearing the week between Christ nias and New Year's. Such timing could only . have been contrived so that those who would most likely . oppose the city's actions. might be out of town or too busily involved in the holidays to be able 'to effectively interject and raise their concerns. . The city and presumably the • developer know (and hope) that the J I M current schedule . does not give any- TAY LO R one nearly enough time to reason- ably review the developer's request to amend Eagan's comprehensive plan. • When we asked city 'officials to move the planning commission hearing from December,to February, they replied that the city had agreed to process the developer's amendment request in a timely manner.. We're OK with "timely" .but not with "blinding speed." There •is no law or legal limit as to how long the city may take to deny or accept a comprehensive plan amend- ment application. The amendment request was submitted Nov 28. Thus the .city could reason- ably have the planning commission hearing in February and "still have time for the council to review it in March — all.while being timely. Last time we checked, the council was elected to serve the citizens and not developers. We, the citizens, want more time to study this very, very important issue. We were still waiting for a reply with only five working days before the planning commission was to receive information. The city had not given us a formal copy of the amend- ment application and its. associated correspon- dences. Without such crucial items, how are we ever expected to fully, participate or provide rea- sonable feedback? The city's hastiness might lead one to believe that there is a double stan- dard in Eagan: one for developers and one for the citizens. If our public servants act as the Grinch who steals Christmas by hurrying through this immensely important issue, many citizens will be tremendously disappointed. We just hope they give us a good reason. The mayor and City Council owe us this. After all, we helped elect them. Taylor, of Eagan, is a member of the Carriage Hills Coalition. ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS WWW.TWINCITIES.COM METRO/REGIONAL BRIEFING Grand Meadow, Minn., eighth his snowmobile Monday. Mallory school board to allow students to Mallory lives about six miles from an adult, and he pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder. He will be sentenced Jan. 31. The 59-year-old Wagner was shot to death as he sat in his pickup behind Frogtown Meats & Grocery at 520 Rice St. He worked as a caretaker at a nearby apartment building. Wagner had just gotten paid, and police said robbery was the motive. A video cam- era from the grocery caught the two on tape. Jones was arrested a day after the killing, and Baymon was taken into custody two days after. Ramsey County prosecutors had sought to have both teenagers tried as adults. They failed in Jones' case. If he abides by the terms of his sen- tence, he will remain in the juvenile system until he is 21. — Pioneer Press GRAND MEADOW, MINN. Schools OK student snowmobile travel Snowmobiling will soon replace the bus or rides from parents for some students in rrrand Meadow NATHAN HOWARD, ASSOCIATED PRESS -grader Josh Mallory poses on successfully pressed the local drive snowmobiles to school. school. Eighth -grader Josh Mallory presented the proposal to the school board, which approved a parking area on school grounds for snowmobiles. Students also will be able to create a trail for the area Mallory and seventh -grader Dakota Johnson got the idea from a local snowmobiling class. Superintendent Joe Brown said the southeastern Minneso- ta district would give snowmo- biling to school a one-year trial period. The school is providing a place for students to leave their helmets and snowsuits. Mallory, who has a six -mile one-way trip to school, expects about 10 other students to snowmobile initially. He'll be doing it four times a week, he said. — Associated Press BRAINERD, MINN. Hunter sentenced in partner's death A Pequot Lakes man will serve 10 years on probation and won't be allowed to have a gun after pleading guilty to sec- ond-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of his deer - hunting partner. shooting Jeffrey Dean Ford, 39, also of Pequot Lakes, on Nov. 8. Other conditions of the plea agreement require Ustruck to refrain from alcohol and con- trolled substances, stay out of places where alcohol is served, pay a small fine and avoid con- tact with Ford's family unless they contact him. According to the complaint, Ford was first to arrive at the property where they were going to hunt about 20 miles north of Brainerd. Ustruck arrived later and, as he reached his deer stand, heard a noise, saw something brown and movement to the west. Believing it to be a deer; he fired. He then heard moaning, which he followed until he found Ford on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest, dressed in blaze orange. - Ford died later at St. Cloud Hospital. — Associated Press WAITE PARK, MINN. Council member killed in collision A Waite Park City Council member was one of two men killed in a Tuesday crash in Mille Lacs County. Council Member Dan Butkowski, 35, died Tuesday after a vehicle driven by Peter Sam, 29, of Onamia lost control and slid sideways into Butkowski's sport -utility vehi- cle, the Minnesota State Patrol said. Butkowski died at Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia. Sam died at the scene, officials said. The crash occurred shortly before 11 p.m.. Tuesday on U.S. 169. The road was wet but not icy at the time. Two passengers in Butkowski's SUV had minor injuries. "I've never had anyone in my life I've known for such a short period of time affect me so," Waite Park Mayor Carla Schae- fer said of Butkowski. "He is one of the kindest, gentlest people I've met. He radiated." LETTERS TO THE EDITOR \fl City needs to delay process To the editor: It has come to my attention that the Wensmann proposal for resubmitting a revised :ap- plication for the development of the Carriage Hills property will be brought before' the Eagan • Advisory Planning Committee -(APC) Dec. 27. The approval for this action was voted upon and action _granted at the Nov 29 City • _ Council special session. As you know, the people of Eagan have not had an opportu- • pity -to review 'this proposal in depth, even though it's been re- quested. • The "gag order" imposed has • had a negative effect on this en- tire process. My expectations . are that the City Council and L the APC need to be more flexi- ble in providing its residents in- formation concerning this issue and enough time, once we've had the data, to study it and provide input during the process. We know the City Council and the APC want to provide the best service to its con- stituents as is possible. After all, it's in the city's vision state- ment. . . To accomplish this task, I re- quest that - the currently planned review, be postponed until February 2006 thus giving all parties the opportunity to absorb the information and make intelligent decisions mov- ing forward. I'm sure that Mr. Wensmann won't object to this request because he, too, is a cit- izen of Eagan and has the,city's best interest at heart. Please don't deny the people of Eagan the opportunity, to have a voice in this matter. We need to work together to -keep the city of Eagan a great place to live. - John W. Daniels - Eagan te-Fee-for-Service plan available to .anyone re through age or disability. MN11/05 0-% l /i hu iQ Eagan golfcourse proposal MY VIEW JIM TAYLOR The city of, Eagan has decided to settle its lawsuit with a developer who wants to de- stroy the city's comprehensive plan in order to turn one of our last large pieces of undeveloped property, Carriage Hills Golf Club, into a very large housing development. The city used flawed logic to arrive at its decision. Accord- ing to the City Council, in or- der to save the comprehensive plan from change they had to change it. Put another way, in' order to save the plan they had. to destroy, it. The comprehensive plan is designed to develop a long- term strategic vision for the. city. It is important that there are procedures in place to en- sure that our city is developed responsibly and for the good of the entire community. The plan has been devel- oped over decades' and 'in- volved an enormous amount of effort on the part of past city'ad- ministrations and countless'cit- izens. The current City Coun- cil has hastily decided it knows best and is prepared to throw away all this effort and careful planning. - Eagan's infrastructure was developed relying on the com- prehensive plan and plan'pro- cess. All who have invested in Eagan have also relied on the plan. The infrastructure was not designed for nor can it safe- ly and reasonably accommo- date more than 1,000-new res- idents and another 3,000-plus car trips per day. That's why the comprehensive plan has Carriage Hills remaining as it currently is — open space. The city is trying to endorse this whole issue "under the ra- dar screen." They are doing this by rushing it through the plan- ning commission process and scheduling the planning com- mission hearing the week be- tween Christmas and New Year's. Such timing could on- ly have beencontrived so that those who would most likely oppose the city's actions, i.e. the citizens of Eagan, would be out of town or too busily in- volved in the holidays to be able to effectively interject and raise their concerns. The city and presumably the developer know (and hope)' that the current schedule does not give anyone nearly enough time to reasonably review the developer's request to amend Eagan's comprehensive plan. When we asked the city to move the planning commission hearing from December to Feb- ruary they replied that they had agreed to process the develop- er's amendment request in a timely manner. We're OK with "timely" but not with "blinding speed." There is no law or legal lim- it as to how long the city may take to deny or accept a com- prehensive plan amendment application. The . amendment request was submitted Nov 28. Thus the city could reasonably have the planning commission hearing in February and still have time for the council to re- view it in March — all while be-' ing timely. The city's hastiness might lead one to believe that there is a double standard in Eagan: one for developers and one for the citizens. We would certainly hope not because this would be contrary to the due process pro- vision of the Minnesota Consti- tutionthat gives us, the citizens, the same rights as Terry' Wens- mann, the developer. . If our public servants really want to act as the Grinch who steals Christmas by hurrying through this immensely impor- tant issue, it wouldcome as a tremendous disappointment to many, many local citizens. We just hope they give us a good reason why. The mayor and City Council owe us this. After all, we helped elect them. ' Jim Taylor, of Eagan, is a member of the Carriage Hills Coalition.• w pply to my "blue baby syndrome," which hin- 1 ders an infant's ability to process only to the oxygen. Long-term exposure to ala- ouseholds chlor can lead to cancer and other lls, not on serious health problems. Cyanazine, which has been illegal for use since 2002, can cause birth defects and de - ere found, velopmental problems in babies. ns can they are not avauaDie-tarrrre-puunc. You can test your well for nitrates and coliform bacteria through the coun- ty, but these tests will not tell you whether your water contains pes- ticides. Water continues: Well users should consider filtering water. S9 ► vreurnuiary urawings or a proposes Lakeville "lifestyle center" depict a pedestrian -friendly outdoor setting. Lakeville may get mall that's not a mall Lakeville soon could offer south - metro residents a taste of an up-and- coming shopping experience. Reyes - tors Realty has plans for a "lifestyle center" on about 15 acres northeast of the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Dodd Boulevard. WHAT IS A LIFESTYLE CENTER? Typically two or three blocks long and wide, a lifestyle center is a walkable, open-air marketplace, said Dave Bren- nan, a University of St. Thomas retailing professor. It has a variety of upscale chains and independent shops. Parking generally is dose to the shops but does not interfere with pedestrians. Unlike a Citizens pack community room to show support for golf .course I s: wtek By BRENDA HAUGEN Reduced property values, • loss of attractive views, forfei- ture . of a city amenity and strain on area roads and infra- structure were but a few of the concerns area residents brought _to city hall regardinga possi- ble residential development on what is now Carriage Hills Golf Course. Though people crammed: into the community = room at the Eagan Municipal Center, so many citizens showed up that • others . had to stand in_ the doorway and hall during the public informational hearing Jan. 9. At issue is a request for :the: City Council. to amend the comprehensive guide planfor the site from public facility to D-II, , 'which allows single- family and townhouse devel- opment of between 0 and 6- units-per-acre, said Peggy Reichert, director of commu- nity development. The Carriage Hills Golf Course site is located south of Yankee Doodle Road at 3535 Wescott Hills Road. With the present public facility zoning, schools, parks, churches, pri- vate golf courses and institu- tional uses would be allowed (See Course, p.11A) 3.0 V6, Auto., Air Conditioning, 7 Passenger, Rear Defrost, Dual Airbags, AM /FM Stereo M.S.R.P. $18,805 MIL Air, VS, auto., SLT trim, power (windows & locks), AM/FM stereo cassette, fog lights, color keyed grill & bumper, cast alum. wheels, 40/20/40 split bench, tilt, cruise, drivers air bag! M.S.R.P. $20,896 Disc. & Rebate . -2.001 $18,895 NO CASH DOWN 524999* 2-1 2 YEAR LEASE Course (Continued from front page) at this location, Reichert said. Changing the comprehensive guide plan is a serious issue, she said. It requires a public hearing before the Advisory Planning Commission (APC), a vote of the City Council and approval of the Metropolitan Council, she added. "This is not set in concrete," Reichert said of the proposed residential development. The APC is slated to host the formal public hearing on the issue at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the council chambers. "That's the time for you to really tell us what you think about this," Reichert said. But many folks didn't waste this opportunity to ask ques- tions and state their concerns and views concerning this 120- acre parcel. Nearly two hours were spent discussing the is- sue. According to Tom Scandke of Pulte Homes, which would like to develop the Carriage Hills property, the proposal for the site will include a combination of court homes (two-story con- dominiums), club homes (one - level townhomes) and single- family homes. Plans are for more than 500 total units, with 20 to 25 percent being single- family homes and the balance being composed of the other two types, Standke said. All units would be owner - occupied, he said. Prices for the various homes would be $75,000 and up for the court homes; $100,000 and up for the club homes and $115,000 and up for the single-family homes, Standke said. Why should the city give up a recreational asset "to build more of the same?" one resi- dent asked. Others expressed concern about the additional strain on local schools they believe this development would cause. Another citizen said residents have paid "a premium price" to live by the golf course, and if the golf course were to be- come a residential develop- ment, property values would decline. Reichert said the golf course owner never promised the land would always remain a golf course. "We rely on that zoning to our benefit," the citizen said. The speed of the process also was a big issue for many resi- dents. With the public hearing scheduled for Feb. 27, the City Council is slated to take up the issue at its March 4 meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. Ac- cording to Reichert, Pulte has an option on the property until early March. Regardless, if more study is needed on the city's part, more time could be added to the process, Reichert said. City Administrator Tom Hedges agreed, saying the city would hire consultants, at the developer's expense, to help with the studies as needed. "We'll do the best we can with the studies," he said. One resident encouraged the city to be mindful of the green space, and lack thereof, in the northern portion of the city. "If it's gone, it won't be back," he said. "Respect the green space and keep it green." Another agreed, saying the city would regret losing the golf course. "I think it's a shame to let that golf course go," he said. If the city were to stand firm with the present comprehen- sive guide plan designation, the property owner would have the right to sell the property to the city or to someone else, Reichert said. The city does have eminent domain in regard to green space, though, and if it decided to purchase the property this way, the city would have to pay market price as determined by the courts, she said. Hedges explained the city was approached by Carriage Hills last summer and the ask- ing price was $5 million. Con- sultants were hired to study the issues surrounding the possible purchase of the golf course by the city, but the property was sold before the city could complete its study, including public hearings. Hedges said the city had about three months of process left on the issue. The City Council couldn't "buy it on a whim," Hedges said. "(But) the council has never said 'no' to Carriage Hills" or any municipal golf course possibility. Hedges said the Lost Spur Country Club recently ap- proached the city as well, but the council hadn't yet been made aware of that possibility. Schools (Continued from front page) lative Committee, the committee discussed a wide range of issues, but nar- rowed the list to two. The School Board unanimously approved the list Jan. 8. The district's stance in- cludes: • Re • uireme , • receiv- District 196 was a member of Intermediate District 917 throughout 1994, but is pre- paring for withdrawal, which will be effective July 1, 1996. In choosing to with- draw from District 917, Dis- trict 196 officials cited gov- ernance and financial is- sues, believin District 196 as the Farmington and Lakeville school districts are part of this group. The other issues SEE will concentrate on include: • Improving the compre- hensive education funding formula to bring greater eq- uity to the education fund- ing system. The formula would address funding dis- parities between high- and low -property wealth dis- tricts, recognize justified variable cost differences, and provide adequate basic revenue for students throughout the state, accord- ing to SEE. • Modifying the 1993 for- mula provision subtracting $100 per pupil unit from the referenda in fiscal 1995, and subsequent years. The modi- fication recommended is making only those districts with a referendum above the per pupil referendum reve- nue cap subject to a sub- traction. • Adjusting the special education revenue base ap- proved in 1995 up, to more closely reflect actual ex- penditures. • Modifying class -size re- duction legislation to allow greater flexibility in the use of revenue set aside for this purpose, and to base class size on adult/pupil ratios. Option (Continued from front page) teacher at $15.50 to $17 an hour. District 191 would pay tuition for the actual cost of educating students placed in the proposed cooperative, he added. To be cost-effective, at least four students need to par- ticipate in this alternative pro- gram, Kaler said. Students, their parents and their teacher will sign a con- tract when the student enters the program. Included in the contract are general expecta- tions in the areas of atten- dance, behavior and how oth- ers in the program are to be treated as well as what is ex- pected when students are vol- unteering at other sites. Indi- vidual goals also will be set in academics, personal life skills, service and the parent/family component, according to Kaler. Students will be held ac- countable to the contract or they will forfeit their right to participate in the program, he added. Several incentives would be offered to students under this program. Proposed incentives include: • Service hours building to - Local groups rec Local organizations have re- cently been awarded grants from the Metropolitan Re- gional Arts Council. The Dakota Valley Arts Council (DVAC), Children's Castle Theater and Minnesota Valley Adult Education all re- ceived grant awards for the first round of 1996 Arts Activi- ties Support Grants Programs. ward school elective credit. • Service hours as part of the community service hours if students are under a court or- der. • Physical education/health fitness school credit. • Academic credit for achiev- ing academic expectations. • Points for individuals and groups working to meet prede- termined goals. Under the program, Kaler said, work would also be done to help students make the tran- sition back into their home high schools. He pointed out that this is a proposed pilot project, which could be modified as needed and replicated in other areas. The District 196 School Board is expected to take ac- tion on the proposal at its Jan. 22 meeting. Kaler said the pro- gram could be up and running by mid -February. He added that the program is designed to be an option. If it is w zn ecunon Carriage Hills to remain golf course Eagan City Council wams that time could come when course would be developed BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Even after an Aug. 2 Eagan City Council decision that effectively ends one plan for developing Car- riage Hills Golf Course, nobody believes the issue will be stuck in a sand trap forever. "We're all naive if we think we're never going to see someone else try to develop this land as something other than a golf course," Councilmember Mike Maguire said shortly before the council's Aug. 2 vote to deny a change in the city's comprehen- sive guide plan. The council voted unanimous- ly to deny the guide plan change from parks to low -density residen- tial sought by Wensmann Homes to develop the 120-acre course into a 480-unit housing project. Council members said they did not see enough of a reason to make the change and that the golf course is the best use of the land. "I certainly understand and sympathize with what the Rahn family is going through there," Mayor Pat Geagan said. "However, everything around it has been built with the golf course in mind." Councilmember Peggy Carlson said she didn't think the burden of proof for the change had been met. 1 GOLF COURSE: To Page 15A rturrtur R. n Planning Commission nob and Yankee Doodle ure a metal panel and ith a large glass wall on esembling the door to an r. he likeness of a hangar, uilding will be rounded also feature a tower re- trol tower. ith the theme, plans also gs and a windsock to be e the main entrance to Architects has done designs for banks and this is the first time it e looking like a hangar, was the main architect g, said that since the vices a lot of Northwest yees and with Eagan's he aviation industry, the al for the building. et approval for the build- rncial and Kraft first had Le concerns at the city sien," Eagan Planning mber Jenifer Matthees sue was before the com- "It's very unique. The if we are okay with it irport hangar because 0.00 END NT trucks ton arranty 1 1 1 1 1 the color of its rounded from grounl However would be a ff not be consl asphalt or sl "We don' it," Kraft sai sit back an other featur Wings Fit provide a 1 through are; landscaping through Ian city. After it w Planning C ceived una Eagan City ing. Construc ed to begin open for bu 2005. When th to the cred agreed to s is north of berland. PI tion of the clude anoth Althoug members h unique des' ing, most o interesting scape. "I think ning Comr said. `A to and it will LIFETIME WARRANTED BRAKE PADS OR SHOES $79.95 most cars. and Tight trucks up to 3/4 ton ' 7.00 r SAVE $20.00 www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun.Current/Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 15A Golf course From Page lA "I can't see the land use change," Carl- son said. "I can't see it at this time or at any time." Terry Wensmann, vice president of Eagan -based developer Wensmann Homes, said he and golf course owner, Ray Rahn, would meet and decide what the next course of action would be. He ac- knowledged that one of those potential courses could be suing the city. This isn't the first time a developer has eyed the golf course, south of Yankee Doodle Road and east of Lexington Av- enue, for a housing development. In 1996 the council denied a proposal to build a housing development on the land. At that time, a group of golf course neighbors formed the Carriage Hills Coalition to fight the development. Coalition members said they realize that this also isn't likely the next time such a proposal will come along. "We'll be ready next time," coalition co-founder Rachel Thorpe Newman said. "We're happy that it's come to this con- clusion, but we know that it doesn't mean that it's done forever. We need to find a permanent solution for this." Members of the Carriage Hills Coali- tion, as well as other neighbors of the course, also spoke during the hearing. They listed traffic concerns, the impact the development would have on local schools, environmental effects and other issues as reasons to deny the request. "Our concern goes beyond just the golf course," said Sue Rybak. "Our con- cern is the quality of life in Eagan and its surroundings." Coalition member Claudia Battaino said the council's decision didn't come as too big of a surprise given the unani- mous June 22 recommendation by the city's Advisory Planning Commission to deny the change. "We felt pretty good coming in given what the Planning Commission had done," Battaino said. "But you never know what may happen so we were happy to have it come out the way it did." Wensmann said the project came about because a representative of the Rahn family, which owns and runs the course, approached his company last fall offering to sell the land. Wensmann also noted that the plan has changed as neighbors' concerns came out since then. The original plan called for 728 units, while the final version fea- tured 480 units. "We feel we listened to neighbors' con- cerns and they were reflected in the changes we made to the plan along the way," Wensmann said. "There is a need for this type of housing in Eagan and we would be providing housing to a mix of people with this development." The concept featured two senior con- dominium buildings, and two different types of townhouses on the northern part of the property and a variety of sin- gle-family housing ranging from $300,000 up to more than $1 million in cost on the southern part. While earlier concepts also featured either a 12- to 15-acre "central park" or a nine -hole executive golf course, the newer concept includes 40 to 45 acres of open space and a park trail system. According to a Rahn family represen- tative, the golf course has lost $800,000 over the past five years. Rahn bought the course for $3.6 million in 1996 weeks after the previous housing proposal failed. Given the earlier vote by the Planning Commission, Wensmann said he wasn't that surprised by the council's decision. However, he said he's not ready to walk away from the project. "This isn't something that's easy to just turn your back on," Wensmann said. "We've put a lot of effort into this and ideally we'd like to see it get done." Page 16A-(C2) CALENDAR Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 Have an item for the Calendar? Mail it to Sun -Current Calendar, 10917 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, fax it to 952-806-0133 or e-mail it to suncurrentsouth@mnsun.com. The deadline for submissions for this page is 5 p.m. Thursday, the week prior to publication. The newspaper cannot accept items for the Calendar over the phone. Andy Blenkush/Sun Newspapers !ping others city of Eagan took part in the National Night Out food drive challenge last week. Res- s dropped donations at Civic Arena. Funds OK'd to prepare second sheet schematic The Minnesota Legislature is award- ing community grants, known as Mighty Ducks Funding, to construct ice arenas. If the city of Eagan wants to apply for one of the $250,000 grants, a schematic design and cost estimate is required as part of the application process. On June 4, the Eagan City Council authorized ACC Architects to prepare such a design and cost estimate for a second sheet of ice next to the Civic Arena. _ ,,,,.at,,,-pznune iy; ana at -10',a)m. JJiifie.26=27. Tickets are $6 at the door and $5 in advance. Tickets are available at George's Mar- ket/Spur at County Road 42 and Garden - view in Apple Valley; SuperAmerica stores at County Road 42 and Lac Lavon, Burnsville; Garrett Avenue, Apple Valley; and 16161 Cedar Ave. in Lakeville; and community education offices in Scott Highland Middle School, 14011 Pilot Knob Road,. Apple Valley; Black Hawk Middle School, 1540 Deerwood Drive,' Eagan; and Dakota Hills Middle School, 4183 Braddock Trail, Eagan. Tickets also are available by contacting cast members. _ Group reservations and discounts are available by calling 890-9178. New name approved for city's Parks Commission A name change for the Advisory Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Com- mission was approved by the Eagan City. Council June 17. The new name is the Ad- visory Parks Commission, but to avoid confusion with the Advisory Planning Commission, the council agreed to abbre- viate the parks commission as APrC. Golf tourney to raise funds for fire helmets Deadline to register is July 1. To regis- ter, make checks payable to the Eagan Fire Department and mail to Kevin Sorensen at 3795 Pilot Knob Road,. Eagan, MN 55122. ,Include the names, addresses and phone numbers of the four team members. " Information: 681-4777. T - Council doesn't object to air runway extension The Eagan City Council agreed with its Advisory Planning Commission recom- mendation that the city should not oppose the possible extension of runways at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. The council Eagan's Volunteer Fire Department is also agreed . that Northwest Airlines sponsoring a golf tournament to raise funds . • should do what it can to reduce flight vari- for the purchase of Cairns IRIS helmets. - ' ances from the Eagan/Mendota Heights The helmet is specially designed sto corridor by working through the Metro - allow firefighters to see through smoke or politan Airports Sound Abatement Coun- in the dark using infrared technology:,: • cil and -pilot training programs. Each helmet costs $25,000.Due.to:bud- ' get constraints, the Fire Department is • Hog roasts hoedown seeking donations and scheduling coin: " munity fund raisers in the hopes of pur- chasing up to five helmets. The golf tournament will be played • Friday, July 11, at River. Oaks. Golf- Course in Cottage Grove. The -tourna- ment begins at 1 p.m. and will be played as a four -person scramble. Team prizes include $300 for first place; $200, second place; and $100, third place. Prizes also will be given for the longest drives and farthest putts (for men and women). Raf- fle drawings also will be available. • Cost is $60 per,person which includes a cart, green fees, food and- beverages. Businesses and individuals are invited to tickets from the Eagan Parks and .Recre- sponsor a hole for $50: All proceeds will -ation Department, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. benefit the Cairns IRIS fund. Information: 681-4660. added to holiday list Top off the July 4 weekend with a visit to historic Holz Farm for a hog roast and hoedown from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 6. Holz Farm is' at 4665 Manor Drive, southwest of Cliff Road and Highway 3 in - Eagan. Festivities will include dancing to a coun- try fiddler, hayrides and a baseball game played by rules from the 1800s. Smoky roast pork will be served on a bun. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children age 11 or. younger. Save $1 by purchasing advance Su u. C - A L, d e., L5pq97 The School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley presented 140 diplomas formal graduation ceremonies for the "Zoo School" was speckled with variou from their home high school of either Apple Valley, Rosemount or Eagan. At ley and Steven McGreevy of Eagan welcome the overflow crowd. Other stu Koenke and Nicholas Grzechowiak of Eagan; and Lenise Butler and Nicole En ers were Scott Haisting and Todd Carlson. Guest speaker was Mark J. Plotkii FREE WITH INSTALLATION $� 00 SAVINGS BOND OF ANY RHEEM CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING PACKAGES.START AT 24,000 BTU $599 Model RAKA-024 Installation Additional $ 1 049 INSTALLED (after bond) * Offer is made by • Apple Valley • Eagan • Burnsville • Savage Plus Wiring. Model RAKA-024 • 24,000 BTU's MARKA/R AIR-CONDITIONING 890-6131 • Serving the area for over 20 ears • LICENSED •BONDED •INSURED Creatin.g_Winning Smiles. South -of the River Since 1982 Orthodontic Specialists,. P.A. All Ages Including \dulltts �4 y3 • • No'Charge For�f%tta1 Cunsultattons EveningTand3Saturday Appt Available Dr. Jeanne M. Gau, D.D.S., M:S. Member American Assn. of Orthodontists EAGAN NW Corner of Pilot Knob Rd & Diffley Rd 454-6274 . PRIOR LAKE SE Comer of . I60th St. & Hwy 13 447-6088 4A Apple Valley/Rosemount; Eagan Sun•Current/Thursday, Jan: 30, 2003 www.mnSun.com City Council.denies request to extend Parkview lighting Decision ends temporary dusk till dawn lighting at the Eagan golf course BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Parkview Golf Course won't be al- lowed to keep its lights on all night. By a unanimous vote, the Eagan City Council voted Jan. 21 tb deny an amend- ment to the site plan for the driving range. The council originally approved the site plan March 19, 2002. The golf course is southeast of the intersection of Cliff and Pilot Knob roads and abuts Lebanon Hills Regional Park. The lighting issue ,rose out of a re- quest by the golf course owners at the council's Jan. 7 listening session to allow the lights to stay on longer because of vandalism. At the regular council meeting imme- diately following the listening session, council members approved a temporary amendment that allowed one bank of lights to remain on from dusk until dawn until a public -hearing on the issue at the Jan. 21 meeting.. • Shane Korman, one of the golf course's owners; told the council that the lighting isn't the only solution to qhe problem and wouldn't be permanent. "We've had some significant damage to the golf course," Kormansaid. "We're not asking for permanent_ lighting and this certainly isn't the total solution, but the Police Department has told usit helps in these situations." The original site plan called for the lights to be turned off by 10:30 p.m. Several residents from the neighbor- hoods surrounding the golf course at: tended the meeting -to urge the council to deny the amendment. Eagan resident Jeff Bailiff, who lives on Parkridge Drive along the east side of the course., said the owners should look at other measures to discourage vandal- ism. He also suggested that they could in- stall covers over the top edge of the lights to ensure they are directed onto the range. • "I urge the owners to consider other options to address this problem," Baillif said. "I am also concerned that other commitments are not being honored." Baillif said he was concerned that trees along certain areas of the range and other requirements of the range's site plan hadn't been completed. Howev- er, Korman said the range isn't complet- ed yet and that all requirements will be honored by the time it.is finished. Korman said the range wouldn't open for business until April 1 at the earliest. According to Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen, police have been called about incidents at the course on four oc- casions between October. 2002 and Janu- ary 2003. Damage to the course during the inci- dents included the theft of 11 flags arid pins, damage to the driving range net- ting, theft of aluminum clips for the net- ting, and the carving of a penta ram and a word into the green on the 10tn hole. Al- together, the estimated damage totaled between $5,500 and $10,500, Therkelsen said. Besides the vandalism, Parkview staff reported an incident Jan. 8 in which three juvenilemales were seen running from the driving range -and leaving in a vehicle at 8:12 p.m. Police followed up on the license plate number and talked to the 17-year-old son of the vehicle's owner. The youth said he and his friends had seen the lights on the range and were curious. That incident did not lead to a criminal offense. . All the cases are considered open, but due to a lack of witnesses, suspects and evidence, they are inactive investiga: tions, Therkelsen said. Police officers have been asked to provide extra patrol around the golf course when they can, Therkelsen said. Korman said that the course's staff has caught several juveniles on the course since the council extended the limits for the lights. Those who were found on the course were told they would be prosecuted if caughtagain. The course owners are looking at coming up with a long-term plan of how to address the problem, Korman said. But since such a plan could include such things as installing cameras, motion de- tectors and other equipment, that plan likely couldn't be fully implemented until the ground thaws, he said. In a letter to the council dated Jan. 15, Korman said he expected the process to be completed and all measuresto be in- stalled by May 31,.2003. Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan said he had visited some residents who live near the course and found the lighting to be a problem. . "You can actually read a newspaper by the light," Geagan said. . "The lights are definitely hitting peo- ple's houses and it was definitely intru- sive." Councilmember Peggy Carlson apolo- gized to the course's neighbors and said the decision to allow the extended light- ing on the range had been a "knee-jerk reaction" from the council. Councilmember Mike Maguire agreed with Carlson, saying that he, along with Councilmember Meg Tilley, had voted against extending thelighting. He said that allowing the extended light- ing to continue until other measures are implemented wasn't permissible. "It's untenable to expand this solution until May," Maguire said. "The solution we have was the cheapest to the business, but it was also the most intrusive to the - neighbors." The site plan had previously been be-. fore the council for consideration of an- other amendment in September 2002, when the owners sought approval for higher poles for safety netting along the range. That time the council also denied the amendment, leaving in place a restric- tion of 75 feet for the poles. www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•CurrentlThursday, Jan. 30, 2003 3A Dakota Countygrand jury to look into 4-year-old's:.death. Joseph•I1 Woo Kim died in September, other boy in case returned to South Korea BY JOSHUA NICHOLS - Sun Newspapers Dakota County Attorney James Back- strom plans to convener asg"r` .i1d jury to gather further' evidence into the Eagan death of 4-year-old Joseph 11 Woo Kim in - September. Backstrom said that in making the de- cision, his office had received the results of the autopsy conducted by the Hen- nepin County medical examiner. Those results -conclude that Joseph died as a re- sult of severe trauma to, and swelling of, his brain. Although the medical examiner clas- sified the death a homicide, Backstrom said that does not necessarily mean that the death was the result of criminal con duct. "The death of Joseph Kim was a sig nificant tragedy and ourdeepest sympa- thy _is extended to Joseph's family and friends," Backstrom said. "We are hope- ful that the grand jury investigation will help us bring this case -to closure." The grand jury investigation cannot result in an indictment of the 13-year-old boy who was caring for Joseph Sept. 14 when the injuries most likely occurred, Backstrom said. the grand jury proceeding will be used to .assist prosecutors in reaching a final de-. . cision on how to proceed in the case, Backstrom said. The grand jury will also determine whether any other persons have criminal responsibility in connec- tion with.the case, he said. The boy who was watching Joseph re- turnedihome'to South Korea in Decem; ber'`after`Dakofa County District Court Judge Michael Sovis returned his pass- port. Backstrom said that there was no legal basis for his office to protest that decision since the boy had not been charged with a crime. "This youth had voluntarily surren- dered his passport to the court previous- ly, but later withdrew his- consent at a time when the medical examiner's au- topsy report had not yet been complet- • •ed," Backstrom said. "We had no legal basis to object to the release of this pass2 port at that time and the judge had no re- course but to grant the motion filed by the youth's attorney." The 13-year-old was living with Joseph's aunt and uncle and was watch- ing him Sept. 14 when he was fatally in- jured. Joseph ended up at the- Hennepin. County Medical Center after relatives first took him to Fairview Ridges Hospi- tal in Burnsville at 11:35 p.m. Sept. 14. - He died Sept:18 after being removed from life support. Advertising is not an EXPENSE ... ' "Your hometown newspaper. Serving 37 suburban communities." Lance Barker Account Executive Apple Valley' • Eagan Contact me to discuss your customized advertising program! (952) 392-6852 Fax: (952) 392-6802 E-mail; lbarker@mnsun coni • Experience the benefits of our full service mortgage team, u give us a call today! mMr FDIC „,41 Our Mortgage Team Brian Prestholdt John Piscitiello Eagan Apple Valley Now open! Z ✓ Eagan 3900 Sibley,Memorial. Hwy. �FE u�LEy 651-289.0100 • BAN tlt Apple Valley - now open! 14800 Galaxie Ave. 952-431-3232 Burnsville 3000 W. Co. Rd. 42 952-736-7775. Ray Lesnar Burnsville www:eaglevalleybank.com MODERN BUILDERS Proudly introduces... Jiffy Carpenter .23 Carpenters on Staff (and NO. salesmen) tikti 1 eye: N 3.9v Coalition claims �mC victory over golf course proposal Council denies request to change land use By Sue Hegarty would have been single family Staff Writer - units; 75 percent would have been townhomes for first-time home A group of Eagan residents buyers and empty nesters. But rejoiced last week after the city's first, Pulte and Smith needed the Planning Commission and City council to approve an amendment Council denied a developer's re- to the city's comprehensive land quest that could have replaced use plan, changing the course from . . Carriage Hills Golf Course with .public facility to residential uses. a 525-home development. - In the 1980s land surrounding Now the community activists, Carriage Hills Golf Course devel- • known as the non-profit Car- oped into residential neighbor- riage Hills Coalition, plan to hoods. More than 500 of those res- help Bill Smith, the course idents opposed to the amendment owner, find what they consider plan attended the March 25 meet - to be a more appropriate buyer ings of the commission and coun- for his property. cil. Residents said that if the They may not have to look amendment were approved and very far. City staff were expect- Pulte built the homes, they feared edLto-meet last Friday with Ef- a.loss in property values arid. nat fective Golf Course Systems to. uralwildlife habitats Tbey also discuss whether the city should feared increases in traffic and purchase the golf course, said school enrollments if the develop - Tom Hedges, city administrator. meat plan was approved. In 1959 at Smith's request, Development Director -Peggy the city rezoned the 120-acre Reichert. said the city already site between Lexington Avenue has its share of multiple housing and Elrene and south of Yankee stock, also referred to as,D2. •Doodle Road from agriculture to "This would exceed our goals public use. Smith opened the by 10.percent and would further- ' nine -hole course in 1965 and ex- skew the balance. It is not consis= •panded it to 18 holes two years tent with our Livable Communi- later. Today, it remains the only ties Act goals," Reichert said. • regulation 18-hole golf course in - Planning •Commission mem- the city. Two other privately hers 'agreed that there is an ad - owned courses exist in Eagan — equate amount of D2 land al- Parkview Golf Course . along ready available in Eagan with - Cliff Road and Lost Spur Coun- out changing the city's overall try Club along Highway 13. land use plan. Pulte Homes planned to build "There is available D2 inven- 525.homes on the land with an tory in our city," said Mark overall average of 4.4 homes per acre. One -quarter of the homes . GOLF: To Page 9A 1 • 1 I Models priced right University Ave. H ■ 0 1-94 St. Paul -1 block No. of 1-94! MasterCard RIGNAL MATTRESS FACTORY Apple Valley Squar 153rd 451 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul • 641-7576 7602 150th Street West, Apple Valley • 953-9399 Hours: Mon. -Fri. 10-8, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 ARRIGONI BLINJ WE MANUFACTURE, REPAIR AND INSTALL BLIP FREE INSTALLATION on orders over S500.00 SENIOR CITIZEN'S DISCOUNTS MPLS/Crystal Hwy. 100 & 36 Ave. N. 533-3767 HunterDougl WINDOW r• S • I Wood Blinds Vertical Blinds Pleated Shades Silhouette We are your source for top custom window fashions. V1 only the best in window trea See all the latest styles by visil of our 3 showrooms today. C. arrange a FREE in -home cons'. FREE SHOP -AT-HOME Burnsville 3701 W. County Rd. 42 890-3083 ere 10.64. riravertivii St. P, 6060 5i0t 777-3 INTRODU HANP-Pt ICE CRE Present ad fo ;Dish of Ic (Limit one per ad) 431-4' Golf From Page lA Miller, commission chair. "I have rio prob- lem with the project, just the placement. We have a place designed for such homes," Miller said. Tom Westbrook, manager of Carriage Hills Golf Course, said it's no longer eco- nomically feasible for Smith to own the golf course. ' "Change is tough to accept. Our lives have revolved around it for years," West- brook said. "But we're getting burned with assessments from road upgrades." Others sympathized with the owner's fi- nancial woes but said that isnot reason enough to change the designated use of the. land. Under the public facility heading;, other approved uses include schools, church • - es, campgrounds, hospitals and park land. "I think it's ironic to be asked to ap- prove this at a time when we'll be asking voters to approve (park. land) acquisi- tion," said Mayor Tom Egan. The council has convened a task force to plan an August_parks referendum. "It's very obvious to me that the landowner had a great .burden to prove hat Eagan is better off without the golf course than with one,'-" Egan said. . After the vote to deny the land use amendment, Gary Grant, vice president for Pulte construction, said he has no plans to challenge the council's decision. Pulte has built other developments in Eagan and "plans on being before the city again," Grant said. r-- £ti Theisen, Tom Ellingson, Keith Hittner, Patri- cia Jordan, Shirley Larson, Robert Miller, George Rahlf, Karen Schlaefer and Dale Weiss. These sales associates ranked in the top 5 percent of all residential sales associates in.the nation. • Jennie Light- foot of Eagan is one of six business and industry representa- tives named to the Governor's Work- force Development Council. The GWDC provides a forum to bring together all partners in workforce development issues. She is the director of administrative ser- vices for Little Six Inc: • Thomas Sweeney, local franchise owner of California Closets, won the company's "Presi- dent's Club Award" at its convention in San Fran- cisco. The award recognizes the Eagan fran- chisee for exceeding $1 million in installations during the last 12 months. Sweeney, who has op- erated his California Closets franchise at 1301 Corporate Center Drive since 1989, saw This 1995 revenue increase 15 percent over the pre- vious year. • . • Jodi Bauer has been appointed director of the Children's World center at 100 Cobblestone Lane in Burnsville. She will oversee the day-to- day management and operations of the center. Bauer has worked in early childhood education for more than 20 years, and has been with Chil- dren's World since 1985. During her tenure with Children's World, she has worked as a lead teacher, assistant director and center director. • The following sales 'associates from the Jennie Lightfoot Residents appointed to advisory posts By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Volunteer committee appoint- ments and other organizational matters for the city of Eagan were decided by the City Council Jan. 16. The Advisory Planning Com- mission (APC) reviews develop- ment plans and makes recom- mendations to the council. Carla Heyl was reappointed to a three- year term. Former County Com- missioner- Dee Richards received the other three-year seat on the APC. Don Shindle was given a one-year term and Larry Frank will fill the remaining year of the three-year term left vacant 'due to the resignation of Roy Wallace. The city's Airport Relations' Commission (ARC) reviews air- port issues and recommends pol- icy changes to the council. Steve Soderling and Jane Vanderpoel were reappointed for three years; Joseph Harrison, two- year term; and Ted Gladhill, one -year -alternate. Members of the Economic De- velopment Commission (EDC) help to promote the city's com- mercial/industrial climate, direct policy and offer recommendations to the council. Those appointed for three years were Eldon Johnson, Dave Vogt and Julie Stackhouse: Issues related to city parks and • natural resources are discussed by the Advisory Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commis- sion (APRNRC). George. Kubik and Michael Vincent were reappointed to three-year terms;. Randall. Ahern, three-year term; and Guy Kolnhofer, one-year alternate. Daryle Petersen and Tim Callister will fill two-year terms left open due to the resignations of Sherie Wallace and Thomas Walkington. Waste management issues and policies are reviewed by members of the Solid Waste Abatement Commission (SWAC). Reappointed to SWAC were Daniel Breva, John Tapper, Jim Weinzettel and Rick Patraw. Cable Communications Com- mission members oversee the joint Burnsville -Eagan cable television system. James Blair and Bob Cooper were appointed for three years; Maggie Jensen and Bill Ista for two years; Jeff May as a one-year alternate. Council members received standing committee appoint- ments as well. Mayor Tom Egan will serve on the Finance Committee, Minneso- ta Legislative Committee Board and as representative to School District 197. Shawn Hunter will serve on the Finance'.Committee • and as the School District 196 rep- resentative. Ted Wachter was ap- pointed to Public Works Commit- tee, Personnel Committee, History Committee and the Dakota Coun- ty Economic Development Part- nership. Sandra Masin will stay on the Dakota County League of Gov- ernments' and serve on the Per- sonnel Committee, Minnesota Val- , ley Transit Authority Board, and as representative to School Dis- trict 191. Pat Awada will serve on the Public Works Committee. Egan appointed Shawn Hunter to serve as acting mayor in Egan's , absence. The council also resolved to leave its regular public meet- ings on the first and third Tuesday of each month, except where a con- flict such as an election occurs. NEWS Residents sue city over development 2401 [SPORTS Eagan swimmers win fourth straight Newsstand Price EAGAVI aTIZE(alY ections January 24, 1996 District 196 parents want nei • Public hearing on school boundaries draws 400 people. District 196 residents want children to attend schools in their home communities. By Melissa Bergquist Staff Writer Students should be able to go to schools in Although the majority of the speakers said Karen they realized the need for boundary changes, dren to r they asked that students be able to go to school live, play in the city where they live. Or they should be "It doe able to choose which school they want to attend. is better Because District 196 is opening two new main in schools in Apple Valley, the district's sixth mid- Most dle school this fall and a fourth high school in moving fall 1997, attendance boundaries are changing two opti to establish udents for the new scho Carriage Hills public hearing set for Monday The public hearing to consider a requested amendment to the city of Eagan's comprehensive land use plan for the Carriage Hills Golf Course property to allow for residential development will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at St. John Neumann Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. The hearing will be held by the Advisory Planning Commission, which will make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will be in attendance at the public hearing. Immediately after the Advisory Planning Commission meeting, the City Coun- cil will convene a special meeting at the same location to con- sider official council action on the request for amendment. Questions and concerns regarding this requested amendment and the public hearing process should be directed to the Commu- nity Development Department at 681-4671. 6_,. y 3 YEARS BUY FO Full M.S.R.P. All Discounts $23,; '96 Air conditioning, automatic, rear defrost, console, floor mounted arm rest & console, dual airbags, dual mir- rors, 60/40 split folding bench, body molding and more! NO CASH DOWN NEON 4; 3 (Congratulations to coati ion Congratulations to the Carriage Hills Coalition for a job well done. Your constructive and thorough arguments aimed at pre- serving. Carriage Hills Golf Course as open space is a feather in Eagan's cap. City staff and council members, anxious to create a "sense of community" for Eagan residents, needn't,look further. / - You defined community with your unified voice. What you did to fight undesirable development went way beyond NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) into a.full-fledged citizen campaign. You gath- ered legal advice, appointed spokespersons, gathered 4,000 peti- tions and kept residents informed about the issue at hand. If you're not too weary from your recent campaign, perhaps the city could use some of your remaining energy to promote the August parks. referendum. Why stop now? Imagine what Eagan could be if others, such as yourselves, took the time to learn about their community. Imagine what Eagan could be if others took a little time to become in- volved in building the type of community you just helped define. Kudos are due city staff as well for inviting interested residents to an informational meeting when the golf course issue first arose. Finding a larger meeting site for last week's Planning Commis- sion..and City Council meeting also was very accommodating.' - It just goes to show the community what can and should hap- pen when elected officials and staff listen.to their constituents. WOMEN]. NT THRUS 1999 4 WHEEL 41999 MOST VEHICLES SpUW/4' L —J BMUS Standard front Or rota Iran $5999 • N.M.......aa.. • .. mod..,,.. • a..ack roa ..re Naar. •smrod_,.cw.' •snaaw.kw C)ADOITIONAL a fY.Max NC/01 War aMi rOxiss L �4/, Is • We Honor All Competitor's Coupons! • Additional parlsllabor/services may be needed at add l cost. ANTEES LOW Warehouse Prices—. FAST World Class Service! off blots10KE pIC 510 per OOP GMNOEE ti GUNAA FREE! FREE! FREE! FAST TIRE LIFETRIE TIRE 30 DAT RIDE MOUNTING ROTATIONS GUARANTEE ?At Ore pWtK) ft&ONr1„w.e) tUN* mil WwrdifI1 7-117. Sonars SANE As CASH!' OPEN SUNDRY 10 AM•5 PM MON.-FPI.:7 AM-9 PM SAT.: 7 AM-6 PM 'H OF THE RIVER TIRES PLUS ° STORES PLE VALLEY 891-1818 RNSVILLE/LAKEVILLE 892-7300 aAN CLIFF ROAD 452-8522 aAN TOWN CENTRE 452-4091 use Prices... Class Service! fr 'ISA http;gwww,tiresplus.com Council member corrects record on golf course To the editor: As an -elected official, I often hear negative opinions and misinformed rumors. As a rule, I do not feel it is appropriate to respond to these- comments in the paper. However, when something is published that is .patently 'false or misleading, I feel it necessaryto correct the record. A recent letter to the editor dealt with the possible sale of Carriage Hills' : Golf Course., The letter states that the city has "lost" the golf course. This is false. There may be a pro- posal • coming through to change the golf course to homes. But in order for this to be approved, the land would first have to change its Com- prehensive Guide Plan desig- nation from public. facility. Not only would this require public hearings and a 4/5 vote of the council, but the applicant would have to prove why the. current use is no longer appro- priate or in the best interest of Eagan. In other words,, chang- . ing,the .golf .course into homes is far from a "done deal." Purchase -`of the' golf course by the city was studied last summer with the help of a con- sultant (Effective Golf Course . Systems, Inc.). The asking price was $5 million with at least $585,000 needed for up- grades.;As--the council was be- ginning to discuss the merits of the proposal, the owner of the golf course called and gave the city two days in which to make our decision. Only.two days to decide whether to commit the taxpayers to $6•tnillion without so ' much • as a single -public hearing. Because the . City Council is committed to giving the ,public the opportunity to be heard before spending millions, we decided not to accept the offer.. In the letter to the editor, it was stated, "It could have •-been.operated at a profit to the city within a short time and projections for the future were astonishing." This is also false. The consultant's report stated, "... The analysis indicated to us that the owner's offering pur- -chase prices leaves the. city .of Eagan. with little or no `wiggle room' and -means that the facil- ity will carry a negative value for most of its 20-year financed life cycle." Regardless of the ownership of the golf course, the land use is governed by its zoning and land use designation. Zoning and land use designation can be changed only after public hearings andjustifiablereasons have been articulated..The city investigated buying • the golf course and spent as much time as possible debating the issue before' the . owner -imposed deadline. However, at the high asking price, the city would certainly lose money for many years to come. I want to thank all of the people who have been calling me, offering opinions on this subject.. I want to be respon- sive, and I am trying to look out • for your:interests. When and if an application for rezon- ing is received, look forposted notice signs and scheduled public hearings..I look forward to . receiving your continued input at.681-4371. SHAWN HUNTER -Eagan City Council member s (iALOKLF 4X4 XLT 4.0 V6 Engine Auto Overdrive heel Anti -Lock Brakes it Conditioning ower Windows & Locks • Speed Control • Tilt Wheel • Deep Dish Alum. Wheels [UCH MORE! iLE FROM ,988 AT THIS PRICE w160098 TRUCKLOADS COMING DAILY `96 F-150 4X4 LIST VALUE $19,489 • 4.9 EPI 1.6 Engine • All Season Radials • AM/FM Cassette • Cloth Bench Seat • Argent Styled Wheels • Engine Block Heater Rear Anti -Lock Brakes • Elec. Auto Overdrive • Chrome Bumpers ON SALE FROM 16695 1 ONLY AT THIS PRICE #160o14 LIPSE PRIME EXAMPLES OF AVAILABLE SAVINGS PACKAGE ORIGwu. SALE PRICE NOW $1000 DOWN' Moo Dome SO1 Mo SOA ron S9nO SAr7 Finishing touch 4t 7 a'' Council quietly denies vt1-14-7- Carriage Hills amendment By BRENDA HAUGEN With all the attention that's been paid to the Carriage Hills proposal, the official denial of the comprehensive guide plan change, which was placed on the Eagan City Council's April 2 consent agenda, was anti- climactic. No special attention was brought to the. • item and' few appeared to be in attendance in regard to the issue as the council;:. quietly denied ..the amendment. The action brought to a- close -the fears folks had about possi= ble residential' development on the 120-acre parcel: Under consideration had been a proposal by Pulte Homes for- a comprehensive guide plan amendment that would change - Carriage Hills Golf Course's public facility " designation -to D II, mixed residential, which would allow up ,to six units per . acre. If the- amendment "had passed, Pulte Homes planned to develop 525 housing units at • the site. The proposed amendment drew overwhelming opposition, which included' hundreds of letters and phone calls to city officials, a petition signed by more • than '4,000 people and attendance at preliminary meetings- to discuss `the issue that filled rooms •at City Ha11. Because of citizens' interest, a special jointmeeting of the Advisory Planning Commission • (APC) and City Council was held March 25 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. It was after the public hearing there that the APC unani- mously recommended the amendment be denied, and the (See Amendment, p.8A) 432-7777 -14810 Granada Ave. W. • LOCATED s Across From GREENSTREETS and A.V. POST OFFICE,- on 147th Iran. Any type or racier memo- rabilia that's out there, he's got ii- (yes, that includes a cheese hat and even'a cheese tie). And if he doesn't have it, his roommate does. During the height of football season you can most likely find my boyfriend contemplat- ing trades and bartering over the phone with others in his fantasy football league. I still find it amusing that Mike whips out the sports sec- tion the minute he spots a newspaper. While I catch up on what is happening locally 'and around the world, Mike is busy reading about who's been traded, who's been drafted and what the upcoming football season has in store. And just when I think he's • satisfied his appetite, I hear the tube blaring ESPN or MSC. Obviously there's more sports to be had. I don't think I'll ever fully - understand just how important sports are to some men. Maybe "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" holds the same tantalizing power as, let's say, shopping does for women. There are records to be bro- ken and records to be set. Re- • membering who set what and when turns every sports fan into a Cliff Clavin. Maybe dis- cussing stats is the male ver- sion of gossiping. Now don't get me wrong. I Jove sports myself. I would rather go to a football, baseball or hockey game than to a movie. I love the thrill of com- petition, admirethe dedication And ao with the Vikings, it was excit ing to watch the Packers fight their way toward",the Super - bowl this past season. They came far, but not far enough. - Reflecting, it appears that most sports fans carry about as much pride for their favorite teams as a solider does for his - • or her country. And when that team loses, it's as if a war has been lost - at least until the next game or the next season. Athletics weaves a common •thread among people. No mat- ter what the sport, it's the pur- suit of achieving the ultimate goal — whether it be a Super - bowl title, the World Series, the Stanley Cup, or a state . championship — that binds people together. Sports can easily be. com- pared to life. Everyone has ex- perienced both an upset and a • victory. -And some years, like sport seasons, are better than others. Sports and life share the desire to persevere, to im- prove, and to learn from past mistakes. For some, sports can be con- sidered an outlet for living dreams that were momentary or never realized. It's a game against the odds. It.'s putting your best foot forward and playing to your potential. I have great respect for ath- letics. In many ways it mirrors • life. It's fun to play, it's fun to discuss, and it's fun to watch. And because of all that, I can see why Mike grabs the sports section first and, most impor- tantly, I know•when not to calla titit Nw.mnSun.com LETTERS rom Previous Page low process on- • arriage- Hills To the editor: On behalf of the citizens of Eagan, the Carriage Hills Coalition and the ;Eagan Open Space Commissionwe would like to request that the Planning - Commission delay review of the Wens- mann proposal until February. Given the Christmas and New Years holidays, _Dec. 27 is a terrible• day for the citizens to attend -the hearing (the day be- fore the city is closed for Christmas, -for. example). Many people will be out of town or busy preparing/celebrating. • Furthermore, since the plan was just made available the public needs more time to review it. The current timetable (especially given the holiday season). is not reasonable. Conversely since there is obviously huge public interest we be-_ lieve that our request is reasonable. - Secondly, while: the city does not, re- quire an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) until an actualzoning.• change is requested,, it does not mean it _ cannot request one prior to the Planning Commission hearing and. review. .I; can- not. -find a statute-, or ordinance that would :preclude this: `.Therefore, _we; would like the city to request one. We would also like the Parks and Recreation Commission to review the proposal before the Planning Commis- sion does. Since it has a golf course/or- park element we feel they must be/ in- volved. - Lastly, we would like the city trans- portation director to study the impact of the additional traffic. We are quite con- cerned about this impact. Again, we re - • quest that this information be obtained and sufficient time given for the public: to review and comment on if before the • Planning Commission meets. . Without sufficient public review, '-suf- ficient public comment, an, EAW, Parks and Recreation Commission input, 'and Transportation Department input prior to any Planning Commission review we might conclude that the entire political process has been bypassed 'and that two, standards of law exist: one for Mr. Rahn/Mr. Wensmann and one- for the rest of Eagan. We are taking the city at its word that the Wensmann proposal will -go through • "the normal process." You are our fidu diaries:' We haveto trust you..I can assure you that any appearance of; -"rushing". this issue through• -or trying to convolute it_ amidst the chaos of,'Ithe holidays will _': . !be looked upon by the quite un ' kindly. It would be a•shame for the polit- :,ical,proces"s and public trust to-be.a ca- sualty of the Wensmann suit not -to inen- -tion a badlegacyfor the council. - . Jim Taylor Carriage 'hills -Coalition member Eagan www.mnSun.com Christmas! �E - December 24th Mass with Youth Choir ;asonal Carols' t Mass of Christmas - December 25th of Christmas Day. of Christmas Day VE - 5:00 pm Mass ,Y - 9 & 11 am Mass COMMUNITY OF homas Becket Trail • Eagan, MN fley on Hwy. 3) i st.thomasbecket.org 1PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF°THE APOSTLES Spiritual Depth, Intellectual Integrity 701 East 130th Si • Burnsville, MN 55337 952-890-7877 Please Join- Us This Christmas! Christmas Eve Family Service —.4:00 porn:* Candlelight & Communion Service 10:00p.m. Christmas Day Worship. Service - 9:30 a.m. Lessons and Carols •1 Carriage Hills settlement reached Eagan -Planning Commission, City Council to hear revised proposal in December, January - BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Although Eagan accepted a settlement Nov 29 giving a development proposal for Carriage Hills a second chance, things are anything -but settled for neighbors of the golf course: . "This isn't over -yet," Carriage. Hills: Coali- tion member Jim -Taylor said after=the deci- sion. "I haven't heard anybody singing. yet." - The Eagan City Council unanimously agreed to a settlement that basically pauses the process in the suit filed against the city by golf course owner Rahn Family LP and Eagan developer Wensmann Realty. By the terms of the settlement, the city will consider a new proposal seeking 480 units of housing, the same amount in the previously denied plan, along with an executive nine -hole golf course open to the public. That housing will include .a mix of • single- family homes, various kinds of townhouses, senior housing andfour condominium build- ings on the 120-acre parcel along the south side of Yankee Doodle Road east .of Lexington Av-. enue. The proposal. would require a comprehen- sive guide. plan change to "special area plan" and will be presented to the city's Advisory Planning Commission at its Tuesday, Dec. 27, meeting and -then go before the council in Jan- uary 2006: • The "special area plan" designation allows the city to put into place goals and policies for developments. AGREEMENT: To Page 21A SoiV0 ROE FISH & CHIPSI BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ORIGINAL 'ass 3 CHIPS BEVERAGE PURCHASE IIIONE UPON PER T88LE SENIORS DOI 20Oa ALL TABLES OF 4 OR MORE SENIORS MINIMUM. AGE REQUIREMENT ' SO YEARS OLG NOT 4000 Armor GT 40 WETS KIDS EAT REE1 FREE MEAL PER PATINE ADULT_ GOOD WITH ANT OTHER OFFERS. 'Register to Witt t+ T imberwol+es Tip -Ws! @coin@ To 3o ORDER OVER S2E HOME All www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•CurrentfThursday, Dec. 8; 2005 .21A - Agreement - From Page lA - If the' commission and the council both sign off on the proposal, the suit would be dropped, said George Hoff, an attorney representing Eagan. However, if the proposal should fail, the suit would continue in its current appeal process. "There is nothing in the agreement - - that shortchanges the regular process," Hoff said. "The city is not bound to ap- prove the plan in the settlement, but just agrees to consider -it." . An overflow crowd of more than 70 residents showed up for the special meet- ing, many of them neighbors of the course and members of the Carriage _ Hills Coalition. • During the public input portion of the meeting, coalition spokesperson Bob ' Acton reminded the council that devel- opments for the course have been turned down twice and that approving the set- tlement sends. the message that develop- . ers can "outlawyer the city" to get their _way. Acton called on the words of Abra- ham Lincoln, who in the Gettysburg Ad- _ dress said that- the American govern- ment is a "government of the people, by the people, for the people." "This is not a government of . the de- velopers, by the developers and for the developers, it's for the community," Acton said. Rahn and Wensmann sued the city in October 2004 after the council's August 2004 decision not to change the compre- hensive guide plan for the 120-acre course. The golf course is designated as park -or recreation in the city's comp plan and is also zoned as park. Wensmann had asked for a change to allow for low -den- sity residential housing. Dakota County -District Court Judge Patrice Sutherland ruled against the city in April and ordered the city to either amend its comprehensive plan or begin eminent domain proceedings to buy the 18-hole course. The city is currently appealing that decision to the Minnesota Court of Ap- peals. The Metropolitan Council and the League of Minnesota Cities have backed the city's appeal, as has a national pub- lic -interest law firm. If the city's appeal were to continue, it wouldn't likely be heard until April 2006• at the earliest, Hoff said._ One benefit of the settlement for the city is taking con- trol of the process out of the hands of the courts, he said. • Eagan City Council members were cautious as they discussed the issue dur- ing the meeting because of legal restric- tions put in place by the suit. Coun- cilmember Mike Maguire said while he was disappointed to settle the case, .he was more worried about what would happen should the city lose its appeal. If the appeal were to be upheld at the Court of - Appeals, it would make. the Dakota County District Court's decision against the city a binding precedent on all district courts throughout the state, Hoff said. - "We've been dealt a bad hand with that court decision," Maguire said. "I look at this as we need to protect the city's comprehensive guide plan. We lose control over the process if that prece- dent is set." • Mayor Pat Geagan said the city was' first approached this pastsummer about a potential settlement and that he and Councilmember Peggy Carlson met with attorneys from both sides to discuss the issue. The issue -was taken up by the whole council in a closed executive ses- sion during the summer and then again when a concrete settlement offer was made last month. While residents have expressed dis- may that much of the discussions about the settlement have occurred in closed sessions, Geagan said• because of the legal restrictions, that was the only course the city had. "We know that many of you feel be- trayed by the council and from not know- - ing about the process," Geagan said. "We. can certainly understand that feeling and it has been frustrating for the coun- cil as well." Despite those words, Taylor said the Carriage Hills Coalition would be look- ing into whether the city violated any laws in the way it put together the settle- ment. He said that while the settlement might also eliminate•one lawsuit against the city, he would expect it to lead to sev- eral more from residents. - "Instead of having to worry about one lawsuit from one developer, the city will have to deal with many upset residents now," Taylor said. "I feel that myproper- ty value decreased just from the settle- ment being discussed, let alone passed. ' There was a lack of intestinal fortitude on the part of the council tonight to stand up for the people of Eagan." Other neighbors pointed to the under- lying guiding of the land for park space, noting that they checked that when de- ciding to build or move into the neigh- borhood. • - - • Paul Larson said he was disappointed. that the city would start .the appeal process and then give:up before it's done. "I'm most disappointed that an appeal was made to the judges, the -tax dollars: were spent on that effort and now we're just going to give up and not move for- ward with it," Larson said. Neighbors of the golf course, which has been closed since last spring, put to- gether a group of investors who are in- terested in buying the course to serve as a golf -learning and entertainment cen- ter. However, with the suit against the city in limbo and the new proposal forth- coming, that will be mothballed for now, Taylor said. - Eagan has explored the possibility of obtaining a municipal golf course sever- al times since the mid-1990s, Geagan' said. That includes several opportuni ties to buy existing courses as well as land that could be developed into cours- es. However, in each of those instances, the city decided against doing so. . This is not the first time Carriage Hills has been targeted for development. In 1996, Pulte Homes sought to buy the course and develop it for housing, but the council similarly shot down that request and the course was instead sold to Rahn for $3.6 million. 22A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005 _ www.mnSun.com COMMUNITY LINE Navy Seaman Recruit Michael LeBeis, son of Julie and Douglas LeBeis of Eagan, recently completed United States Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. The following students completed de- gree requirements at the University of Wisconsin -La Crosse in August: Stacy Gabriel, Eagan -bachelor of arts degree in High, is in the Repertory Orchestra; Jason Houser, son of Chris and Diane Houser, a trumpet player and ninth -grad- er at Eastview High, is in the Philhar- monic Orchestra; Benita Jin, daughter of Insik and 'Jungmi Jin, a flutist and 1 ninth -grader at Eagan High, is in the Philharmonic Orchestra; Emily Nyeggen,, daughter of Larry and Angie Nyeggen, d flutist and 11th-grader at Eagan High, is in the Repertory Orches- tra; Melissa Nesler, daughter of Jeffrey and Kathy Nesler, a hornist and 12th_ grader at Eagan High, is in the Sympho.- ny Orchestra; Christopher Williams, son of -Marc and Yvonne Williams, a trombonist and ninth -grader at Eagan High, is in the Philharmonic Orchestra; Meggie Ranheim, daughter of John and Annette Ranheim, a clarinetist and 11th-grader at Eagan High, is in the Repertory Orchestra; Allison Goth- mann, daughter of Tom and Beth Goth- mann, an oboist and 10th-grader at. Eagan High is in,the Philhonic pr=`` cliestra;; Jennifer Staarm null, daughter of I Gail arid Donna Stanull an• oboist:and 11th-grader at Eagan' High',"is'in the Repertory Orchestra; Michael Ablan, son of Paul and Anne Ablan, a violinist and ninth -grader at Eagan High is in the Philharmonic Orchestra; and Julian Romero, son of Fabian and Debbie Romero, a violinist and eighth -grader at Dakota. Hills Middle School, is in the Philharmonic Orchestra. Marine' Corps Pfc. Daniel Schiller, a 1998 graduate of- Eagan High School, re- cently completed the Basic Metal Work- er Course with Marine Corps Detach- ment, United, State Army Ordnance Cen- ter and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. - r Dakota Hills Middle School eighth - grader Stephanie Adams, 13, of Eagan was recently recognized for her poem ti- tled "Lavishing Rose" at the annual con- vention of the Famous Poets Society in Reno, Nev The prize earned her $500, a medallion and a commemorative statue of -William Shakespeare. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Women of Note to- -- present concert The Eagan Women of Note will pre- sent "Home for Christmas - A Collection • of Favorite Songs of the Season" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The concert is at Peace Church in Eagan. Admission is free. Information: EaganWomenof- • Note@juno.com or- 651-454-7798 or 651- 68370742.. IORS.�...,. x:z::-;ate: a2..,ti.a 4.--;x 1,1.:a-. spa-E _. �..,_.aszu.i _-a.�:�.� v�,:e3�_ 2-6888 COMPUTER COACH AVAILABLE Feeling helpless in the computer maze? PC instruction in _your own home or work. Call I1E EOURTH'•R; 952-8984588Q. • Thursday, Dec. 8 - Bridge, 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 - Bingo, 1 p.m. _ Tuesday, Dec. 13 - Euchre and 500, 1 - Wednesday, Dec., 14 - Lone Oak Rockers, 9'a.m. - noon. - The Eagan Parks and Recreation De- partment supports senior activities. Un- less otherwise noted, all activities are in the Lone Oak Room of the Eagan Com- munity Center, 1501 Central Parkway. For- directions, questions, or further de - Thursday, Dec. 15 - Bridge, 1 p.m. - tails, call 651-675-5500. ' Carriage Hills Coalition plans informational/planning. meeting The Carriage Hills Coalition is hosting an informa- tional/planning meeting from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 13-at the St. John Neumann Church community room, 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. Current members and con- cerned citizens are invited to attend. Topics will include: • How to keep Carriage Hills Golf Course an open space. • The requested amendment of the comprehensive guide plan by Pulte Corp. from public facility to D-II residential. • The impact of proposed residential development on open space, recreation, schools, infrastructure, taxes, property value and quality of life in Eagan. • The upcoming Advisory Planning Commission and City Council meetings. For more information, call_ 454-4424 or 770-8626. 'NESSSNI �7'hiswe�elc Because the news never stops 1t, 1 •'/) v /24t1j www.thisweek-online.com City announces property tax increase Eagan taxes remain below 18-city average by Erin Johnson 7NISWEEK NEWSPAPERS For the third year in a row, Eagan will increase property taxes to make up for lost state aid. The city held its Truth in Taxation hearing Monday night, during which it announced plans to increase its budget by 4.6 percent and raise property taxes collected by 4.65 percent. Because the city's proposed tax increase is less than the sate of inflation in Minnesota (5.08 percent), a hearing was not re- quired. The city chose to hold one anyway, said City Adminis- trator Tom Hedges. "We are extremely proud of the fiscally responsible budget that has been prepared, and it is important that there be com- plete trust and transparency in how the city intends to use the • public's tax dollars," he said. Only a few of residents at- tended the hearing, and none spoke. The city said its budget increase is due mainly to in- creased costs for existing em- ployees' health inst* ce, pen- sion plans, and contractual labor agreements. Three positions were elimi- 2006 City Taxes for $263,458 (Eagan avg) homestead Eagan 18-City Avg _ Plymouth - Mendota Ht Minnetonka _ Eden Prairie _ Coon Rapids Woodbury Maple Grove _ Lakeville Bloomington _ S. St. Paul Burnsville _ Inver Gr Hts _ Apple Valley _ Brooklyn Pk W. St. Paul _ Rosemount Hastings 4 r 0 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 sanrdaed graphs Eagan's property taxes remain lower than average compared to 18 metro -area cities. Only Plymouth and Mendota Heights have lower property taxes, which the city attributes to a higher per -capita commercial property tax base. nated in the areas of parks planning, public works and recreation administration, and four new positions were added, including a full-time fire chief, resulting in a net increase of one employee. The city's portion of proper- ty taxes, which accounts for 29 percent of an Eagan resident's overall property tax bill, is still See Taxes, 5A 2A December 10, 2005 THISWEEK c legIlk "001 i., Alkukief a' I 0 2 Years weft% et Oloseer TD) 5 YR./60,000 FULL MECHANICAL WARRANTY ROW 2 YR./24,000 SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE a '10 si1 0 GRANDtARvAVAN 3.8L, PW, PL, PS, Power Doors, CD, Quad Seats, Rear Heat & Air STOW GO LEASE FOR: $189 Montj ZERO DOWN AVAILABLE $2500 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $189 $1100 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $239 ZERO DOWN, 1st PYMT + LIC. ONLY= $269 r MSRP $27,830 Discount -$2,550 Rebate -$2,500 CFC Bonus-$1.500 excEl Business Owner -5300 ,290 (jiAKOTA QUAD Air, Auto, CO Player, Power (Seat, Windows, Locks, Mirrors), Sport Appearance, Fog Lamps #77111 LEASE FOR: $195 0 SAW $2500 + 1st PYMT. + UC. = $195 $1000 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. _ $239 ZERO DOWN, 1st PYMT. + UC. ONLY= $265 MSRP Discount Rebate 05ICARAVAN ISXXTr Air, Auto, Quad Seats, Cast Wheels, CD Player, Power (Windows, Lockjs, Mirrors), Sunscreen #74930 LEASE FOR: $209 Sikenw von �,� t� r17 MSRP $22,940 Discount-$2,550 ZERO DOWN AVAILABLE Rebate-$3,000 $2500 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $209 CFC Bonus 41 000 $1000 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $249 ZERO DOWN,1st PYMT. + LIC. ONLY= $275 Business Owner 4300 390 41it (tO5 RAMKQUA»4x4 CFC Bonus $30,395 -$3,000 -$4,000 -$1,000 2,395 Business Owner -5300 SLT Hemi Package, Auto, Air, CD Player, PW, PL, Cruise, Tilt #78339 01111 LEASE FOR: 229 1+�W sb 1Ae9a— MSRP $33,965 Discount -$4,200 -LE Rebate -$5,000 12500 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $229 CFC Bonus -$1,000 $1000 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $269 ZERO DOWN, 1st PYMT. + UC. ONLY= $299 Business Owner -5300 76•5 06CA�RAVA1 Air, Auto, AM/FM CD & Cassette 7-Passenger, OCS Air Bags $84055 LEASE FOR: $139 Mo $2500 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $139 $1000 + 1st PYMT. + LIC. = $199 ZERO DOWN,1st PYMT. + LIC. ONLY (05JDURANGI Rear Heat & Air, 7-Pass., Power (S Windows, Locks), Overhead Cons': Running Boards, CD Player #79101 :4 LEASE FOR: *209 oft mom AVAR,ABLE SIM+ 1st PYMT. + LIC, = $209 $1000+ 1stPYNR.+LIC. =$249 ZERO DOWN, 1st PYMT. +LIG ONLY=1 City settles golf, course lawsuit Protest group angered that Carriage Hills: could become housing development - by Erin Johnson the golf course expressed anger sion because, as Mayor Pat Gea- our hands as a council are even TMSWEEK NEWSPAPERS and betrayal at the -city's deci- gan said at the time, the city's more tied because that's bind - The, city of Eagan agreed to sion to settle. comprehensive guide plan is_ing .precedent," he said. "That a lawsuit settlement with- golf "They-basieally.lost tonight. "worth fighting for."• is .a risk that I'm not willing to _ course owner Ray Rahn and de- By giving in, they lost," said The land is currently guided take." • . 'veloper Wensmann -Homes that Jim Taylor, . a member of the for public and quasi -public fa- George Hoff,the city's at - could result in housing on Car- Carriage Hills Coalition; a local cilities.. . - - torney, said that losing the ap- riage Hills Golf Course. activist group. But council members ex- peal -could have other negative The 'Eagan - City_ Council Rahn and 'Wensmann sued pressed concern that if the cityconsequences for the city: it unanimously approved the set- the city after it denied a land use were to lose the appeal, it could would allow a third -party judge • tlement agreement at its Nov. 29 change to allow housinglon the set a dangerous precedent with to make land use decisions, and . meeting. - golf course, which Rahn said, is city and state-wide repercus- the city would have to pay dam-" - - While a housing plan hasn't no longer financially feasible. A sions. ages. been approved yet ; Wens- judge ruled against the city, or- "If we don't prevail, if other . But members of the Carriage mann still has to submit a new dering it to either purchase the _golf courses in this community Hills Coalition, who have been proposal to be voted on by the - land or allow development. or, others find themselves in the fighting development on the City. Council — supporters of The city appealed the deci- same situation as Carriage Hills, See Settled, 7A TOWS Warn% Or Wale NO 5 YR./60,000 FULL MECHANICAL WARRANTY RE OS 2 YR./24,000 SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE 10 $71( 3.81, PW, PL, PS, Power Doors, CD, Quad Seats, Rear Heat & Air STOW N 00 LEASE FOR: MI MSRP $27,830 n «n CARAVAN Mr, Auto, Quad Seats, Cast Wheels, CD Player, Power (Windows, Lock Mirrors), Sunscreen #74930 $209 MSRP $22,940 a6 CAR~A AV N Air, Auto, AM/FM CD & Cassette, 7-Passenger, OCS Air Bags #84055 LEASE FOR: 139 ()I Month., Settled/from 1A- golf course •for the past decade, believe the risk of an appeal was worth taking. They worry more about the precedent the -council. is setting by agreeing to settle.- "They proved that all you have to do is scare the city. You just have to out -lawyer them," Taylor said. "I think the will' of the citizens of Eagan, which was so clearly demonstrated, was completely disregarded." Jill Nichols, who lives near Carriage Hills, said she and her husband specifically looked into the land use designation of the golf course before moving to the neighborhood. "We relied on zoning when we built our house," she said. Taylor said' he expects mem- bers of his group will file law- suits against,the city in response to the settlement. Hoff said the settlement does. not indicate approval of any - project; it simply outlines a pro- cess. The council can still deny .the proposal, in which -case the lawsuit would continue on to the court of appeals. • . Wensmann's new proposal. still has 480 units of mixed -type housing on the 120-acre prop- erty, but it now has 30 acres set aside for a 9-hole, public golf' course. • The proposal is scheduled to go before the Planning Com- mission Dec. 27. Erin Johnson is at eagan, thisweek @ ecm-inc. corn. Photo by JefJAchen Glacier Hills Elementary School fifth -grader Cato Valandra directs puppeteers for his digital story about an old man who turns into a raven and learns about respect for life, no matter the form. the class]. They understand that these stories might not be from their own tribe, but it reminds them of something their grand- mother's may have told them," grandparents are a plane ride away from their children and grandchildren. Digital storytell- ing, she says, is one way the _kids can share in the storytelling 1 Neighbors decry plan to build on golf course • Residents near Eagan's . Carriage Hills golf course are dismayed that the city could approve residential development there after all. By SHIRA KANTOR skantor@startribune.com Residents living near Eagan's Car- riage Hills Golf Club say the city's de- cision to enter into an agreement that could end its legal battle with the course owner and developer is the beginning of the end of green space in their neighborhood. Several people protested the de- cision to the City Council before the unanimous vote was taken in a special meeting Nov 29. Under the agreement, the coun- cil will consider a "special area plan" proposed by developer Terry Wens- mann for the 120-acre golf course, lo- cated south of Yankee Doodle Road and east of Lexington Avenue. • The new proposal is not much dif- ferent from the residential develop- ment proposal that Wensmann.sub- mitted in 2004. Eagan denied the 2004 proposal, leading Wensmann and golf course owner Ray Rahn to file suit. A Dako- ta County judge sided with Rahn and Wensmann, who argued; that the city was: effectively costing them money by not approving a zoning change. The judge ordered Eagan to re- zone the land or begin the process of acquiring the property through emi- nent domain and compensating Rahn for his land. • N N Green continues: Plan would include 480 housing units. S15 ► Star Tribune South aske readers for their thoughts on the proposal under consideration in the Burnsville -Eagan -Savage school district for a ninth grade center (`A school for ninth -grad- ers only?" Star Tribune South, Nov. 23). Here are some re- sponses: Focus on the kids As a parent in School Dis- trict 191 and former career ed- ucator (20 years), I have a tale of two students. Our daughter has always been a strong ac- ademic student so school ef- forts have come easily for her as she successfully progressed through elementary and junior high school Now, as a 16-year- old sophomore at Burnsville High School and experiencing all the challenges of that high school transition, she is fmding herself dreading school each day and struggling to get the grades she grew accustomed to earning. Part of that is a nat- ural transition, but her sudden loss of identity and frustration with being swallowed up in such an engorged student pop- ulation has raised concerns for us. She does not feel there is an adequate support network that encourages success. My ll-year-old, sixth -grade son has never found his school studies to be a driving motivator but with careful partnering with his classroom educators, he has managed to keep focused. For him, we see larger school size and teeming classrooms of the junior high and high school as looming dark clouds for his success — the perfect storm of learner challenges for students at risk. I found your article tell- ing — or the perspectives that were printed — as none of them focused on what is best for the student but rather on what af- fected these parents, or their A nc siti wallets. The topics of concern were transportation, neighbor- I really hoods (city location), six- vs. a "freshma seven -period days and school Chaska, an( transitions. All of those sec- Freshman ondary issues are relevant to a very well fi district budget but not focused year can be on what is best for the stu- under the 1 dent. This leaves me wonder- freshman Ninth -grad Nibbe-Hay a facility so whether th It faile This is that." Sch putting all graders int It was a di was in that dents were Every day tales of figh apparently ing order." among the peated in si they went t again in 101 high. The te; trators wen the school have a lon they appare child in St. all 12 grade students. SI ter social an in the Burns which has lems since I EAGAN pPe 3D City settles golf course dispute Neighbors frustrated 120-acre Carriage Hills parcel is likely to become residences BY MEGG EN LINDSAY settle the lawsuit. "We're concerned that this sends a message that you can out -lawyer the city," said Bob Acton, a member of the neigh- borhood's Carriage Hills Coali- tion. "Once this land is devel- oped, it can never be brought back." The council was set to vote two weeks ago on the lawsuit's settlement, but pulled the item 'Pioneer Press Under a. settlement the Eagan City Council approved to end a developer's . lawsuit, much of the Carriage Hills golf course is • likely to be devel- oped into a residential subdivi- sion. Before an overflow crowd of dejected residents Tuesday, council members voted unani- • mously to approve the com- promise with course owner Ray Rahn and the developer to which he's selling the 120-acre course, Eagan -based Wens- mann Realty Inc. The council's action effectively ends its legal battle over one of the last remaining private open spaces in the otherwise built-up sub- urb. The decision came as a deep disappointment to many residents who had signed peti- tions and rallied against the course's development for years. They wanted the coun- cil to continue with its lawsuit appeal and had formed an investment group to try to buy the land outright. With sleeping. babies and playing children in tow, nearly 90 golf course neighbors and preservationists braved snowy roads ,Tuesday night to plead with the council .to `fight the course development — or, at least, to explain its decision to GOLF COURSE DISPUTE,•2B unique eso(fug ue iea(Lin fly .1111 IJK1l„1 .. editions be celebrated lay, Sunday and .Dec.10-11 )uc Historic Estate, 1629 I tour the 1860s Gothic s been decorated for the it food and local Civil War dults, $4 for seniors, $3 for and younger. In addition, unday .and Dec. 11 by the ill feature a historic menu salmagundi and Mary,' ding or ice cream sundaes. from Charles Dickens' y music. Reservations are an 11 a.m. ,or 12:30 p.m. I is $25 for adults, $15 for -collectibles, jewelry, crafts and needlework, gift items, bakery and more from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at 19th and Bromley avenues. For more information, call 651-451-1863. WEST ST. PAUL Book fair: St. Michael's Church and School is holding a book fair from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-9, from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 in the school library at 335 Hurley +Ave. E. For questions, call 651-457-2510 or visit www:stmichaelweststpaul.org. EVENTS ELSEWHERE. BY FREDERICK MELO Pioneer Press A legal battle in Cannon Falls over feedlots, building permits and the state open - meeting law could soon head • back to court. Three former township supervisors are chal- lenging a recent court decision that banned them from office and saddled them with $26,000 in penalties. In October, . a Goodhue • County District Court judge found board members Gary Hovel, Keith P. Mahoney and Lawrence D. Johnson guilty of eight violations of the open - meeting law. The decision unseated Hovel and Mahoney, while Johnson, who had already left office, was barred ship may not chip in funds, an he also denied the defendant motion for a new trial. Paul Reuvers, an attornE for the three former official filed a challenge with the star Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The case revolved arour using setback requirements - with 'some landowners regi tering even the smallest feedlots — as a way to keE neighbors from building ne homes. Banks' attempts to build second- house on his proper were complicated by the cou ty's half -mile setback requir ments after Hovel registered feedlot on nearby land. After a series of speci meetings, the township boa rescinded Bank's buildin: E on ti and vnnnch r 1'nr CONTINUED'FROM PAGElIB Golf course dispute • (continued) from its agenda in the face of resident outrage. • Wensmann plans to build 480 housing units — condo- miniums, town homes and sin- gle-family houses — while pre- serving 30 acres as an 'executive nine -hole public course on the property, located off Yankee- Doodle' Road on Wescott Woodlands Drive! The settlement' is contin- gent on the developer submit- ting a proposal to the city to amend its comprehensive plan to have the land redesignated as a "special area plan." If that application goes through, the lawsuit will be dropped. Eagan had fought the devel- opment since August 2004, when the City Council denied Wensmann's plan to rezone the 40=year-old public course. The city's comprehensive plan — essentially, its blueprint for development — long has called for the property to be zoned only for parks and recreation. After the City Council and planning commission rejected the initial Carriage Hills devel- opment plans in 2004, Rahn Family LP and Wensmann sued • the council in district court to try to -force Eagan to allow a zoning change that would- permit housing. Rahn ' But Council. Member Mike closed the course. in the spring Maguire said he was worried and said he wanted to sell the that if the council went forward golf course, which he bought in with its appeal and lost, it 1996, because it was •losing • would set a binding` precedent ' hundreds 'of thousands of dol- throughout the state for a loss lars annually. of , local planning control. He Eagan'officials have said the also said the course purchase city could not afford to buy the price was such that if the city course — and . did not want to tried to ' buy it, there'd be• no ' raise property taxes to do so. money left to protect other Neighborhood investors never parcels. made public what they could ' Maguire and, the rest of the • offer for the property but have • council struggled to answer disputed Rahn's contention residents' questions, while city that the course couldn't have attorneys cautioned them been a moneymaker. about breaking a gag order in In April, District Judge the case. The members said Patrice, Sutherland' 'sided they were frustrated that. ttiey 'against Eagan and`•ordered the- could••not publicly -talk -about city =to;either aanerid"its•com="-•wfiy the;citychose•tosettl'eB ' prehensive plan and the prop- ' ' "This is in my back yafd. I erty's zoning or begin eminent look • out onto this course," • domain proceedings to buy the council member Peggy Carlson 18-hole course. said. "This is personal. I would- • Sutherland ruled that the ' city's denial of development • amounted to taking the course without 'paying for it. The city took the case before the Minnesota Court' of Appeals in May, arguing that it must protect the integrity of its comprehensive land -use plan. "We think the guide plan is worth fighting for," the council wrote' at the time. Resident'Jill Nichols echoed the view of many neighbors when she said her husband looked into the course's zoning before building their nearby home •to 'make sure the' land. '• • was protected: "We relied on that," she said. • , n't be settling if I didn't think this was a good deal." • • Golf course neighbors and fellow preservationists thought the city, was readying for oral arguments in the appeals case and had no idea council mem- bers, had met for weeks in Closed -door, sessions about the settlement. • "We feel like this was decid- ed long before this meeting," Acton said. "It's beyond disap- pointing. We wish they would have gone forward. We'd like to have • seen • some ' follow- through." . Meggen Lindsay'can'be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5260. BY MARICELLA MIRANDA Pioneer Press Burnsville's growing med- ical community is getting the first one -day surgery center in the south metro, specializing in orthopedic surgeries. Orthopaedic Consultants, P.A., an orthopedic center that has existed in the city for 20 years, will expand into a new and bigger medical building to be constructed at Burnhaven Drive and McAndrews Road — a couple of miles west of Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville. The $15 million project will enable the south metro to offer more specialized orthopedic services at a single site. The clinic, now in a 13,000- square-foot space at 675 E. Nicollet Blvd., will move to the 48,000-square-foot building in June. In addition to the new outpatient surgery center, the clinic will offer physical thera- py and will house a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine. The center also will have three ophthalmologists, two podia- trists and a plastic surgeon for same -day surgeries. 1 Janet Pokorny, clinic manag- 1 er, said the majority of the din- ic's orthopedic operations are outpatient surgeries, mostly for local high school athletes. Sur- geons now perform all opera- tions down the road at Fairview Ridges Hospital. After the move, these surgeries will be done on site at the new center. "It's a Burnsville -wide thing we're doing," Pokorny said. "The city is looking to bring in — as opposed to just retailers — the medical community." Dr. Robert Hartman, one of eight orthopedic surgeons at Carriage Flih1s Coalition- plans inforrnational/planning meeting is hosting an informa- facility torOsidential. • The Carriage :Bills Coalition plan by.Pulte Corp, froM . tional/Planning ' meeting . from ' • -The impact of proposed . 13 at the. St. John residential - acedevelopment on ' . Neumann Church community open : sp, •-n- recreation, . room, 4030 Pilot Knob Rpad in schools, ' infrastructure,: takes, . property value . and quality of , ., .- Current members and :con- life in Eagan. caned citizens ato •• The upcoming Advisory re invited Eagan. . • attend. Topics will include: : • -. Planning Cominission and City • How to keep Caniage Hills Council meetings.H•• -.-Course an.open space: For more;',infOrmation, cal Golf ;:. 454-4424 or 7708626 • The '.requested pitendment of the , comprehensive guide ; ,• . • • • Mayor: Process must be followed on golf course issue Egan adds, residents' concerns are being heard By BRENDA HAUGEN Unlike the process for the airport, the process in deter- mining the fate of Carriage Hills Golf Course in Eagan will not follow a dual -track process, said Mayor Tom Egan. Some people don't under- stand the city must legally deal with the proposal put for- ward by a developer in regard to the golf course, despite con- cerns from area residents, he said. Growing numbers of Eagan residents have rallied behind the idea keeping a golf course at this site or at least reserv- ing the space as open park land. Citizens have packed public meetings and written letters to the editor to share their concerns and ideas. They also have formed groups such as the Carriage Hills Coalition, which has fol- lowed the process the city is going through, and also has hosted meetings where those concerned about the future of the golf course property can gather and share more informa- tion. Rachael Thorpe Newman, a longtime resident of Eagan, built a home adjacent to the golf course, and is among the founders of the Carriage Hills Coalition. Thorpe Newman said the group was approached by the city early in the process for an informational meeting, and the group has been (See Land, p.12A) - LULU 195 91 DOD(' ! IADOW • 3 DR., AIR • '90 ISUZU PICKUP 97K SHORT BOX 9X4 • $7575 90 FORD AEROSTAR ASS., AUTO., AIR, LOADED • $5975 8 FORD MUSTANG 6.1. JET BLACK, BEAUTY, V8 • `575 '86 MAZDA RX7 SPD. SUMMER'S COMING • $3775 PONI IAC BONNEVILLL 1111. SIZE, V8, MUST SEE! • '1975 o1 lease purchase option NEON 117315) ir customers for le are today: IEALERSHIP Land (Continued from front page) "responded to appropriately" by the city. "I think we've come a long way," she said. "The city has really been helpful." The coalition has gathered thousands of signatures on peti- tions against residential devel- opment on the golf course site. The group also has retained a lawyer it's using as a consult- ant throughout the process and is looking for contributions to help pay for that legal help, Thorpe Newman said. Egan said the Carriage Hills Coalition is looking at positive ways to find solutions in regard to the golf course property. "I commend them for their effort," he said. At issue is a request from Pulte Homes for the Eagan City Council to amend the comprehensive guide plan for the golf course from public fa- cility to D-II, which allows single-family and townhouse development of 0-6 units per acre. The Carriage Hills Golf Course site is located south of Yankee Doodle Road at 3535 Wescott Hills Road. Pulte would like to develop the Carriage Hills site with a combination of two-story con- dominiums, one -level town - homes and single-family homes. Plans are for more than 500 units, with 20 to 25 per- cent of them being single- family homes, according to Tom Standke of Pulte Homes. That's unacceptable to many Eagan citizens, not the least of whom are people who paid top prices for their homes because of their proximity to the golf course. Others are concerned about losing open space in this section of Eagan, as well as the strain more development could place on local schools and infrastructure. "People's feelings are ex- tremely well known," Egan said. But there's a great deal of misinformation going on as well, according to Egan. Among the rumors circulating is that the mayor has been talking with Standke about Pulte's proposal. Egan said he has not met or spoken to any- body from Pulte on this appli- cation. He added he's never met Carriage Hills' owner Bill Smith or any lawyer or repre- sentative of his. "I have no connection to this application in any way, shape or form," Egan said. Others are fearful that the outcome of the Pulte applica- tion is already decided, "before the City Council has a chance to examine it," Egan said. He added the outcome is yet to be determined. Egan credits at least part of the distrust in regard to the Carriage Hills proposal to what people saw happen with the recently approved Soderholm proposal on the corner of Dif- fley Road and Lexington Ave- nue. At issue there was a devel- opment that includes a Holiday Station Store and car wash, a McDonald's restaurant, a 10,800 square -foot retail build- ing and a medical clinic. The City Council approved the pre- liminary planned development and preliminary subdivision Aug. 15 and approved the final planned development and final subdivision Nov. 6. According to Egan, many residents who came out in op- position to the Soderholm de- velopment were not aware of the historical facts surrounding it, including the fact the pro- posal approved by the council represented a down -zoning of what could have been located at the site. Opposition to the Soderholm proposal also came very late in the game, after the final planned development and final subdivision were approved, he said. Some people concerned about the Carriage Hills pro- posal are afraid their voices will be heard too late, as well. This isn't the case, Egan said. Folks have been following the process and stating their con- cerns early in that process. "They have spoken loudly, clearly and definitively in a very timely fashion," Egan said. According to Egan, residents have well -stated reasons be- hind wanting the golf course to remain at least as open space. Phone calls on Carriage Hills started to come in in October and reached a crescendo in December with the reconsid- eration by the City Council of the Soderholm development, Egan said. He added "It's been virtually unprecedented" to have contact from the public on an application that hadn't even been filed yet. All the while, citizens con- cerned with Carriage Hills' fu- ture have mounted a letter - writing campaign as well. Egan said he has a file several inches thick with correspon- dence from concerned citizens. "Things are being watched very carefully," he said. Continuing the letter -writing campaign is one of the goals of the Carriage Hills Coalition, Thorpe Newman said, adding council members have re- sponded to some of the letter writers with follow-up phone calls. "I've been really pleased with the response of council members," she said. The coalition is focusing on getting more people informed on the issue "so they can take appropriate action based on their views," Thorpe Newman said. Keeping residents informed has kept the city busy as well. According to Egan, one resi- dent saw stakes being put on the golf course and called the city in fear that the develop- ment was already going through. This activity may be related to the application, but the development has not been approved, he said. "It just shows how intense the concern is for these peo- ple," Egan said. "I wish there was some way to appease peo- ple's concerns." Pulte must have sound rea- sons for changing the compre- hensive guide plan, Egan said. "The burden of proof is clearly on the applicant," he said. But Pulte must be given due process in presenting its pro- posal, Egan added. (Continued) But right now, Pulte has a proposal on the table, and that must be dealt with first, he said. A public hearing to consider the amendment proposed by Pulte will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at St. John Neumann Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. The hearing will be held by the Advisory Planning Commission, which will make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will be in attendance at the public hearing. Right after the APC meeting, the City Council will convene a special meeting at the same location to consider official council action on Pulte's re- "1 do believe most people understand that now," he said. If Pulte's application doesn't get due process, it can sue the city and would be likely to win "an unattractive award to the residents," Egan said. That's why there will be no dual -track process, he said. The city has rehired Effective Golf Course Systems to con- tinue analyzing possible golf course scenarios, but the coun- cil won't meet with the con- sultants until Pulte has an op- portunity to make its presenta- tion, Egan said, "to create a level playing field." "We intend to treat all inter- ested parties fairly," he said. Those parties include Pulte, the golf course owner and those concerned with the issue, he said. (Continued on next page) quest. According to Egan, the alter- natives available at the public hearing include leaving the golf course as it is or changing the land use designation for residential development. And even if the council were to de- cide to designate the area for residential development, that doesn't mean Pulte's develop- ment will be the one that goes into Carriage Hills, Egan said. If the council doesn't agree to the change in land use des- ignation, the decision on whether the city will acquire the site for a municipal golf course or public open space will he made later, he said. Holding the joint meeting "is somewhat novel," and is an attempt "to try and expedite the process," Egan said. The joint meeting is designed to be fair and give everyone a chance to make one presenta- tion rather than two, he said. And holding the joint meeting in March also allows the golf course owner a fair opportunity Mayor. Process . must be - followed on golf course : issue • Egan "adds,,residents' concerns are being hear By BRENDA HAUGEN Unlike the process for the airport, the process in deter- mining the fate of Carriage Hills Golf Course in Eagan will not follow a dual -track process, said Mayor Tom Egan. Some people don't under- stand the city . must legally deal with the proposal put for- ward by a developer in regard to the golf course, despite con- cerns from area residents, he said. r:w: Growing numbers of Eagan residents have rallied behind the idea keeping a golf course at this site or at least reserv- ing the space as open park land. Citizens have packed • public meetings and written letters to the . editor to share their concerns and ideas. They also have .' formed groups such as the Carriage I! Hills Coalition, which has fol- lowed the process the city is :.1 going through, and also has hosted meetings ' where those .. concerned about the future of the golf course property can gather and share more informa- tion. Rachael Thorpe ' Newman, a longtime resident of `;,Eagan, : built a home adjacent to the ,golf course;; and, •is. among the.., founders,of the Carriage';Hills, Coalition.' Thorpe.`.' `Newman said the group -was.approached ..;. by the city early in, the process.' for an informational,meeting,,'; and•.. the group r:has:-` ';been (See Land, p.12A) (t;onnnued from front page) "responded to appropriately" by the city. "I think we've come a long way," she said. "The city has really been helpful." The coalition has gathered thousands of signatures on peti- tions against residential devel- opmenton the golf course site. The group also has retained a proposal on the table,;,and that natives available at the public . must, be.: dealt... with first, ` he hearing include ` leaving the said. golf course as it is' or. changing A public hearing to consider the land use' designation ' for the amendment proposed by residential ' development: And Pulte will be held at.6:30 p.m. even if the council were 'to' de - March 25 at St. John Neumann cide to designate the area: for Church, 4030 Pilot Knob. Road . - residential development, that in Eagan. -The hearing will be 'doesn't mean 'Pulte's "develop - held by the .Advisory, Planning ment will be the one that goes Commission, which will make into Carnage Hills, Egan said. • a recommendation tothe City If the council doesn't agree) Council.. The' Clot:. nci'w Coul•"ill to?the change inland=•use des-. be in attendance at the. public . ignation, the- decision on ` hearing. ; ; ; , . ; . whether the., city will acquire Right after. the APC,meeting, the: site for a municipal golf' the City .Council4will:fconvene' ' course or public: open space a,special.meeting at the..same will be made,later,:he said. •' location.= to consider .official. Holding the, joint meeting,."is council action . on• Pulte's, : re-:N. .,, lawyer it's using ,as a,, consult- ant throughout the process and is looking for contributions to help pay for that legal help, Thorpe Newman said. Egan said the Carriage Hills Coalition is looking at positive ways to find solutions in regard to the golf course property. "I commend them for their effort," he said. At issue is a request from Pulte Homes for the- Eagan City Council to amend the comprehensive guide plan for the golf course from public fa- cility to D-II, . which allows single-family and townhouse development of 0-6 units per acre. The Carriage.‘. Hills Golf Course site is located south of Yankee Doodle Road at 3535 Wescott Hills Road. Pulte would like to develop the Carriage Hills site with a combination of two-story con- dominiums, one -level town - homes and single-family homes. Plans are for more than 500 units, with 20 to 25 per- cent of them being single- family homes,' according to Tom Standke of Pulte Homes. That's unacceptable to many Eagan citizens, not the least of liminary planned development whom are people. who paid top and preliminary subdivision prices for their homes because !Aug. 15 and approved the final of their proximity to the golf . planned development and final course. Others are :concerned ::. subdivision Now`6: about losing open space in this According' to Egan, n , m section',. of. Eagan` .'as well l as ` resident who cane outin `or the strain more 'development. position ,to: the Soderholm de• - could place on local schools velopment wee not ` aware of and infrastructure. the historical facts surrounding "People's feelings are ex-. it, including the fact the pro tremely well known," '. Egan ' posal approved::by the council said: ' represented':.; a down -zoning of But there's a great deal of : what could'. have been, located misinformation going on ' as at the site.' well, according to Egan. Opposition to the Soderholm Among the rumors circulating proposal also came very late in is that the'mayor' has been the game;, ' after ' the final talking, with ''-Standke : about . planned development' and final Pulte's proposal. Egan said he subdivision were approved, he , has not met or spoken to any- . said. . body from 'Pulte on this appli- Some people concerned; ; ,`cation. He• -added he's never ,about:the• Carriage Hills pro - Carriage Hills' owner Bill ` posal are afraid their ' voices ft°'Smh'th or `any lawyer` or repre- will;be: heard too; late, as well. f'sentative.of hlS:" .This tsn,t they case; Egan said: "I have;no connection to this ` Folks 'have been following the application in any way,- shape or form,", Egan said. Others:•:are fearful that the outcome; of the Pulte applica- tion is already decided, "before the City Council has a chance' to examine it," Egan said. He added the outcome is yet to be determined. Egan; credits at 'least part of .. the distrust in regard to the Carriage Hills proposal to what people: -saw happen: with the recently approved Soderholm proposal on the corner of Dif-. fley Road and Lexington Ave- nue. . At issue there was a devel- opment that includes a Holiday Station Store andcar wash, a McDonald's restaurant, a 10,800 square -foot retail build- ing and a medical clinic. The City Council approved the pre- YJ ,' (Continued) :guest_ somewhat novel,..and is' But right Pulte has a According to Egan, the alter- attempt :,,!'to try and expedite t i. they process," Egan said. The ": joint eeting is designed td ;be fair"'mand . give everyone ,a chance to make one; preienta- ' tion rather than two,,:;he said. And holding the' joint : meeting in March``also allows" the golf course owner a fair opportunity process and. stating their con- '. cerns early in that process. • "They ' have spoken loudly, clearly and definitively • in . a .very ::. timely fashion," Egan said. • According to Egan, residents • have well -stated reasons be- hind wanting the golf course to remain at least as open space. Phone calls on Carriage Hills started to came: in 'in October and reached a crescendo in • December with the reconsid- eration by the City Council of the Soderholm development, Egan: said.: He added "It's been virtually unprecedented" to have contact from the public on an application that hadn't even been filed yet.' All. the while, citizens • con- cerned with Carriage Hills' fu- ture have mounted a letter - writing campaign as well. Egan said he . has a file several inches thick with correspon- dence. from concerned citizens. ,w. "Things are being watched very carefully," he.said. Continuing the letter -writing campaign is one of the goals of the Carriage Hills Coalition, I Thorpe Newman said, adding council ' members have re- sponded to some • of the letter writers with follow-up phone calls. • "I've been really pleased with the response of council membeis," she said. The coalition is focusing on getting more people informed on the issue "so they can take appropriate action based on their views," Thorpe Newman said.. Keeping residents informed has kept, the city busy as well. According to Egan; one resi- dent saw stakes being put on the golf course and called the City • in fear that the develop- ment was already going through; This activity may be related to the application, but the development has •not been 1 approved, he said. "It just shows how intense he concern is forthese pen= te," 'Egan Said. "I ;wish there as•$ome way to appease . peo- '•pie'$; concerns." Pulte must have ::sound ; tea- •ein''for `Changing -the'c$mpie- >1i"ensive guide plan;°Egaii':said:' "'1`h'e. Barden' of +pre`bf+`•is clearly bn the 'applica`nt,'t�. he `Said. •::,r !. ?.1 Gr {• xl°s ^But Pulte must be given due piodess in •presenti'ng pits" pro- ;p�sal, Egan added.' !,. I do believe.:4 nost• people understand that nowv;"' lie said. Pulte's .application ;doesn't get'due process, if Can sue the City : and would be likely to win ;"an unattractive 'award to the , .residents," Egan ;said' That's why. there will be rip dual -track process, he said. `The city has rehired Effective Golf Course Systems !to con- tinue analyzing possible golf course 'scenarios, but the coun- cil won't meet with the con- sultants until Pulte' .has an op- portunity to riiake its presenta- tion, Egan said, "to create a level playing field." ' "We intend to treat all inter- ested parties fairly," he said. Those parties include Pulte, the golf course owner and those concerned with the issue, he said. (Continned cep noel; page] •!`, • 1', WEDNESD Neighbors decry plan to build on golf course_ GREEN FROM S1 A court date had yet to be set in the city's appeal of that ruling. Tony Gleekel, an attorney representing Rahn and Wens- mann, said his clients are await- ing the council's action•on their building proposal. "The litigation is outstanding until they review this," Gleekel said. "They have to approve the application. If it gets approved, then we drop our litigation." Gleekel said Rahn had been approached by a group of in- vestors interested in buying the course, and that he- asked for a written proposal. No such proposal has been received, he said. Jim Taylor; a member of the Carriage Hills Coalition, which supports keeping the course undeveloped, said the. council decision was "a huge setback." . Taylor is among the group of potential local investors in- terested in purchasing and pre- serving the course. , "It's too bad, but basically the city refused to work with us in any way, shape, or form,", he said. ' The new development pro- posal includes 480 housing units - the same number as in Source: ESR1, GDT the earlier proposal. Housing at various prices would include single-family homes, detached and row townhouses, senior housing and condominiums. The proposal also includes a nine -hole golf course. Carriage Hills, now is an 18-hole course. The request will go through the same approval channels as all plans.before the city must: •Eagan's planning commission will consider Wensmann's new plan on Dec. 27. The council would later. take up the issue. If the council approves it, the law- suit would be dropped: If it is not approved, the city's appeal would be heard by the Minne- sota' Court of Appeals some- time nextsummer. Council members said they Star Tribune were concerned' that if they didn't settle and lost their pend- ing appeal, the case could set a legal precedent for the entire state that would be damaging to cities' ability to manage de- velopment.. • Tom Grundhoefer, general counsel at the League of Min- nesota Cities said that in some ways, both sides to the dispute are getting something out of the contingent settlement agree- ment. He would not comment on whether he thought 'the agreement was a good one, as the process is ongoing. Nevertheless, he said "you have to make sure that in the in- terest of a settlement that you don't somehow subvert the en- tire planning process." The League of Minnesota Cities, which, through its insur- ance trust is helping Eagan pay ,to fightits legal battle, filed a "friend of the court" briefback- ing the city in its appeal. If the city were to lose, City Council Member Mike Maguire said, a third party such as the courts — would control land -use decisions, and the city could be facing potential damages owed Rahn and Wensmann. The council repeatedly tried to assure residents that the vote does not necessarily mean that Wensmann's plan would be ap- proved or that housing would be built on the course. • "By the express terms of the agreement, the city is not bound to approve" the, proposal, said George Hoff, an attorney hired by the city to aid with the litiga- tion. All this is doing is setting up a process." But most residents left the meeting feeling dejected. Sherri Calton, who lives on the 3600 block of Wescott Hills Drive and has four children ag- es 10 and younger, said her chil- dren play near the course. 'We do not want to have any more cars or traffic," she 'said. Her ad- vice to the council: "Leave it as a golf course." Shira Kantor • 612-673-7275 ER 7.,,2005 remembering BURNSVILLE Whether near or far,.. . Irving Adams brought love of life everywhere He could be slurping popsi- cles with kids from the neigh- borhood, or dodg- ing enemy fire over the North Sea. in World War II. It did not matter. Irving Adams' journey took hiin to many places, Adams but his love for life always went with him. "He never changed, .'even* in the worst situations," said William Becker, who flew with Adams as part of the, 801st/ 492nd Bomb Group in World War II. "You could be scared, but there would always be something on the intercom that would give him a laugh." Adams, who was a bombar- dier as part of the secret "Car- petbaggers" group in. World War II and later served on the Bloomington City Council be- fore retiring in Burnsville, died Nov 25 from pneumonia after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 83. Adams was; born in Marble Rock, Iowa, in 1922. He gradu- ated from North High School in Minneapolis before becom- , ing part of a joint initiative be- tween the American and British forces in Europe. The "Carpetbaggers" worked under the U.S. Office of Strategic Services and the British Special Operations Executive squad- rons, flying out of Harrington Airfield in England and drop- ping supplies and agents, most- ly in Norway, to aid resisters against German invasion. . Becker said the group flew overnight missions, most- ly at low altitudes, and it was Adams' job to drop supply can- isters and tell the agents (nick- named "Joes") when to go. Be- cause several agents were alive well into the 1980s, much infor- mation about the .Carpetbag- gers did not become declassi- fied until then. "We didn't know much about it growing up," daughter Nancy Adams said. "He had a hat and - coat that said World War II Fly - boy,' and whenever he'd wear it, people would ask him about it. Then we would hear anoth- er great story we'd never heard before." - Irving Adams married his wife, Dawn, in 1946, and worked at AT&T and North- western Bell. He served on the -Bloomington City Council from 1960 to 1966, played an -integral part in developing the city's park system and also worked on several of Hubert H. Hum- phrey's political campaigns. Later in life, Adams be- came known as the "grandfa- ther . of his neighborhood" in Burnsville, and Nancy Adams said there was never a shortage of children in her father's yard. "He was the guy that would sit out on the bench in the front yard. We would buy popsicles in packages of 100; and if he was having one, everybody would show up," Nancy' Adams said. "The world could slow down, and you could just be a neigh- bor. He wanted to be the guy you could trust, whose advice. was worth listening to." Adams is survived by a sister, three children and five grand- children. Services were held Nov 29 at Glendale United Methodist Church in Savage. BEN GOESSLING 1:16004.0 ;yswtAm( advantage of R 50% OFF FIRST T'REA'l MENT SPEdlALfor new =`-- - Schedule your Free Skin g " T`/ Care Analysis and team' �. ;�' ,LJ, how to take'years off— reduce fine lines, sun spots, acne scars, veins, - a e � o m ffi:: 409R306,4904 hair and more. EA•GAN THISWEEK PUBLISHERS Joseph R. Clay • Daniel H. Clay GENERAL MANAGER and EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bob Temple MANAGING EDITOR Evelyn Hoover NEWS EDITOR Brenda Haugen SPORTS EDITOR Pete Temple DISPLAY SALES MANAGER Cindy Warweg CLASSIFIED MANAGER Diane Henningsen OFFICE: • 1525 E. Highway 13 P.O. Box 1439 Burnsville, Minn. 55337 OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday -Friday 894-1111 February 4, 1996 THISWEEK • were part of the plan for pro- `viding sufficient space' for high school students that was dis- cussed with residents in.prepa= ration for the March 1994 bond issue. One of those schools, the letters Don't allow cha To the. editor: I write to • express disap- pointment: with continued de- velopment of Eagan and to rally Eagan residents to thwart the rezoning of Carriage Hills Golf Course. The city of Eagan had the chance to purchase the golf course last summer, but deter- mined the sale price . and im- provement costs too high, with no estimable profit foreseen for up to 20 years. The course was then sold inthe fall to Pulte y District 917 = in- cluding a transition program for • -adult 'students with special. needs and a program for Level V E/BD students (students with emotional or behavioral dis- abilities) — is well underway. nge in zoning • Development: Pulte plans a high -density, multi -family de- velopment for the 120 acres. The private sale of the golf course to Pulte did not require public disclosure and is con- • tingent upon rezoning. Pulte has requested the city ,of Eagan change its compre- hensive guide plan, which, i guided by the volunteers of the Planning Commission and ap- proved by the City Council, (See Zoning, p.13A) ?r �(G�� :'y �'9"P�'�i(se___�..e_aoaoaa oecnn -- vvnauc • • EAGAN • • Brooklyn Park: Woodbury: Roseville (women Highland Park: Coon Rapids: Bloomington: me initiation fee, facilities and amenities may vary. 688-3000 only): 493-9393 730-6000 633-4444 698-5000 767-9000 835-2222 THISWEEK February 4, 1996 5A 1 s Zoning.................:...:. .':...... • .(Continued) •because of'little notice, ilfight projects the future develop- or intervention by residents or ments of our community. Pulte elected officials. Objection fcr asks that Carriage Hills, cur- this development is organized, rently zoned for public facility, however. The Carriage Hills be rezoned for residential de- Coalition is poised , and has velopment. - considered the long-term, It is rumored Pulte has had broader consequences of the quality of construction con- Pulte proposal. The coalition is flicts with homeowners in ex- encouraging residents not to be isting . Pulte developments in persuaded by the -Pulte repre- other cities, including Wood- sentation, and considers Pulte bury. a national company, which has Pulte offered a persuasive, taken notice of our slow -to - meeting Jan. 9. Pulte's profes- action community--and-is-eager sional . sales representatives to determine the fate of a por- and real estate attorneys' ob- tion of it for us. The objective jectives, while ..: -- cleverly of the coalition is • to keep the masked, will permanently im-. ' golf course zoned. as an open pact the city of Eagan., . space, public -facility. Until recently, Eagan was a All. Eagan residents will be' quiet suburb with open spaces. affected by proposals such as and wooded areas in which to Pulte's. I am affected, and I find retreat from the nearby am annoyed by the continued larger cities. Development is development ' and commer- now rampant in the northeast cialization of Eagan. I enjoyed corner of Eagan. The proposed its safer streets and ouieter Pulte development would ' . public areas. I have called our overcrowd burgeoning schools city officials to express my of the area, perhaps inducing displeasure at the mere possi- new taxes, substantially reduce property values and equity for those who live adjacent to the golf course and increase traffic in an area ill equipped to han- dle the burden. RENEE BURGER Commercialization. and de-. . Eagan velopment of Eagan continues bility of allowing Pulte to change our comprehensive plan. Citizeninvolvement ap- pears our only recourse. Open house slated at math center. The Eagan West Kumon Math and soon to be reading center will .host an oPen house _from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 15. The open house will be held at the Eagan West Kumon Center, 3588 Kennebec Drive in the Shawnee Business Cen- ter, Highway 13 and Shawnee Road. CUT THE COST OF CUTTING YOUR GRASS '239999 • 13 HP Kohler Command OHV Single -Cylinder Engine Chef (Continued from front page) you could opt for pasta e fagioli casserole and garlic bread or vegetable pesto lasagna or linguini with shrimp and. saffron sauce (see accompanying recipe). Want something a little more "down home?" Maybe you'd like to try the rose- mary beef stew with egg • noodles. According to Libera, she likes to have control of planning the menu, so she can keep the preparation time • for the meals within reason. Once she has the menu plan, she runs it by the customers for their ap- proval, she said. Once the menu is ap- proved, Libera really goes to work. She does all the grocery shopping and brings the food to the customer's home where she does all the cooking while the customers go about their daily busi- ness. Libera is in the proc- ess now of becoming bonded and insured, she said. Worried you don't _have the right pots, pans, utensils or appliances to put together 1." 8 a a LIS Green space can never be replaced To the ' .• The decisions we make now • dictate the way we live later. Our. ' 'city government mustkeep • thought foremost agit'tafialcierS rezoning 11)110.:Golf ,r Course t6reSidentiali Such a deJ: 's cision would take away -land; and .ate ,! 11•P, ,the open space ia gone, we tan. not get it back. - • u•-• • Pulte; a very large national, developer, plena to build a high - density housing development of Ithi 'at least 500 dwellings on the .re'zif:,:120..-acre golf course. And the D-. iar .2 ioning,Phlte is requesting ;i:Ve. :Would ,:allow itiorni. than, '700 king .units., ‘; • , • •,, , For the bitty and its residents, with ' the issues are much biggeiithat0[, )lical, • profit. Strain on area road, iri- • School li_inpact on the environrien4; •.splummeting property viilues •and expense to the taxpivetsare :but a few of the major cbtAiria to this community. • ' don't believe the city is iady: • to inake such a decision at, this Jtime. Much testing, aurVeya,, and research must take place b?fbre • '.• 1—inP ,• the decision is niade. I have confi i. dence in our city staff arid council fiiibes that they Will examine all aspects ofthis issue and inforiri the people about all the results of , tests and surveys; especially since 1 all ihdiCatiotiSfebrii'the informa t2.0,4 tiohal meetings already held iliOW s we the people are not willifi e lose this tract of land.giO • 1 r The city of Eagan cannot af, e'ford V e-eld eir-e1161346 a- ' Came iiito our city and make de- • vY.-'''.bisions for jig:- We are the ones • who benefit oi lose by such deci- Ith sions, and the city council repr& re-:'Pi5erita- the Pecijile Who hire here, lar not fat -off corporate erititida. • .!.; ave Remember,oncp our green ting space is deve1dii44 iVe/iii§g it for 5. ever, and tht ou1d b a tiaVegtY. with Nanette Ashton-• ,rica- • ,) Eagan Arm, " , "";Ther°arena;coinmittee'met the .council's challenge, of"raising '• $600;000 for,ittie project and the ,` results ofthe fund raising efforts:: were verified,•_ according Jot,.'ity_ ;Administrator Tom Hedges .... The..committee's fund raising;: .am o ni s•'s," �,came> out: straight=A s; -said Council Member Shawn Hunter:. • "It'worked `out very, well;" Hedges said;•adding that $608,000 t• as been verified; :'4 , . The City Council challenged the .community ..March` 1993 to o `come up with the $600,096 If that' 4 , goal was met, the council prom, ised to' kick in $1.4 million froin k the Community Investment Fund ;for:the project. Another $100,00o. has also been earmarked for an outdoor' wading pool for small'''tr. a' children at the arena site, Hedges said x , e 'Civic Arena Committee:S" •met the council's fund raising ; :Challenge well in advance of the xDec: 31;w1994, deadline 'set early last year by.the council... -"The Eagan community really; really came together on this par- '>> ticular item;" Mayor Tom Egan said. "You went"out: there and 'worked hard:'' "It's''heen a, l ''1 ,ong road; said Council MemberPatricia AWada. *.. Along with accepting verifica- ';lion of the donations; the council ;authorized plans' and:. specifica= tions�.with .apecific;.direction 'relative 'to a "base bid `and alter- • pates If the bids come in above =budget, the .City; Council will de- termine`howtto finance' the pro !'` Egan said he believes the bids will come iri within the set budget.- , "I am absolutely confident thatwe'have put together a very i r.. Klean and_ mean --proposal, he' rr said 'We've got a'package that is ;going to put together- a project the cityof Eagan is going to lie very;. very proud of „Spr1 Vjlecat.raen a a,i,fiocog ".ttforbi , By BRENI)A HAUGEN : . ,Amid congratulations to all i'ithose involved in raising funds for t the project, the Eagan City Coun=-; :gal announced at1its last. meeting: that the proposed. civic arenkiS a " ' 6 'i _ : .i • B BRENDA.HAUGEN. _,, g y to, city,: hall..regardmg, posse-: eows "smgle�' jyankeey .:.�w�.:..us:.,..xc+n.ev'::..+a:Jet+,r::�=:d�,ir3.�::si..to-.�'.`��.`:✓' fir_.... e Road at 3535 ,� residentials.develonment:: on doorway2 ands' halls dtrin `tfieY famil =and: "townhouse ""level. `. �n,.F. -•, <-r±...,_ g. Y =V4/escott� Hills Road:-:VfT,i ��" • - -� - tli� the��: Reduced, ' ro avalues w .� r e ,^ ,.., „ r _a. lic ..,.,s . gip perty�..,,. ,.; hat< -.is, now ;Carriage:• Hills._ public-�"-iaformational�..hearing opment of:"between Q� and 6 ;present: pubhc� facility.�'zonia ,�; loss of"attractive views- forfei r Golf Course t• Jan: 9 s "r 33 xz units -per -acre;..-: said Peggy- schools: arks churches g- tr ggy ;parks; En , lure of a ctty amenity `and ` ; TThougfi. people',crammed. intoy. • At issue is a request for thet Reichertdirector of commu liatw, ' d titu . �, r - _ courses: an ins i strain, on' area=roads and infra a :the' 'community'- room- at— the City "Councils to , amend the nity-'development,' ,°4'rional�'uses� would`' be:'allowed structure were ;but a*few of=the , .Eagan:: unicipal Center._ so. comprehensive;'guide:'plan: for4 :The' Carriage': Hills : Golf •t. . '• o Cmnes; ace i is e � sou o (� „oncerns area esidents� brought many- citizens showed up, that the sites from publi c f 1 ty to. Course site.? ta located . nthti f. p g gJA Monday, • s r; F through Friday; by�af-teacher§ 'Distn t 196 is considering a who pis<an� ,employee=;`'oft they: n que ;partnership _it= hopes,. schools,tKalerexplained Stu rauld t eneft~:the school des dents will be�h'eld accountable� act expeiled'studentsY�and'the ; for their workFandlwill`use the, _; Dm unity as a�whole s time spentr ate this lalternative;, nxv rv1 cxcit• edabaut� the { m scli'ool toe continue 'to earn: wantg..t , x ling `'i played with arp ttner'a a' t ` ii' i f • into ''•,�• foursome 'at a nearby table,'; t - This•letter is in response to •. else s team and treating arty them Ia.:.elihef. vliere, do we; itiudes. tit war= an'°ua e ween:•.: ners move on loathe.otherite ';,, 'i<'khow the NFL champion= winrting and-enntjietition dd fanning the ames ti emotions` n • ,•ble.' ..'•.,''1{L`t.xN1j,y'' •f .,ship game; will be over when ;carry Over to other aspect§ o[.;' These emotionsrand,s;tli_tudcs y; and •:; Grandma said'playitig'bridge^+ 0fydu,rend: this; but i would like �' °tit lives. These.ugly uttitiide§; •.iio itifitlenc1 iis.tfitct easiiyy,get wn. - , usually takes around fout.hours s ,to>,express`my opinion regard- when applied • to kids' spoil§ r out of h rid € HA Used bylhad sbands.. but of course you have to t ing the.team to toot for. Are.rrecogntzed by everyone a5 f ieadefittf., t ,+i..,z ' :r ' y:• 1` ` i':i'take into account.,the talk'beat;°;3 t''• Mr: 'Ilemple and Mr: Berntson •,repugnant Why "should they tie t euggeit,:tihiet the flttitttde�Tof club i.tween hands and during des "t' ;both;': expressed 'opinions on racceptable when applied to pro ,,rooting iigfihst a'teati .is- not ound , sert. -ii i. - r` ;� r..'.:Which team to. root "against;" slio'rts (or college •sports ; toot Ili,same Is Footing for, a 'team_ ' x p ,'' While she sptntIthe eiirly ;^tihot which'team to. root "for." 1 these deys)i. 2• , c. ' �.1.r ... Also"tsu ^ t�`that rtthe dews fined years •learning the game p t. uide plan.is a protiiise tilt) Made to 1=e§iden s • _'o the editor: . • sure(' of the future land use • is not iiiilyr a mist ike; if is in When`mywife and I built out surrconding out rieighhorhood. injustice to all of the sun- ound- home-in'the' Greensboro De -, Ba,ed on my experience as i; trig land owfiers: veloptnent•°�'`t'-''`f'of • Eagan . comitiercial appraiser and con- Eagan heed's to retain this (itiifriediateiy south of. the Cats..: sultant in the teal estate indtis area as a designated open, fi 'titigd'aililisliOnlf Course);' 'we •`try{ it IS thy understanding thi;t'.! space since die hbrtherrn jisif of r.do hid nee significant' atndttht ;a ' lurid rite ; guide plan is ,; Fagan contains ve(j� little fec= .,::df� t`eseareh before choosing • echattged ` erlly ..,it eorniinIinity , feational land i~iitIHeiitiore; what we:,thought,Was an ideal §erititnent;agrees with. such a,, with the los bf aptiroiiimatclyc gift ,>.,;, tz . j ? change 1 lveew pagan"° guide;.;, 20t1 :acres .';iit th0 Elgandi le 'Included in that research WAS . plan us a 'iiromise the city Has i'ark to the Diner bt dart Trait- aft•analysis !of the tsurrounding , madii to if§ fe§ideiits, and until; � ill Corpora unit (twlilcii "the.city Aancr unisi both eitistir g and .:.the ! residents ` agree 'i. iiint ii' was tepo'ftf;iily ftilerested iii for • 'future "'At the 'titre We were t.y chai1 a hi the Planned'. rise bf ii , a future §6It ttfuii&e) ,fluid with senrchinOhe long-term use of . iiartieulaf .'- property is iteces 'ij e r piirrp"dttet1:1liiiiige •t In the , use' ,�rf ,,. ;, g , , :^ the,rCatriage' Hills. facility was racy, the thutiicipaltry �shnuidrM of the t.bst' § lif C�otintty blue; 'as an,',..., �j' * t Jf `r.1 for continued use as; .ai, golf do etierythiitg `iti its, power.sto�,� r ttigati bottld b., left with Only and ^,1" tragedies F, c + a , �+ +: o i , , • • `d`ne sniaii,1101� i5iiilf•§gyVi. , � :.: + ,k , # , � eotttse �� + .:� ^.., ,.. ,�, keep }irt3htiSe. ,, r� J , s rs ' ; -•;'Sixty years later, two idtiglnal ,. Wht1e °we. hive beets very M `:tv- ife' snit • ). moved Into ii: 'We w t'if• tftE` t lLy' bf(iclais tit' alk of t members temaitt . ,'one.'of ''i -). h' ••-piWith'our decision to live this�f fea with the hielief that tWittrfihk fruit ons"ider'atinii of ;'''':`them is mytowtt grandmothers ,q;;r in the Greensboro area; we Are • Eaga.ti contained h High ,ijliality fe iiliiN�"ititg i•tifieitq= to tinge '''' At 86 years young, Grandma d { ' r distressed by the fact that ta= of life tend that ,this High qual= ' flirts needs io tie kept iin open ;.•still looke'forward to bridge x id "club each we ' d gar is considering'. a toning . ity of life would continue welt- space ;.fo mite ,community to '^'rah 7 game she has , t1 ¢.. ft "ate; also , . extremely disap- ehanE:e to A medium- to high- c; is thoroughly enjoys..�`� '' was :;,:.:- She said she didn't knout►*'� ' '''j�poitited in ?the 4i leadership', of density •' tesidenttal iievelop=,; itOb(t?it ti:' �, t-.this gcomtriunity ,for even con mehr would •increase'; 'traffic; ;agiih b it of. ". =much about decided gi she s- sidering 4; sueH r a ,f ` change, furtht�r overcrowd our scHoois', he . ,, joined, but decided to •give; pe • .: go anyway. ' t; '+ , •. -, .; 4Grandma's bridgedub. plays- ;' ub .••. i contract bridge, a game her ' ber's-•,.:: mother taught her. Thti;game is > eklilt s a Car R aft' is. tot this ptopeity: We • into 'he future. The iirojio'sed ' enjoy '�_; } `£ ., " rnesteted timid u , a, _ _ , r c A it a `;, Through the land:. tise guide r. and ndvetsely impact our envi= plan; we believed :1ve Wete as= ;:•rontti nt.-; Such a development ootbali colluninists'attittide§ eredie di>�ii ig 3 %i i§a 1paye r a g ins :'another couple, with a'al and `t+."'To the editor: ' "'i' ' .of rooting •against t omeorie 1ib`§iiia �; tjigh f1/44'ticill t want i th views ex ressed' b Pete teatii thattdoesn t Wm losers as IHdividdais, diii iiie Itne years,,. A,team bids W1tih'•tAeit:Bbst„ �='• •� • p y p :s, Atid •suit,rwhich then becoinen a � !'the An j4 edit oil'tl and feff e'Ihisvveek'.<''.liftt:ss tntson in are ' tfMfliHh1ig' f roots orl i^ooibail eio a this ul,t sd ; contract: After, ix► llitfds, the ' t_• , g . f , p° r, ,� -' 1 r} cards. scores are added and the,`win .. •Newspapers. '•' • h. r , today. our attitudes ' toward like image 7 ut7hd I �`g g + expres'e Grandma saidishe-kept:geitlg abler . °-to bridge club id biing`home,,a" ' cipes` F ;bit of town newt roday,q lie . ws, • said they.•all play;fo't`iin No. � -one gets upin atrtts when: ly = ;someone trumpi5,he,tatse;" s' : said. u ffr� ;40.;, . 's, an met l`this is a very troubling at. `'` Ti*tient anyone of�-- i titu88;sA especially :'Since itr _ as `today ;the Ent my"i (Mt: fiemptt 3 btieitts so pervasive in of hathig them (Mire. Bernt- o''+3ports.'The old elich6 that son) . is ugly These em$htina "tbottba' llis life" i9` very true{* poison telatinti§ between `peg= + ?•44�whett'+ we exaititne our emo plc and are iced b'q e`v�ti fed ` e ti6tin:and attitudes that each of P art Id fan the flames off _ ,tus.tirings to:`ccitiliielilive spurts t tional and civil wars: �o you - ..,.. ..-,i _.:.,• 1.• k_.11 :. Ail S.-C_aL.. t �; �#f�'I'e`�tp1eK hni3 not fwn}}views eA gain ; itift- clti�i ll tti 1 am ea41Jen J`'`�to t nk that iekc F aimitiicl8 "s eeviii mmolecl'►+oulr ports,rner �} •8i �1t'�'•Sp FS J. 'i+.�- 5. 1('t1 omit He'rewan snahonajli: I�tie week for a changr, m the Citv'S rnmorehens ve prat to ••��,;t. never really sail' no to Carriage ce-ns. "That's going to happen," he said. ; make the pmpety rbpbrc fo h. ng - "People haveeon n. when development . -buy the szolf cot ist-for without having a in Fagan called Litt- :take..•stir golf course wnetne; t s . TbrMe�aia Heigtits=basod home butlacrappucd fast ., referendum' Hedges said. � • Stanke understands neighbors' con:. private.',' -sett. .to The land -use change is not expe- HilLs. '!trey didr:.t*wark to wait and .we p come before the 'Planning Commission needed more time.few .ru>Ialysis So it never : comes iL.:lt's-natura�. � • ' 'urrti. next month. Then :it aril. has to be r or A livbme "' -"again moirnai �br the Pam .: A }i on - by the got to the question." - - . COMIltiSSidgl aada fio:a filths ma of the t�+a *t �e neighbors are upset at the prospect J�:' �'mr .,- of houaitrg filling up open space. Many .Pulse's :propose 4:omes asz .months after the property , are wed ilmtthe the open meat will be owner, $� tn,iR+j offered to -sell the'land to the city to,;, use is i .gtolf rouse. ;n A So LTtry itiia razor Ibm Hedges, Smi 7547 :ll ax'r NEYDEVELOP.M NTSOUGHT FORC4 , GEHHE:I:SSITE • BYLZSAHARDB he driving range at�arriage .Hills Golf' Ciuc is; ;Eagan may soon be replaces: with driveways. °Pulte Homes Inc. 'wants -to build ;a mix of townhomes, condominiums and single-family homes on the .120-acre site south of 'Yankee Doodle :Road near. Lexington Avenue. ,-., 1te :from. image :1 •vwas :approached in :time ;by :'a t couple., of developers,-.including`Pulte :that ;time, :he salted City = officials :if :they -mere :inter - tested :in -buying -the land.for:S5.million to .useas.a,golf .course. '"We had never contemplated using it -as :a:golf course," Hedges saia.'"We said we 'might be interested:and •we:might:not be. •: We had'to study theissue:further:" • . `So the city hired consultants to .analyze :the financial feasibility of operating a,golf course at Carriage Hills. consultant; were while the In October, w 'snuiying 'the issue, 'Smith ,told city ofiieais he had an offerof 'S4_5 million from Pulte that. he- couldn't refuse. Hedges said the. city still needed two to three more month:�'to-study'the issue, but preliminary 'findings .indicated that at oa • price of $5 millior..-thc.purchase 'was not 'financially feasible for the city. In additi on, consultants said improvements would need to be made at the golf course. • "We ha:in" found out what :we- could housing, development nearing eompietior r city should. The neighbors say dor. t lose - � t' � ubli•' 'low income" and cause problems. in the ighborbood ~� ; W "There's been a "lot of tumors floating around out there;" said Tom Stankc,�presi- :dent of Pulte Homes.'"I have had residents • ,call :and cask me .why -tare :we -putting in ',Secxion =8:apartments. ',said -we .don't:.do apartments" • -At a{minimum •price-of.about'S70,000, °Stance =considers 'the • housing .affordable. ',But unlike apartment bousing, it will be all , owner -occupied; -He said Tuesday that the site pian"is still:beingrevised,:so the total :number of units is -not final. . • ""This:gives us:an opportunity to have a multiple produWbecatrse it's-120 acres," the:rne�tng,imosti stand what.tsp 7As forthe fudueota eit7='q ._ tri:Eagan;:it>is.at ll uncatarn?'fhedty resumed 'the feesibilityrstti thaE= as s •.hold °since October. Alt=wlIi t:e stir' '� -another 30 days before it iiicompl Hedges said. .: a'Finding enough: available landless -le course is also an.issue.:in.the:mrdstiof the initial study; a parcel of land across ;Yanloee ,, 'Doodle Road owned by'Norrthwestern'Nal `...1, tional Life -insurance -.became avaiiable.' the said..-' Eitst-time:homebuyers can pur- ; And although -the Council ;agreed'to loo chase-single=family'homes antitheft -when at that as .an opiiuii, lit:was :sole. :lc they .want 'to :retire, they car. -move to Transit before the Council could make -a townhomes.' We're trying tc_provide some- decision. 'thing for •everyone:" • - Stanke said most.:builders •slon't' do • :mixed .developments.;:Pulte,a national. company,',just:opened a••niixed=unit development of the type proposed for Car- - riage Hills in Woodbury and 'has •another • Seid.Hedges "Agolf course is like a paths. ,. People thought"it would be there fore Pultc is having an•infonnational meeting with .neighbors Tuesday, .Ian. '9, at '530 p.m.'in the Eagan`MuniciparBuilding. :: "This is something we do even if it's not Stankc said. "After attending Hedges said the city is talking with Dan Transit to see if the land oould be. used :for a golf course.„; "lt'.s not simpleissue, Hedges said. "Some people say the city shoulan't be in the golf course business. Others 'say the. approved by the,Council. A;public hearing is also requited before the: Council. Once the 'land -use change is ir, place, 'the City Council will vote onthe development plan .`There's still a ;lot .of process "heft, Hedges said.: SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS MINNE/SUBURBAN EDITOR: Don Wyatt SUBURBS PHONE:: 22.228- 8-5473 FAX: (612) 228-5500 ,9\q\c-, r1\ tAGAN • want olf course to sta. � �ut Neighborsg Y p is Carriage Hills land may/ % ;k _ '' bish Carriage Hills as a golf course. r Z' �' " / ` ' "Obviously we feel strongly about It or �� « gg be sold to home builder �� ' }° "a . , x 4 we wouldn't have been looking into it to pursue all of our options," Hedges added. DON AHERN STAFF WRITER • J im and Nanette. Ashton's suburban home sits almost isolated at the end of a cul de sac in Eagan: A few feet beyond their back deck, a multiple -hole marlin house astride a tall pole marks the boundary.of 120!acres of Carriage Hills Golf Course. "We bought our homes here because they're . sitting next to . beautiful open land," Nanette Ashton said, speaking for her family and neighbors surrounding the links near Lexington Avenue and Yankee Doodle Road. "My kids make extra mon- ey during the summer selling golf balls they find." .. • But that open land is privately owned. And its owner, Bill Smith, is getting older and wants to get out of the business. Last June, he offered to sell it to the city as a municipal golf course. .` But four months later, before the City Council had come to any conclusion, Smith told the city he didn't want to wait any longer. He had another offer he planned to accept. Pulte Homes, a na- tional developer, proposed replacing the rolling fairways and sculpted greens with houses and condominiums ranging in price from $80,000 to $190,000. The sudden prospect of losing one of the major selling points that lured them there has alarmed homeowners and fu- eled fears that not only will their proper- ty values' plummet, but also that ru- mored "low-cost housing" may attract unsavory neighbors: Residents have inun- dated City Hall . with complaints and questions, and have had at least one neighborhood meeting to organize opposi- tion. But at this point, their opposition is akin to swatting at the wind, because there is nothing official to fight. The sale is apparently contingent on city approval to change the use of the land to permit housing; said.,City Administrator. Tom • Hedges.:...,, . That would require not only rezoning, but also a ''basic change in the city's comprehensive:plao.,Such a change re - PIONEER PRESS quires a recommendation by the planning commission and a four -fifths majority vote on the City Council. Pulte has made no formal application, however, to change the use of the land, said Eagan Planning Director Peggy Reichert. So, although Pulte has infor- mally approached the city; nothing offi- cial is in the works. The proposal is for all owner -occupied homes and no rental units, Reichert said. It would not, she said, be like a nearby subsidized rental area that some neigh- bors envision being replicated on the golf course. They say the existing one has generated excessive police calls. Nor has the council as a whole or individual members actively advocated a zoning change at Carriage Hillis. "Regardless of whether we have a golf course right here or some other place, the city fully intends to have an area of land approximately the size of Carriage Hills always open as a golf co•nrse," May- or Tom Egan said. "We are eyploring the possibility of acquiring another parcel of land. We aren't out trying to increase the tax base by bulldozing every available parcel of land in Eagan and trying to develop it to its maximum intensity:" • But, Egan observed, it nay be too costly for the city to purchass and refur- After Smith approached the city, the council engaged Effective Golf Course Systems to study the feasibility of the city's operating Carriage hills as a mu- nicipal golf course, and Springsted finan- cial advisers to analyze Smith's $5 mil- lion asking price. The operational analysis was not fin- ished when Smith withdrew his offer, but preliminary findings lndlcated that ex- pensive/upgrading would be necessary. In October, Springsted advised that a mu- nicipal course would not generate enough revenue to pay off the purchase price and approximately $1 mil toli improvements without a tax subsidy — which would require a citywide vote. • In the meantime, while the consultant was looking at the feasibility.of Carriage Hills, a 200-acre tract of land across Yankee Doodle Road owned by, North- western Mutual Life Insurance became available. "So the council said we ought to look at that too," Hedges said. The council did agree to consider both options, but was shortly left with neither. Smith accepted Polies proposal, and the Northwestern land was sold to Dart Transit. "So obviously, we have a concern about a golf course," Hedges said. . There are two other golf_ facilities In Eagan, the privately owned Parkvfew 18- hole "executive" course open to the pub- lic and the nine -hole members -only 'course at Lost Spur Country Club. Whatever happens, the final chapter likely won't be written for several months. It will take at least that long for any proposed land use change to be con- sidered and acted upon. And if the coun- cil chooses to deny rezoning, Smith may be back at square one, forced to consider a new game plan. • - .Hedges said be, *ants to, have a meet- ing, with the neighborhood after the first of the year to lay out the facts and look at the possibilities. 'We all ought to,get together to work together 1f there is a real interest in' keeping it as a golf course," he said. r.verits. (Continued from front -}p;lesiktg.44N4f.y ' ▪ Shawnt' Hunter; -,,thelaity-;,is •,still'21OOking 'at .”.ei-eatiiig 4 '•,!..parli,',,butTagan,Promenade won't be that spot . ,• Last summerr marked the first year' in more than two dec - c ades Bsgafi,didt9.hOst•its annual Fourth of July Celebration. Wiii1eAheVpiaradle:'ati&CarniVal took a hiatus for 199; the ▪ citie.(--otitiCif7(04!Steri.'4ifi to save the annual fireworks dis • play, which was oved from the Rahn Elementary area to; the:113lite..,rbis/BitielShield property. ' • Gagioetoldjhe,:City: Council Jan. 16 that the July 4th COmmittee'Wafits.lo bring all Of the elements of the festival ['..together;tbtit'safety is -an issue as well.• • For-nOWe/Geigan suggested the- fireworks again be held , ..:On theBlueCrOss/Blue.-7Shieldliroperty-,-- and that the city continuetorfun&.th0-disklay,, • • .;tt worked WelL1aStlyeaf;" said Mayor Tom Egan. • AcCOMiiiiitOcteagaliOSOrfie residents wondered why the 41reWarieirdiS0.1af,.hadn'tfbeeri Sef:there..every year. The city will to see if they would be interesicd in having the event at this site again; he', Sit ie,-,V,-YS:-1:;•ii-•:, • , • :,-t.Geagaii•iSiiggested the Liores'Oii13 handle the parade ar- ;iltingeifefita,afid those4'ffOrtilithe Club in attendance at the ' •ree ng.,signai e- d their pre1iminary appro a .As tor the crnivaI foodand:See6tefit; Geagan suggested the July 4th Committee handle those arrangenlents • ':i:The-.citY4.Counell'suripotted•the recommendations. beigani,added. that if ohe-.element of the celebration -:,to fall.through,the other.two coiild go Oh as.Olattned. • - Ar; ••• .• l• • .• • JIP. • ,` 4. V !.•%. • • • .(Continued from front nage) . 4 • •' drops -in property Values With • Course or of purchasing: prop- the; loss. Of .the golf course . erty:=;elseikhere;14vvhereq a .1•01.i•-,! .tforfeiture of greenspace in the `. nicipal golf course could he an northern portion of the city, Others said they. donl want ,thep, ▪ But in -•October, ;,:uncertainty city .toloSe igolf COUrSe. • with the:Ip.roperty , at -,isstie: as Council decided to foi- Sale OUthe..eailiage::.t.lOw the citizens' lead and Cori:- brOfigliethe'StudY to a •tintie tO look into ,the issue; clase,r)Heilies said Hedges said, -. • ,,• ▪ But the jOiitiiens has .."They feel the study is really • • important," i:bi-oughf • '•the ' issue forward he said. igun Rcsidnts and other in The study is expected to be terested leted4inliteA. Feb hat-. • r y,. •..MuniciiiAr•c4hters community Hedges. said.. At present; the f•. City. has,been looking at a pub-. • tionarjheeiitieregaidifii.a:pro- lic hearing on the- iSsue-Feb:•!:27 posed:'.21-eSidentialdeVelopment before the - Advisory,),Plannitig On Wha4is., now Carriage • Hills Commission , (APC); bitt4 that GoIfourse .may not allow the-city'efirhighIhc ('ity Council will 0,: be :. time to get the 'restiltS;Of the;'4';* d'' as ,the,,-,-coqi,pre- • study -and disetiSS..tfthehi;''fk- k hensiVe,guideplan for the site. Hedges said. , • -At.0,resehtYthe'liiiid!, is., guided The recommendation to the „el, 'fitiblietisfacilitywil?pt01:34t,e.,..,,City Council will be to hold a . Homes, Whieh, holds 'Ciiiikidc,,AjOilltrAPC/city Council meet- the'tartiage;Hills property, ing :Simriefitiiein, -.March and wants the cOmprehensiVe guide have this be the•Ofilyf issue-.• on plan- designation changed to ; the agenda, The meetirig.Winild01. apfiroved;4the:, hew . des* likely be held somewhere other • ?A•linatiOrL4,:wOuld': •Singleq'? than the Municipal Center in :family and L.iciWithouse •to. accommodate • the opment of•betWeenerO,taitd;6::,%iatie:':-,Cti;vd that is expected units per acre. Hedges said the City Council! ,Residefita'.....:Cdmments -ranged •i! seemed receptive to this idea;;.!' .but no date has yet beentsetc).' 1—wius y I IlJOLJ k t t Lb • • ; The Da o a oun rary- • WeScott in Eagan will host an • open Storytimp for children ages 3 and older at 10:30 A.M. • Jan. 22, A parent tritist stay With the 3-year-olds. This sioqiiirie will last` 30 minutes and registration •isnot required. The Wescott Library in Ea- ; gaii .Will host a bedtime Storytitne at 7 pm. Jan. 25. Sto- ';' ries of interest to children ages 3 and older Will be read. The entire family is invited i6 at- •iend. Registration is riot re- , t:• For thee call the library at 6881.521: The iS.IO- eated at, 1340 WeScott Road in Eagan: „I:, $800 Rebate or 4.8% fin. up 10 48 ino. 00499. USED CARS UNDER $19,000 ' 4o re Gran Merqtilii,full size , luxury for. only, • 518,495 UNDER 515,000 94 • Taurus 1..X, mdonroof, loaded ifhitebeituty, iowmilos ' 514,995 II: •'95 COrnolir SE, loaded, must iee, like nevi 514,595 with 0-000400t( WIEPi Ideklay, Jdpud 6:30 -,8:00 • Ddkotd Count 1340 Wescott • Discussion abot AtiyOther i .-;;•:"1;,,, • - • A 4,, • '"• • epare ard aljor by Sends for 1 • • ' #,:;:;qIII4 • "T /.1."".. • -• if ; • fi:114* • , inanan. 1996YVINDSTAR 9B6Rcf 476A• pkg.; $1 " 9.a 6 * $6°Pi 4.8rebatelin up to 48 , , 5:Pdt, 04377 • isiuttiff s2000 r, ietiate. 5 frOg. •—• 02528. , 3600 rebate,ouy i" 44.1 1996 CONTOUR T, 1996 I 5600 rebate or r1ioittfts.' *6,152:: 1996 •-• $11 $800 rebate or 48% tin. dipowto 45. rne.. iiiiISS, seiiitinitrOleeitnOSI Eitarsi „sisegts 4i4,; tIAC 164 32K rnfl Fricke, II -Snore; kiadeitiSicogs •, '93E3411114i „ • UNDER S:10,008 • 4x4,,,Z '93 Ol•di CetliiitiClire 4 Dr4 7 .utelY 3..1LV6t‘TA,!11,pc,fiN, locks - 49 895 14 E1-1310111 I°E4(46* 93 kicbit LX 5 tioCi. AC. i,191:1:11:..1111.1 1rna,.hri_ is more, to :pla ile a mall .3ame 1pany..: nd erve ;s as''. es han ,as an. andF. ers car• uide plain.is a proiriise city made to iresideints o the editor •sured of the future land use's"" is not only: a mistake, ii is ari :When•my wife and 1 built our surrounding our neighborhood. • injustice to all of the surround- ome~ in -the.' Greensboro. De-f., Based on my experience as a ing land owners:. 'avelopment . : of '• Eagan conimercial appraiser and Cori- Eagan needs to retain this 1(immediately .south• of;:the Car h sultant in the real estate indus-: area as �: a i designated open ,. •r iage.�Hills��Golf Course); •� 'we ,,try;it is MY understanding that;, space since the northern half of ':had done a significant • amount 'a „land :: use'; 'guide, plan is Eagan contains very little rec= .'of.:'research :'before'' choosing • dchanged only •if community reational'�tland ' Furthermore; • what -we thought was,an ideal 'scntiment.;agreesi with such a riwith,the loss,of approximately. 'site - . c` " I change 1'view Eagan's guide T , 200 3acres ijin the,, Eagandale "• Included in'that 'research was ; plan' as .a promise the city has • k to Parthe owner of Dart Tran- `an analysis;: of the surrounding'; made" to its residents; and until sit Corpoyration (which the city land uses — both existing and the'tiresidents agree that a was reportedly interested in for . , 8 + f b � F .� of s,& 'i S� "future 'At the time, we were ` change•in.Lthe plannedl use of a, .` a future golf,,course), and with., searching, the long-term use of ; partic`ular ' property is neces'' 5 a purported; change'•iiithe use. - he.Carriage.Hills facility was sary;' the municipality ='should.' of the Lost Spui Country Club ortt continued use - as a., golf do everything `m its po'w'erto t. Eagan could be left with only ra tidies a'3yf ; „- � • keep its promise ., alk ofy (members remaint :one: of= z 1 i happy>vt+itfi our 'decision to live thi''S'area with{ the. belief-`tliaf ` withdraw their consideration of •4 ;;^' '' ter > 3t e> <a ' »i one small"golf course x' ixty years later, ktwo, original ;"While.' we, have been .very ;` My; wife ;arid ; I moved +into r c ' y We want the cat officials to them ism own. randmother M t h + � ., y= g in the Greensboro area, we are ' Eaga.n contained a'higt ijualityr :rezoning this property Carriage At86 years young, Grandma: still looks'forward to bridge ' di'streq ssed by the fact that .Ea= of life and that ,this high ual= Hills needs to be kept ari open gan is considering a zoning. ity of life would'continue well space ,for , the community to l.change for this property We into the future.The proposed enjoy • `F areZ- also 4,, extremely �£"disap change to a medium- io high- }' inteda in .they Leadershi•p of• density residential develop. RODGER; L SKARE thisiicommunity for even con ment would inas cree? traffic; ! Eagan ,! " it oi. ''..: much about' bride when she u n 7 sidering '`-•such a ' ' change.,; further overcrowd our schools he ' ; . joined, but decided -to •give it a , ,: Through the land: use guide ' and .adversely. impaci our envi=' pet : go anyway. tan, we believed we were'as ronrtient..Sucti a development Grandma's bridge club plays +tp • p ub ;^.., contract bridge,-' a game :her r { ;• , •, .. ; , . ber's;_ ,: mother taught her. The;gaine is Football columnists attitude created>tviswe>r ess 1 d th.t_._t. t another cou •le•with a seCnnd 'N\'-To the•editor • ° •" - ..,of . rooting against someone into E'`f. foursome at a nearby table: i v''`' This'••letter is in'response to ,else's team 'and treating any. rid ;,-;-,club . each .week It=s a card game she has • mastered°and° is " thoroughly, enjoys.. was ....:::.She said she didn't know'' years,,. A, team bids`witlf,their'besti the;: views expressed!.by Pete-,teain thatYdoesn't •win losers s At' -suit,-_which then becomes a gi...Temple" wand Jeff Berntson in `��are the key reasons' for the ug-, . d contract: AftersixMhaii`ds the , p the. an_ 14'edition' of :Thisweek r aint ss A s"uhoifntiuhg ,pro sports " News a ers. today.Our attitudes i toward cards. scores are added and the. ' • . P P ween • •• ners move. on to the other.ta �} `` li h iow `the NFL .champion- winning. and, ' coriipetition do n -'-i• •ble. " ' • nR" ;,' ,.; y...,ship .game;.'will be over when ;carry over to other aspect`s of y; and ,- Grandma said' playing'bridgeh t iyou;read, this, but I would like : our lives. These:ugly attitude's; ,wn. • -:.usuallytakes around four: hours: _ ,to express: my opinion regard- - when applied • to kids' sports ; ;ing the,team to mot for. - are •recognized by everyone as Mr'Temple and Mr. Berntson repugnant. Why should they be both ,l` expressed opinions' on acceptable when applied to pro which team to root "against," sports (or college sports ,too not which) -team to root "for." 1 these days)? , sbands . — but of courseyou. have to 'take into account:.the talk:be club"°..; tween hands and during des-` " ound sert. ;r r � While she spent:the earl' ined ``'' . years learning�tthe ,ganie, , �. ,,. -Grandma saidt5helke t oin , '° titude;,; *especially since it.K .as . the• enemy, ..,(Mr. Temple) p° g g 1'`��9eems'so pervasive today in or "hating"' ahem (Mr. Berne- ibles .� �to bridge club toCbiing'•hoinet1a � apes ''''''bit of town news .Today; she r a,pro'sports ''The old cliche that,;.. son) . is. ugly:. These.. emotions ,. vs, said'they' all play for funuy"No+ football• is 'life is 'very true's poisoii relations' between peo• s, and" :.,,•:one'gets up in arrns'when 0. , when' we; 'examine , our emo= ple and: are used by evil lead` y , someone trumps .the raise " she' ttons-and• attitudes that• each of .' eft to fan the flames of iia paid , ;x:' . .. aii{:' , - • ,;:.,taus brings, to. competitive sports , tional and civil 'wars. Do you leel•'this'is a very troubling at- To treat anyoneor any group ting ' p aye wt a partner agains i „ a ' r •c - ,. - Bosnia) then. we don, t, want their to either Where. do• we, as individuals,: draw ahe ,_line and accept these i attitudes? Football today ;•is,• full I. of war-. like • imagery and ,..language fanning the flames of emotions. These enotions and `attitudes do influeiice`us and easily get out of hand. when used by had leaders ' :' I suggest tliat the attitude of rooting against a team 'is not the sance as rooting for: a teani. I also suggest that the. view`s expressed by Mr Temple and •Mr. Berntson areinot two views :on the game,. but actually the same v►ew. • I am saddened .to think that these attitudes are so, he`i`vil} • promoted by,ou� sports iy cdi both here aiid nationally: 1 be. 'Apple valley/Roseinouni, Eagan Su , Cunent/Wednesday,1996 ' arriages' alition,,to meet ce..• .+ At next week's coalition meet ing, inembers expect discuss 'ways to keep the golf open 'space, the proposed amend." 'Eagan residents interested in ment= to the city's Coinprehen. keeping Carriage Hills GolfN sive Guide Plan from public,fa- Course as open apace are invited cility, to r'"esidential, iiiipacts on 5 taattend a planning meeting of schools, taxes, neighboring prop the Carriage Hills Coalition t" er`ty ,values and' infrastructure;^ 4 i Tlie coahtxon, a new.. non prof-, and upcoinmg advisory aril City,; it organization; `will inset 7=9r Coun, il ineetmgs; p.m =Feb. 13 at St John Neu- Information: 45424424 or 770- y manii Church at 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan i. Pulte Homes developers have; van .option to: purchase the golf course'at. Yankee Doodle :Road' and'Lexington ,A"venue. Pulte: proposes 'toF build up ao 500' homes•on the Site' if. a Compi•e hensive Guide"•Plan`amendirient and "other approvals can be ob=S tained from city officials { our news i our readers in Sun urre Cnt welcome• • news from the community 2'Please send your;�nformation toi Sufi dii reiit "1209 E. Road, Burnsville; MN 55337: Citydies1& " iptionsts for course ■ Eagan might have lost its shot at two sites for a planned municipal golf course. By. Harland Hiemstra Staff Writer Eagan officials continue to ex- plore options for a municipal golf course, though two of the likeli- est sites for such a facility may have slipped through their fin- gers. The city has been considering possible purchase options on a 200-acre undeveloped site, as well as on Carriage Hills, an existing privately owned golf course. Own- ers of both properties, however, claim to have received better of- • fers from other sources. City Council members last week declared their preference for the undeveloped site, located at Lexington Avenue and Yankee Doodle Road. But City Attorney Michael Dougherty said the owner,. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., has received an offer higher than the eity's and intends to pursue it. Dougherty said Northwest- ern Mutual expected to know by the beginning of this week if that deal was going to work. If it falls through, the city may submit an- other offer. The City Council last week gave negotiators authority to pur- sue a purchase option on the Northwestern Mutual property at a price not to exceed its assessed market value, $2.1 million. The company is believed to be aiming at a cash deal that would close be- fore the end of the year. Officials had originally hoped to -acquire a 120-day purchase option on the Northwestern property. That would have al- lowed the city to pursue a dual track approach, comparing the pros and cons of developing a golf course from scratch versus buy- ing Carriage Hills. GOLF: To Page 17A ee -a • . rom -o and talk with AAAs cri Register jor door prizes! AAA M I N NESOTA • The Public i 895-1260 1 • Drapery Design 'Consultants Shop at Home. Service _; • Installation and Repair Specialist Protect) Tatoo Clinic and. Registry for your Saturday, Oct. 28t 10:00amn: - 2:00pm In minutes, register your pc their lifetime with the Nati I.D. The procedure takes I the store for pre-registratioi Animal Inn's and National A� Cty. F (by' Tel( Golf From Front Page Carriage Hills owner Bill Smith had offered to sell the course for $5 million. But prelim- inary reports from city consul- tants indicated that the facility needed more than $1/2 million in improvements, and anticipated revenue from the course wouldn't pay off bonds issued for its pur- chase. That led the City Council to ig- nore a Wednesday deadline for re- sponding to Smith's offer. Smith, meanwhile, told the city he had other offers from developers in- terested in turning the course into a residential subdivision. Such a development would re- quire anamendment to the city's comprehensive plan because Car- riage Hills is zoned as a "public fa- cility," a designation that allows for only limited non-commercial 'uses such as playgrounds, parks, hospitals. Some council members saw that situation as a potential bargaining tool in relation to Car- riage Hills. "Why would we pursue an op- tion [on Carriage Hills] when we hold all the cards?" asked Coun- cilman Shawn Hunter. "We hold the ultimate trump card." Smith said later the city should be pleased with the idea of a residential development at Car- riage Hills as it would add to the tax base. He remains uncertain about his .plans for the property. "I really don't care one way or the other whether I get out or stay in," Smith said. "I do know just about every other day somebody's calling me and asking if I want to oral ;4- «. F buyers may receive up to $3,000 for down payment assistance and closing costs when they pur- chase an existing home through the 1995 Dakota County Hous- ing and Redevelopment Author- ity (HRA) First Time Homebuy- er Program. Downpayment as- sistance may be used for down payment and closing costs and is repaid (with no interest) when the home is sold, when the mort- gage is refinanced or at the end of the_ 30-year mortgage term. Funds available for down pay; ment assistance are allotted on a first -come first -serve basis for those persons using the 1995 Dakota County First Time Homebuyer Program. The First Time Homebuyer Program provides 6.95 percent mortgages to purchase an exist- ing single-family home, town - home or condominium. Mort- gage loans are 30-years fixed rate, FHA, VA or conventional mortgages. Maximum purchase price for existing homes is $95,000. Eligibility requirements are: You must be a first time home buyer (may not have owned their principal place of residence within the last three years), have .a gross income less than • $40,800 (adjusted for family size), and purchase an existing or newly constructed single fam- ily home, townhome, or condo- minium. • Ca11 the Dakota County HRA _ First Time Homebuyer Infor- mation. ,Line to receive a brochure that explains.how you can participate in this ;program y and lists the participating lenders. letters 1 a'1)-95 City of Eagan needs to review its 20-year plan To the editor: What is the "big picture" sur- rounding the sale of Carriage Hills Golf Course? As a taxpayer in Dakota County, I'm concerned about the rapid rate of development I see going on around me. I wonder if it isn-t time to take Tom Egan and the city plan- ners and sit down at an open forum so that people's views can be heard before -another development gets underway. The frustration, mistrust, miscommunication and per- haps lying by omission that I'veseen these past few days has me questioning what the "big picture" is for Eagan's future. How old is our 20-year plan? When was the last time it was reviewed? Our elementary schools are ti already stressed. Our federal.. funds are in question and a new development of this scope may well mean that once again we will be asked to build new schools. What's the 20- year plan for. the current high school? Will it be adequate to meet our . current .projected needs? .How about our municipal wa- ter 'system? What about police, fire ancj government services — are they adequate to handle continued rapid population growth? Carriage Hills is currently zoned as municipal land. Maybe a new fire hall should go there or a library or a park. I think the time has come to review our 20-year plan to make sure it balances today's needs versus tomorrow's leg- acy. Failure to review our plan means a failure of the govern- ment to be responsible to its constituency. I, as a taxpayer, parent and resident of Eagan have begun to question if our elected officials have_gotten so captured by the allure of growth that they have forgotten that it was the quality of life that brought most of us to Ea- gan in the first place. What are the facts about this proposed sale and develop- ment? What is the city's posi- tion? Where do the council- men line up? And, more impor- tantly, ..what kind of a legacy will this administration leave for the next generation? Anyone in City Hall care to answer? JEFFREY C. ANDERSON Eagan O• O• l! A4K-4\ -i'= i • Open 24 hours, 7 days a week • 30 day money back guarantee • A limited number of memberships • Climbing wall, basketball, volleyball, racquetball & swimming • Over $1 million in exercise equipment • Innovative Aerobics program • Water Aerobics • Sauna, steam rooms, whirlpools • Educational seminars All this for ... $2 CaII Eagan Brooklyn Park Woodbury • Free chi] • Special • Certified • Automat system • Health F • Ultra puj • Multivisi entertair 9 LIFE TIME FITNES 688-3000 Highland P 493-9393 Roseville (f 730-6000 Coon Rapid *With one time initiation fee/Facilities and Amenities ma 8A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1996. Carriage Hills coalition to meet Eagan residents interested in keeping Carriage Hills Golf Course as open space are invited to attend a planning meeting of the Carriage Hills Coalition. The coalition, a new non-prof- it organization, will meet 7-9 p.m. Feb. 13 at_St." John Neu- mann Church at 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. Pulte Homes developers have an option to purchase the golf course at Yankee Doodle Road and Lexington Avenue. Pulte proposes to build up •to 500 homes on the site if a Compre- hensive Guide Plan amendment and other approvals can be ob- tained from city officials. _ At next'week's coalition meet- ing, members expect to discuss: ways to keep the golf course as open space; the proposed amend- ment to the city's Comprehen- sive Guide Plan from public fa- cility to residential; impacts on schools, taxes, neighboring. prop- erty values and infrastructure; and upcoming advisory and City Council meetings. Information: 454-4424 or 770- 8626. _ Share your news with our readers The Sun -Current welcomes_ news from -the community. "Please send your information to: Sun -Current, 1209 E. Cliff Road, Burnsville; MN 55337. !I Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1996 7A *All Spring Bushes Huge selection! •Foam All in -stock foam 1/4' to 4' thickness. Reg. S2.99.559. 255 •Unfinished Wood a Bird Houses & Feeders •WAVERLY Home Decorating Fabric Waver! , P. Kaufman, Concord, letters Council member corrects record on golf course To the editor: As an elected official, I often • hear negative opinions and misinformed rumors. As a rule, I do not feel it is appropriate to respond to these comments in the paper. However, when something is published, that is patently false or misleading, I feel it necessary to correct the record. A recent letter to the editor dealt with the possible . sale of Carriage Hills `.Golf Course. The letter states that the city has "lost" the golf course. This is false. There may be a pro- posal coming through _ to change the golf course to homes. But in order for this to be approved, the land would first haveto change its Com- prehensive Guide Plan desig- nation from public facility. Not only would this require public hearings and a 4/5 vote of the council, but the applicant • would have to prove why the current use is no longer appro- priate or in the best interest of Eagan. In other words, chang- ing,the golf course into homes is far from a "done deal." - Purchase 'of the ',golf course by the city was studied last summer with the help of a con- sultant (Effective Golf Course Systems, Inc.). The " asking price was $5 million with at least $585,000 needed for up- grades. As the council was be- ginning to discuss the merits of the proposal, the owner - of the golf course called and gave the city two days in which to make our decision. Only two days to decide whether to commit the taxpayers to -$6 million:without so much as •a single public hearing. Because the City Council is committed to giving the public the opportunity to be heard before spending millions, we decided not to accept the offer. In the letter to the editor, it was stated, "It could have been operated at a profit to the city within a short time and projections for the future were astonishing." This is also false. The consultant's report stated, "... The analysis indicated to .us that the owner's offering pur- •' chase prices leaves the city of Eagan with little or no `wiggle room' and means that the facil- _ ity will carry a negative value for most of its 20-year financed life cycle." Regardless of the. ownership of the golf course, the land use is governed by its zoning and land use ' designation. Zoning and land use designation can be changed. only after public hearings and justifiable reasons have been articulated. The city investigated buying the golf cou_ rse.,and spent as much time as possible debating the issue before the owner -imposed deadline. However, at the high asking price, the city would certainly lose money for many years to come. I want to thank all of the people who have been . calling me, offering opinions on this subject. I want to be respon- sive, and I am trying to look out for your interests. When and if an application for rezon- ing is received, look for posted notice ,signs and scheduled public hearings. I. lookforward to receiving your continue input at 681-4371. SHAWN HUNTER Eagan City Council • member 's GALORE! 4X4 XLT 4.0 V6 Engine Auto Overdrive heel Anti -Lock Brakes Air Conditioning Power Windows & Locks • Speed Control • Tilt Wheel • Deep Dish Alum. Wheels UCH MORE! FROM ,988 THIS PRICE 60098 `96 F-150 4X4 1.4 10. AWL Al I 111.1 TRUCKLOADS COMING DAILY LIST VALUE $19,489 11•1s • 4.9 EPI 1.6 Engine • All Season Radials • AM/FM Cassette • Cloth Bench Seat • Argent Styled Wheels • Engine Block Heater • Rear Anti -Lock Brakes • Elec. Auto Overdrive • Chrome Bumpers ON SALE FROM $16 695 1 ONLY AT THIS PRICE *160014 � LIPSE PRIME EXAMPLES OF AVAILABLE SAVINGS PACKAGE ORIGINAL SALE PRIG. NOW $1000 DOWN* $2000 DOWN* EL $27,008 $20,589 '303 $257 '210 ONVERSIONS rvrnnrnn knn e i0-.21--i5 . agan examines. options regarding possible city golf course, public land By BRENDA HAUGEN.' The .Eagan -"City Council had hoped to take a ,"dual -track" approach to possibly acquiring.. land that may be used for'. a . municipal golf course; but an - offer - from _ another party . has limited the city's .options; ac cording to. City Administrator Tom Hedges. Last _June, Eagan • was con- tacted by the owner of -Car- riage riage Hills Golf Course. Ac- cording to city staff, the owner said he was interested in sell- ing the property for residential-. home - development or to- the city as a municipalgolf course. The council has been, examm ing this possibility since that- _.w..time, and' had tentatively . planned public . informational meetings on the issue in De- cember and January. Thrown. in the mix in Sep- tember was the city's discov- ery that the Northwestern Mu- .. tual Life Insurance Company is looking. to sell a 200-acre par- cel on the northwest corner of .Lexington Avenue and Yankee. Doodle Road. If the city,: were to acquire the parcel; it could be used for anything from "the sense of place" the council has been looking for, to a ,munici- pal golf -course or park. Now the city has found that.. there is an offer on . Carriage. Hills. Hedges explained Oct. 17 that the city doesn't know who made the offer or what .the possible development proposed for the parcel will be: "That is free enterprise," he said •} • Hedges -.said the 'council" now- is looking to the Northwest Mutual property, but the city isn't the only one interested. Whether the city 'is in competi- (See Land, p.6A) POWER SUNROOF INCLUDED GRAND CARAVAN SE Big V6, auto., air, 4 door, power (locks, windows), dark sunscreen glass, tilt steering, cruise control, rear defrost, light group, AM/FM cassette. M.S.R.P. $23,085 V DRIVERS SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR! 3 YEAR LEASE $1000 DOWN !1795 $29995• r. n . v rfl. uoocn Nicer CtfIoocn Land - - - (Continued-fran kont page) tion with another interested party or is in second place to this party is .unknown, Hedges said. The City Council, in a 4-1 vote, directed city staff to ne- gotiate • an option agreement with Northwestern • Mutual for potential ' acquisition of :the - property. CouncilMember Ted Wachter cast•, the dissenting vote, saying he believes the property owner is. trying to pressure . the city into: buying the parcel. He added that :,he "can't see" the city -getting into a "millions of, dollars" pro- ject in such a^hurried fashion without public input. "I don't have the answers I'm looking for," he said. Mayor Tom Egan pointed out that the council members are elected to make such deci- sions, and that this is a time to "take aggressive measures." He added that the option agreement is just the right to acquire the property. The council could let the option expire without buying the par- cel, he said. "You're purchasing time," Egan said. • A few members _of the audi- ence expressed concern about losing Carriage Hills as a golf course. Egan said the city can be "very reluctant" to allow another use on the Carriage Hills parcel. - "We've got a fair amount of leverage, he said. But Council Member Shawn Hunter added that the city can't dictate that use. "We can't make them run a golf course," Hunter said. Egan said the possible loss of • a golf course in the community is what made him look at the land -purchase issue. "To protect Eagan's precious second golf course," he said. Council Member Sandra Masin said it's . in •the - city's best interest to keep its options open on the Northwest Mutual property. t. "We're running out of time," she said. "We're running out of land." - Wachter asked what percent- age of Eagan's residents would use a golf course: Hunter said that the council is off-track in talking about a municipal golf course on the Northwest Mu- tual property because that isn't necessarily what the land_ would be used for. "We not making a decision tonight," he said. "We're not talking about a golf course. We're talking about a piece of property." Hedges also pointed out that the Carriage Hills offer could fall through. "You might just want to let that play out," he said. i ., •' "I'm_3ure.some developer will pick it up in the near future." City.officials• first began ex- ploring the idea of a municipal golf course in June, after Smith approached them with an offer to sell Carriage Hills. In the midst of quickening negotiations last week, some council members ex- pressed reservations about the speed with which the city seemed to be rushing into the golf busi- ness when many questions re- mained unanswered.. "I feel they're trying to pres- sure us into this," said Council- man Ted Wachter. "I can't see going into a millions -of -dollars situation on only a few days de- liberation." City Administrator Tom Hedges, however, pointed out that • pursuing an option on the North- western Mutual site wouldn't lock the city into developing a golf course because the property could be put to other uses. Failure to deal with the potential loss of Car- riage Hills, on theother hand, . could result in a lost opportunity for the city. "This whole thing isn't for a quick fix, but for the long term," Hedges said. "What's hard right now is that all this is happening so quickly and we haven't been able to bring.the public in the way we'd like to." ria• - or ;. rig Cold weather- rule �t- of is now in effect 3i- ey Those who have troublelpay- ing their winter energy bills can as be protected by :the• Minnesota ;st Cold Weather Rule,,which went u- into effect Oct. 15.•., er The rule' helps protect resi- ;in dential energy .customers from :or service disconnection from Oct. by 15, 1995, to April 15, 1996, be- ng cause, of non-payment, if the cus- tomer meets both of the follow- )r- ing conditions: ay 1. The disconnection would in- affect a customer's primary [N heating source. 2. The customer qualifies for in- an inability to pay plan, qualifies for a 10 percent payment plan or mutually agrees to a payment schedule with Northern States Power Co. (NSP). If customers have received a S notice of proposed disconnection, they must act promptly to avoid Ili- disconnection by filing a Cold for Weather Plan form. ies Twin Cities -area NSP cus- tomers can call 282-1234 for in - me formation. • lnfor�ion. , moo. • EAGAN THISWEEK. PUBLISHERS Joseph R. Clay • Daniel H. Clay GENERAL MANAGER and EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bob Temple, MANAGING EDITOR Evelyn Hoover NEWS EDITOR Brenda Haugen SPORTS EDITOR Pete Temple DISPLAY SALES MANAGER Cindy Warweg CLASSIFIED MANAGER • Diane Henningsen OFFICE: 1525 E. Highway 13 P.O. Box 1439 Burnsville, Minn. 55337 OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday -Friday 894-1111 sheets out of their cribs, "then finished me off by going deep removing their pajamas and diapers.. My bend -but -don't -break. de- fense had snapped. Suddenly, I was the Buffalo Bills of bed- time. But, just as my coach told me I would, I learned from it. Using a new defensive scheme, my wife and I have •been able to record a series of victories. But you won't catch me do- ing any touchdown dances. I've learned not to get too cocky, because any true sports fan knows that on any given day, any team can be beaten. Correction The phone number for TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) was incorrect in the Jan. 21 edition. The number is 423- 5051. letters Help city leaders make good choice. on golf course To the editor: The city of Eagan is being asked to , change its compre- hensive guide plan to allow land that is currently a golf course to be changed to a high - density residential develop- ment of 500-plus housing units: The city provided a format for resident concerns at an in- formational meeting Jan. 9. Despite an overflow crowd that - neither the community room _nor the parking lots could ac- commodate, there were several observations that the commu- nity response was not great enough and that the amend- ment to the comprehensive guide plan as applied for by Pulte, may be inevitable. No matter how far-reaching and thoughtful the concerns voiced„ they did not seem to constitute a basis for denying the applica-' tion to amend the plan. Why? What are the specific points or issues that favor granting this change? Politics? Money? Not enough "important" people identifying their position in fa- vor of . alternatives? Who or what is important enough to be able to 'sway our council *against the application to change. the use of this valuable property from public facility to residential? ' Does it follow that since" the city decided against "A," buy- ing Carriage Hills as a city golf course, the only other choice is "B," a full-blown, high -density development by Pulte? Being blinded by two extremes doesn't allow for al- . ternative solutions. Yes, Pulte is offering a. pre- mium price for this golf course.' As professional developers they could realize several times their investment in cor- porate profits with the housing density of the project currently planned. So it seems that money talks. No surprise there. Let's talk about value to ex- isting property owners. How about just those .600 property owners within 350 feet that the city is obliged to notify' of pro - (See Golf, p.15A) 4A January 28, 1996 THISWEEK Feb. 3 at RiverPark in Eagan. The origina,l painting is on dis- play —it First American Bank Mytro, '1995 Rahncliff Court. ;Copies- are on display at Al Baker's Restaurant, 3434 ;Washington Drive; Burton's Frame Shop and Gallery in the Cedarvale Mall; Fastframe, 1960 Cliff. Lake Road, and Signal Bank, 1270 Yankee Doodle Road. Information on obtaining a copy of the print- will be found at each of these businesses, and prints will be available Feb. 3. The art gala starts at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Ticket are $25 and may be purchased from individual Ro- tarians or by calling-452-9323., THANKS FOR INVESTING IN PEOPLE United Way Apple Valley JEWELERS 14810 Granada Ave. W. LOCATED Across From GREENSTREETS and A.V. POST OFFICE on 147th Southport Centre Apple Valley 891-4112 4 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Cedar Cliff Cobblestone Court Eagan Burnsville 454-1390 435-8585 Photos Courtesy of Heritage Photography NOW YOU SEE IT... mount With Western's new UniMount System most of the snowplow mount is quickly and easily removed from the truck when it's not being used for plowing! By removing most of the plow mount - every time you're done plowing - you eliminate over 100 lbs. of permanent weight on the front end and return your truck to its original look. [WESTEHN SNOWPLOWS Town Centre. Eagan 456-9454 NOW YOU DON'T! AA Auto Salvage .Installation 423-2432 • Parts THIS,INEEK January-28i 1996 3A Goff (Continued) posed changes?. Independent real estate experts estimate the value of a single condominium facing the golf course could • decrease in value $10,000 to $30,000. That's•probably one of the least expensive homes sur- rounding the golf course, so let's multiply a -lossof $10,000 times, the 600 owners (apartments, townhouses, con- dos, single-family homes) that are neighbors. You don't need a calculator to figure out- that surrounding property .owners will sustain a significant loss. Looking at. the back side of an eight -unit townhouse can't be- gin to compare with. rolling hills and rare birds soaring overhead: Guidelines for major change require the entity requesting the change to prove benefit. But somehow, out .here in the real world, the burden of proof seems -to be on the citizen. The only benefit the Pulte represen- tative could come up with was •that the company was provid- ing more housing for Eagan residents. Common sense would suggest that the most significant benefits of *this pro-. posal are the profits that will be realized • by Pulte and its shareholders. The "quality of life" consid- erations explored at the 'infor- mational meeting seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Be- yond a shadow. of a doubt, in myriad oveit and hidden. ways, the citizens of Eagan will lose farmore in hard, cold cash .i,thar0.thisq corporation or the'city tax base'will•gairi. People simply do not do -well living. on top of each other.. This is not the "cluster" devel- opment -principle that ad- dresses the need for open space nearby. Our community is already saturated with hous- ing that is not being sold. Once the land is cleared and leveled and "developed," there are no more choices. Deprecia- tion, even with costly mainte- nance, will rule the future. There is widespread disbelief metrowide among professionals that Eagan would allow. a prime resource to be turned into just another housing de- velopment. There are other op- tions, but they cannot be pur- sued until the current request to change the comprehensive plan is denied. The city main- tains that five months wasn't enough time to study the mu- nicipal golf course issue. How can they resolve issues that are -ultimately more significant in less time? Please .help our city leaders make • an educated choice. They have an obligation to rep- resent us. Write . a letter that documents your concerns, or at . the very least, sign one of the • petitions that citizen and busi- ness groups are circulating. M.L: THORPE Eagan THANKS FOR INVESTING_ IN PEOPLE UnitedWay ITS NEVER MEANT MORE Dinner, dance to benefit YMCA "The Cool Cruise," a dinner and dance fund-raiser .for the Minnesota Valley YMCA's building fund, will be held Saturday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Burnsville. The • evening includes a silent -auc- tion and music by the Mraz Brothers Band. r Tickets are $50 each, $20 of which is tax-deductible. Lim- ited seating remains: For reser- vations, call 898-9622. ' The YMCA is raising money to build a 65,000 square -foot facility on the Ridges Campus in Burnsville. More than $1.27 million has been raised lo- cally; $2.5 million is needed to • match the $3.8 million. being raised by the YMCA of Metro- politan Minneapolis. The facility will include pools, gyms, community and teen rooms, a track for walking. and jogging, fitness and aero- bics areas, locker rooms and administrative offices. The Minnesota Valley branch serves . Apple Valley, Burns; ville, Lakeville, Prior Lake, Savage and • Shakopee. Dona- tions for the facility can be sent to • Minnesota Valley YMCA,J4101 Fairview Drive, Burnsville, '55337 .- (attention: Tom Sister; executive direc--. tor). Adoption day Last Hope, Inc: wi11 ' hold an adoption day Feb. 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Pet Food Warehouse_ in Apple Valley. • Dogs, cats, puppies and kit- tens will be available for adop- tion. Adoption fees on felines and canines start at $40. All 'ani- mals have had a distemper vaccination, a veterinarian check, and.feluk or heart worm test. All animals over -6 months have been spayed or neutered. Last Hope, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to sav- ing. lost and abandoned ani- mals. For more information, call 432-7974. Steak fry The Rosemount American Legion Post 65 is sponsoring a steak fry Feb. 4, 4-7 p.m.; at its location at 14590 Burma Ave. The menu includes steak or hamburgers, baked potato, coleslaw, rolls, and coffee. Cost is $6 for adults, $5.50 for seniors, and hamburgers will cost $4. All proceeds go to support community activities. Children's author Children's author. Audrey Osofsky of Burnsville will read from and sign copies of her new book, "Free To Dream," a biography of poet Langston Hughes, on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 1-2 p.m. at. Barnes and Noble, 14111 Aldrich Ave., Burnsville. - Information:895-4505. ' Green spacecan never be replaced To the editor: The decisions we make now dictate the way we live later. Our city government must keep this thought foremost as it. considers rezoning Carriage Hills Golf Course to residential. Such a de- cision would take away valuable publicly. zoned land, and once the open space is gone, we can- not get it back. Pulte, a very large national developer, plans to build a high - density housing development of at least 500 dwellings on the 120-acre golf course. And the D- 2 zoning Pulte is requesting would allow more- than 700 units. For the city and its residents, the issues are much bigger than profit. Strain on area roads, in- frastructure, school systems, the impact on the environment, plummeting property values and expense to the taxpayers are but a few of the major concerns to this community. I don't believe the city is ready to make such a decision at this time. Much testing, surveys, and research must take place before ditor the decision is made. I have confi- dence in our city staff and council members that they will examine all aspects of this issue and inform the people about all the results of testa and surveys, especially since all indications from the informa- tional meetings already held show we the people are not willing to lose this tract of land. The city of Eagan cannot af' ford tolet another developer come into our city and make de- y• cisions for us. We are the ones who benefit or lose by such deci- th sions, and the city council repre- re- sents the people who live here, ar not far-off corporate entities. rve Remember, once our green :ing space is developed we.lose it for- ever, and that would be a travesty. vith Nanette Ashton. ica- Eagan " Sizes 55/80R13 $ /� 9 75/80R13 2T " Sizes 85/75R14 95/75R14 $2999 05/75R14 " Sizes 05/75R15 $159 25/75 R 15 FREE! 30 Day Ride Guarantee at reg. price, get the 4th EgLE 4N ASSOCIATE MICHELIN OF 9 9 PASSENGER/TOURING 80,000 mile Size R.Y. Prkc. 25%Off Pot TP. Price P185/75R14 76.99 57.74 P195/75R14 77.99 58.48 P205/75R14 82.99 62.24 P205/75R15 85.99 64.49 4 P235/75R15 95.99 71.99 P185/70R14 82.99 62.24 P205/70R14 87.99 65.99 P205f70R15 89.99 67.49 4th Tire Free Sale! MORTGAGE C Refinancing "Ask kept se 99% !1 i • ;City `, Connell— meeting agan:, citizens should kee. o the editor: ' ,}� good about quoting the 3 history 'r1 observed the Dec 5 Eagan ' of Eagan on this- matter? I•too while : have a pretty`'good:merr.ory on which points out that' each"". "-''the'•' mayor and • City'. Council . ,. zoning issues in this toW ii after time tliis issue was voted on, it _,. . members entertained - the r re serving seven years on the Ad did not have solidarity , Staff {consideration of the visory Planning Cominission and `council 'members,4ineed to "nei hborhood business zon- ; and fourterins as mayor of Ea- be watched Let's stay c g •-• ing" for a.site in�-the northwest gan. I don't believe for one •cerned - i met' of. Diffle and Lexin second we haver, ever used a co y g t t �, ton The :council `''andr,staff , i,PD to open the, gate anit allow BEA BLOMQUIST f, made a gallant attemotsat ;,de t less stringent zoning r» 1' s .''' ' Eagan ',: fending .themselves:f againstY'i`a • 3 ' . crowd of concernedC}-citizens LOSS •of golf cot rse 'make -oug m r, . - -for staff and council while they, Eagan less. than. austar cit Alth h I May have sympathy suffer: through .a council meets• t, , ; v ff ^` , To the editor. qualify for this coveted status ing issue such as this, m real q y� ity' I do not:-`: ti' �, �N If appears the',city of Eagan Citizens are asking the • cur- h The zonin seemed to'''''have,Fhas lost' a prime recreational rent administration, that,{ as,.,,, many- problems areas . in'the <.- zoning and platting° process ; It fit: Course. It could have; been op thus far, to consi 1 4is very:frustrating,as a+staff`and ,erated ,at„a •profit'to Ihe' city. cerns of Eagaii crtizeris who 'aa. f= . J T..fi k i',�.�'S.. 71 4. 3:council--,member�to-have icon 1 wwithin a short'time, andtprojec will inherit the consequences,, d t' t' ' ' t . dons for' the future were aston of their action`s. How do we get';; j � �' !{.wt F A3 F' f resource,�k Carriage Hills Golf been unresponsive and cavalier der the con _ plex matter. Most. individuals f ll t of this `co s • 7t x . ware no -e �1�x•_�: • ect's detail as it can' -and does already plagued With ' crime cost taxpayers millions more, ' * "vary;. from . city to {city, ,The and violent abuses . against the and losing Carriage Hills Golf €most difficult:; art to, •.,under human spirit . �� t sd ,r Course goes sway beyond F :cerne citizens poin ing ou the problems' of the issue: On , ;ishmg: t`s them to act responsibly, ' fog }: t It has been sold andithe city earn back our star city status • .t11..other hand it mays Abe �°� �r � ,., cause for alarmrfor he citizens s will collect onetime,nbuilding•! Buying the golf course at tl re.•, ,a - . ?1' +•x> - - ' s}- n_rsz'> ¢ i?• ud vtia of'Eagan to•be treated itt a de fees for a low cost> high point would include a Bevel „ ing development; .open profit, but that's the price' ' ceptive:manner Y � , �� . densitynouS z .•'zoning in any. city' is a coin Viand let, citizens spay for.`the of years of procrastination n ` a ou ., rridor of high- this issue Developing a new t ducated on'• the sub density development; which is course with raw land , wou' •• z What can . We as ordinary „monetary loss The city s hesi� A, stand is,when a "zoning'•' • be- R{ $ ; conies part •of a `'planned' de ;citizens do. By the,,time .we} velopment (PD) "'Ate Diffley ,can vote the, current, adminiet 'k •gand''Lexington, .,that #,is "what ;stration out of office,iit will he appened : _s; too• late -for. Pone -of ,the last I- glistened. while• -staff andA,large'pnvate::tracts of land left council'' members argued,- that yin northern Dakota County x ut: under ,a PDGthe city can, write . •, Eagan has 'a stars city ',desig Ivi L. THORPE,t, t; ' in 'anything they' want. I be nation, but, with this kind 'Of Eagan 'vision; we should no longgreg ��lieve.ahat'isirue�But- what I r ) s Ah ate F a- K, {don'ts• believe ,is' they -canuse cunivent• •`t} e. rulestwil zoning that isa PD �The'id behind a,PD is to {save more `in place to' benefit,,the ,planniri ✓ i around and. in the zoned devel 4 opment, ;;not, looseiti�`,` Its up�' 'tanything goes Why have; zon 7 tation.,over tunning :a golf course sh"o'uld cause alarm for gi those of us who allowthem to r - F x• . x<.. Arun our' educational system and,,P; community government. " Cth •minuniccitiOn is Ei - • " rmonv To the editor:: ? aWareneSs: i n In regard to the letter to the"�+ s .Signs inexpensive` + „ editor -Written by Bren'e. lorine 4,•bile•and -rarseuseable; even recy= of Eagan, a simple sign posted+,. clable '.:'Boni .Burnsville rsand, ing at all if this is'`the case" { a i; on the Fcorner •of this property rRffInver Grove pHeights pr s i e Since the;' council,:`.was ..so; prior to and during the: planning ;-signage to make all interested a Is 'UBLISHERS oseph R. Clay. Daniel H Clay GENERAL MANAGEk and EXECUTIVE EDITOR' w °� Bob Temple (AGING EDITOR , Evelyn Hoou NEWS,EDiI Bic ' u,ripn't process ,would.'havei`solved`theftparties aware of current deyel .t:• lack: of communicatic n prob ,opment, plans . in ,,the p,oeess ,. fern 'between Eagan .esidents _ Why is the city. of Eagan hesr- and this -developing business.t''tsting'to initiate.thcs.e. sample .property: ' ii communication solutions for;, Although the Eagan Snall the residents; businesspropi es Business Association I+re.sented '. +fors and land owners• in Eagan ' this signage idea �to4 our city } Communication is. the key. toa hall Months ago, no;ac lion. has, , a harmonious community_; been taken io 'provide sign.ige. 1 nor several of the other eco ' JOHN YOUNG .: nomical• and reason ible 3 `re , secretary } quests xour assgciatton has g;EaganVSmall Busrngs$<�```�� ,„:„ • -, , -s'madei Y"to .. enhance,+" ublic Association 1 Oil, ,� Public. hearing set for golf course site A joint public hearing is sched- uled between the Eagan City Council and its Advisory Planning Commission (APC) to consider an amendment to the Comprehen- sive Land Use Plan for Carriage Hills Golf Course in Eagan. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at St. John Neumann Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Road. Following the hearing, the APC will make its recommendation to the City Council, who will convene imme- diately after the APC meeting to consider action on the amend- ment request. Pulte Homes is re- questing the amendment in order to build residential units at the site of the Carriage Hills Golf Course at Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Hills Drive. Information: 681-4671. Comment sought on tree ordinance Public comment on a pro- posed tree preservation ordi- nance will be heard at an Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Municipal Center, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. The proposed ordinance would replace a similar tree preservation policy that has been in effect on a trial basis for the past year. It requires devel- opers and commercial or resi- dential builders to preserve or replace a percentage of the trees and foliage that exists on a site prior to grading or con- struction. Following public comment, the APC will make a recommen- dation to the City Council, which will take action on the ordinance. Information: 681-4300. Funds established for 15 scholarships The Minnesota Sheriffs As- sociation has established a fund totaling $9,000 for the awarding of 15 scholarships for 1996. Applications will be received until Feb. 28, with scholarships being awarded by May 1. Application ' forms and a statement of procedures are available at the Dakota County Sheriff's Office in Hastings. Scholarships are available to it INSIDE NEWS: Run to raise funds for Crisis Nursery, Page 3A. SPORTS: Development of youth is key for Eagan track team, Page 20A.-- eneas, SurnCu�rerr! Look inside dtis issue]] for Fakryour 2 Sections/Newsstand 75g April 3, 1996 lit EE Vol. 21, No. 15 i By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer .e 1 Former Parks and Recreation supervisor faces charges A former Eagan Parka and Recreation supervisor u charged with stealing public funds and forging city dheds. Walker Lee Ashley, 36, of Eagan was hind April 25, 1994 and served as a youth develop- ment coordinator since the sum- mer of 1994, according to a city personnel staff member. Ashley resigned March 1, 1996. in January, an assistant city - finance director noticed that sev- eral checks made payable to coaches and re(ereee for the city had been endorsed over to Ash- ley, according toe complaint filed in Dakota County District Court Eagan Ponce investigated and found that eight chide written to • basketball coecNreferee were subsequently endorsed over to • t+As lee Berupli es rsondaisose+ .d that Ashley hod submitted time .t sheets on behalf ofthe coscNrefer- ee during a lima period when the employee said he no longer mirk ed for the city. The ducks ranged from 8106.77 to 3163.10. Eight otherchecke were made payable to juveniles for work performed in Ashley's youth de- velopment program. The checks, ranging from 8125 to $216, also had been endorsed over to Ash- ley. stated the complaint. One juvenile told police he had confronted Ashley about never getting paid for his work, yet • check written in his name had been endorsed over to Ash- ley The juvenile and his mother confronted Ashley and were eventually paid a portion of what was earned, according to the complaint. Several other juveniles told officers that Ashley drove them in ■ van in September 1994 to an Eagan bank and had them en- dorse their checks ever to him. He went into the bank to cash the checks and upon returning to the van, be allegedly paid them wily a portion of their check and kept the rest he balance owed was in exams o6$200. According to the complaint, Ashley told po- hee he kept the money to pay program fed for the juveniles. Eagan Parks end Recreation De- partment lies no record of Ash- ley making payments on the ju- veniles' behalf. Ashley is charged with theft of public funds by Cabe representa- tion. If convicted, the maximum penalty is fin yen in prison and a $10,000 fine. He also is charged with check forgery which carries the same- maxi• mum penalty and of aggregating theft, punishable by up to one year in prism and a 3900 fine. His first court beating is scheduled May 13. r .. i — -- Egg-cited youth Shannen Reynolds, 4, and her 3-year-old brother, Matthew, sit on the Ender Bunny's lap at Burnsville Cen• ter. Families can visit the Easter Bunny through April 8 during mall hours on the upper level of the mall near the Center Court. Burnsville Center is south of County Road 42 and west of Interstate SSW. leformauon: 435-8183- (Jan Abbott/Staff Photographer) Coalition claims victory over golf course proposal Council denies request to change land use By Sue Heg'arty Staff Writer A group of Eagan residents rejoiced last week after the city s Planning Commission and City Council denied • developers re- quest that could have replaced Carriage Hills Colt Course with • 525-home development. Now the community activists, known as the non-profit Car- riage Hills Coalition, plan to help Bill Smith, the course owner, find what they consider to be a more appropriate buyer for has property. They may not have to look very fir City .toff wen atpeci- Ir4 t8 A1],it 1*! (lids, in'(A Lf' fictive Golf Course Systems to discus whether the city should purchase the golf coarse, said Tom Hedges, city administrator. In 1959 at Smith's request, the city resoned the 120-acre site between Lexington Avenue and Elms and south of Yankee Doodle Road from agriculture to public use. Smith opened the nine -hole course in 1965 and ex- panded it to 18 holes two years later. Today, it remains the only regulation 18-hole golf course in the city. Two other privately owned courses exist in Eagan — Parkview Golf Course along Cliff Road and Lost Spur Coun- try Club along Highway 13. Pulte Hanes planned to build 525 homes on the land with an overall average of 4.4 hens per acre. One -quarter of the toms would have been single family units; 75 percent would have been townhomee for Ent -time home buyers and empty neaten. But first, Pulte and Smith needed the council to approve an amendment to the cityi comprehensive land use plan, lunging the muree from public facility to residential use. In the 1980e land surrounding Carriage Hills Golf Course devel- oped into residential neighbor- hood*. More than 500 of those res- ident/ opposed to the amendment plan attended the March 25 turd.'. ing' of the commis -ion and cram - al. Residents said that if the .� amendment were approved and built theboctiat, they lured '�'a 1 t:itt prOfiirti anefillf urel wildlife habitats Tbey also feared immsaare in traffic and ' wool enrollments if the dank, ,- meat plan was approved. Development Director Peggy Reichert said the city already has its ahare of multiple housing stock, also referred to as D2. 'This would exceed our goals by 10 percent and would further skew the balance. It is not amen. tent with our livable Communi- hes Act goals,' Reichert said. Planning Commission mem- bers agreed that there ie an ad- equate amount of D2 land al- ready available in Eagan with- out changing the city's overall bind use plan. There is available D2 inven- tory in our city,' said Mark OOL,t: To Page M District 196 parents challenge use of book, tape By Deb f3chews Staff Writer Foul language and talk of sexual prac- tise are causing some District 196 parents to question the see of o.Lin materials in the schools. In one cane, a parent of ■ third -grade stu. dent at Thomas Lake Elementary School ob- jected to having the book The Fear Place' by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor in elementary schools. Ellen Rogalin, administrative assis- tant to the superintendent, said the parent's concern stem' from foul language used in the book. The book is not used in classrooms, but is in the school's library. The parent of a seventh -grade student at Black Hawk Middle School is requesting that the district take a second look at using the videotape The New, Improved Me. Un- derstanding Body Changes' by Sunburst Communications in health clam. The parent is asking that a portion of the tape or the em tire taps be removed from use in schools throughout the district. Rogalin said the concerns focus pre cussion of masturbation in the videotape. The parent says the tape dos not condemn nuoturbation, which the person says u a practice that goes against their religious be- liefs. In the flvs to sic years the tape has been heed in health chew, Black Hawk health ed- scation teacher Chris Ranken said it has raised little concern among parents. Rather, moat parents she has heard from have praised the video's contents. The mention of masturbation is brief in the tape and is rt.ferred to es 'a normal re- lease asexual tension.' Ranken said. Parents are allowed to preview all mate. vial used in the d or before it is presented to students, she said. They also have the option N removing their child from the clue when material they find objectionable is present. ed. in the time the ripe has been used, Ranken said no more than a t,andful of atu• dents have not participated in dam when the video was shown. The materials will go before the district's elementary and secondary reconsideration review committees April 15. The commit- tee, made up of district parents and em- ployees, will review the material before de- eding what -action should be taken. Factor- ing into their decision an the criteria origi• natty used to select the material end the quality of material as a whole. Until a deci- sion le made, the material will remain In the eehoola. Anybody can request that material used in the district be reconsidered for use in the schools. Should the person want the materi- al to be removed from class or school, the ma- tarial is to be reviewed by the elementary or aeoondary reconsideration review commit- tee. On April 15, the isenndary reconsiders - bon review committee will meet at 6 p.m. , and the elementary reconsideration review oommittee will meet at 6 p.m. at the district office, 14445 Diamond Path, Resonant. SAINT P,AUL':PIONEER PRESS. • counties, which r I �fhe personal care attendant and rograms now;: to TEFRA:. programs for; disabled.: o until the . one , children :and adults with' high tiled 'expenses were created to help �sF'Commissioner fund` daily living activities. so the Etthat unchecked, },,, recipients could' live .as . indepen Health care costs ,i; dently, as possible. Without, the at-'. the entire', Stater.,.. tendants and other aid,that comes Years: Managed a through the federal -"state program. I system intendd-ed' : r1own as TEFRA,,,,many k; recipe by putting`, more :• f ents would have to live in nursing iders and , y : em aa,' homes.," itt a health mea ' „Greenfield said, barring a •;veto •} Yi r ° " .''' 'r }!. .* override in both the House and the.. Rows' the state Ito, a, Senate, provisions of .the bill could 'ith' managed'care:,be attached to, other.bills: Samuel re programs, ven 7son!was not so optimistic :; .; et., surviI ve in some , , , The governor said he would sign , ., ,�, .;, a bill including the provision , to 1,i at risk if the' bill restore cuts to the ;,personal , care 1e . restoration of attendant and TEFRA programs y cut,, to program"Political swirling•:' around the ildren and adults; ; Capitol could . take this up . into out $5 million to some sort of tornado," said Anne` to recover rate°re, y. Henry, an attorney ,with. the Min last yye�ar. Tte`cutSJ nesota Disability Law Center."I to take effect -July' at. don't think the Legislature .should change in current leave until they have taken care of l • t ' larger than .rating water scooters. They can taDON AHERN STAFF WRITER • t childhood friend had died 'She im-: :..mediately:..read;;. a. -book,,,::`,`Saving . the :, Neighborhood," and then fol- k .well=organized :'citizens' ' blitz :lowed, its advice + ; } , . v •. Weber -her :sister=in law ,Rachel ;•has; prevented:`•townhouses- from Thor e: Newman; and about. 4;000 `;; sprouting on.;ttie.,fairways of Car i `- etit on si nin Ea an residents riage ;Hills Golf ,Course in Eagan ' . p i ig g. g ::•:.q The suburb's', planning commis :': f inally Ypersuaded . the city not , to Sion and City .Council. voted .unani t' change,, the -comprehensive plan.:: • •,-mously. ; Monday; night : to deny a� They;,reasoned . that . even the un- ' < request' to change•,,Eagan's com;certain; possibility; of maintaining -. i. prehensive`'plan-,:in order. to permit zthe land,as.ha golf course is better , *: the housing; :;development:.,, Pulte :,; than,the"certainty' of .losing it, to a ''Homes of Minnesota had arranged ;type'fof'residencethat already con ..with'.Bill Smith,•who.owns•the golf i_stitutes :50-:.percent:' of Eagan's r. ',' course„ to. buy,;the land, if the rec- ; housing stock. '; reational zoning could he changed Egan'said•it was',first necessary '. to. permit, up• to. six: housing units to :find:,;legally;-,sound ;reasons to. deny4Thorpe the chance to sell his `: ;':per acrhe',zo,' z . s'i� - r0 ert That,,,;:he; said, was,.an :.•. ' But.the zoning designation does . P P Y;:,: net automatically preserve the : issue entirely separate from deter-. •• golf'course near.Lexington.Avenue ;; ;:mining how to keep it operating as : ,'and!Yankee Doodle Road, cau i a, golf course tioned Tom Egan, mayor: of Eag "Tlie. coalition :.was.. extremely - an h well organized," Egan said. "They The city has offered to Help find: had: a, series of presenters Won - a` private ..buyer.. because Smith::;;had.-.a, day.. night) :.who • made well-rea- who is hoping to ,retire,,, may :not :} coned. and logical arguments., . wish to, continue to operate the ;:,.,.«It:was perhaps a classic exam ','golf ; course. The.: city, also Mays /pie of good civics because this was '::consider buying the land•,and oper-.; ;_a grass roots effort by this ess ating a municipal .golf course; - ., dents who: were. concerned about though that's not 'Egan's , Prefer- ence. .;..what;: .this: golf. course means . to • �o or is t ' operate one under, current law if. on adds that 12 - u •'to accompanied anied by a :person 18 years ;ust be accompanied ; , f g years' of age within In the case of Sahli's,; death, the controls for. operate 8-year old driver's , father wasn't • than `25 w horsepoer .i at the controls • , although he was ave a{,`valid - water,' sitting nearby 's permit from r state of residence. `• . • Fatal. accidents • ►nvolving y need a permit or . • dren and boat collisions are rare g who ; is ,18, to open- in Minnesota,- but the accident on horsepower or larg- Bay Lake, in Crow . Wing County spurred ' a- flurry , of bills in the .tion of`the law pro; Legislature restricting children a under 13 from op- from operating motorboats. isure'i• has been zlan-; the', Rules` Committee:, s promised' quick,a&,. Smith offered•'' the.120' acres to -them • `l :, ; ti the city last .year for a municipal , Now that the group, has succeed- course.. But before .the City Coun- the, next step is "to pursue cil made a decision, Smith accept- • 4finding.;a- buyer ; for ,'Mr.: Smith's ed Pulte's option. golf. course," Weber said. •It: was .then: that••nearby resi-`< However, •.there: isalso a third • 'dents, ; became ;: alarmed,.,by ;the "exciting".!:possibility; :Egan 'said. prospect of losing one of the main.' Itinvolves:.the city s•buying up to amenities ,that had attracted ;them ,200 .acres •'.,of ..undeveloped •. land ! to the neighborhood. . • : across ".Yankee Doodle Road and l 0ne of, the organizers . of the incorporating :it with: the existing "Carriage'' Hills .Coalition neigh- .golf -course for a larger .wrap- : :. borhood group, Cindy Weber, said • aroundcourse and recreation area she was moved to action when her .;with: some housing ,in the middle. hilsband, Colin;;Thorpe,; said. the ply ::But "all ofthis assumes it would pendingsale made him feel as if a -, have to pay for itself, Egan said..., Officials'advisif_ • suggestparkingin.`private lots'off the field, they imply. that. people "take the tight.parking;situation• in i„:: ran-- -,.;•,"4:v•• • • • - hen ut •feiise had snapped. Siidden1y,'I. was the Buffalo Bilis of time - bed- `;`. ttriii!ry26;•1996:'... THISWEE!<••:. • • • • • ... • ._ • .i...,....t, , rz ut;:ilis'ft:.:11s:._:.'t ray?.C.o kc..„...3.-;36,I513.p,- iitditock, e:i.golf cours4 ood .4.;* . : ,. leaders make choice ort- ...., -1.,--..;•-r,kriSIT.1 1%V4iFiriiiT -inL-A - , Of:; inA'1?-.7k7;: ,.thoughtful., ,,?...,---._ 7. iiis'"Ice4. high-density:':*.is 4 ;. 1,,o, -• atterliolfare60,tr 'i.77':::;.::::''''r choice • 7 , _ 1:-:pfh11.:b1::.: y --e;,.,,,,,,1-,--•;;:- ••.- ,.• -`0-..14,-Cg-•??,,,...“.. ,':,-- -.., ..---1"A:7:i-.- - asked :f81.thinkel,...464.,.compreF.-:-tney:.d14,n9t seem to Beini--. blihdecr. by two t)iiit-4,,:-,4, i.,,,nev,c::,4efensve!.,.:,,.,, _ ,,-...-.7, - _.':d.,., , .... '1:7,1..t.: • r 0-6-_,..--,-...4rif----,467:-6424;,'.. have, .4hensive-iguide Pfan7:167ajtc.i4t,,,-i,a bas*f6iIdebyil* the rapplica ,'.,extremes- doesn, trall9wcr.,... al- been cable- 't.6.i-ieirdli:*'Cie:riei: of land that AT Ciijretitly:. .e-g611:,'57;.tibril. to T amencr'the.-:Plaii.*144i. :':.fertirative soZbit!iins.. .,?•,--C-. lattuhtii, :y:eiii;-jr,‘, ,‘,4.1;tjt,,,..7-L:4t, m.;:,,.....,d:::::0coolsite,./.t:?,be;c4aniii,aeict.11-7,6„,. develop-tli-:att!iefa-ivt.irfiin°:'.-hP.?it thoisi7::':nn' Tum.fs 7.o.pincelte4.1.37thLlgs.eg.nnalfgr,;(:;.uprsree: 1.14gAytoiii.cho,-::-,.iii-Arii ifif, e,:-. ,iii:ent.o.,QQ_tplushoui ,fiiiiiorintsai!,,,,_,,eCntioanliighge9,,:;J:uplitpoittlMe,O,,iii,.,ely9 pNoot they ,' professionar developers -3 learned E not tokgeVitiortocky;:r ••!,,The city provided,_ tieai.ilef.4=.-7ani?'*de,:4cit . fair' for resident;cOncerns. at.:::4!11-7i,iic.'"?.4'-' pin:tify;ing7Oi470ii;ii., in fa-: _tiine.s. _then...investment itt. e ey could',._strialii,. el,':leveral cor- knows',' that. cilufany,, given,. day„ ",formational it Meitihk.../..41C$74y.547:ipf.1f-Itplatries,,Nyho or, porate profits;:*, the housing .16aiii;:aiii:„1.3e tie4toil,,,,..,- :.:-- P6spic,,..4p-,oyqr,f19*-'crhwAtliatl:`viliat'TS,,,•iportant. rhugh,:,...,t9.lie,:.:::ciinsiti 61-:Theipibiet?,cyriently- • ,.,,, . ' . - ' ' " a-- 7-.'4'z'able tor'''4"'"`'skira` our -. council planned plinhee!s47:., it seems i'Y that neither the 7 , y nor . die, parking. rots-. co. ultr: ac,L against • the. application to, - moneys talks No surprise .., ,,,,„ ..,.....,, • . ,,.. -commodate- there, were._ several, -^11"-^'..he7-usv 0. L. . a au.ic; p:. zers,. taw aooutr,yalue tor, ex- plpli1‘14LC.111. U.a.,....4„,";`-7 " • • observations, that the F0...m_ muzi.:. -PropCKtY-t m. public facility. cr.• isting::: property- owners How ,4**ohy:piiimit19:F...Tops, nity. re...Rof.4&:,:wa, ,n9szgfeA-',.:,!Fsidp tial?c:-:'t:'t: -, . ' - , ,...:. • about,:just, t osic, 600t-,property --i91:°KAIjIds§bilq31Y)1 enough and that the amends-: .1:-.-Doesi : fol1,9w.thatizsince. the owners.;:witkini359,‘:feeti;that. the as,;,..incoikictitih;_tiii0Janif,-,21Y; mint, to;1; '.' the - . cornprehensk4V;;:4C4dealdecri aiiiilstzteA.,,7. buY: dity.:iSt:-Obligeatii,nOti .hffpro- -''-ediiiciii:',-. The: ' number is s 42.3:- ' gpide.Pia'n::.;::,' apPlie& tor : bk--;-iiii Carriage::' Hillst :as-. 4. citr • •',4.2:il>' ,.., ,1 .. 505L::,.. • • r : ..,,.,,,i;; , . Pulte; may be- inevitable: No‘;.• • golf' course ;=: : the- only other: (See Golf p;15A )., . f - VP' ' T., t• '''.,!: .,•-.-•- - .. • ••• -.- , (Continue posed changes? Independent real estate experts estimate: the; value of a single ;condominium facing':, thee: golf courser could " decreased$),0,000-:ao $30,0001That's probably onesof the' least' expensive -homes: sur, roundingfa the golf,. course, so. let's multiply'a:lossfof:.$10,000 ,times the ' a artments, townhouses;icon_ dos,• single-family homes) - that are .neighbors You :don't :need a calculator to figureout that surrounding property>>eowners will sustain-- a 'significantY loss, yoking at„the; backs side of'an eight -unit. townhouse can't be= gin to compare=.. with rolling .:: hills and ;`rare ;:;.birds ,y `soaring overhead Guidelines for; major change' require they :entity= requesting the chinge;tcr,LpeOe .ber efit. But somehow, out here : in = the reap" world,' the burden.of. proof; seems`:to;be: on''the :citizen The only benefit the<Pulte represen-` tative,could come uprwith,;was -that ;the company ,was provid- ing -more housing for Eagan residents. Common rr sense 4t would suggest .that; theca most significant.benefits ,of this;3pro posal are the.• profitsthat>-.will �. realized by-Pulte; and:. its • 'shareholders..- u „ The "qualityof life'; x consi • erations explored at ahe, <mfor.= mational meeting. k seem;fig to :have fallen. on2kdeaf sears # Be oubt,_ m .en ways, the citizens "of Eagan will lose ;tip far mnre cold r'Cash yond a� shadow myriad overt an or.the city ta* base'viill'gain: People simply do riot do well `living ;on top' -of eiich`'.'other: . This is not the "cluster" devel- opment `.:' principle *4,that ad- dresses 4 the • need for ' open space. nearby. Our community As 'already'.' saturated :with hous- :.ing that is not being gold: Once the land is Cleated- arid leveled and "develolied;''there are no more choices: ` Deprecia- tion; even with `'costly mainte nance; will rule the future: 'There is.. widespread disbelief metrowide among professionals that Eagan' `would " allow• a prime "resource ., to be turned into' just. another }rousing de=:.:. I, welopment. 'There are other op= tions; but' they cannot : be pur- • t: sued until the!: cur`rent reque"st to change the; coniprehensive ,, plan: is'denied: •:The city main- • tains that five months wasn't • enough time to study: the riiu= . nicipal golf course issue:' HOW can they resolve issties• that are ultimately more `significant in less time? Please . help 'otr city •:leaders make • an educate] 'choice: They- have an obligation to rep resent us. `Write a.1etter. that documents your cotiCerfls; or at the very least, sign'':orie:of the petitions that citizeri and busi- ness groups are circulating. 1VI.L: THORPE. ,Eagan THANKS FOR INVESTING y, , IN PEOPLE i United •„. IT'S NEVER MORE. . n..,�.0 r Se... . ; .n�.'_._...-.�....L......-........ ri �r.� ....w....«a++e.. .w..r.-_...h«r.._.L.- --..�- .. _.:.. .ram. ....+ .+.r. ..-.. s..`- 2..+ ha •v.. Volume 16, No. 47 contnues • golf course Effective -Golf :Course :Sys "We . were brainstorming K ,: £ _: r "stems will do ; a ,comparative about ;what -could `(happen)," Folks ltioping the city would 'aaaiysis' :of : seven golf 'course he said. "Ws need to be crea- ooatinue study -ofa munici scenarios, he said. The 'scenar':' five. We need Yo be innova- pail -Of �oourse 9n Eagan; are ios mc1dde everything -:'from` tive." r getting .their w�5h.� rt making the �amage,Hilis Golf Effedtve- Golf, Course Sys- The City Goune'li -Jan. "16.ap- Course a municipal eouise to a terns studied the city's options piovedTenhshng e ' help of a ,possible golf course_ -elsewhere last consultant to examine the dos The scenarios u►clude .-various- il tyY n-:municipal `:golf sizes of sou ses and,e vane ages_ e • .'fall when the council was at;. the possibility. ,of age Hills ,Golf .z Golf; I9. -January,21,1996 meat` on Yankee Doodle eriade-de Road near Town Centre tohost celebration, :but plans for that area no longer include a pub" ts Iic space foe such an .event. According - :to Council Member (See Events. p.19A) ‘• Courae Oc`plifehaaitig ;loss of t e g ertyliliewhetet:Wheig aAiittiVtifOrteittite of greetiSpiice in the 1. !;1• riiCipal golf '.COiititeiebiiiii:bevaiti'4, northern portion of the city, 4I ,,k:31a74w•jvf.i,i1.,p;•" -!•option:y'Others said they don t want the.;;. ....But • in•'•Oetobet,,•::!tineettalitty city teo;IOSO golf eonise. • f ••-rt•with th&Vpropettyy, it -.1ssii05:tiaVillie council decided to fol-., d!welraS4he,tiate•OCtite"'.etiiiiiiievloW the Cititenss lead and Cori:: 1' Hillssite likingtleihil;inudy 'to look into ,the issue; c oseetleclges said:f--';:i114.1.71:ii..':'R..1-fedges said. • has Tilley feel the study is teally • -' broughtt'theTASsuet for -Ward irtiportiiiit34 he said. • • • ....it,',.Again.:Residentfqintl,4'.61110.,:itti.:'4,-;, The ittidy!latc• ;ejipteted to 66..1' teidgtdizit-1)AiOki5titgijthigg.Pintitne!ettiAnTriate February, Fledges said,. At present, the room lan 9 fot an tnforrna city has•been looking at A titibl);,i. --:'• -1` tionitI-Meeting-legar regarding a pro- lic hearing on the issue Feb42 tesidential.,,dekielOgnient-s! before the Advisory...... 10 on what Is Carnage Milli Commission • (APC) but that Golf courSe.4?-"r,p,c;:;...,,,,-.-:-nisy not allowthe city .ettoug 'TheCity4C�unciI..wiII be. time .to•getthe 'resiiltatif' the •:t asked to amend the compre tudy And t--1,1",' tlisettaaii•;•ithetii; hensive guide, plan for the Siteq- Hedges snid -;At present -the laittf is uided The recommendation • to pubtic faciiity;At?ptktrolteo,, City Council will he to hold A: Homes,' Which. holds an PoplidtiAoitkt:,,_APC./City,•:C�uncit meet - on the .e.eitiagellills properq,,,:ing .soitiiiithei'iiii.,March- and `,11.,:•-wants the comprehensive guide 6 have this be the OttlY,,Isstiertn. t'?'Iplan designationthenged to D- the agenda: the tneetihi'Viiiiie 11 lf, approvedotnti ne,a:?desig likely be held somewhere othe .natiott- the ti.:14i Center accomniodate opment of between zero end 6 loge,.6-cmii • that is' expected:4.,i1 LA uto t% tide V'4';'',fi:ffi'VW;14,2*:!';'- fledges Said the City Cotiocii . • • :•,),:-:'51',;Resitjentik6fnments,•tanged seemed receptive to this; i deli; • from ConceinsliabOnt.„'.possible, .but no date has yet beiii•ietti 4..tKentiliwytitra4rontimtKOR,."'-j•q•-i• ••••• •-t.'f9titii •es• • '•'' • • piitkivbtit)lifigiiii4itinettade Won't be that spot, • • The bakota County 1,pLiffil'inirilinei marked the first year iti more than twit deel Wescott n EAOn i.01 host in • • .S.5idesttigatildidri,,!f host ItS•artimal Fourth of July celebration, open itOryiiitie for ch,tdren wlth Mite benaTo hiatus for 1905; the • ogeS 3 And oldet at i ti: id A.ni. to nave the annual firework s di S= Jan.22 ..,••• • Tpley;-',WhichtWaMoved from the Rahn Elementary Mtn in A pAreht tist s,tny ,.v1th the thetBlue:grosS/Blue Shield property.,,•• ThiS Storpirtiewill deAganiftolOherCity'CoUneil Jan. 16 that the July 4th 5 last 30 Minolta and iftIi� • L. y • ;stililOOking At creating .eity • ommittee *Ants to bring all of the elements of the festiVal is not tecitiiied. togetheibur safety is an issue es Well,' •-:-.• i'he W escott Library in EA- FOr-nciwigengen suggested the- firework s again he held gan will hot a bedtime on the Blitettokiallitel Shield 'piopeity, and that the city Stofyinirie at 7 p ni jiti 2i Sto tontinuelii'fund the:display:- ties of interest to 'children ages '7/diked wel(.ltiSt•yeafis said Mayor Tom Egan 1 and older will he reAd. 'the AceoidirtghdkleagatiP,Sottie residents wondered why the • entire fartiily is invited ial- fireworkk'diSplaji!,,hadptt;eeti Set there every year, The City !, tend. Registration is hol re- • witl ittkeed';',eetitikOBliWtriaa/141tie,Shield to See if they ';...tliired. • •' woutd be nterested in having the, eVent. at, this site again; I 114616 iritoi-iii01186 •ftioiiI he . .,. • these fittitgtnini; call iti• '• biary tbditgltil';'stigliested-the-Lititektinti handle the parade htz at 0.81521. The literary Is 16- •-•-•liatigertienteand thosezfrOrit'the:Cltib in attendance at the "Chtd atiJzio Wescott R6Aciili their preliminary apntotrAl: As for ., Eagan, - • . ..,,,, . ., , • - , , theettriiiviltattOd andfieef,;:tetiti Geagan suggested the July • ,. i.,: '-_ • ., ...... '41h Commlttee hafldle thoe nrtangement4 ; . .k,.. -, •• ',*' , ',,': ... -, ftheft:eltiie6iiielli-"atipptitteil the itennimendationS. ' - - • , . derigati'tadderfthat if one element of the celebration tveie.•,',.: ",••,.•.!: :•„:: to fall,throughi; thd,othel. twd Could go on Rs planned: ,',•••••;•, . ,.",;";-,? ,,*4441•71-,7 . t`tstil '14 , f ''.,. •-• • I' I- , ''.,?:-,1 • it 3.,•,`, ' ,.. , ' l'..,,7e • i... .1 ' " L t • . .ii'''.:,i i• ' ;°' ':11'..t,:;;;';-:•/:)(4 •A.t:'''''':::10:;:.:. , ' • • • . .• , . : • • s • • • • s s S • s • 4 • • • 4 • i ii • s.s • 66 • 1 6 iii4ellesiii‘i• ' • '. ' • (C.Ofttifftled frOM'irent 0104) ''',"‘ .., dtopa''iii ptOpetty valUei with.., ' • '''''';'' - - • • h Off course tii;•,-, , . , • •-•-• " "3- ,O3tV A„.V. +1 • ,TU'esdayi Janu"cli ' •'' 610 ' • bakotd Count 84ti Wescott bi6a;66.16ff•Akju htriyotheri !g. tirefor,coff4. • . • 4.inegas,, • • • • • •• • • ur 4.8% . VS , , %1494 1996 PROBE' 1996 CONTOUR rrgb414-995 46 4 tigi to . • I 44"kuP ta„ inordm . ,• , • months. re9?4, rvf:‘, • • - ?..,...!....,.71j1114.011611) it/Aoki' ,,,kiitinv ow , ta .rcGrari Mai %Ia $10.496 ". • • oathor. D.1,. 113.000 ,, • • „ um) ▪ NSW tie ...IX ; beittt „!ci:V" IkgtatSE; 16id1 140 fIcrif 6 • • S 4qUig 'bin* it 4titigi t2 ••••••••...,..• ••••• 70$ tAs, ..Apr-::-",�y,�.--.^•+±4a?�'.mn:: Volume 16, No. 46 .;itizens pack{ commune y BRENDA:HAUGEN to city hall regarding a possi- ..ble: residential • develomnent on: Reduced _ ;property ;--:values,.!:.;:.what is now :Carriage Hills SS ol attractive views,. forfez y Golf Course. e. of a ,raty, amenity and Though people crammed into air an.:area roads' and mf a- ::=.:the community! room at the ucturewere :but , a few of =the: , , Eagan ' Municipal; Center, so ncerns area:nesidents• brought •: -many citizens showed up that Ite a ative Drot�ose o RENDAiATTGF • >�stract-lam is conszderuzg'a que' partziershrp 'it� hbpes. ula t enefi '_the :school:. dis- s� an< employee: of:,-�the S; • .ICaler lained. Stu-. ads wilt. be. hel•d. :t;* txpelled.students and .the, foi their:. work'.and' will_ use: thet. umanrtyas a wtzolC:s A _��r� time. spent att . thus,; alternative; o. `s ?v xi-1 d about Lhe Sc io L t continue t exp oust-< each day, Monday bough' day; by'a�•-teacher fim z thonl' yaccountal5le • January 1� �=x u ' '-flw «, uuw .buppgrt ror you Cou others had to stand in the D-lJ, which allows single ,.Yam .Doodle .Road at 3.,.,.,., ,.4doorway and: hall during: the.: family and' townhouse deveI� ` Wesoott'•Hi11s Road:_: With thee:': public informational hearing 'opment of between 0"and , 6 p t � ., public faciliiy zoning, Jan. 9 '': ;=- ..» ngts-per-acre; '. said : Peggy , wschools, parks, churches, pn - At issue is a request for :the .Reichert„ director of commu- vate golf courses. -and 'iastitu . City .Council to amend: the:,..nity.:development .'. :'; ': ? tionak uses would be allowed:- comprehensive guide plan. fora The:. Carriage' Hills- Golf .. the site from public facility: to: Course site is located' south of . • ,--',... :„ „: -.. - . '," ,, -4..!..:' ' ""..;-...s, r.-4. 7,,.• .--:!.;7;:',&'' • .. - ..: : ' ,_ . , --...-. -. ;, ' .":: ' : --. , .....:',::::"7 • :-:,..- :', - "4":".'.-7-',... • TL.':'-:•r;:i;!". -"•"' .:' ',.. 4:....".-' ---,::: ,,-.:',. :'',..: ...".'".A.24,,,..1";4-:-„,,f,:;.,V.,;„,+•., ,...,t,, ,., .,,t •,,,, • . ' " ' " :: - - . , ' - _• ;.. ' ., ..- -; ..7"..,- - ." -... -'.. ,:;.,., '4:qv., - - ‘.' ' - ''' " ' . '1' ' " . ' "' ''''47•Ji7";.V." • ' • - '' '''''.." "7. ''' ' '. '-'4V''''' " 4;,•••V''':V.:i'-‘'...'.•"4t ,...-';'''':?..s.',qP•Y,:.44.1''''..1', .4-,••', •=43.:',4nr;:lAS•••••:•V•-•{-,,...A."7`•::;42:::;7.!.-.1::;C••-'•:.f,;•,..414.L.:";,:ro. :•-::...''.1..1.:-2... , •••• • -•••••4".;.,4••••,..4;.,,,,Ke;:.:-:,........4., ,..,,,,,Z.I....i......1.;.:.,,:•••• Course.............................................4..............i.:. e.om. iik•-•4••••••,...ivii• •,• • fro io,•••••••,irpiww.,* •;ip iii,ii 4„.i,4,4.0ii.-.01.401,,Akiii-to-.4",,,i!,.!!! ... - 7 ; • .., - , ; .., ,.-'. : :.....• ••• •:,',. ,:'. ;:,•.--,.-•--f .. ; 7.•-• ••• •v_ r.--."••••";;•...,..•-•.',-4••"•Z,•••=:,• 7' '•.•...-4,1,..• ••= '47: rf. ...`",?-vt'i.:.•it.if,'`r*':-.4V.,:';"7•1":1•"rr'41•t7.e4r.'".:•-,.f.,',"....VV#'•,;4•-sti4?'4%->V.r:VZ;rt'en'i'V-,1-.1'•17.*'''.:-.."•••f‘.0t•''itik.....0•4,., ;.'6i.,....4 l'''T,.._.:_ ,,...54.•:...1P, kt,..,.' .. i •• ",.. .7" ',•••••' ',' -C'' V .V!' ' ''-. ,- •..4' -;- ...'".•'' ''''Vq.'''''.:,'-"n"...,V,is...:••t,''' ik..-z,f ‘,2..1...; -7,..;,- :. ,...,:„,-,4.:i,:,..,.-,4:;.,,,,,,:;;;4,-,:54,;:,:-.2-;*.,1,,,,,v ,.; e.,..,g,,' -,-i,.-_,*,,,,r,:".:. tr1:11.,:',60e*,,,:tv, r'itc-'5,e2-it''..,•W‘.53".. ' * ' '' l''''EF,S41,6'..'"" ''-‘''''''Vt.1:---'-'' (ConouiDed-frogn'-'fro**;Pfel) •=r-c-2,7Efap"`";.devi:Op',0-'.!--tAilikrtiiiis-- '.4in.'OptionOri'.-the;,.prdPer;i4'untill.:41Lj.iciiinirileti'lits atiidy,':-:iincliidinC3-her:r.., saad ••• to • Camage .„. . ..,,,... -, _ Regardless,-!..:;.iif -.1-. li Hedges41,E„-1.F.ttcet.,i,;-couvio, posimiliti;'Zr,_ 4ittp:t' '''''''' i jo4,,.4 at- this'. location,.:,3Reichertii...-&11ittji:'property,:'1'tlie --'1'proposali.loi, the ' ' ',early ' ‘4•Mareli,•!..' ' golf Changing,the-::cotnpre ensrife'-siteivill?.:iiicaliid Eli., combination ...;rnorn.sttoy-',.•„iis-neede'd-.;On 7' ---;i5ii, city had guide ,Plan --is";:a 'seri./r.issue,-..=:,..of7766.!irt homes (two-story • cOtt,-: ?.city, si part, more time •.i could be ,.•:•-$; months --fifi•process ...-.....,,,... • . .., -.. . . • • ,,,i...- .'''`-- - • - ^ ' 40% , •• ; , j:.,..,..1.....,,, ,,...:,,../.44.7,,...i, ...7. . .e.,.•.,• . -... ••-t• -', - ••••'... 7,,on time - , e-,t,Lost t'S she . said. It -.7 requiies :4 public ' diiinnii unia),""-elub-..'liiimei '(One.-; ',,.added : to the procera;1 Reichert,V,iiine.:-;.,,.:-'-,..r„-l?'‘"t„.z-- -......, A recently hearing ..-!_befoid\-thelk• ry 'level .townhomes) andz"-..single7.;-,-,:iiiieti:W4...0.-7.,g5.1.i:riti,•-2.V....--e..:41p/Tie,..tity :--;:ii-1-.:-.-'-• i'.. 7:'• 4'1'. 7"-- " " '' ''''''''' Planning 'Coinniisaion' tl.ApC); family " '-', homes.' Plans '--,are.-.1fai."....--.4-Ati4-..!-_-_4:,',-Administrain' ''f'74,:.'"?'';'Tom--,ii''.4,h'iljr7.iir-iiiti::iiunhiiiI;1'.;.lic°uldneilies441-thPr°ached-'re --.4111".,unci!l'' ';t*.i.7'yvi:4.:., e evote•cif ditiik-,:cdiiiiciT.:?and more th500 'toter tuaitS;:iiiitti4-7iiiiiiii..14c.i6a,rsiiiiii=ilie:'ci4iltid."'"' iii‘-'-11:te.:,..il6in'Tiiii. ihas-5.;m:ilefii'wiii-Oftiiiii7:"—'' ji' . .,. • - approVili.dritheMeticipii4:tan.: :20ito.-2.57-jerCents being -.Sinile:4...';',Went,fifiiii'j'eniiii fantS:',,at'.. ' . ' Coundil,--atie-added. '.'..i-.,:-`.:•?.....r-':- ., =family. homes and the -.balance: developer's'.:•".- expense,:;,:to."':161- '.....?,..",.,'-'. - ,- _.„_,....;4-i.L.:•_v.:......,.-....:-.,-.1.r,,i,.,-..0...-4;,C.v.: - i,..t,..L.-2.,..:.„...ii.:,.s.,11.,,....:i.:1:.,,,,--,„ -,....,.,,,...;,..„3,,-„..sr,:. „.. -,...-..,;;;,.,,:,..-5-..,„:•,.,,..-;..„„,....4,..,--,-• . "This: iSi:iicit iet in tonciete;"_ being.-COiniiiised - of the' "other :•withethe:Stidies. as_needed.:'::,---si„.„., • • , , . , Reichert said of the proposed :two. types, Standke said. ...--. '''-"'- -:-''"Wer,ll ,-do -.the :lbest . we can_zr...i . .. residintiafjdevelopment. '''':!,:/..:'-':-! '.''.-,- . All units.Would 'be.- ...oivner- ' With :.the studies," . he . said. • TheAPC-is-slated, to. host the ::OcCupieci, liemsaid. 'Prices • for ' -.One -resident ,encouraged the ...• . .... .•.. •.,, formal public 'bearing -.012'.'the the ..varioui 'honies 'would be city to:be...mindful Of_the,greep, ., issue it. 6:30 p.m Feb 27r.in: 7 $75,000 and 'iiiii'ior* court .space, and lack thereof .in the: the council chambers:''':...' :,,2..."......:''. *.lomes;.-$100,000-.and'up'for the northern:pa-then...of the city.-„..,,::::-„ 'Iles . the ' time . for . you to club homes and :$115,000 -and s "If. it's gone, it won't be really 'tell: ;na.'what•••you-.think - up for the single-family homes, back,' he said. '"Itespeef the about this," Reichert said. :'a-'..".-'''' Standke said. '''''.':-. -.'''''''' :-.7 '''' green, . space ;rand. .keep it But manyfolks didn't waste .,-..yyhy should' the :city give up green"':',.,:-..,-,...2;2',f;-...;_;:.....,',..-....z.'..,....,- ...1-•7,...:.,.i. this opportunity .'iCi' ask.qiiei-..,. a.-..reareationil- asset "to build' Another agreed, saying the dons and state their concerns of the .same'" one resi- city would regret 'losing.. the...,.. and. views .concerning `this, I.207.,.,•dent .asked.. •-..'";..:..'.' .::.:..-"....'.-:'......".: golf course. ............,..'„7....,..,...-„......;,......-.--v..i.:,--i, acre parcel; Nearly two-:.hourx,,...-1,,. Others .f-- expressed . -Concern' _..."I think it's a..iliame 6 let., ‘vere - spent...4. ;;•in-••-tifffi...-tit,Z.e.*.::h.5:',?-11d"-31- -1412.i"' on that •gnif course go" he said. "....... ,. sue. 4deal;Ir..hoo.._..-":".1.athey..lielieV:ethis .. If the city yere. tO stand flim:;: According -to' TomStandke Of development::ilottld.; cause. ' „--4`';-. with . the present COmprehen-,-- Pulte Homes, which would^like;-:',..-Aiiother.-..44**:Jaidieildenta sive guide plan .designation„.. ..,,;,..,?.,-:-. • fi•••• .!•.--q-r.,:v.-:•T-4z.:--',''-3-4,t4,1, ;=-, htiVe-‘..laaid`!if-'-lifeiniiiiii-•IiriCe"' the property owner would have.: SPealier..: - . _ . ..s, ..;.-:-;..... .to- live:bitheil 'iiIf;iiii:itsel iiiid the right to :sell:pe.property -••••,;.7.!•••-.......i.-/-•,,,,i,..--•i- - '.'.--.,;.i.• -...... if the -golf'co-arie!-Vc077:10:.0-i;A the city or. to someone else.,,,,,, (Condnued);;;.-„;:ii.:;,!„.:....:;„.......,_-,z,:.!..t...--come:--.a..,_,:ritai'• .- --- develop-- • - - ... • ...... , •- . ment; propertyvalues , ''''''..!!:.7v91)1e:.e7ntiin: s:ntd.-_ciOThmaine' clintYredgardoes?' Middle. The group, strives, tof.. . , respect; instill"- -, : resptrsibilityt. -.,..„: - decline: ---' ;'::.:- 4-'..r.green - space, though,, arid if.: • ancr.selvicein students.. ...„ ...- -.--•:--i.-L-z Reichert- said. the-golf:eascit.deeidec17 to _purchase. .the He.stressed,* importance of beinfejirepared; for •Certaiii.-91"-ler neYer,-PF°nliiedthe"' ••• would . always: reinaii.7.17. .,.,,,r;::-stp.7,3::,,,,y...k._41,,,em!,4:ckitii;_ Just, react,'-insteacr of. responct. . hanciecic. te. beer at a- party, the. habit.e: Crudele. recommends, situations. Many- tames. teens. reaction:. j.-s:., tci., take it. Repeat '.: ... The e speed of :th. e7:01°-9F,4.' 41.56.:4',..as—'5,iis'--apprathed- drink;being',:prea!ardr 'tie:, or turnsex:. dinsowiiinca;.: iC°is.::ti iistss,lmatedir-dit°:.,-4,take-lia:eueptin- thg;e"-::. issuci:r.,„ ..„siiiiiithid..,.,..purchase.,4f: ,,,gog'fit, 7,.....,the',ossible�uis1.,, tively,,,2-...`: tof;:respondi tot the' — ..-. iiiiatian.';':...,.•. .,.,...• ..-:. ;...., _• di to i . . ..... -. , city,.• e, Property,. was-,,i-i..., For• eiampleJ,when ii. teen- is, • ---. - . ing-thatreaction 'turns it into a. ... ,.,.. . , ...,... .. . ___. _ . • :. which _ is set for 6:30: P.nuTAc--... ' the 'Zi but - the property - ''''''''':. - was a* bigissne..for many`,11-es-i:-‘.''. 11111:s...:,.- - "We dents. With the; public. hearing:- ing-_,.priee,",."*., ,..„, scheduled for Feb 2.7;. the.. City;_ sultintki4/efe OUr.benefit,..., e; ci it.sal As-% course. --' "t : • • - .':"-2%--)-.‘- '. "--"deterenmed-'' ' ' ..,, rely. on. thit.....zoningt, tciE.-'66' '-47.7ethes-t4'. ------it,-,,-.,,t.-- Eince4Las''-'' ---; . ' V! ad. . , 1-, fledges ., :,.:,..L.,....-....m..--.ZAfA= ''''',:. ..«,,Se- r.',.....t."-_,-.F.-,!,..• , Iast xp1auei .su=ec c' •• ,,,....:4,7..- .......„-„,:.........4,7,,...... •Aft.3.47. '' . Carnagef.:7,5,•- i,..t.,..-,...mA,,... the city eity.,:z . •. -0,..,,,,,,:t4t4e---,- .nt.1.•:i,"".4.,,, :0••,2.••••p••,,,„ . -.. .. . . ..,,,,.....63,, ,.......t.,,,, .,...,„;:a...„.,..,............':0;.*`''''':- :"I11:::::117', ...' '''?_,A,,:?..i. ,,Q.....`! -+Ail --C-F-7;1t,1.: , ;. .- :...„4... . --.40.4. ' -4- .. A ,,,...:..-- by' 1Vf5. IS. LIRNSVI ILL.E/EAGANL., ,,,::,.:,.: -...• --,----..-- -••••••••,-,:„,-,---,--.---,-- • ..• . • •••,... ,. • • • ,....._••• • , • , I' . ' ..... •••• "You 4leed. tO' kiiovi ahead . of cor __pg.,. .eichert,..:pulte_has.,„, . sold..,.. before: • the: city, coule.•-•., --,---------.• _ 'ESS-TELEI/IS1ON ,-,•,.,.......,,,,,...,,...„....„..„.......„...... .•..,.„......,,,...__ ... . . ,• 'corrects reetie n golf scour`'- To'the editor h,� �, ' _" y'by'the city :was studied Iasi for Most of its 20-ierai, financed As an`eleetedofficial;'Ioften' •summer with the help of a con= 7 life cycle." hear', negative .. opinions' and .•sultant `(Effective• Golf Course • ' Regardless ;of the ownership misinformed rumorsfAs a rule;- v Systems, •. Inc.)..- The ' asking of the golf course, the land•use • I do not.feel it is appropriate toy... price was• $5. million with"`'at fis goverr`ted by its zoning and respond`to'.".these comments rn least $585,000 needed for up r':land use `designation:' Zoning ' the paper. However,' when #, grades: As•the council was be- and Land use' designation can ,something`,+is published . that, is ., ginning to discuss the merits of.. be changed^ only- after public ' patently false or, inisleadtng, I:� 'the 'proposal; the'owner •of the heanrgs and justi iablebreasoi s ,feel tt;necessaty to correct the t golf course called and gave the have been articulateds,The city ti � city: two days in which to make . investigated buying tY they agolfi� trecent:kxletter ; to the :editor :` our decision:- Only -two days; to course: a'id spent as much ttme ealt with 'the ssrble'sale off : decide whethei,-to commit the as ossible debatm the ►ssue ' P g ;arnage F;JHilis GolfF Course 7Ej taxpayers to`,$6 million without ;ai,befor`e : r they owner imposed', ['ire letter `statesthatxtte crtyyz� so much as a single public deadline However, at the high T has "lost"'the;golf�course This hearing's•Because r thee "City a'asking` price; the city would: ` is`false ,There may3be:'a pro Council is committed to giving 'certainly lose money for many'', sal comet throu' h to- r the ublic the o ortunit - to 6e ears to come. � Po j B . • B u� _ p pp � Y, Y ` :change..S the' golf :course to . heard before spending millions; I want to. thank all of the homestBut m order for this 'to , we decided ;.not to' accept the people who' have been' "calling beapproved, the; Iand ;:would`:' offer. '.' me; offering opinions on this: first have to change' its Com In the letter to the editor, it subject. I want to�rbe4.,respon yprehensive Guide � Plan • desig ,,,.was 'stated; It could haver sive, and I am trying xto,Y Took` nationrfrom public facility Nott�?beensoperated at a profit to the out 'fo"r your interests;PrWhen ff ;:only would thisrr`equire public ,,citywithin "a:: short time and.,A and if an application for rezonAk earn s and a 4/5,vote of the projections; for the future were : ing rs received; look for posted �coune�, "abut {the applicants astor ishirig:'� This is' also false f,notice,,. signs ••tiand' °scheduled 'would have to.provewhy the The"'consultant's, report stated, ,;.public hearings I look forward current ruse is no Flonger. appro- . " . The. analysis, indicated to its to ,receiving, your 7 :continued riate or in the, best' interest ofa,that. the owner's offering pur input at 681 4371 gan In ; other words,; chang ,= a chase prices leaves the city of 4 r , 4o the,golf cou"rse into homes Eagan with little or no ,wiggle SHAWN HUNTER • >,�ttsa s>far fromai"done deal.;' . • roomand means' that the far iI "' Eagan Ci[y Council member �urchase Hof they golf course -Y-� rty will carry' a negative va{luen,,,k vS Y,ti ?L r 1 NF �3„r, 4ilvm*r it ,- e �s5i.. i u C?..[ f •r' i {� 4 % ,� potential.`:acquisition( Hof ,rile property:"Pouncil' Member gTed -,Wachter?casts':thK dissenting s vote,.: saying',he ;believes 'ithe property!.; owner ;Ls ztrying pressure the city into0"buyln they parcel. He ` added 'that ;li "can't see" the' citygettin into a "millions'ofsdollas" p• rc • ject . in such a hurned fashion ;without public input Z,.Y3m1{ don'ehave heiiingwets looking fo'r." heTsaid s, Land ..:...:...:......,...:.. '1 (Continued from front page) r f� r Hills parcel tion with : another -i_nterested ; ,, y"We've' got a fail amount w o party 'or is in second :place `W7,leverage," he said:''• this party- is unknown,Hedges, ''" But Council Member" Shawn said k' ' rF ` Hunter added that the :. city,' The City Council, in ` a 41 ` can't; dictate that use •,vote, directed `city:staff 'to =ne ,‘.„ t ".We cant. make them <run a gotiate ` an t ciptiOiViagieeMeht golf;course;'.' Huritee said.', with Northwestern ('Mutual -for- rEgan.said the' possible loss of a -golf course in thecomiriuni y; pis •what . made him' look at, the r and'=purchase issue:k y • "To protect Eagan's precious. ecoad golf course," he said` ouncd$t^ :Member ' Sandra asiii'sardit's in>the city's Best interestC`to keep its options enMontheXNorthwest Mutual rope ,We'teirurining out .of time," she"said "We're running out of , r4gardin • coo ...sour • riyzBRENDA HAUGI he Eagan City Council 'had hoped'totake`''a' dual=back" approach Ito possibly acquiring_. land that array; be . used . foie a inuntcipal golf course, but an L offc r' fiom another party has' limited the ciiy's options, ai cor",Jing to City Administrator Torn Hedges. Last June; ' Eagan'" was c ii tatted by <the' owner; of #Car triage Hilis Golf, Course Ac `cording - to' city staff, the ovine said 'h washnterested''in ;sell" ing the property for`re'sidenfial :eijt 'h�e:Ell: ` ihtspostibtit s ice t re ned rrpublic tinfoi• m tionalr t y ,ret sbers.and�Janirary Thrown inthe mix ern ,Sep temberwasthectty r� :a aria_ exami-- firyY1,?- ons:e that then hwestern IVIu- tual Life Insurance Company i' looking td,sellrtay200 acreApar, cel on the. northcorner coo1 L.eitington,�Avenue and Yankee Doodle Road - I€ the city were ,. to acquiretheparceI' . it could e; used "foranything{from the sense of place the• council has lieen looking for;:to a •munici' • pal;golf corse of park �,,, .Now .the city.. has found that a there ors an offer on Carnage ills Hedges ez`plairie`"d , Oct. 17 that thew city doesn't ;know •who mades,theoffer or what the tAtssible developmentkproposed Lb"•k t.I.r�l Ski;r a il. rt,: e.-parccel:will bey atrrsfree enterprise; "I'm sure some ,developer,wil pick it up in the near'futhre officialsl•first,began' ex? ploring the: idea-of.a municipal golf course 'in :•June;'after. Smith •', •approached'thein:with'an offer to'.'•= sell Carriage:Hills. In the midst of.' ;'' quickening;: negotiations' 'last, , week, some council: members ex !?dpressed reservations about; the .4•'.`' speed With • which. the,city;seemed • to, be.rushing into the golf busi-. • ness :when m.any�questions re • , mained unanswered {t „: "I feel they're;trying, toy pres-: sure us into, this," said�Council • man Ted: Wachter I-cari't•'see;, going into 'a millions -of -dollars F situation ,on only; a few..days liberation " • , City Adnministrator*4Tom;• Hedges, however, pointed out that pursuing anoption onsthe North= western Mutual site.wouldn'tlock: • • the • city into developing a;;gol :.. course because.the property,could' . be put to other uses:,Failue to •,Y deal with the potential loss OfCar, riage, Hills;; on:the_otherr hand;,• ' could resultlinta,lost opportumt ' ? for the city st i. "This wholeuthing,•isnt forea K quick. fix, but. for; the longterm,'.' ' Hedges'said ."What's.'. hard right • now is that•all'this is•happening so quickly and we haven t`been able to bring the' public in the way we'd like to" • From Front Page Carriage a Hills lowne Bill ' •Eagan might have to Smith had offered to "sell the p shotattwo°sitesforaplannei course for $5 rimilliori. F mu p go , But`-'nici al golf se yP roar re ores from city consul i i z , tants indicated that the iacilit•y xLL needed more than $1/2 milhon in .; By Harland Hiemstra,- improvements, and anticipatedaff ,) - StWnter^ uY�k i . • revenue from the course wouldn't 1 . •:• pay off bonds issued for its pur- 'lase '1. ;That led the City. Council, t•o ig-. Wore a Wednesday deadline for ren sponding to, Smith's offer. Smith; meanwhile; told the city he had :+ other offers from developer's in= terested in turning the course into a residential "subdivision Such a development would, re= quire an. amendment to the city's ,comprehensive au prehense plan becse Car :riage _Hills is zoned as a'rpubhc fa = cihty;"' a•designation 4tha allows for only limited noncommercial .uses such as playground;, park,. "'hospitals: Some council members' : saw that situation as a potential bargaining tool,in relation to �'-" riage Hills " k, "Why wouldrwe pursue antio�A tion [On Carriage Hills) wheri•,we, hold all the cards?askE a Count � Gilman Shawn- Hunter. We hold ..the ultimate trump card t � , Sinith said later the , cit . •should be pleased with the idea of a residential development riage Bins as it would add to thee • tax base. He remains uncertain: about his.plans,for the property "I really don't care one way or E the other whether I get out or stay in," Smith said: "I do know just • { ^' about every other day somebody's •Eagan officials continue,to ex- plore options for• a. municipal golf course; though two.of the?hkeh eat sites for -such i facility, mRY . have ,supped through their, fin sere tip• ,.` Tle city has been considering possible purchase ;options, one a 200-acre undeveloped site, as well as on Carriage Hills, an existing: privately owned golf course -" Own Hers of both properties however, • claim to have received better of 1:',,:-: ♦ ,. sr d• p�. rq *n fers from other sources -. } City Council members Iasi s�• week declared their preference '': the undeveloped site,;located a1. Lexington Avenue and Yankee ,, Doodle, Roads µBut City Attorrney Michael ,Dougherty ..said,,the M' owner; Northwestern` M tual Life Insurance Co has°received an offer higher" than the city's and;inte ds'to�pu sue it g et s Dougherty said Northwest- ernMutual expected to know by . }, the.beginning of this weekif that deal.was going,to work lf. t'falls through; the city iTlay submit air- other offer' z ' t 'c ..gip; - The City' Council last week gave negotiators autlionty to pars, , sire` a +purchase option{:Oi the Northwestern Mutual property at. a price notao exceed its assessed -:'calling me and asking if I want. to _ market value, $2.1 million The• ' sell it or not: company, ms believed to beclose beaiming at a cash deal that would fore the end of the .year t 'i • "' ', Oflicials'had originally:hoped .;,, to'acquire 4a .120 'day purchase:. o tion on the Northwestern; property That would have al ••lowed 'the 'city CO track approach;, compannL pros and cons of d'e•ii,tilicr)14 ago s. it course from,agate versus bu iris Carriage Hill's: l 9uneOuw.MMednesday; Jan.-24,.1996:• • •.• ,'•-•:•.,• .;..• asses enou as the year the state high nt was ."mined." event stopped being just one ized champions in Classes A oo18). In other words, no more a small-town team whips the e. ling their eyes over what is ex basketball tournament's evo tta State High School League vs and girls, tourneys to' four, nament is warranted but four$ itley nearly defeated Class AA t Sweet. 16. boys . titles Thoseo agreed that Class A chi+i ipion for any team in the' state, re -.' yams and exceptional cases: In Auld not reflect current compete letics. Students at largeurhan. on one sport and play,•it:year-' udents at,outstate schools play' • t 1 girls coaches Associations and strators have thrown their pups' . However, a recent high et hoolrY; majority of athletes prefer' then ree-class baskethall.tournamentr lots of 750 students or more and 4 :ts in one division. Then create a is or less, where multi -sport par ryone else in the middle division ool league should go: Any more);' iry-rigging, arbitrarily creating red result.-- more high school;`f , be decided on the court,'riot in ! Louresit? at �will it take t�� s�v�.y EagaIt'S I3y Mary Lou Thorpe • they did riot seem cievelojieis thr'y iYiu d Guest Columnist bruit; for denying the applicrttion rnah7c several trmeq their >:ilvest to nnienrl the plan. Whv? Whit merit in r•nrpnrnt pros►q with the t,, The sit;y of Enron is being are the epecilic points or t9aues hoiiging (lensity of the prorc ct cur_ naked to chnnpe its (;mnprehen- that rover grrinting this shale°? rci,tl} planner L,n it 4eents 4liat sive Guide Plan to land that Pr!it.ics'? j.\loney? Not onotigli "i,n- innncy t..INQ. No auiprtsr+ f}ic're. currently n golf course to he portant." penple identifying their l i t;e talk iihriitt t°aloe ii, ixist: changed to ii high -density real- pocitien ,n favor of alternotives? • n,r property owners. flow shout, y 3.a >•,dential devclninnent of tifl(1 hotel- - Who or «hit in itnport'int cnougli just. 6(11) prophr v own�r9 itig units.provided ri for- •to he nhle to tnivay oar eoi.tni•it w ithin t ,o rests rt.hin the �r ity pis{ ;flint for resident concerns at Ati seal/1Ft the Tpplication to Change Obliged to notify n1 pr ophSocl informatinnnl meeting on ,Ian. 9. the use c f thip vrilutrihle props rty changes Indi'pendent ie�l nst tie t)edpite an hwertloiv ernwd that frbin pllt 11C ficility t0 residettt.lal? the vnitiit iif n neither the crnnm,rnity tnom nor 1)oe4 it follow that Sinr•e the single condoiirintum face the the parking Into °mind nccomiiio- city dncrittl iiprtinst huymp t a`r gcilf courGe could .iiecrease in d• itty; there were Fci°ernl infer- tinge Iitl14 eta a city golf ciiur::e, value �10 (1t)(1 to3t1 t)(►r) ih�it'd .ences that the community re- the only Other choice tg a frill- prnhntily one of the least eiipc,n; ..sponnewnc not great enough and hlown, F igh density hduirtng de- sli a homed surioiihilmg t.hc gulf ;:;that the•amenrimcnt. tit the Con vclnpiiti nt by Ptilto? 13etng snores; 5n let's fntiltiply tiRtos4 Of preheiisivc C:i►irlc }'Itiri as applied lilinded ty twd extretnea doe4n't `R I t) () its (idles ills .tiUq ownei s fnr.hy P itt.e, tnay bF inevitahle. alloi; for alteriititive snitituins. tapnri,ments, ttiwiihmr4e , t. NO inati:er bow far reaching And 1'en; hike. ,s Offering a prenn- dog single fttifiily iianies) tliht. thoughtful the conecrns voiced; um price for.this golf course. As ri•te netphtiorsj Yotl lion t fieed a crilcula(ot' td tigui^e iut th it stir roiiiu1iiig ropett -borne€s '00 susU in a t;i iiiiiciiiit logs: iii lit tiro Mick Airii of dW eight- unit totvnitotise can t begirt to cmm�are tvttii fnili#ip Jiill§ and V k +t-a IiHt y mire lilt rta sar%1ng overhea _ea..iof major Fiiiitige S aM1n Ri�ir F Ywl •a F5 is iiiiri' the �tersnri regt>e4ttng the cii togs ti+ trove iterie13 it AonteI i , yiti� lisle to the. real Drill; the biidefr of lif•`o`cit'i"iectii4 to i,e'. orl t` �itii€i '('ire Dilly hi Ii 1t tii t'i1IE ep%ei;ent$H could u,fne tipviEii w#ii3 nisi the .,�. cbrnPany Nadsyiifiivttititg=more apt hoii inr for Eegn►t regi ent,9: ( mninnn aehiie ivi%dtc Auggf Gt thiit. thr molt stRnillcarit he nc= its is pi ijTh i l nre its thin hill hb feiilizti� byt,t 1V Neat i4i;ge .a, a.....•i•:w:ah•s,,;:,:,..;::vszs"•rks iiJi'sSi:: t EAGAN ,.„. °SS . nt P,imrtt o, M ;: Rrcio!Al rrprr • , ,eaNcgr.mw,uv 4 ... Arpt� V1n )s:,,SR,+,,;:al. r;r , •Snnititireni Nc«ipArr , 1209 L Cliff Rd., 06-14avifte; M1iN 45337 §fti•2460` YVOMNF.Y,I 1NI:P.r IIARI.ANTIUIr41SIRA SUE Ili'r;ARrY • ntu 'Iv1P.t;t: Atanarinp I:d;toi. Assistant Managing Fditoi Coc•nnni'y fdiiitt SPot,, r.lib i 1196-1131 Rti2-2467 R17-2462 RRt•t469 4'.11),M, Published Weekly Ity MINNEstruk SUN PUt3LK,ATIONS • S,x,•Curroni Sit1;•144l S .b,! 7R3l Eiftt Ruh Lake Rd., aliUiinn+rti+n. Mt`t 35430 .t196-47no • DONIiI l' 1Ui!RFOW ,% • ' ' tt)1vAlin 'h •° loot l otri Puhi.Thr Executive rditor,(ic,ietal1.1iiiger,, Matkctiii¢hitetnt pisplity 1ldvatts,ngr Rob 41on ct,csiricd5 %pi LtQ2 Circula,io,i+R95 18011, • *; r a sN6iNrivalN4 + KhtiveitiiitlitAOLll TAu r ., Gtlfltt U Colgn iMATC11 Fulls 4Ndd At Norvile :, Hi1Mlriid egoUniAi b 1t�i1•,` t _mai'. ono awls -unit, Obadn vp1fa8i1gI Iad d1s 0.S16 PthCtitiitASyeorci ina� itav� r eiv3ci; . he p i" a p�.tairllmrJ eTrnr '1 hi ,'�st�r � 'ir�L��)(3,t,L•c1r�t ta;,"r• a ice' i�InuQr ,:iFJttf t!I Xt`2=2,i 0()/ l l • • 4' • Man faces kidnapl. Ahrge'S, p"e' naltitiS rem Previous Page cliff It a $•:1,000 Arid 20 tirs in prison flit- kirtruitiping; $5,006 '';,..and Re Shareholders: h-! „ An Pagan Man pleaded hot fihi, Mid if; ni-L§nn fOr of life'.cOnaidera- guilty to charges tif kidnapping, , false impriStihinent; Mid t tions explored at- the- infottria.:- falae •irnpriiionnient and third .; imd fivb YeitiS iniiriSon for .• • 0,7 tional meeting seeinta'havesfall.,,.: degree assault after he allegedly thiid degree ivisatilt. 'A .1110,, trial en on deaf ears. Beyorid,a shadow lured a former girlfriend to his is ii.liedtiled for Feb. 20. ••''' of a doubt, the citizens of Eagan apartment and heat heri break: • 'Wilrlose far more iriAlard:celd ing her noile. Eaphii Police cash than this national corpora= • According .to rriminnl tom- tion or the city tax base will gain. , plaint filed in Dakota County 13 prams of cocAhie Vr: People simply dO not NV. trict coiirt, the ylctim answered a , . . assault charges • nig on top of each other. This is not plea for help on Dec.. 24; -1905 frn the*:“cluster" developnient naintin McCnuley, 26; til§? Ple-which addresses the nee& tor,'•;,1, Deja Rimotid Mc: open space nearbY: Out CoMmuni,. ';':•‘c.;auleY and Aaron Snnilerci: • . ty is already saturated with hous, ,4...:-14/htln she nrrived at his aportl ing that is not being tiold'i•-•fl-2-,•;',''';."..frietiti ,he allegedly grabbed her -:' Once theiand is.cleAted and",-?; , and dragged hot; to his bedrooni; . leveled and adevelnOeV'fthere'::',1'. :Where he punched her in the fnce are no more choice§:i. Oeprecia,. and..hend several times with his tion; even with'Costlyqnaintel:•,.': fistand foot. the coriiplaint geld. nance, will rule the.futUre.il,N,ei, also attempted to Se*Ord ly As- . There ie. widespfearr diabelief Sault her and he cut. several large metrOzwide'infiorieiirOtessiatiala out of her hair. that Fagan would tried• convince • resource to he turned into just him that. Ale WOO hurt and ileerl • other housingdevelophient,There'..ed go to a hospital. Mr.Couloy are other options, bid:they eaninot., agreed to drive her to the hospital . be purstied until the,'CUrienere,•=.:?,:in the vie.:tim.p car; but when they quest to change nt. the hospitni, be *nub! sive plan is deniesi:The-.0itYliitiiii4•;.„.'3Oot let her gn oflicer0 snid. tains thaCtivelqiiiniths>itiiin'4,AV'2410 tli*Ovo her to the Fdinn Po - enough time to etudithe.mtinici;:;11C0 DePartnient, decid- pal golf course issue..1-16Wettn.theY awed to drive her back to her apart: resolve issues. that inont:.: Victim called her more significant iri10iFititne?;PRejif..:,' mother, who milled the Police De - Please.. help 'inieleitYAgOileti :partment; fThe McCooley to •make • an educated her ear and leave before the • have an obligation to represent un..it7.'!Officerti Otrived, Which he Write n letter thnt docilinentoyeitrKn'., ;4- An She was tieing transported concerns, or at the very. leaSt;4iign ,ainholonee, to the hospi tont, one of the petitions that citizen and McCauley; driving her cnr, fol- business groups aretirttilating: lowed tho ambillonce to the hoS- • • - pito!. Polie.c S topped the air and Mary Lott Thorpe is an Eagan h?si arrested McCmilcy. The victim ,dent and member of the told that thin was not, the Hills Coalition, a nonprofit iitgri, first time he hnd been •firteated niiation dedicated to preserving ; for ARiiikulting her; open space dt.Carriage,ifills. ;.: , Ceti Victed of Current ge'r .41#4 114,41thrip • • "-" Ibtiv A routine hicstilt Fe:- S.0110d in n harcoticShii& if 28 • .. °Moll ArpuireSs Of rii'ntj it. torniite And felon, foriiH Fagan • • (.hi Atig: P6, 5 . hiW‘i iiF t.iciiAS two iittei; of tisittiC. and hr'th en Sztfj efFi, itifoifited tffleM thiithi driver'S bcenlr. st revoked Pc IiCr too, 16hirhe-ti O *toitint existed for izinyerSW8s arrested nndhie' ;k:-..43,inipbtiiid6(1. bf 0,6 htik' contairiing the *ratified rolls Of &dint hilis, ri calf;; afid ether drug 'AA fond hi the boric Seat of the car tbat teSt4:,ti positive for .9grnrni Of Cocaiiie nnrl inethoitiphetniniO6. 'die 28 homlich tested posIti for cable, (.)n Dec.. 15; 1995; the charged ttichAtd Jnmpi Snves; 39. with second degree j. sioh of n controlled Stiti§triiir6; punislishle bY tip to • prison'Thd n tine. I pOSted !tiO,tuuj hi ntirl i chedukd to eaf Itt Cotirt 29: • , •t I .; We titie 1.i Chile -661- kohin.lividti:i Is '42 •, icltcciitt;i4 s( !." Ati66 tight tiiiihh Soft Whit; 4-06k f3ffyii,t tifirOittYl rjj1Itati tLY' Wail A rl DV/ A 13E.,...t5:13'. itiltii311/410411/11 NoW lobaldti 5C16 i§-06 E414. • • If A 1B BRENDAiHAUGENY: Folks dhoping th"e city would contii ue its :'study of -:a munici= pal' golf; course ;mwEagan:,.are Effective iGo1f "'.Course 'Sys= ` "We:;`: .were;�,� .brainstorming tems' will`.' do „.a comparative ,about :`what'could "(happen),.', 'ranalysis:; of..aeyen golf ,course.".he .aaid. "We_;need '.to'be crea-. cenarios,<:he ;said. The scenai`.`' :five. ;We :need to "be inaova='' -4, los;;mclude ••:everything-:rt'''from "' :tive etting'their wishr;,=^::_= >_.:riiaking ,thexCai Wage;;•Hills 'Golf ':Effective ;Golf `Course . • urse a'munici al'course .to :a' . stems studied 'atie: city's options. During � a i6Yti......:..� STATEzREP,. sTim�Pawlenty;�ft=Eagan, stuates�soiineioi=ius;paperwoik ,. • ;ofstheaegislative'session: Jan.46.:P.hoto:by Rick Orndorf:=-:.. . <. .. __ _, ;r... -.a.. _-._ _.... -.... _ ,..,. .cNY'� - ,....: }'�5'SFa'lz`:Y•-. _. ...._ . - � - - By BRENDA _HAUGEN.,. -Before ;Pinewood:Community's School 'in Eagan ever ,opened g its doors-tostudents ;,work•was,:'; � ....,.:r'-+."' fit•^._ • underway:,to::make itia ;special;; r place'.' where childre ii. ,would;: haver oppoitunitiesi ;o ;,guide;' -their own: education-Sia='.years•' later;the;pfruitss:;of.'''th'at .work can'. still' -lie; seen: prom those earl lore'"program was boiii an continues 'even -stronger: today; "71::e4;lciiis'are„ ve <<excitedF about 'the' program,"'said . Tams':; chultz;`::a f#ifth=grade°''teacle' t itie_ school ' =; ri. Through;" Explore: studen o 'irt cctrin 1:ina locd1 womanl" awar., w nrnn xmo>in'� .." _. ;Encroachin:develoment forced'-most;of ".Eagan's-annual Fourth of July' celebration to'be,canceledlast year;" and:. the -'. ;seine' issues are -::making efforts:=.to findaa -new -spot 'for •the `ilfestiyities�difficult:'�::- : � � .•:,;.•;;=�.`:�',�;�:='�' "We'^veystrugglediwith-a` location"for,th .;Fourth;of July..:;;, said Police Chief Pat Gea aria:adding the;`committeef`is,do r;:The 'city had=looked'`: to the Eagan Pioirtenade<'develop- ment'=on.Yankeepoodle.Road •near;Town Centre::•to,•host.the celebration, {bLit'plans for,that,:area no;ylonger,�include :a ,.pub=:' lic'space for such: an; event. According to,, Council.. Member' " (See Events'p :19Ar_ . `By.BRENDA-HAUGEN orevise�teasibi,ty -re o . F tor the7project, because =Opus AZoadway-projects sand':•related~' ir)tendsuto ao:somef of.�, he;Lwork- 5 activities .:for. :.the•.... .Eagan;; privately ::`seducing. ithe:,scope ,Promenade .development :Nwere'N .'�ofahe public4poition7,of `the',,pro-'„ approved by :the City •°•Council'= ;ject} :;';;>� = t : rY•r =Jad.'..16 =.with little': <comment`', lnzactionon a=separate :=but,;,.: ;from the;public. t'�":-v elated''' ubhc'� ihearing;.',;;the'-�x -The.council _unanimously • ap- council :; also OK'a transports- ,:' .;proved:the :streets -and -utilities - -`tion` "improvements.... ., " 'they; ;project `for :Eagan Promenade:, Yankee 1?Doodle .corridor •,with:;1' and 'authorized, detailed,,.plansxu the' -same direction =on ;plans 7..; 'and specifications .gas ';well ::as,:and specifications',as swell =a acquisition ,.:of,; •:rights -of -ways #;;,right-of-way acquisitions. -through -.condemnations cif =nec-ti ;.essary. "Staff :also was. -.directed o:. ` wet err :o w .can• cho•''two: classes ' p quarter from: a myriad of;course; off . .f`" According ` = Schultz; each' ' •cla'ss' "lasts.. Propsoin,a ;psychologist at 'Pinewood : Community rt :School' ; sin; Eagan,;; .'teaches ',beginning:. and r, advanced: ':juggling through she Explore program . (see (related .story _`" ".Teaching-it;is easier than ";saidFPropsom,•,: les , a sof . fsues sel.' -es:teem _ j Iarnin: torches, machetes whohastaught the classes the last five years.0I can;,t do half the stuff -these kids,..:; broidery:-•and .juggling (see •rei;,, lated story)' -to 'hands-on math;:: business.. finance bank-'';..: -ingistock. _Among tire: other oourse.•offer-` angs :are:. • Book factory -- -Students learn:a'•variety of techniques reate 'books aper'..and :binding ,an onginal` Egyptian °art" history: �fudents become' F ahaeo0 a.v _E;:: :life es andycultug te;anitixcl creatin ie ''process•.;, o- learn atou't;aiummif. o /.; Fp.w• i . fstiruction --t ion;;-pyr"aaud�co. tl":rituals andtiieroglyph cs .W ,.,.,. ... ""'i•eadin Companion£ esi urse 11EWDEVELOP.MENT'SO'UGHT FOR CARRIAGE HILLS SITE BY.LISAHARDEN SPECIAL TO F&C he driving range at Carriage Hills Golf Club in Eagan may soon be replaced with driveways. Pulte Homes Inc. wants to build a mix of townhomes, condominiums and single-family homes on the 120-acre.site.south of Yankee Doodle Road near Lexington Avenue. _. The •Mendota'Heights.based home builder applied last week for a change in the:ciy''s comprehensiveplan 'to make the properra eligibleTor' houssngg. .• `from Page ;1 `was. approached.in.June:by ea couple of .developers, including:Pulte. At that time, henaked .city officials:ifthey were inter- -ested in buying the -land for $5:Million to use as.agolf course. '"We had never contemplated using it as ;a.golf course," Hedges said. "We said we might be interested -and we might not be. :•• We hadto study the issue further:" So the city hired consultants to analyze the financial feasibility of operating a golf course at Carriage Hills. • In October, while the consultants were still studying 'the issue, Smith told city officials he had an offer of $4.5 million from Pulte that he couldn't refuse. Hedges said the city still needed two to three more months to study the issue, but • preliminary findings indicated that at a price of $5 million, the purchase was not finanzialiy feasible for the city. In addition, consultants said improvements would need to be made at the golf course. "We hadn't found out what we could buy the golf course for without 'having a referendum;" Hedges said.. • "We never really .said no to Carriage an; Qption-9a the ro �} on. . Hills. They didn't want to wait and we mt4`i? rt , .. i P. o _needed more:time for analysis. So it never jowl city the lano�se and snoring Chan- ; t to the uestion M - ,.,... . in 11:4 ges: A land-use: iequu- apptovaf'by the Planning Some neighbors are upset at the prospect Commission afoul -fifths majority,af the fty 03unciL of housing filling up the open space. Many Pultes proposal comes six :months after pnsperty • .' ,aro concerned that the development will be owner, Bill 'sell Smtth,zoffered to sethe land to the city to, "low income" and cause problems is the use m as a unicipal golf course., _� ; . 4 neighborhood According to. ty Adanimstraror Tom Hedges, Smi•� • ' : '"There's been 'a -lot of rumors floating :around out there," said'Ibm Stanke; presi- dent of Pulte Homes. "I have had residents • call and ask -me why are •we :putting :in , Section'8 apartments. I said we don't do :apartments." .At .alninimum price of about'$70,000, 'Stanke.considers the housing affordable. But unlike apartment housing, it will be all , owner. -occupied. He said Tuesday that the site plan is still being revised, so the total number of units is not:final. . • • "This gives us an opportunity to have a multiple product because it's 120.acres," the said. "First-time homebuyers can pur- chase single-family homes and then when thcv want to retire, they can move to townhomes. We're trying to provide some- thing for •everyone:" • Stanke said most.:builders don'tdo. -mixed developments.:•Pulte,;a national company, .just :opened•.a,-inixed-unit° developmentof the type proposed for Car riage Hills in Woodbury and has another housing development nearing completion in Eagan called Cliff" Lake. . Stanke understands neighbors' con- cerns. "That's going to happen," he said. ."People have concerns when development comes in. It's natural:".. Said Hedges: "Agolf course is like a park. People thought it would:be there forever:" Pulte ishaving an informational Meeting with neighbors Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Eagan MunicipaiBuilding. "This is something we do even if it's not '. required," Stanke said. "After attending r the; naeeti ng;imost;:pepic :stand whatzis;ptanned As forthe future of a city run golf touts in"Eagan; it is stilt uncertain The cityrhas^` • resumed the ifeasibility stuiiy'thaf was'on <' hold 'since =October. It -will Abe .at desist' another '30 'days before it is completed,' Hedges said. ''Finding enoughavailable landfor course is also an.issue. In the midst cif the " initial study, a parcel of land across Yankee Doodle Road owned by Northwestern Na. tional'Life -Insurance became available.` And although the Council agreed to look at that as an option, it was sold to Dart Transit before the Council could make a decision. Hedges said the city is talking with Dart Transit to see if the land could be used for a golf course. • "It's nota simple issue," Hedges ges said. "Some people say the city shouldn't be in the golf course business. Others say the city should: The neighbors say don't lose the golf course whether it's public or private." - • . The land -use change is not expected to come before the Planning Commission - until .next :month. Then it still has to be approved by the Council. Apublic hearing is also required before the Council. Once the' land -use change is in place, the City Council will vote on the development plan itself. ; ° _ ' "There's still a. lot of process left,": Hedges said. SAINT' PAUL PIONEER PRESS MINNEAPOLIS/SUBURBAN EDITOR: Don Wyatt PHONE: 228-5473 . . FAX: (612) 228-5500 SUBURBS la\►4C\c\ EAGAN • want golf .course to stay put Neighbors g Y p • Carriage Hills land may2 be sold to home builder DON AHERN STAFF WRITER Jim and Nanette Ashton's suburban home sits almost isolated at the end of.a cul de sac in Eagan. A few feet beyond their back deck, a multiple -hole marlin house astride a tall pole marks the boundary,of 120/acres of Carriage Hills Golf Course. "We bought our homes here because they're sitting next to beautiful open land," Nanette Ashton said, speaking for her family and neighbors surrounding the links near Lexington Avenue and Yankee Doodle Road. "My kids make extra mon- ey during the summer selling golf balls they find." But that open land is privately owned. And its owner, Bill Smith, is getting older and wants to get out of the business. Last June, he offered to sell it to the city as a municipal golf course. But four months later, before the City Council had come . to any conclusion, Smith told the city he didn't want to wait any longer. He had another offer he planned to accept. Pulte Homes, a na- tional developer, proposed replacing the rolling fairways and sculpted greens with houses and condominiums ranging in price from $80,000 to $190,000. The sudden prospect of losing one of the major selling points that lured them there has alarmed homeowners and fu- eled fears 'that not only will their proper- ty values plummet, but also that ru- mored "low-cost housing" may attract unsavory neighbors. Residents have inun- dated City Hall with complaints and questions, and have had at least one neighborhood meeting to organize opposi- tion. But at this point, their opposition is akin to swatting at the wind, because there is nothing official to fight. The sale is apparently contingent on city approval to change the use of the land to permit housing, said City Administrator Tom Hedges. • That would require not only rezoning, but also a basic change in the city's comprehensive plan. Such . a change re - PIONEER PRESS quires a recommendation by the planning commission and a four -fifths majority vote on the City Council. Pulte has made no formal application, however, to change the use of the land, said Eagan Planning Director Peggy Reichert. So, although Pulte has infor- mally approached the city, nothing offi- cial is in the works. The proposal is for all owner -occupied homes and no rental units, Reichert said. It would not, she said, be like a nearby .. subsidized rental area that some neigh- bors envision being replicated on the golf course. They say the existing one has generated excessive police calls. Nor has the council as a whole or individual members actively advocated a zoning change at Carriage Hills. "Regardless of whether we have a golf course right here or some other place, the city fully intends to have an area of land approximately the size of Carriage Hills always open as a golf course,"_ May- or Tom Egan said. "We are exploring the possibility of acquiring another parcel of land. We aren't out trying to increase the tax base by bulldozing every available parcel of land in Eagan and trying to develop it to. its maximum intensity." But, Egan observed, it may be too costly for the city to purchase and refur- bish Carriage Hills as a golf course. "Obviously we feel strongly about it or we wouldn't have been looking into it to pursue all of our options," Hedges added. After Smith approached the city, the council engaged Effective •Golf Course Systems to studythe feasibility of the city's operating Carriage Hills as a mu- nicipal golf course, and Springsted finan- cial advisers to analyze Smith's $5 mil- lion asking price. The operational analysis was not fin- ished when Smith withdrew his offer, but preliminary findings indicated that ex- pensive upgrading would be necessary. In October, Springsted advised that a mu- nicipal course would not generate enough revenue to pay off the purchase price and approximately $1 million improvements without a tax subsidy — which would require a citywide vote. In the meantime, while the consultant was looking at the feasibility of Carriage Hills, a 200-acre tract of land across Yankee Doodle Road owned by North- western Mutual Life Insurance became available. "So the council said we ought to look at that too," Hedges said. The council did agree to consider both options, but was shortly left with neither. Smith accepted Pulte's proposal, and the Northwestern land was sold to Dart Transit. "So obviously, we have a concern about a golf course," Hedges said. . There are two other golf facilities in Eagan, the privately owned Parkview 18- hole "executive" course open to the pub- lic and the nine -hole members -only course at Lost Spur Country Club. Whatever happens, the final chapter likely won't be written for several months. It will take at least that long for any proposed land use change to be con- sidered and acted upon. And if the coun- cil chooses to deny rezoning, Smith may be back at square one, forced to consider a new game plan. • Hedges said he wants to have a meet- ing with the neighborhood after the first of the year to lay out the facts and look • at the possibilities. "We all ought to get together to work together, if there is a real interest in keeping it as a golf course," he said. i II it! 1,1 �4i • asses enough as the year the state: highl nt was "ruined." v event stopped being just one ized champions,in Classes A ools). In other Viihdi, no more i a small-town team whips the ling their eyes over What is ex- 4 basketball tournament's.evo-:. 341 State High SehooilLeague', ys and girls tourneygAci four.i nament is Warranted.: btit four ,tley nearly defeated Class AA t Sweet. 16boys title4The.se; agreed thet'Class A chnjion for any earn:iii the state, re- ams and exceptional cases. In mld not reflect current compeV letics. Students at large urban on one sport and .play it iyear;. udentsat. outstate schOolS,plaY4 I girls coaches associations and,t Arators have thrown theirlim0 However, a recent high SohObI;i4 majority, ofathletes prefer theV ree-class basketball.toufnairient'i; iols of 750 Students Of more and ts in onediVision. Theri create s or less, where multi -Sport par ryone else in the middle division. )ol league should go, Any more ry-rigging,, arbitrarily creating -ed result More' high:schoolr/1 it be decided on theCoUtt, not . . . at will it take to sway Eagan's council? • By Mary Lou Thorpe • Guest Columnist The city of Eagan is being asked to 'change its Cornprehen- sive Guide Plan to allow land that is 'ciiiterltly a golf course to be changed to a high••density resi- dential development of 500.hous- , unith the city provided a for - •:mat for resident concerns at an informational meeting on Jan. 9. • L)espite an Overflow crowd that neither.the cdinniunity room nor •the parking lots could accomino- •':date, there were several infer- ences that the community re- sponse was not great enough and that the amendment tiff the Coin- preherlsive. Guide Plan as applied fof.by' Pulte, may 1)6 i e vi table. No natter l* far reaching and • thoughtful the concerns voiced, r Month they did not seem to coriatittite a basis for denying the application to amend the plan. Why? What are the i•pecifie points or issues that favdr. granting this change? Pon ticS? Money? Not enough "im- portant" people, identifying th6ii- positien favor of alternatives? Who or What is iniPortatit enoiigh to be able to sWAY`oilf Council against the application to Change the use 6f this valiiable property from public facility t�reSiden tint? Does it follow that Since the city decided tigiiinSt htiYingCAr- riage Hilis as a city kiilf ebtitge, the only other choice is A full- bloWn, high -density by Pulte? Being blinded eitirreficeii allOW fei':511.6i:446rti'vr6 YeS, f'idte is offering 616 print for'. thiS golf ...---._ _ ......... ,....-.. . •, , — , . .,. - . .... . • EAGAN . - . ',v.,: •Al.. t; ,.. ..... ..„, Vie."-.44 ,', nMite ••=gagnalagat=1022i '''- -,1, 1•1111016%1M. ‘.`,..-: '.. ''.' ''! '', t „kW) . "..• "-'' •14,, 1, :' . — . • .. .., • " : ,. : Q—C-14.11-fKursTit+ti .- " • ,1,A-1( ' ' rf im'ai ii:;1'i.i^;,, : '''...,,' ' 1.1,!". •:: :. " '41i s..1 '''': . 7.° - '2:' \ :?j& cya!ed Piper ., . , ,,. , .. ,.. , - i 1.4,14 ( OF INTEGriflY ... . : ..,, , • - Applc ValicyliZosernebrit, fr,;t;211 , . .., • , ', ?..- .StinIC:iirrent Newspaprs, 1209 E. Cliff Rd., Rur0§;.111e, MN 55337 R82-2460, , • , YVONNF, I: LINNER•T I IA NAND i IIENISTR A SUE ilECARTY RRIAN nURCiE Mp.ralging Editor Assistant Managing Editor t.:ortiniunity Editni Spoils Editor -, .-R96-4732 RR2-2.167 862-2462 882-2469 if, I 996, Published 'Neck I y I ly .::•"'?.:,'V'''''-.-`.: '-•; : IVIINNESCOA-UN ritibiLicjAtiON8"c''' r ,?,,.,,,,,,-..,:,.,.., i. .5, trwebtWient Sthil'Oi: S; rii-SP114 . 7R31 Eielt 13110 Lake Rd.. Pl6orilitigtAil, MN 55439 ?9-47oo pDONAI.1) TauRt.ow .... ' • ' EbSvAria il. stiff: ..f ''','"' 11-ioi.6s0.L„ -1' - • polishei. • • .1 . F.xecutive liditoril.kiieral Mai ager,.. „ „„.„. .. Mari kithig,Difeifor. .; . . .. • _ ,,,....-, ..:-; Digria&•Advertisirig i 89.6:4700 ;.,': ,.,}(..2rtssifirl i Oi-P.92. ..,.... .„(.,..)TulatiOVV671809; , 3 911101111ROOMIS KNOWL iiTA010 A'CUSTOLI COLOR MATCH SELECTION • •_HURTER DOUGLAS DEALER et= mew .orma ' jj professional ye opers ey •• de. i "-' realize several trines their iniiest- Merit hi corporate profits withthe lienSing density Of the PrOje'cli.itir- rentlY planned. 8o it ibihi that inoney talkS. No SiirPriSe there. Let's talk about Value irig Property ownerS. How About just those 606 iii-OPert,Y.iivi;niirS Within 350 feet that, city Obliged to notify of propo4d 'changes independent rel estate the single conci�niiriium faeirrik the' golf course could decreae inr• hinfifiblif on f theleast ex • ,s t. • SiVe sUrrounding the golf ciiirSe, So lets multiply a iiArg of s1o:6()0 tirtim4 ih6.660 wners (iipArtrnentS; townlionseS; con, dek, Singte'. are Voil don t need a rodndin propePtSi owners ill sustain a significant ios taatirr- Unit toWni-intise cAn't hegin to iiintiaie rare "c"h,.ihe' requite tHii,kerson requesting tliochAiige 1;0 prii`V'e nit sornehoa aut here in the real World; the burden iifiirdf seemS be ail' rqe Tli6 only could coiiie u with ath it the coinpany was providing rnorc hbiuin for EAgati Suggest the bf.), realiiiidbY. Puke EFIORPIEi Tii Page dbtIbFi tiotide _ . . On Oage 3 Of the Sets thiii§tiaci.-ilai-ibAfsi:,..1 8 adveltlslng geLsilosei you thete ia Tie "LS.7bly' cacssitte , Man faces kidnap, • g • es • - ---- • .-- char, penaltieS ifiL elude: a $35,000 fine And 20, Yeaii in prison for kidnapping; $5,000 and its Siiareholders: An Eagan than pleaded not fine and three Years in prison for t,i.11`4ePiitialitY of lifeciiiisidera- guilty to Charges of kidnapping„; false imprisonment; and $10,000 ...‘mitions:ekplored at the inform- falae-iinpriaonMent. and third fine and five years in,Prison fortional ' meeting seem tohave fall degree assault after he allegedly third degree assault. A ,jury trial 611•Ondeafears., Beyond.a shadow lured a former girlfriend to his is scheduled for Feb. 20. of.130doilbt, the citizens of Eagan apartment and heat, her, break-. WillAoSejar more in hard•cold .. ihg her rioSe.- • •}Aran Police seize itielai Previous Page assault charges cash:than this national corpora4 • According to a Criminal corn- !.• on top ofeach Other,This is net plea fOr Dec. 24; 1995 fro the-'cluster'':developnient :•Afifiiii*Mciii McCauley, 25, al addresses the-rieed. known as Deja Raymond ;.• open space nearby Our coMmuhi- CanleY and Aaron Sanders. ty already saturated with hous he arriYed at his apart • ) ing that is not being allegedly grabbed her • the land is :cleared and,.,i;:and:dragged her to his bedroom leveled and "develOped;il'Ahere.. ;.Where he punched her in the face _are. no more choices:, Deprecia- ::and:head several times with his even .with'cbstlyfinaintel: fia(iind foot, the coMplaint said. nance will rule the future.-- Ile also attempted to sexually as- . ..There , is Widespread' disbelief Sault her and he cut. several large metro,Vvide'rinorig'profeSSiiihala ; chunks out of her hair that Eagan would allow a prime ,victirn tried, to convince resource to be turned into just an-.. thAtShe Was hurt and heed,. • other housingdevelopinent. There tci to a hospital. McCauley areother options, hut -they -Cannot •.agreed to.drive her to the hospital. . be pursued in.the:victim's car, but when they queSt tochange tbe;6Orriptehent.f;'..:arrived at. the hospital, he would sive plan let her go inside, officers said tains that • fiyei.,manths:,wasn',ti,,,,..c"'',11.e drove hee to the Edina Po enoughtimelte Study:the•Municy.:[lice ,Departnimit, hut then decid pal goifcourse 'sue How (:(.1 to drive her back to her apart resehre'iSsuesthatlireltiinatelY , The victim called he More signifitantin less mother, who called the Police De Please, help 'bur•::tity'leadera .• .partment, told McCauley to :inake'an ecitiCated'ehoice.''They,;. take her ear and leave befOre the have an obligation tO represent US',:•••, -,officers arrived, which he did. Write a letter.thatdoeuments.your.. As she.. Was being transported concerns, or. at the very. least,:'sign by ambulance to the hospital, one of the petitions that citizen and McCauley, driving her car, • fol- business groups are,Citeulating.",4t.,,. lowed the ambulance to the hos- pital. Police stopped the car and Mary Lou Thorpe is an Eagan arrested McCauley. The t. m. . ent and member of the , told Officer'S that this was not the Hills Coalition, a nonprofit first-6Mb he had been arrested. nization dedicated pfeservity . for assaulting her. opel ipace. „ , :If::,.Ishrivicted of current • • :tiOnor the city tax htiSetVill gain. plaint filed in Dakota County dis- prams of tocaiue Teople simply di-i not de Well liv1,.!; trictboiirt, the victim answered alny.-'• • F;: 1.v1:4):)r- e; - • • • 3.5fP'rt'rii,•:47,--.:::141 4 • • Ott. 5 I Wheei britioi;; m s c r A routine traffic Step hag in a narcotics biigt Off2,. hindleg (narcotics WraPPed small squares of ne*.qir)iii)' tif cocai,ie and felony 'Charges for an Eagan Man. •• • On Afig, 6;4096 an Eagan Pc - lire othcor saw a car cut two larieSOtii-affie and, head '•West, on Diffl eY Clad:The driver; identi Wed ri RiChard•jaineS Sayl! . • ers, informed 601660' that hig driver's license was revokedPc lice also learned that • Warrant from Hennepin (.ou-t . existed for Sayers' arrest. Sayers was arrested and his . car vvasimpoinided, A Search Of • the car' pi-odnced ii nyl�n hag containing the wrapped bindles, rolls of dollar bills, a scale, and -other drug Paraphernalia. An- other container was found in the hack seat of the car that tested positive for .9 grarnS of cocaine and metliamphetamine. The 28 bundles tested positie for co Caine, Weighing 13.5 grains.. On Dec. 15, 1995, the Dakota County Attorney's Office charged Richard 'James Savers, 39, with second degree pOssei-.., sion of a controlled slibStailea punishable bynp to 25,yearS. in --.prisoW.Eindh $500,00 fine., ; Sayers piiSted $10,000 bail and is 'S-cheduled to appear in court Jan. 29: • . . • , • . • :411 • • Lir RIMY itiv .;10tIlt 4.4,.•4•Jr„ •• • = 141,-ki•P ' , .0 11 :114t4t. rg-4 PER BUY •4, ''t c FROSTEDAJII 4111111711. 110,- , Atitb Light 1310b§ Soft white 4-fi-cib'k (8288-128, =136; -169; !177) 641er b A 'ii.'2:-•t#Injvt' 4 43weep AE44fi,s e,tj' OWKEIJARDWARE z•-:' 1'4 BLOCitViOtiliti • NOW locateEl at ThVII i98 E. Hwy. 1 f3906 I WaSiNj waterswi Apple ValieviRoSernoiait, Eagari S. DENTISTRY V/ Wetake Ckild Mit& .(ptiff cpri)ig wedi Coitifo a preventive inclividlia Dr. Shelley Wakel Dakota De ] tb:YR) Soui — , it: Heariing...,....,, •..... i;...l, f, e..tt (Continued flOrit front Palle) location to consider official make a rucompiendation . to council .action on the. re - the City Council, quest for amendment: ,. .. The pit( council Will be ;Questions . and concerns: in attendance at the .public _:-;.regarding ' _ this,:: requested` bearing. immediately .:!after.,.,.;=,amendment and: the public the Advisory Planning hearing process;: should be Commission meeting, . the '-directed to the Community City Council will convene a ' Development Department at. special w'eting at the same :.: 681-4671: Heariing t•tf• ',Ott, Of•tettft• (C.00inuecl frail! hunt Palle) location to consider offiCial make a rPenniTtendation action on the re, the City COnneii, ; for atnendment, qtf cnuncil will be and conCerris, attendapc at thp public regarding • .this,',7requested. hearing. immecliatelY an.0,Ahe public the Advisory Planning ••• haring procuss, should be.: Commission meeting, - the directed to the Community City Council will enaYene •/,:l.:leYel0PIPeat, special meeting at the aatne)..': ' "'' ',;4•1,1",t-1-0;••447,.,?4; , ,7.7.1:tri,q1 ,,,,.,n,v2;t:i...1,,7,..r-,,,,;• ,,,i1F.7,..7•7"'r .,',A.,,,,,;',...„;?.",;",,:•,.''•-•,'X''''' ' ' '•-•'`r %‘+•"47,.',;',!"..$;,:l • • S O ,11.P‘,t4;r •,.....t. , ,k1 . 1 en . a 0 re 0.411s4.4y, ivirvrew 'arne•..t.:,:i',0'4,::'ii.-iikAIill'" 4,A;;•:•:,.inggolf ;,.-.:•.4.....•'.14f.:',:,:::"'''''' ';.••-• ';...,,•-::',!* Yll' men .•,,,--- ., f,. -Y''.`-•'i4 • .4,?.. - -tc" 914j.co 4 09.001.,, . ,.:I,.,A,..v..ii,:ii•,.i•ko,.•,,,,,,,....-4h:;,-.-,,N,.,,,. i.e _. e n ..oppoSe;,2.the.applie.ationig4 t_:resid4a,f;deelp,-ptn,',' ...eil-.•C,:74:•siy...e4tiic!,•'•I'H•1?-1#.,„•;';,-,-4., tif1:•'i.-'b ..,.. :•••:i...--•,, ••• .,,.-......,,,. • ,. •••••••••••!--••••;:1/4,,,.,,.• .: Yr.rZ,;•••• ••••••••••,:?T'• ',-,,,, • • • • •••,, • e 44.•:0:;;:i'.;hrio:xibi,iriiir-ii;ii4,,kiiii.(..44:46.,..404K.,,,49,iiigcotof,.j#0.:.qCc91,!qq.,cT.•,.:, se ,..,.,!!;.!.,1. 'ye l§' eI,WagAfigr4g4P10g91QP,9IWPAP,9; -j9sFrY.?..114-4.q..4.-4,,W,:..91).P.,1*:_!4q4,;....c.fAltr,..;.7.,r, .In ' 'urgcli.:1:', -'6:', 6aii:A.F9salidiif :residdritiothitt044tVstead'-41.1..p!i?..P;•-PPIP,I!)0., !ait ' 2%.4.'41,,„Pi;K-4-,-' A' -41#15t:tlin*&-Fili'' idiiik','07-:,Wedaii-whilk`,'RAtiOARAPe• '. • e .- at'nfD.z4ii. icieftt•;1,!'“V ..ii‘,..4.4.9, 411 e.,,..,..... -7-.7Z-711- ,,7;%,•-• ,...*,..,-; ., t.' :-.• flqha.eVSiiii(lioiiS.1-;iice17a4p)i)igilf,f;.:MQ, tlisi414.1f]orp:9..410444-"priwor!imr Alpg,,.,.1:!. ;)[!;,,,,i, s.,.G.,,iit.:,,..;;ifi.„...:hiii ,i'4A.:1„....0,#,..!,*;.:,:.(4.,;.,:ir.,,,,,R,15,,,p,,_..4.14,6,., .6 ,.,i ,.aiii lex i.c..,,,,,a... ''' ' v t'lhe-'f1,,iii.Wo'Odjiri-4„3.*pletrefitar ..y..,,,,,,L.-p&op.„‘",,,e‘rty..._,..-%....,,_,In4a,r. k,1:4..4.e1„„ ..1,.. fl,.,,..-1,..PP'•:•J S P,9rt'0-C-4•141: 'ie. .•;Y-.•1.-`ts,,••:','• C 99- '•::-.:,- -P--•-•,.•-•i-'ti''R''.1iP,WiZ.c•tf-1,41.:,4!-4°4'.'. _.,.,Y'r' ab)eirst;•?.the":golf co r§p; .1..y#47t:ii. ,.„,i3F1*,' have §,Oggc4cc4;00t.0.1.,Y4,14TP4M!LPf•ti ...; .. I' . ' 1.” ' .‘ ' . " ' and - • `..i -fe,',-;.'clenial of . theaiiplicition .*Outd 6,''-.: cPtirSei. 11c.1 7 i4PFPHOPic9,4g ral.i'':i_.tPrPo/IFtE7..:P:":?-11' •-• ' ' i'' - ''' lianceOnetheillflicfid'lifieC OY'§'. !*.q.94-7:•-'' CPP§qt4t ' 4,9...f.1499;?f!§(014 .?q ''',i-- , ---.'•-• ,.",:- • ''±z‘.-ii. i;,',1.'' 'pi i&Li.‘. • ft 0, liontiy.Sterri. :Id 'faCt, :. the. Eagan :.:, ••takin&;-:, of property This • • - • •••, it • ft : g , •, fiee $0•I; 0'448' Ole 'facilitIcS ' .1,1?4§..ft kirIC•System ; •lan4syctlie,,,;.pi y ,,, gestion ••,.qiii er,simply,•,is ,verr.,,, sive,1•;;giii,de‘AlSp.;,.i,.'...,1Mki•c.L.S4.ri.iit,, t. , apJJ.s O9 . kfug;-•steps', elify.E in' scekin ifo.:.-Chaiig li ewt },A r.i. mit filiself3itqUeSte .claSsificition•i•inevitab ••••• i-e ' . tie arefor turd coure,1the current pUblic.4'fabiiiiiesi'ddicedk,the.-.4--OWnerS,4•Zit ''? near i'',.'47.•' ''' •-.....7.•••• , ./-- • *.. -, • -,,,,,,•-----,,,„,,:: - ....:,..--•••,,,•:-:,.... -.•• • -,. -•,•:•....- ,..,- -, - :-..,„...-. - • -.• • • •-•••.• ..v„. ....•:„. T 1•4..;':,Z., p cci5: !)owco.plt. $ 7 Y:IclesignAtiOqif'Itt. 1962 Further properties i That faet;...,alone .is.,1',i -v .,....,'._;_,In_111(0,4 '. iii,der 12.....Z.m,..,,,,,,illiO94...J9_,.•,;..i.4911-9,,.. be.;,-.40iiii,j; no: : 'steps',; to••,,'.'!'.. i 4fficientto 5 liii,.;.SnY'!ztalungli.i'V.;$ . .... build. :.'••••-• 'i'•/,'' „'''k•••:: 1,.,•.;'.- -".41.,41.-• • • • • , • - ,,„.!1. • r;.:.- - r ... ,Ca' '': ' C, ,74'74•.. • - -.:,-Nii - -* . ,t ",:-, --., .' ',.t ;.•,;.^,,:k0,,, "f' e ,. , change thati-cidesignation,•evenrcl4Int',,,e1"lig4":4,3,:,V14,1,4" . 4,,,.S..tkee.:Oinftd, 'v•-`,,wi4t the -gPjf*•;•itboiiglii.i,it, 1.,,0; Stiiirild*Iy clear::::„--24.I4h9' .'rti''')Pj-01114'-'001,?C.4tiCir,!,V# C.-:-. •', ourse • the Squire mile delim:,:t',.'by 1984 ' that •• the ' property sur.-1"'Sholild 'lie‘deliiedirli." -actionho t,s4ited-o- by '• lia4espoodle -,•:and ''- ,r(.;?upding . thi3igolf :ed ufge) Was •. : is • legally: jtistified • and does not:4, •••• ,. . Wescoft roads' to thi7n„Wth:.:a7nCf being zoned ri.Of,reSliten'tia)?de,....,:,., e4PoSe;ttie,..city• tO:liabilit •; ..,':,... 1 .:I !t,south, and Elrene Road and -.:-,/elopment. He could have], at ' • JOHNS. BLOQMOVIST•••;•4.. ••,' Lexington Avenue to. the east . • ihat '. time applied •.: for .. an •:• Eagan •-. - i •-• , '. ' -.,. ,„••,.... :: • . „A„,i.t.I.i. ' . • , , ... . -..m,,,,a,•••,l'i:-,, : : :• • - ', •?,:;' ostngegreen -413013e would be. a •travest : , ......•.• ,.,.,..,-,, 7: ::-:*,,V4'.,'. i;-.- . • • ,,,,-- -•,:r.?0,:','61,..",:;..t.t.cti**,":•"-+ ...04::-:., * ..k . . . ' '• To the'tditO:c:;c001'41:;..,, I ttiiness to make :i .nioneyA, T,:offes 4iirveys,.."eapecially.4,4 . • The decisions 'we'.1-:rriake. now . :i'iiat's what we 00." But for ilielciitiak'ta IiiilieStiOniqfom •the •:,'; • . ' ' ' !lfi!::!..!4.,t..,:•: ..r.,-?o•l;',,•-•!, we',P'''., • ,, - • .•,,, ,,,,,,,.',-.,,...4•,,, ',.. 1, -4,..., .,. ,,, • • • ., -,.. 00 city '..i:i/'.qiir,ii . ;:991.ilii J4 irp3,:i c,„. are . much - bigger- -tiii4-;4';444,1440.)W ., diCiatethe way :' live later -,It. city and its residents, the • isj',..,.1`.*'',infotiiiiiitilial4tehee%npiVilra;rey•t•j; sideq,k11.3ofightifOrernOSC.:asi*coii0i0rotit. Strain on .area, roads,iinzm,norwillingi:tiv..lose,rthisAtaot of ... ;: . trezo0g: carirpg,97'llillS--,4:,!ft.otrOOttire;'-vgohOOP'''SystefiliAfr'landnrt ,':-:::-..;,:vilof49,',4,,,,:,:-.-.-0,4 • ..,, 5, -,. , .....g9if, t'g''1....,c,c.,),Pfk?.r. t"4''-:. t.500904(il'itiL:Fi$iict on the crwirownefiti.4....7,40:4o'ff,..04Vesg6'.ii;S6e4 ci,„it53.,x4FJ*04.5Ast99 , would . take s•,pitiiiim eqpg property. yalits1,0•'•f4i0.,,,,t;o;g,' let another developer !YfIr...,!YAP,_•••.•!4.!Je1.3:14..N(Ffi''.....ifii44f;:f:•iii0 .-, me-44;-4!..9' the '• ' tsjOierS'.:P.c.PrifeliritO'OUilCit 'izi,410114;;,4j 0 ,7,ana once the f( p-,- Vt,-. ; 91)511 :i.§171.",' 90?'4 a few1* the :major :,011-*-'de ' ' '' 'Y''''-'' ; .--s g:,,;5.;„4:1P19 '4!..,,,it.•}0,.i4t''"'9n4. to this community '-'L, •§•!,14''.',,..6741.':W9fliir:12w9i1.11;iti..b41',"rillefliti.4OCe•:1.elLe'4'. re evtlo:pMs",;• plans ;i rtliiiildli;:-;',t'jl ' to make such a i deCiSiti.'-'''''CO4-if-111 u te,-140erY.,,large f...iiStiOliS154-i'e1414--,iWb q , believe . the: city''''tiy7:Sileiiidehc:pc4T§;9944!: titi;i1,,fyii;t1._Ye; : iitt 00..::;.:-'404§itigi'409_e,flivigif i!,4,;tioie-.,Nitiii- i - i 'tt:al.:-..e.„--;,;kil:rn:11,'-ar: ?re.,',P,'.3(*.f4rico ff.;cor.:',.,-;* . golf.c •P'. --- ,04.4r:141::,;9Oc1.6•:::::p.,4::1-:',.:7.3.-u.Y::aild' iesear:chT em4ctulisnsit:ns ...,7,...,,p _;:s", -iel::;e.tiiiiie's:,'•-,;:•.e:L.,,-;••.;•-,,,,i'...4:-.';'"' c,the,.;,-1e,020iia#04:7o- U'Ir-sge,pYleiiYcse' ; before the, de.' • -is. :..i.„..-Replember'-•••:411C'te'''' -t,.i.,•„,,,' An, $0•z rung Pulte i mfde,4tiave confidence• ip,,,-Otir-:Ispaop:LiiieVeiopeC!' 11 . , .:„re . •• , -- • , .,,- ....,t..., •ii) '' ils-7. questing would ' 11 w - ' gl fill te representatiye r • il ' 6 fiot,'this.is'4401i'#ntiii.fOrR61.1'4ANE ,..;...9n,,,,;?f$F?„,44.-,. -4..,..i.•.../ r, . • ,... a °.. ,,,..„:,, .-, .,:: •,.• --, ••and ',C9uflcil ';:in.,,,..-.009Niiif6r0/..014,iidiltia zati9r., , ...., ...,,,,z4 ...A. ,./ .4, ;•••• .• more ;,'• `,..,:eirat Ytis •,•1 u,units•.,-,•-' "' - ' .. ,,•„ examine:411 0§.-•-,4": YA.Nr0ci.,:..-,„:," staffthw:ll '.;:-. ,,..,„z„,-..,--, • •,..u. ••••.-.„,...' • T.,,,,,..,,„,-,,,,...1•„?.,,•....q!9' their - f!!1!.„.rPOrt4n 13 en-ate12.'4 pits e I t:',1;44;0:9s11,ei 1'5 is •••••,-,,,,,,,,,, ••.-1•,?..147, standke aid'\VeTatiin V ''.' -•''' .':'.7 .-.,r.. . • .:-gti44%,ab...0.1.1' raliqiile1I4UitS44,4Eili'salll .%."-0-.. .,., , ;3..tikill.**,;,,,2u5f.zi.,14.4 ir I ,,..P •ig:::: ourtoncerns-Iiver ei.O r.i.l.„.:ce,,,,;.. .. 11,,:-.',.;Zo the editor . - . y11111,0 -idual;triCk.i,sigport,-,114 "*"."4..,' Match 18,- 1996 It would tifere,,.1 heieb-i'riciLiiikAllie'.,,4ikelifiOodqt 'pilii:pTpFeqs.:.'thOf kypI'lllitjp442f-i orc: be : p4§§i1*49j:ffiqfklip.g0Wir. f .,iA :,i1,1041;t1OilslAtiAk. ct,sion' .,4)•i'V' "'W2. -"-` -4- , • , - --. - •' . --, .-, • ' - 4:- ,•? - - ••-•--,-P"'''',::::, - • :t" ' ,.•'‘• •••••.,-; ,-• ':•-t .,'',;; " ' ” •'::•."-. • i 0 1989 211g0a4 oa,POig.f9:.' 4.-014t00,.iPi:.4,40,*Aa'.0140§01Y9',.1,1: Or...N14k,.1gAtiftgit. inaltegis Is ti:F:::: decision:,,A re-, the #jipptt j§sR9.:',':tbiSJ,YeArili;be,.:::;;*Ilbererpi-:0"...tirget` call S'igiiigtibre ' airPoirs,'.7"iiiiii:iVOY0.1tfWeek.:Mirelb44$:!;,:and,; th;;"pqi:T the",offi40-:96$0!eR,:Majizirjty.,:,c.f, - :4.1,1iii1V11‘?7 This•finlOt44rePi..c4ci.t,:4oi9opinefirY5.o.o6.1.10.t,.'ig-J,L4o0-.• Roger .:Mil0i(21910i:?577)i- 4.(iiiepjly.,..reiRtscri9; -iifp-. fact April .1'.:.. •.-•, ,:-,. .. `1,... - .1!.,t.P.-..-;,.': pi!c1-:t14o0,.49400,4*der-.t‘ ,...,.,-, • .,„., • e op1111g...ki49p.p.toopI,,A1 Jp0sts‘ .r-,p..,,,.:-., pots have been inArtjduced : in...,-;: son (2 9 6493 6):•tO.,',.reques- t I. that ''':;•' , .. 0_,...iit... rpis, sion',-.(1M4Q)",.-.',-Sidtbeksq"''411e:!-Ipiik; and the Senate that they ,:paji:Eloge'-•`",,ftie,', infm' edist etrop,91449: Council *6-91*-4:0!:w:941d .:cfiF41.0.S.,,!lie.., airport .ecomtriittee hearings' on Senate W•••;:',',f,e,q4.1Eqgtojeleasc„, their:, final rt,,„. planning process with final de7..,f14 File 1829 •iiiid, licitise'..File:2481 .,, - '..:‘• • cOiOUsiO.:ns•..,,• arid,,recomim ends7, Efi•-,4,4ci§ions against: . relocating the'l..-tk' Don't be afraid to %geVt.'Airr "-ie•101,-;-...„?,,,:ti•gs-,,,:pr:-,••••::,:,-,',..:.--..,.-••:• - - . • - • -, P - ,,,-,:;••• • ,•••••:‘-'• -, , - .,•••• , •-• i,•,• - • , •• • .. • • :-..„ • -.;•.4•..!,N.Q.,*,1.,•.-4.',,,.•141,,-?•••,,,,,,,,.,?;•,..i,,- ..„ ....,q.,• :••---rp.-:-,..••• ., - -. • „ • . • - )4.4'44 ••;' - • • • :-• s ,,. ,,, -4.'7 r• tiorise-untit&July:4-of'719961,(Sfter,:sirpqrt- and - against, -land barilc.::,:,-.;, volyed..•,Iet•;?your.5..Vpipp..1 .,'be ii' -. • the end: of t11.9„:1?9,6,,, legistatiVe .'-,-.". ing-", in Dakota Countyi-,Despite,;•4.1,Iieird:‘;Ift.ciii:1-make,..a-..,cliffer,,,'N •-='41a..,..kiO1n);t5tritWN-s,S..,•',/!,-i!al:'...iZ,. ::•.L.:•,1 . ' the • strong bipartisan support f .0 nce-..11...::''44gi'::.1,. ,..,:',,:i..A4.•;;,..-1;.,';'"'•41ii.i'•,:1, ...-1:,-',:6:•, ' :, • : FlOwe‘;er, all of the required . that has been, shown ,fof. these. ' ...• INi.V.;•,. .: !-:e..-•:',.",?•-',i,'.' •"; ; ''.L-, .. : *'• ' ! v,-• studies . 'have t•-•, nOw: 4eep: 'coo, . bills; . efforts . to schedule , the.,0- ICEyRsIIPATRICK CARROLL I. • ,.,...., , pleted, and the MAC and tile.. :. required ; committee ' hearings Rosemount ' -'- .; .•:' --'c':f ii1-4.,..11ii,;-4,ii44haa,..; Ii.:4.11•S .. 1 . have , ;64iiiiowriedk, pi, 0.-'114' :., . . . . . '''''''-4-...,. .:: ;ze.•;14,1400. i'W P '' ' .,,_ r , . . , , • • ,... e • •,,-,'• e•:- t-s... ..,,, ," •e•-, . . . : . - • `. 2 .• !,:',Allip4iS,i/44-Yg -- .4.i.. • C..,.. .).41 K R..2, •..• .:,-...-„,,,;:- :•,,,,•A, 4 ,..,.4.. To the editor: qa,,, ..,. - business • to . make • .. moneypflitesttAn Spry0s;itapeai a HY •';',..1 Thedecisions we .fcirlake..:now That's what we do." But for the.':qinCet'alPin4' ' '' `." ..!. giv.r.4,N. fitps;,...4y we live laterc,i....•- city and its . residents,.. the • ;.1S:=4.11,-InlOrintaliOVariiirriletjeCalgil-.;;),..lnrieady:A.: the ;''• ' ..4 .-.4.g.,..0ufr, ,ckty. ... 49,yejt 9, Ine. ,n1.(..Im,,u$,,. Lk e;eii:.‘,. 4 e's are much bigger, ttfarNhOc.iS!t4i:i,Vgitife-?',;tieOfile.. are ,„,u). ,,toLght a),,it99„,.Pp roll: t. Strain on ..: #...r.,... . if p#4,§, ....iji-ll...... t'll,notivil iinglOilP''.174.rithliktr'adi. of':i4; •.-i'.., !n#,....?,..,,,,&s..i..d.e.r.scsreir.tin,.....Mi'. Carriage.-',Tfililli't;4;•:fiasif4-',;:tt! re,'-'4'gchoOl*-systems,_ . ,;„.tapcii ,Vr';',. :4 TO (,.." •:': ..1,3 '•-.•'''A'rE.'-c'T•i•-•-e.•• ..,.,,....:spoif.:,.c_pr§e . to residential the • 'OA int.'0.0,.9. t. on the environm.ent,-"•••'.r'.:Q.,;#Th`64."'.1c,it6'''..f.:B4tari4.CaiiiPt i.if,..**;:i.. ii::,L.•n„.6;.ch,,,,•,,a....;decistpn w94lo take ::. ,p;itipl- 11104, property y4,190§1;',49fd:49.00Vaitothei.•deelo`p4.ii C:. 1r.,x0,yyjoie, py4!iciypiiiigt,i4k. expense;4c,the-,14isii.iv o0,(4.0,.'co:tli06t9 !!.0:;1iTiy,atiLiriiik6**4 e.44iilnirI.a1;• 460(4eoRFF..:-: 01P. open 'eP4Ark.1,i.„:' 00:.§ut 'a ,...-fei'Sts 4140:44:44.i6f'00Adeais48, .14.104...for•--1-'utti,iv. e?'41"erg4'ihit.':-si tvi-:.,,,,,, .4!If'qt gFt it 44.0c;;r,e,-.cerns to this co ty.. ,.. 1,.,,•,,„it.:4 ()nest whok•will,:'...,,b_erifef.itt.',Or,loSei-',..,/. ipuLtIf...,,, vFA-t. large .,,..hitio:fiil,'`....4,:,094:( 1 be!ievp... • the.:- CitY,'?,itts.,,,,-...4".4.,64411e11d esisiOns-4.:4'n.Itthetttitylit:.'i' nunum . , , .,...; .,.,..y!,..... .4. 7,... , ,..,4- - • i•,..,„ .,„. iEet. , .t e4.4 .. edtel9pS1 plans:,.. Nie4,44.9eit4.:Ep,10, ready to ':.to. OF; s4e4t de eisi.p.n..i.rd.C.:,.PpAcil.',.se. preSent.4:.., :,tfieIpePiPle4,..--,11' ;!..,*.o.igtj'7.t.elisity hOUsiiigf .‘t1eVelop..-..4'''ic./.,,af his., time...; Much testing, Siit..,..r,.,1-whqiyek kete,',..:-not.'fai.6 0 :q1t7 tlAi. ,lr( :-', &69101W : .:111 11 k esti',..!. qV, 9,''''' i l' -.'61,47Tpsarch', must- tatiblpi49:19-'1Vfit49§'-`':':.r ''''.. , • . .7. ...;91,ici the ,;'-,129-q§'?:golf , Fotiries,..,-:p)..44,..4gtOfe the :, decision: is''..,f.,...:1....g iiii6lh'er',',.iOndeitiurk, grei And *-- z A Je•p,-,i,js.„9010$_,.13.u)t..p..10..frm,,- kde,.I. -:"I.,..hy9 confidenee-.in:Pur,,,Spacolo,.109‘;,_..4c)1i4;;;"..weIOse:,i 9,tis§ttO ,. would pilow,...titoiteity..Stalf•and :COltied.YinetilheciiifOreVeriand..4thie'viOuld'i thati•-•7601iii I''- i. • .' ' ''''" ‘Y.,-;4iti.ot th'9:y: ',Ai ,-„amirie...all:iSfgi9 nr ',.,{ '31.Nti..‘ la,•,,•kee.: eg...F, :ti,:. ', t.et,,;.;:e.e.7.1V, ••'''' 7'.'0,•;=1,+'. ''Wee.,,,,-. • .7,&..e. ,•••...:4„:.- ,ultei-'4represehtativ-e-V!...' t4,'049i-..1114iiif-0.„.-rm—•.:-...-- •Y'L74:''.•4•44.1-1k`L''' - tatIclkesaid.;,:.1, e ,:iii-4in. 9 eypeoplei•aboy,te;:tije::::;-.*444 l'iPT:' ' - (0- • • , „ sce- o u rconcerns-overl!th ea 7 ,......, ,.. .;,., .,, o 30 1 ,' 1b the editor:, issue their final . reports,....byir:..4.....Senatd_tan a ouse. . eaders,...ip . ie".fai`i.Alft-rICiaairPIP:ii,3*Pjan;'R.: March '4 i,.1996....It would there-. • thereby4red.. pcmgq,.e.4...1,, ,e. i_ pp . ,i,,,, ReliTiviirkiig4V16-'Iciii4f-iniiiited i',.%' fore be , poSsibfe44. itte'..-i..„.egiS41t4.,akri#,Olgt$.i.,S,p,„tMicleiSi94.' 1''1'.,':..;&4...'..5.,1'1•"41-,t.'l1 9 7P.91.:'' ;,,. ,"...,nT7..',I:..'. .... l..'igi?.,,....,..,fO.,,..r,.,.."•a'1 •,,,ia,,,.t. re,'f.,,;,ip..;...:iqad.iid..,i..4.•.;4Fc1.....:44l...r..f, .es.',....1,,,41•.•• 'e...,,.,-:,,_.......,,.:..,i..:,., b-. Y, .-.?..A.„ iIfnat1g1;1;4/:414942:eiiii100qYss;clihii,30004*l1:tt,ej,,,.l,,oe,t,.„.3,;..xeurgejcu tojali1Rin7iheiiroprt;s2futute:2xitv9e0qK4:0i'1Oa10the0t4iti6.efIiCesgf'SP77!j941,34..;1417a:9c71177:riqsomet4bk6;0:jaat4 adjournment date .d?;Leader was tohe facIPT4 1;.d;4,4se:spe4pr1;H0errihatThc4°;4701t4oippy have been: ,....;,. ommI introclucec it! ;,:„§Siti („2, §.62.443:6;•,)i4;i4"4..-ufej0i ;hat '"."'•'"gii`dil'''''''.(MACYgine theAlir..the.;41ouse. and the Senate.that ''.1.f.lhek 1,i,. arfktige 47"forr,i. inikediate •,.. M41PiftAtp-ii0 ;y.::i&iizt n1•1.;.:-.*9441 . pppplude i .. the , airport ! , committee: hearingalpn- Senate reqiiireeaTieleale,'„ Olenlittit. 14 4p14 process i:vith finalde,,,:4.;:.. ,.'ile11329 and , J--..)10e,:fto::t?.4 .-..,,;,,,,,,,,. ' ' 4 . '-. e''.8iIClaiqniranr. a74,:r‘76' atiliie.04 7: :'..'7,1 c0i0, .rj . against. telocating, the .,,'•`, .:,,s pore,t2-1?p,:, tifrai441!9*; g.4.;. , w.. To)) 1?-14-rilii4fily‘,'Of '19,96(after.,-,T#Irpc,q- t mg 4g qjp§! .t:land bankr.1,X',:;iolye4,, Let y'.,YoPrkIvoice;n.,be..4,,. •' )..igelSIOn4.1T4'.',4:111,''''• "- the ePa'rdi ii;e'i99.-15-',!?:61iiiii,''...7ing'' .inbakOta county. Despitei:.&-beardsEptcan'.4nlalte.t..t;,?:...,,_ iff.. , er .,,,,., .,....., :„.,.4.:1,•:.,-4, t4,,1444 . , the strong bipartisan support 4 .., ence41:;_'...i.:::•..t:!:)vs°....::i • - - -;•.i ,.. 'However, ' all of the required that , has been i;:shown ; fot:', these studies tiiiiei ',hve.••;tiirW. beent:'CPii: . , bills z•_efforts -tO schedule the ';5' Kg0Nit'ATiie:cic c/OtitQL,L.:. • f;... p, 1,, ,,,,, °,1,3'.',7 - • • .7 .°°.; ;t7., .1-' -,: . 77 , ! , , • ,, , •:!,0:,..7..t.,,. . i, • ,,, , .,, ., .0(1; .; ,,,,, osq, and the MAC amt-the.. ' requited ,. committee .••• hearings 1.k.. Rosemount', •ft.',. -]-41-..-.Met.;., Council ':., have* agreed,* .. ' haVe:}, beenthwastedji,thki.:itP,P...,:' ' s,i14''''' • tw .;,,C,tk" '' , '''''''' - " ' •""r :" '',5.1''''" ' ' ' A — 1 c• ''.. " 4• 7 . ;t.,,-.".,i '"'i, . . • • . , . . . • !i! ft Vi, Ir.-.. : ea e,e'e •,-", ; '''.• ' ' • ' ' i. : • i q:',•)'''''7 :•' '‘.. kt,...tR ' , . ..,,, A.4.1.,-. ..•,,' 4,- -4.„..,:;•—•,......,,, , ---, .,N-4 ....,...,'"; ,6,',...4:, ,..;,,,-Y;,-,.. ,,,,0 -.....„ „:":-.11.K.f:, , A. ",,,0-..V 444•L',4tali :441,1)*:ifillikel.g.';11A;i:e"-.ti!,;';'.;.f 6itm-i,'A',1,4 ;,,:,,i:;';',' ','"-- • . .1,,,,,;.-enovivA44,:,a,,,,,,....,..-„,iawer:intoan4.,,I.N.eR:,,,,4,•:„.„6:5,N.,„„,.,...., . .. - • :4;,:sii,.".:,:vvi.h::..,,,,-,-,...uft,-1 ici J!5am.O .10oin reh, .,,,7„744-,..14Q,•,$-stt-en -v,,T.,., ,,ri.,,cirk. ,,...P._442.7t.,,is5s,e,,,'43r17 :„ :1,•1•7' ; : - ' :-'' ,''' ; 7 ,-..?•1.4;,''''-':,i 1...:'7.'''' .' ' s i ° -44P •••0 . 4 . ., ..-..-c.r,<... est . would ,Ilbe'NpaCke amen" Mentr, to . 6 ,..,,,opposeP. the f •.applica io •:- .‘'jd," • •,- -- -,:,:,,.,' 4 . v.'.., -..,.,,, . o,'. • -.t.,!-.•••, •.-- ,'-6' • s: -,.. entr't t reildential.,,d9yelPpip9iititi':,s.NekgtiideLlilatv:tatr g Pi, 1,0 -,A,,:, a actr. p re e *It ,,•,,oplyfabsjUtii,41),t4acr'ovIF•:61..ttiieed;tv.c0iiditipplt1,•';tiseq09rmtt A.7 ''r'r4ifie‘',,,.7. ;-4,.,P! ' . ' •T•";r• -',S- '',:i7.' ' ' ''.1.i.f';'7)"*°:•fe•-7,2'',1"....e ,K,,,'.. ''. '''''' " . .• .4.',N.,-41.1,e".t,...,.'-,,f;`,e..e. 1) ..,::',1.... , :: .-,'":,•;7 ,-. 4, eiv,.% ii.ea,S',,....1.:e• ,..xrel,e.. 4,, .71; ,,,,trt t,,, ,,q i,f:'r, .., e'.igul or, atria e o. eiVspacertto,„.1Server.-rthethdt•,:tooperate •Ethe .',,gOlf• icourse-'; ,- , .-.• • '',. '" ' " ...r.''': '. v.,-. •-;144.-..p,•.,4,s-J'47.''"'..:•,,,,i.g..:0.4,1;i I'V.Z' ' .;"".,'"',,. :.; 11' ..'i• . :,.‘ 7', Is Golf Y.Ts.e''-'''I . the •''.0,..0 ,.#.0.4.k9f.' Tc§ide4t4.1*,101.ilif,41fi5954954,9....9'.;;49P901tngs . 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" . .•,..,. , 7 : ,:, , :: ' • . , ..1.•.'m to '.1 million .. 4111,0.,.1,..3'Z'''?' TIIIIITA%,.i,',C; more, :. ,e,..it.opkno .stepsk.;.c91;:i::,:§iocAciltIt9.:k4F1apyK?letog build .:.:',.4',4N.,•?. ''':',Ij,,,t ,;;.: ..i.7-402,....,Icliange; thgr4401gpat19p;ri,000--0110;:-.r.00',-,q6ifritiv.40::41,:_:..v 4:4 4-0.4.:61144, V4e,;410..pt c!1e:,•,*ip4t:.Vt:ti904114441` 4 ii 4440 9 i ' clear 14iiiiAllt.".1f. §40P i it6.1.:1) 't,. i 6 ill' --' 4spurs9,, thesquare mile pe4t,t.if::4:), . 1901 :. t44c010,, property•,§urf.•.:.!:,:sitindd!,:kAgnieditTl.iis .actionff_ -,:diteetiY , i'art...q; Doodle ......and•::,.:`Irciincling...,•theilgolf;coPrie.;.4iiiv4§ ' i4 fcgaliy '. j4tified !,ppd '444; not 7 . Wescott roads to the nOrtli':and' • being zopeg fPi:re4ideittiPl:' de-. -:...,expose the city'.ttliability., ,,....i.... ., , sopth, • and E1rene Road and* ; 1(eloPment, He: could have.. at JOHN. 131.100MQIJI.ST .. ..!• 1 ;.,,'.",4' . _ -.• .. . . LeitifigioP Avenue to the east that.: 'time applied .' for . an ' - Eagnn. ..',.• ,-, .,-,7..-...,i,,,,. 6,.J,,,i,,,.; „:,, ,.f..,:: '. • •.,. .,.,.• . . , ., . . . , .. . • , c , ,..... 'LtSin teen Spa would Would be a trape'st ''' ' 1 t OYCein nt )r to experience so - firsthand. -` George Martin, pas- Martha- and Mary hurch in''Eagan, took training to beeoliiea• >lain."He =`,and "other` Eagan are organiz- chap1L ri`p ogr hL ;oing 'to be a police have to understand are doing on a Orly tin'said.€',.:, ,.,:,'. he chaplain service irtin said he expects I to'work with faun':;• up t 'se tactic `ina r, , rain thtie mam• atet rs . e2P#lso was .. uctors for the Citizen :lasses about self 'de= use 'of force. He has e Eagan Police force 1 years now. Officers tified each year. The .elps build self-confi- f iicers, Schrader said. n deal with'the (per- )' that* you t know' are be a problem. You rt they're going to do," !'hen you have people t't sure themselves 're going to do." resident Ron Thurlow for the academy be- zought it would be fur.. tin a lot of insight and ✓ what (police) do," ary 21, 1996 Denise'Sonnee of Eagan 1ea6sij a e proper use of a police baton from Mike Schrader, se tactic instructor. (Sue Hegacty/Staff Photographer , Thurlow said. "People should respect their reasons and obey them." When Police Chief Pat Gea- gan asked academy participants how to improve the program, many said they'd like the class extended and more question and answer periods offered. a ui to think it is just a tremen- project," said Larry Kran- a member of the Eagan e Prevention Association an academy graduate. eagan said the program is. or intensive" which pro - its the department from of- .ng it more than once a year. nges receive mixlbi e significantly differ- ither of the "plans," he eb. 12 board meeting. ow mein and 1 love ou mix them together dn't eat it. I'm having uble swallowing this nation." wasn't the only resi- isagreed with the pro- kie Gehrman of Rose - aid she feared the `changes would plsce nt High School stu-• disadvantage because, zr'students than the. 1 clools;'tliey may not same •course' offerings ►mieatven co-curric- ri ,.aa other dicrict. • According to district proje(- tions, Rosemount High School '.,' will have nearly 400 fewer stu- dents than Eagan High School in the year 2000. Apple Valley will have; tli,e most students at 2,219, followEld 'by high school number four;(ni)t openedyet) with 2,178 students, "a Eagan with 2,075 students' arjd ,;, Rosemount with 1,676 students. Under • Plans A and B, Rose-?�j;. mount would have lagged be- hind �;, Eagan by roughly 100 stu ": dents in the year 2000. Board Director Judy Lindsay .'.1: bout losing the school's compet- said there is a commitment to r tive .edge due to the size of chool, Kaler said. "By no means would we be the mallest member of the Lake onference," he said. "When you enough time to respond to the pro-::'. look at 1,500 or 2,000. students; posed new boundaries, Lindsay these are large schools." said the process did allow for the; : 1 Because of the size of the board to make changes to options schools, there is a large enough given to them by'administratiah.:!G . student base.to form a competi- • While the board could contln j' ? • •-.. . . tie to make changes to the plans s BOUNDARY: To Page 18A _reaction maintain programs at Rose- mount High School. , In response to criticism from •,j: residents that there wasn't. sed on residents' concerns, indsay said that would result many more plans and hear- gs and would further delay a ecision. Dan Kaler, director of sec- ndary education, said the dis- rict is willing to "commit addi-. Tonal resources" such as staff ambers to ensure that Rose- nount High • students. have the ame courses and co -curricular activities as other district high chools. There is no need to worry Vol. 21, No. 9 ■ Hundreds rally around Carriage Hills Golf Course issue. Publicchearing date changed to March 25. . i.:. By Sue Hegarty., Staff Writer :'•Hundred*ofEagan residents ._ are fighting to preserve Carriage :::Hills Golf Course .with letter writing and telephone cam- paigns; petitions, legal counsel, ;;Pulls `Homes:'and golf course owner Bill Smith haverequested an amendment to the city's Com-.. prehensive Guide Plan to con- vert the. land use from public fa- cility to residential. "This is the strongest group of homeowners banding together we've._.ever seen," said Gary Grant; vice president of con- struction'for Pinta Homes. A Feb': 27 'punlic hearing of the city's Advisory Planning Com- mission (APC) on the issue was rescheduled for March 25 begin- ning at 6:30 p.m. at: St. John Neumann Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. Immediately following the APC meeting, the City Council will convene in a special meeting to consider the issue. The coun- cil may ormay not vote on the proposed amendment that evening. As of Feb. 8, members of the coalition have raised $2,846 for legal fees, as presented at the Feb. 13 coalition meeting. Rolfe Worden of Popham Haik law firm has been retained as legal counsel for the coalition. Legal fees are expected to reach more than $8,000. Eagan resident John Bloomquist, an attorney and editor at West Publishing, has contributed his legal exper- tise free of charge to the coali- tion. . Bloomquist said three princi- ples of law point in the coalition's favor: • Pulte • and Bill Smith must justify why residential land use is more appropriate at Carriage, Hills Golf Course than use as a public facility. - • Justification must be suffi- cient to warrant the change. • Reasons must be sufficient enough to convince four of five City Council members. "It's our opinion that burden can't be met," Bloomquist said. COURSE: To Page 18A } jungle Boogie__ GUITARZAN (BOB Burke) shared his musical talents during a skit recently at Eagan High School. The skit, put on by parents of EHS seniors, served as'the kids off for ticket :sales for the all-night senior party slated (or June 74, The thane, foe this year's party I • `-" Jungls Boogie." Photo by Rick Orndorf R., ; gor women s. chorus,. good y. times always pound so good By JOHN GESSNER , her baritone to the barber- shop harmonies formed by Jo Ann Flanaganof Apple the. Twin Cities Chorus of Valley thought her chorus the world's largest women's days were over once she'd .:.singing organization.' graduated from college. '::... :. "You know it's .bad,' said Then she lind:�;''" ;,Sweet c ,,Flanagan,'. 45, when' :the Adelines. �: ', ,:.:i!gow'}ve1119,1 And for the last 15 years, Flanagan .. has contributed Pact CNN's, P* 4A) ayor: Process must be followed on gold course issue an asresaen concerns are being hear fly BRENDA I AUPEH Unlike .the process for .the airport, the . process in deter- , q mining the-. fati ' of ' Carriage Hills Golf .Course in Eagan will Si, not follow a dual -track process, said Mayor Torn Egan. • . ! Some people .: don't. ' under... . stand the city 'lutist.. legally : "deal with the proposal put for- ward by a. developer in regard "410 the golf course, despite`con- cerns from area residents,'. he bail• . +' +=, Growing •..numbers: :of ' Eagan R. residents have tallied behind the idea keeping a golf course 1,',,. at this site or at least Mery - ins the space as open park ; .. land. Citizens.'. ,have packed public•, weetinge and written Matters' :to the ..editor to';' share their concerns and ideas. They , also:.. have.' formed groups such • as the Carriage ,Hills Coalition, which has f41- .. lowed . the process the Fitt' is. going • through, and also has hosted • meetings where those , concerned about the future of golf course' property can,.' gather and share more • inforn!a. : son. •. Rachael Thorpe Newman, a longtime resident of • .Eagan, built a home adjacent to the golf course, and is. among the' founders -of 'the' Carriage Hills Coalition. Thorpe , Newman . • :said the group was' approached .• by the city early in the process for an informational. meeting,- . and the.. .group. has• been, FROM THE tee box.for the sixth hole, homsp oat' i bs (See (:Imd. p-12A) , . Photo by Rick Orndorf ` rJ • w; PA 'ir •-.n..• .. .. n..r �•Oi�r\i .fl.-V..-. in•CurreriJWedneSday, Feb. 21, 1996 Jazzercise Fitness Classes .. pple Valley 897-1648 Eagan 452-0439 tosemount 435-8804 NE MONTH FREE ith a purchase of a month. o long-term contracts. Pay as you go! w students only. Offer expires 3/15/96. soN® N. 'J ORATION OF n• saying? ie about the best ret in the industry." of air loans 'proved! 9-8228 " & Water one provider breathe Course From Page 1A Smith had an opportunity to request the Comprehensive Guide amendment in the 1980s when property surrounding the golf course was developed as res- idential neighborhoods, Bloomquist said. "But the fact is, he didn't. He allowed the situation to remain as it was." Bryce Thorpe, whose family initiated the coalition, cautioned members about feeling too confi- dent. "There is a counter argument for each of ours," Thorpe said. Members were encouraged to write letters to the APC, mayor and council in opposition to the planned amendment. Grant said Pulte Homes is open to discussions with city of- ficials and homeowners. "We're not trying to be a bad Julie Ba s of Eagan signs a petition to save Carriage Hills Golf Courti before signing up daughter Stephanie for base- ball. (Jan 11 hott/ Staff Photographer) guy and to somlpthing away. It , was just for la e,'' Grant said. "If the course is rile," ingi to be sold, and obviously o day it will because it's for sale, lien we would like to be the devs per to work with the city to make a nice commu- nity." If Carriage Hills does not re- main a golf course, then it is up to the city to decide what would be the best use, Grant said. Boundary: Comp1nation plan debated From Page 1A tive team, he said. Two board directors — Jackie Magnuson and Bruce Endler — voted against the combined high school boundary plan. Endler said he couldn't sup- port the plan because he didn't believe it was in the best interest of the school. "The numbers at Rosemount could devastate that school," he said. "Even if administration is successful in maintaining pro- grams, it's my belief that many of those programs will suffer in quality." He quest ?!n,s using subsidies to ensure thj t programs are kept up at the sc) Ir. "Last fall ! ,vide told the voters of this distr; It. that we would be efficient, th t. we are efficient, that we •use1 ur dollars in an ef- ficient many♦ er," he said. "Subsi- dizing the sc jpol so that another school can o( min ... is to me fool- ish and not I ililcient." Magnuso+ iiaid she too is con- cerned abot` ,the size of Rose- mount Higll Si;hool, calling the enrollment fference "unaccept- able" and s ying she fears stu- COMMERCIAL Paramoun 7831 East Bush Lake • 1 1I ;SE Plaza II oEid,;Bloomington dents may "lose out on educa- tional opportunities." Director Kevin Sampers said the board has heard from people that the combined plan is what the public was looking for. He does re- alize not everyone will be satisfied with any plan the board chooses. The board did decide to go with the combined plan because it provided the best compromise, he said. Should problems arise from the plan, Sampers encouraged parents to bring their to the at- tention of the board so the prob- lems can be resolved. Church schedules evening worship Christ Lutheran Church, 1930 Diffley Road, Eagan will offer a weekly Saturday evening worship service, beginning on March 2, at 6 o'clock. The Rev. Philip K; Ritter, senior pastor said, "This 'service will be called the 'Good News In Christ' service, because after a week of bad news we need the Good News Land, (Continued from from pn9e) . . "responded to appropriately" by the city. "I think we've come a long way," she said. "The city has really been helpful." The coalition has gathered thousandsof signatures on peti- tions against residential devel- opment on the golf course site. The group also has retained a lawyer it's using as a consult- ant throughout the process and is looking for contributions to help pay for that legal help, Thorpe Newman said. Egan said the Carriage Hills Coalition is looking at positive ways to find solutions in regard to the golf course property. "I commend them for their effort," he said. PLAYOFF FEVER BEGINS ON CHECK THE SCHEDULE BELOW TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE BURNSVILLE' A EAGAN TEAMS IN ACTION!* • Schedule Is Tentative Depending on Results of Games.. rrr rrr rrr rrrr o-- o-; — TV15 IS BURNSVILLE/EAGAN { ACCESS •TELEVISION At issue is a request from Pulte Homes for the Eagan City Council to amend the comprehensive guide plan for the golf course from public fa- cility to D-II, which allows single-family and townhouse development of 0-6 unitsper acre. The Carriage Hills Golf Course site is located south of Yankee Doodle Road at 3535 Wescott Hills Road. Pulte would like to develop the Carriage Hills site with. a combination of two-story con- dominiums, one -level town - homes and single-family homes. Plans are for more than 500 units, with 20 to 25 per- cent of them . being single- family homes, according to Tom Standke of Pulte Homes. That's unacceptable to many Eagan citizens, not the least of whom are people who . paid top prices for their homes because of their proximity to the golf course: Others are concerned about losing open space in this section of Eagan, as well as the strain more . development could place on local schools 'and infrastructure. ' "People's feelings are ' ex- tremely well known," ' Egan said But there's a great deal of misinformation going on as well, according to Egan. Among the rumors circulating is that . the mayor has been talking with Standke about Pulte's proposal. Egan said he has not met or spoken to any- body from Pulte on this appli- cation. He added he's never • met Carriage Hills' owner Bill • Smith* oz. any lawyer . or repre- ,. sentative of his. • "I have no connection to this um im ma '—M--.-.-t' application in any way, shape or form," Egan said. Others are fearful that the outcome- of the Pulte applica- tion is already decided, "before the City Council has a chance to examine it," Egan said. He added the outcome is , yet to be determined. Egan credits at least part of the distrust in regard to the :Carriage Hills proposal to what people saw happen ' with the recently approved Soderholm proposal on the corner- of W- iley Road and Lexington Ave- nue. At issue there was a devel- opment that includes a Holiday Station Store and car wash, a McDonald's restaurant, a 10,800 square -foot retail build- ing and a medical clinic. Thek, City Council approved the pre- liminary planned development and preliminary subdivision Aug. 15 and approved the final planned development and final subdivision Nov. 6. According to Egan, . many residents who came out in op- position to the Soderholm de- velopment were not aware of the historical facts surrounding. it, including the fact the pro- posal approved by the council represented a down -zoning of what could have ' been located at the site. Opposition to the Soderholm proposal ' also came very late in the ' game, after the final planned development and final subdivision were approved,. be said. Some people concerned about the' Carriage . Hills pro- posal are' afraid their voices will be heard too late, as well. This isn't the case; Egan said. Folks have been following the .: ��. h)f'�..w i �`.4 ylfl..� '•. . .: �iM ,. Week Off. �• , i`atiln f"l,annnl 1 process and stating their con- cerns early in that process: • "They have spoken loudly, clearly and - definitively in a very timely fashion," Egan said. According to Egan, residents have well -stated reasons be- . hind wanting the golf course to remain at least as open space. Phone calls on Carriage Hills started to 'come in in October and reached a crescendo in December , with the reconsid- eration by the City Council of the Soderholm development, Egan said. He added "It's been virtually unprecedented" . to have contact from the public on an application that hadn't even been filed yet. All the while, citizens con- cerned with Carriage Hills' fu- ture have mounted a letter - writing campaign. as well. Egan said he has a file several inches thick with correspon- dence from concerned citizens. . "Things are being watched very carefully," he .said. Continuing the letter -writing campaign is one of the goals of the Carriage Hills. Coalition, . Thorpe Newman said, adding council members : have re- sponded to some of the letter writers with follow-up phone calls. "I've been really pleased with the response of council.. members," she. said. The coalition is focusing on getting " more people informed on the issue "so they can take appropriate action based on their views," Thorpe Newman said. Keeping residents informed • has kept the city busy as well. According to Egan, • one resi- dent saw stakes being put on the golf course and called the :city yin, fear't taf' the" develeO''' ,..:.c.".rwtKr M1 elowri gl*..:•... aflA'1!41401<111. freswe w►+ ..... •.... e, E .1�1. .!'`+}t 1�!+j gMMI,. jil� t'!►Y NI4?Y rM1 'aentatif hi�"�"'d "�'"IZiI"s rist>iikd"taase, Egan said. •- Arocording w ' •�5�, bee i 1 • "I have no connection to this Folks have been following the dent saw stakes being put on _44 TVI5 Week Of: February 26th - March 3rd. (Programs are subject to change without notice.) Cable Channel 15 Burnsville -.Eagan Access Television Monday 26 Tuesday 27 Wednesday 28 •Thursday 29 Friday 1 Saturday 2 Sunday 3 8:00 Community Com. Bulletin (IP) Coin. Bulletin (IP) OHS Boys' Community 8:00 8:30 Buietln Board Kaye a Stuart Nile Beat Theatre BHS Boys' Va'Wly Hockey Bullet' Board . 8:30 9:00 (In Progress) ... Varsity Hockey 8HS Boys' Playoffs (IP) (in Progress) 9:00 9:30 Playoffs Varsity Hockey Taped Feb. 29 9:30 10:00 BHS Boys' :' Taped Feb. 28 Playoffs • BH8 Boys' 10:00 .::. 10:30 Basketball ; '. .. OHS Boys' '. ' BHS Boys' . ' Taped Feb. 22 • Varrlly Hockey 10:30 11:00 vs. Eagan Varsity Hockey . Varsity Hockey BHS Boys' Playoffs 11:00 11:30 , Playoffs Playoffs Varsity Hockey Enviro. Journal Taped Feb. 22 11:30 12:00 Kaye & Stuart • Taped Feb. 22 Taped Feb. 28 Playoffs Norrnandale News \BH6 Boys' 12:00 12:30 ye Superintendent Como Zoo Prey Colleotln' Stuff TapedFeb. 28 Wrestling West. Wrestle • Varsity Hockey 12:30 1:00 . of The Year PoalWe Living Norma dale News Positive Living Collectln' Stuff Playoffs 1:00 1:30 District 191* BHS Boys' . Positive Living Cotectln' Stuff Positive Living Taped Feb. 28 1:30 .. p >' Z:00 You1b Iseuee 1k. J. Rkdkeba h ug Varsity Hockey Wrestling West. Wrestl BHS Boys' MS Boys' OHIB, Boys'. 2:00 2:30 Fongn :: ErMro. Journal Playoffs' Collectln' Stuff . Varsity Hodkey Varsity Hockey Varsity Hockey 2:30 mwatt 9., 888 Peggy Lund Show Taped Feb: 22 Your fawn Gourmet Playoffs Playoffs P 3:00 Collecttn' Stuff ' ' BIB Boys' Viewer Request Taped Feb. 22 Taped Feb. 29 Taped Feb. 29 3:30 f BM Boys'.: West. Wrestling Varsity Hockey Cap Your Own Gourmet BH8 Boys' • 4:00 Varsity Hockey Air Force News P layoffs 894-9813 -Viewer Request: Varally Mackey 4:30 >; t> Playoffs ' Collectln' Stuff Taped Feb. 26 Can pishtaz . Mayotte 6:00 Taped Feb. 22 Community .• Air Force News Envtro. Journal ' 894.9813 , Taped Feb. 22 5:30 ..: 6:00 • - Kays & Stua4 .' Bulletin Board 111 Byte Peggy Lund Show -BHS Boys' OHS Boys' 6:00 v ' 6:3300 " To Be Amouioed • Positive Living Your Own Gourmet Your Own Gourmet Vanity Hockey Varaily Hockay 6:30 ,.: BHS Boys' BHS Boys' Collectln Stuff Playoffs Playoffs 7:00 G°s : 7:30 Positive Living • Varsity Hockey . Varsity Hockey OHS Boys' Taped Feb. 29 Taped Feb. 28 7:30 8:00 8HS Boys' ' \ Playoffs Playoffs Varsity Hockey BHS Boys' BH8 Boys' 8:00 8:30 Varsity Hockey - Taped Feb. 26 . 'Wed Feb. 22 Playoffs Hockey Varsity Hockey 8:30 <`> < 9:00 Playoffs EMS Boys' Taped Feb. 29 Playoffs Pleyaps 9:00 9:30 Taped Feb. 22 • Varsity Hockey Taped Feb. 28 Tamp .J e1. 29 9:30 10:00 Kays & Stuart. Playoffs . Comm rdty 10:00 10:30 Taped Feb. 28 Bulletin coons 10:30 11:00 Ftmday 11:00 11:30 .. +ti .. 11:30 12:00 Nile Beat Theatre 12:30 Wolfgang , 12:30 For Additional Prooram Information on TV15 or Other Access Channels Call 894-9613 12A Febnituy 25,1998 THISWEEKAl 896f 42 reuidei ?IiBWSIHT the golf course and called the city in fear that the develop- ment was already going through. This activity may be related to the application, but the development has not been approved, he said. "It just shows how intense the concern is for these peo- Egan said. "I wish there was some way to appease peo- ple's concerns." Pultemust have sound rea- sons for changing the compre- hensive guide plan, Egan said. "The burden of proof is clearly► on . the applicant," he said But Pulte must be given due process in . presenting its pre - posal, Egan added. ". "I do believe most people understand that now," be said. If Pulte's application doesn't get due process, .it can sue the ,. city and would be likely to.win "an unattractive award to the residents," Egan said. That's why there will be Ito dual-t,{ack .. process, be said The city has rehired Effective Golf Course Systems .to con- tinue ,analyzing possible golf course scenarios, but the coon- • cif won't melt . with the con- sultants until Pulte has an op- ' portunity tQ make its presenta- tion, Egan said, "to create a level playing field." "We intend to treat all inter- ested parties fairly," he said. Those parties include Pulte, ' the golf •course owner and those concerned with the liana, he said. ' . ` (Continued on aeart paps) FOULS WING along Wescott Hills look west across Carriage Hips Golf Course. Photo by Rick .Omdorf : (Continued) But right now, Pulte has a proposal on the table, and that must be heals with . • k •J e $aid. '• A public' hearing to consider the amendment proposed by. Pulse will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 2,5 at St. John Neumann :lurch, 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan- The hearing will be held by the Advisory Planning Commission, which will make a 'recommendation to the City ne in attendance at the,. public hearing.. Right after the ArC meeting, *he City Council will, convene: a special meeting at the same •• 1-1oca1io0 . toconsider. official. #ialding the joint: pleeting "is µ ti: acuoa Pulte'f,:: GWMi+l4sivM�'Mr•'vaAi .,t 1 xe:tr .4 av :•( v44s4,.1e: somewhat novel," and • is an attempt "to try and expedite the process," Egan said. The joint meeting is designed to be fair and give everyone a chance to make one . presenta- tion rather than two, he said. And holding the joint meeting in March also allows the golf course owner a fair opportunity quest. • According to Egan, the alter- natives available at the public hearing include leaving . the golf course as it is or changing the land use designation for residential development. And even if the council were to de- cide to designate the area for residential development, • that -- doesn't mean Pulte's develop- ment will be the one that goes into Carriage Hills, Egan said. If the council doesn't agree to. thechange in land use 4es. ignation, the decision . on 'whether,: the .. city will acquire the site for a municipal golf course or public open space._ will be made later, he said... •_t w -Sew up . .. mu l9 * golf season, if that's the outcome of the process, Egan said. Effective Golf Course Sys- tems' report won't be done un- til mid- to late -spring, Egan said. Staff will be available to answer questions on this proc- ess at the public meeting, but neither the staff nor the City Council will get a presentation from the consultants until after the Pulte application is com- • • picu:u, Cgan Baia. "We' don't want to cloud the issue," he said, adding the council's decision can't be centered on the. city's decision on a municipal golf course. Questions and concerns about Pulte's request for a compre- bensive guide plan amendment and the public bearingprocess can be directed to 'the city's Community Development De- partment at 681-4671. ' Fine Handcrafts, Gifts, IF Home Decor Riverstonesi Eyay these easel rocks &aoaw its viiad with rose & phrnm that evoke wadi 6►neweigs Moat l*. Various sties are coattail& Gut as OA. Nt as also ferso al than y special tadsSows are stook forthe emits —fatal ........ _: Spring Scents! New mictnidles have Jest waved. Cop" the essence of *rite Lllaa us p . Milk (Burnsville Service Center) 'Congratulations t co oalition Congratulations to the Carriage Hills Coalition for a job well done. Your constructive and thorough arguments aimed at pre- serving Carriage Hills Golf Course as open space is a feather in Eagan's cap. City staff and council members, anxious to create a "sense of community" for Eagan residents, needn't look further. You defined community with your unified voice. What you did to fight undesirable development went way beyond NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) into a full-fledged citizen campaign. You gath- ered legal advice, appointed spokespersons, gathered 4,000 peti- tions and kept residents informed about the issue at hand. Ifyou're not too weary from your recent campaign, perhaps the city could use some ofyour remaining energy to promote the August parks referendum. Why stop now? Imagine what Eagan could be if others, such as yourselves, took the time to learn about their community. Imagine what Eagan could be if others took a little time to become in- volved in building the type of community you just helped define. Kudos are due city staff as well for inviting interested residents to an informational meeting when the golf course issue first arose. Finding a larger meeting site for last week's Planning Commis- sion and City Council meeting also was very accommodating. It just goes to show the community what can and should hap- pen when elected officials and staff listen to their constituents. Council member corrects record on golf course To the editor: As an elected official, I often hear negative opinions and misinformed rumors. As a rule, I do not feel it is appropriate to respond to these comments in the paper. However, when something is published that is patently false or misleading, I feel it necessary to correct the record. A recent letter to the editor dealt with the possible sale of Carriage Hills Golf Course. The letter states that the city has "lost" the golf course. This is false. There may be a pro- posal coming through to change the golf course to homes. But in order for this to be approved, the land would first have to change its Com- prehensive Guide Plan desig- nation from public. facility. Not only would this require public hearings and a 4/5 vote of the council, but the applicant would have to prove why the current use is no longer appro- priate or in the best interest of Eagan. In other words, chang- ing the golf course into homes is far from a "done deal." Purchase of the golf course by the city was studied last summer with the help of a con- sultant (Effective Golf Course Systems, Inc.). The asking price was $5 million with at least $585,000 needed for up- grades. As the council was be- ginning to discuss the merits of the proposal, the owner of the golf course called and gave the city two days in which to make our decision. Only . two days to decide whether to commit the taxpayers to $6 million without so much as a single public hearing. Because the City Council is committed to giving the public the opportunity to be heard before spending millions, we decided not to accept the offer. In the letter to the editor, it was stated, "It could have been operated at a profit to the city within a short time and projections for the future were astonishing." This is also false. The consultant's report stated, "... The analysis indicated to us that the owner's offering pur- chase prices leaves the city of Eagan with little or no `wiggle room' and means that the facil- ity will carry a negative value for most of its 20-year financed life cycle." Regardless of the ownership of the golf course, the land use is governed by its zoning and land use designation. Zoning and land use designation can be changed only after public hearings and justifiable reasons have been articulated. The city investigated buying the golf course and spent as much time as possible debating the issue before the owner -imposed deadline. However, at the high asking price, the city would certainly lose money for many years to come. I want to thank all of the people who have been calling me, offering opinions on this subject. I want to be respon- sive, and I am trying to look out for your interests. When and if an application for rezon- ing is received, look for posted notice signs and scheduled public hearings. I look forward to receiving your continued input at 681-4371. SHAWN HUNTER Eagan City Council member By BRENDA HAUGEN Icy roads and all the snow dumped on the area over the weekend didn't deter residents interested in the future of the Residential development won't be allowed on site3/. i golf course 9 � Citizens' efforts pay off as council moves to deny comp guide plan amendment Carriage Hills Golf Course Catholic Church Monday comprehensive guide plan Residents' efforts Monday from attending a city meeting where the Eagan City Council amendment that would change night and throughout the proc- to determine the possible fate and Advisory Planning Com- the golf course's present public ess didn't go unrewarded. The of the site. mission held a joint meeting facility designation to D-II, Advisory Planning Commission Hundreds of folks filled the on the subject. At issue was a mixed residential, which would basement of St. John Neumann request from Pulte Homes for a allow up to six units per acre. (See Golf, p.17A) 3131 Ik Golf (Continued from front page) unanimously recommended denial of the amendment. The City Council decided unani- mously to follow the recom- mendation, and asked the city attorney to prepare findings of fact for denial, which will be placed on the council's next consent agenda. If the amendment had passed, Pulte Homes planned to develop 525 housing units — 25 percent single-family residences and 75 percent townhomes — at a density of about 4.4 units per acre on the 120-acre golf course site, said Peggy Reichert, director of community development. But according to residents who paid premium prices for their homes because of their proximity to the golf course, the amendment and the pro- posed residential development came too late. If Carriage Hills' owner,envi- sioned selling the golf course at some point, he should have asked for the comprehensive guide plan. amendment 10 years ago, before development occurred all around the site, one resident said. If the amendment were approved back then, the owner could have continued to operate the golf course as a conditional use until he was ready to sell the site, the resident said. According to Reichert, the history of the Carriage Hills Golf Course stretches back to 1959 when Bill Smith, the pre- sent owner, started its con- struction. The site was rezoned from agricultural to public ' fa- cility in 1962, and in 1965, the facility opened as a nine -hole course, Reichert said. It was expanded to its present 18 holes in 1967, she said. Development around the golf course mainly occurred in the 1980s and 90s, Reichert. said. If the golf course were to be replaced with residential de- velopment, the area would change in more than just looks. According to Reichert, roads in the area would see increased traffic from the development, and Wescott Hills Drive would be among those ' most affected because access wouldn't be allowed directly onto Yankee Doodle Road. "This would change the street pattern significantly in the area," she said. Along with exacerbating crowding of schools, other sys- tems would be affected as well, according to Reichert. While park space would be adequate, more parks pro- gramming would be necessary to serve this area, she said. The sewer system that would serve the northern portion of the Pulte proposal also would need to be modified because it wasn't designed to handle this development, Reichert said. Perhaps the biggest point with the council was the fact that Eagan already has vacant D-II land, and adding more D-II to the city's stock isn't consis- tent with its Livable Communi- ties goals, as Reichert pointed out. Along with these concerns, residents also said they were concerned about many other issues including housing den- sity in the area, the loss of green space and the loss of a golf course in the city of Ea- gan. Mayor Tom Egan pointed out the burden was on the land- owner to prove Eagan citizens are better off without the golf course than with it. "The landowner has failed to carry that burden," Egan said. Pulte Homes has only shown self-serving, economic reasons for the comprehensive guide plan amendment, which isn't enough to justify the change, Egan said. He added that "the loss of this treasure" doesn't make sense, especially at a time when the city is looking at going`to voters in August for money to buy more park land. Council Member Sandra Masin said Pulte Homes had the right to bring forward its proposal and being treated with fairness and respect. "I don't think that always happened," she said. But while Pulte Homes fol- lowed all the appropriate channels, Masin said, the city needs . as much public facility space as possible. Council Member Shawn CITY HALL was inundated with letters from peopl riage Hills Golf Course. Photo by Rick Orndorf Hunter said that people should meeting detailing e be able to rely upon the city's from environmental a comprehensive guide plan. concerns to the im Hunter said the council has loss of the golf cour held up the plan to residents have on the whole coi concerned about commercial According to Bryce development next to their member of the coal' neighborhoods, so residents should be able to hold up the plan to the council as well. "People have come to rely on this," Hunter said. Approving the amendment also would "fly in the face of this" — the parks system plan, which says the city needs more golf courses, Hunter said. He added he believes the golf course is a viable use for the land at issue. With the possible exception of the ice arena issue, the Car- riage Hills issue has brought forth the largest outpouring from the community, Hunter said. "This has been a big eye opener for me," he said. Members of the Carriage Hills Coalition, a community group that formed to keep those interested in the issue informed, have followed the issue all along, and gave a presentation at Monday's 3 00 led 'he ni- m- ity of be �xt ad Led its ily ;nt of he iid of its For ;ir ;e, •o- nt /i- se ve ve 10 nt e, le ;d Id al 11 ie Is ,e is 8 If e e d n the area," she said. Along with exacerbating crowding of schools, other sys- tems would be affected as well, according to Reichert. While park space would be adequate, more parks pro- gramming would be necessary to serve this area, she said. - The sewer system that would serve the northern portion of the Pulte proposal also would need to be modified because it wasn't designed to handle this development, Reichert said. Perhaps the biggest point with the council was the fact that Eagan already has vacant D-II land, and adding more D-II to the city's stock isn't consis- tent with its Livable Communi- tics goals, as Reichert pointed out. Along with these concerns, , residents also said they were concerned about many other issues including housing den- sity in the area, the loss of green space and the Toss of a golf course in the city of Ea- gan. Mayor Tom Egan pointed out the burden was on the land- owner to prove Eagan citizens are better off without the golf course than with it. "The landowner has failed to carry that burden," Egan said. Pulte Homes has only shown self-serving, economic reasons for the comprehensive guide plan amendment, which isn't enough to justify the change, Egan said. He added that "the loss of this treasure" doesn't make sense, especially at a time when the city is looking at going'to voters in August for money to buy more park land. Council Member Sandra Masin said Pulte Homes had the right to bring forward its proposal and being treated with fairness and respect. "I don't think that always happened," she said. But while Pulte Homes fol- lowed all . the appropriate channels, Masin said, the city needs as much public facility space as possible. Council Member Shawn CITY HALL was inundated with letters from people concerned about riage Hills Golf Course. Photo by Rick Orndorf Hunter said that people should be able to rely upon the city's comprehensive guide plan. Hunter said the council has held up the plan to residents concerned about commercial development next to their neighborhoods, so residents should be able to hold up the plan to the council as well. "People have come to rely on this," Hunter said. Approving the amendment also would "fly in the face of this" — the parks system plan, which says the city needs more golf courses, Hunter said. He added he believes the golf course is a viable use for the land at issue. With the possible exception of the ice arena issue, the Car- riage Hills issue has brought forth the . largest outpouring from the community, Hunter said. "This has been a big eye opener for me," he said: Members of the Carriage Hills Coalition, a community group that formed to keep those interested in the issue informed, have followed the issue all along, and gave a presentation at Monday's meeting detailing everything from environmental and safety concerns to the impact the loss of the golf course would have on the whole community. According to Bryce Thorpe, a member of the coalition, the the fate of the Car - city has received hundreds of letters and phone. calls from residents concerned about this issue. The city also was pre- sented with a petition signed by 4,112 people asking that the city deny the amendment. pack communityroom to show support for golf course P -s: qt�� Citizens p By BRENDA HAUGEN Reduced property values, loss of attractive views, forfei- ture of a city amenity and strain on area roads and infra- structure were but a few of the concerns area residents brought to city hall regarding a possi- ble residential development on what is now Carriage Hills Golf Course. Though people crammed into the community room at the Eagan Municipal Center, so many citizens showed up that others had to stand in the doorway and hall during the public informational hearing Jan. 9. At issue is a request for the City Council to amend the comprehensive guide plan for the site from public facility to D-II, which allows single- family and townhouse devel- opment of between 0 and 6 units -per -acre, said Peggy Reichert, director of commu- nity development. The Carriage Hills Golf Course site is located south of Yankee Doodle Road at 3535 Wescott Hills Road. With the present public facility zoning, schools, parks, churches, pri- vate golf courses and institu- tional uses would be allowed (See Course, p.11A) Course use (Continued from front page) at this location, Reichert said. Changing the comprehensive guide plan is a serious issue, she said. Itrequires a public hearing before the Advisory Planning Commission (APC), a vote of the City Council and approval of the Metropolitan Council, she added. "This is not set in concrete," Reichert said of the proposed residential development. The APC is slated to host the formal public hearing on the issue at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the council chambers. "That's the time for you to really tell us what you think about this," Reichert said. But many folks didn't waste this opportunity to ask ques- tions and state their concerns and views concerning this 120- acre parcel. Nearly two hours were spent discussing the is- sue. According to Tom Standke of Pulte Homes, which would like to develop the Carriage Hills property, the proposal for the site will include a combination of court homes (two-story con- dominiums), club homes (one - level townhomes) and single- family homes. Plans are for more than 500 total units, with 20 to 25 percent being single- family homes and the balance being composed of the other two types, Standke said. All units would be owner - occupied, he said. Prices for the various homes would be $75,000 and up for the court homes; $100,000 and up for the club homes and $115,000 and up for the single-family homes, Standke said. Why should the city give up a recreational asset "to build more of the same?" one resi- dent asked. Others expressed concern about the additional strain on local schools they believe this development would cause. Another citizen said residents have paid "a premium price" to live by the golf course, and if the golf course were to be- come a residential develop- ment, property values would decline. Reichert said the golf course owner never promised the land would always remain a golf course. "We rely on that zoning to our benefit," the citizen said. The speed of the process also was a big issue for many resi- dents. With the public hearing scheduled for Feb. 27, the City Council is slated to take up the issue at its March 4 meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. Ac- cording to Reichert, Pulte has an option on the property until early March. Regardless, if more study is needed on the city's part, more time could be added to the process, Reichert said. - City Administrator Tom Hedges agreed, saying the city would hire consultants, at the developer's expense, to help with the studies as needed. "We'll do the best we can with the studies," he said. One resident encouraged the city to be mindful of the green space, and lack thereof, in the northern portion of the city. "If it's gone, it won't be back," he said. "Respect the green space and keep it green." - Another agreed, saying the city would regret losing the golf course. "I think it's a shame to let that golf course go," he said. If the city were to stand firm with the present comprehen- sive guide plan designation, the property owner would have the right to sell the property to the city or to someone else, Reichert said. The city does have eminent domain in regard to green space, though, and if it decided to purchase the property this way, the city would have to pay market price as determined by the courts, she said. Hedges explained the city was approached by Carriage Hills last summer and the ask- ing price was $5 million. Con- sultants were hired to study the issues surrounding the possible purchase of the golf course by the city, but the property was sold before the city could complete its study, including public hearings. Hedges said the city had about three months of process left on the issue. The City Council couldn't "buy it on a whim," Hedges said. "(But) the council has never said - `no' to Carriage Hills" or any municipal golf course possibility. Hedges said the Lost Spur Country Club recently ap- proached the city as well, but the council hadn't yet been made aware of that possibility. Coalition c1airns- victory over golf course proposal Council denies request to change land use By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer A group of Eagan residents rejoiced last week after the city's Planning Commission and City Council denied a developer's re- quest that could have replaced Carriage Hills Golf Course with a 525-home development. Now the community activists, known as the non-profit Car- riage Hills Coalition, plan to help Bill Smith, the course owner, find what they consider to be a more appropriate buyer for his property. They may not have to look very far. City staff were expect- ed to meet last Friday with Ef- fective Golf Course .Systems to discuss whether the city should purchase the golf course, said Tom Hedges,.city administrator. In 1959 at Smith's request, the city rezoned the 120-acre site between Lexington Avenue and Elrene and south of Yankee poodle Road from agriculture to public use. Smith opened the nine -hole course in 1965 and ex- panded it to 18 holes two years later. Today, it remains the only regulation 18-hole golf course in the city. Two other privately owned courses exist in Eagan — Parkview Golf Course along Cliff Road and Lost Spur Coun- try dlub along Highway 13. • Pulte Homes planned to build 525 homes on the land with an overall average of 4.4 homes per acre. One -quarter of the homes would have been single family units; 75 percent would have been townhomes for first-time home buyers and empty nesters. But first, Pulte and Smith needed the council to approve an amendment to the city's comprehensive land use plan, changing the course from .public facility to residential uses. In the 1980s land surrounding Carriage Hills Golf Course devel- oped into residential neighbor- hoods. More than 500 of those res- idents opposed to the amendment plan attended the March 25 meet- ings of the commission and coun- cil. Residents said that if the amendment were approved and Pulte built the homes, they feared a loss in property values and nat- ural wildlife habitats. They also feared increases in traffic and school enrollments if the develop- ment plan was approved. Development Director Peggy Reichert said the city already has its share of multiple housing stock, also referred to as D2. "This would exceed our goals by 10 percent and would further skew the balance. It is not consis- tent with our Livable Communi- ties Act goals," Reichert said. Planning Commission mem- bers agreed that there is an ad- equate amount of D2 land al- ready available in Eagan with- out changing the city's overall land use plan. "There is available D2 inven- tory in our city," said Mark GOLF: To Page 9A Golf From Page 1A Miller, commission chair. "I have no prob- lem with the project, just the placement. We have a place designed for such homes," Miller said. Tom Westbrook, manager of Carriage Hills Golf Course, said it's no longer eco- nomically feasible for Smith to own the golf course. "Change is tough to accept. Our lives have revolved around it for years," West- brook said. "But we're getting burned with assessments from road upgrades." Others sympathized with the owner's fi- nancial woes but said that is not reason enough to change the designated use of the land. Under the public facility heading,. other approved uses include schools, church- es, campgrounds, hospitals and park land. "I think it's ironic to he asked to ap- prove this at a time when we'll be asking voters to approve (park land) acquisi- tion," said Mayor Tom Egan. The council has convened a task force to plan an August parks referendum. "It's very obvious to me that the landowner had a great burden to prove that Eagan is better off without the golf course than with one," Egan said. After the vote to deny the land use amendment, Gary Grant, vice president for Pulte construction, said he has no plans to challenge the council's decision. Pulte has built other developments in Eagan and "plans on being before the city again," Grant said. Residential development won't be allowed on 3 golf course site /.J?/Cg� Citizens, efforts pay off. as council moves to den com uide lan y p g pamendment By BRENDA HAUGEN Carriage Hills Golf Course Catholic Church • Mondaycomprehensive . p guide plan Residents' efforts Monday from attending a city meeting where the Eagan City Council amendment that would change .night .and throughout the proc- Icy toads and •all the snow _. to determine •the possible fate and Advisory Planning Com- the golf course's present public :ess didn't go unrewarded. The dumped on the area over the of the site. mission held a jointmeeting facility designation to D-II, Advisory Planning Commission weekend didn't deter residents Hundreds of folks filled the on the subject. At issue -was a mixed residential, which would interested in the future of the basement of St. John Neumann request from Pulte Homes for a allow up to six units per acre. (See Golf, p.17A NO CASH DOWN $23 9 95* per mo. 3 YEAR LEASE BUY FOR: Regular M.S.R.P. $18,555 Discount - 1 16,695 41-196 RAM CLUB CAB 4X4 V8 Laramie SLT Pkg.! All the toys! Air NO CASH DOWN 3 YEAR LEASE BUY FOR: Regular M.S.R.P. $23,06 Discount - 2 06 • • • 96 DAKOTA CLUB A SLT, air conditioning, tilt, cruise, split L.......J.. A NA /C11A City of Eagan Polling Places 1. Pilot Knob Elementary - 1436 Lone Oak Road On Lone Oak Road, West of Pilot Knob, between Pilot Knob and Woodlark Lane. 2. Oak Hills Church - 1570 Yankee Doodle Road East side of Coachman Road - 1/4 mile South of Yankee Doodle Road 3. Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church - 2950 Highway 55. Lone Oak and Highway 55 4. Cedar Elementary School - 2140 Diffley Road NE Corner of Diffley Road and Nicols Road 5. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church - 3930 Rahn Road. East side of Rahn Road - 1 mile North of Diffley Road 6. Deerwood Elementary School - 1480 Deerwood Drive. South side of Deerwood Drive -1/4 mile West of Pilot Knob Road 7. Eagan Fire Administration Building - 3795 Pilot Knob Rd. NW corner of Pilot Knob Road and Wescott Road 8. Eagan Municipal Center - Council Chambers - 3830 Pilot Knob Rd. SE corner of Pilot Knob Road and Wescott Road 9. Woodland School - 945 Wescott Road North side of Wescott Rod, East 2 mile from Lexington Ave. 10. St. John Neumann Church - 4030 Pilot Knob Road. SE corner of Pilot Knob Road and Deerwood Drive 11. Northview Elementary School - 965 Diffley Road. North side of Diffley Road -1/4 mile East of Lexington Ave. 12. Living Word Lutheran Church - 4300 Nicols Road. South of Diffley on Nicols Road - East Side of Nicols 13. Rahn Elementary School - 4424 Sandstone Drive. South of Diffley Road on Rahn Road to Shale Lane, West on Shale Lane 1 block to Sandstone Drive, South on Sandstone Drive 14. Christ Lutheran Church - 1930 Diffley Road South side of Diffley Road -1/4 mile west of Blackhawk Road 1.. Thomas Lake Elementary - 4350 Thomas Lake Road. / mile South of Diffley Road on Thomas Lake Road 16. Easter Lutheran Church - 4200 Pilot Knob Road SE Corner of Diffley Road and Pilot Knob Road 17. St. Thomas Becket Church - 4455 South Robert Trail. 3/4 mile South of Diffley Road on South Robert Trail (Hwy 3) or 1/2 North of Cliff Road on South Robert Trail (Hwy 3) iPrecinct Boundary 1 Polling Location 05 _9' T 12 4 1 131 , iSe Mendota 494 Apple Valf'ey x re 0 s 1 20 Rosemount 0 c 1 18. Oak Ridge Elementary School - 4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Road. East side of Johnny Cake Ridge Road - 2 mile South of Diffley Road or / mile North of Cliff Road 19. Chapel Hill Church - 4888 Pilot Knob Road. East side of Pilot Knob -'/z mile South of Cliff Road 20. Red Pine Elementary School - 530 Red Pine Lane. East side of Highway 3 - on Red Pine Lane 21. Pinewood Elementary School - 4300 Dodd Road. South of Diffley Road on Dodd Road - 1/4 mile to Hacklnore Dr. Then East Please note that the polling location for Precinct 18 was changed from Fire Station No. 5 to Oak Ridge Elementary School. Vote November 4 A general election is Tuesday, November 4. Information regarding the City of Eagan ballot question is contained on page one of this publication. If you are unsure of where you vote, visit the City of Eagan's Web site at www.cityofeagan.com or the Secretary of State's web site at wwwsos.state.mn.us. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day. The polling place for Precinct 18 (formerly Fire Station No. 5) has been changed to Oak Ridge Elementary School located at 4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Road. Voters may vote by absentee ballot through November 3 for the following reasons: 1) absence from the precinct on Election Day, 2) disability or 3) religious discipline. Eagan City Hall will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, November 2 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in addition to regu- lar City office hours. Applications for absentee voting are available on the City Web site or by calling City Hall at (651) 675-5000. 41911 City of Eapll 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55122 Important Election Information Enclosed *****ECRWSS** Postal Customer Eagan, MN PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID St. Paul, MN Permit No. 4902 Kids Discover Out -of -This World Wonders at the Blast! Celebrate a New Link for the Community Page 2 Winter Fun Abounds in Eagan! Winter Parking is Always Odd or Even Behind the Scenes of the Eagan PD Recycling Zone: New name, same great service Page 3 Polling Locations Vote on November 4 Page 4 4111 City of Eapll 2008 Eagan City Council Mayor Mike Maguire Councilmembers Paul Bakken Cyndee Fields Shawn Hunter Meg Tilley City Hall 651-675-5000 651-454-8535 TTY www.cityofeagan.com Public to Decide Future of Carriage Hills Land Should the City of Eagan acquire 120 acres of land formerly known as the Carriage Hills Golf Course? That's the question voters will be asked to decide in a referendum on the November 4, 2008 ballot. After four years of litigation regarding the future of the property, the ballot question lets voters choose whether the City should acquire the land for a cost of $10.25 million or whether the owner should be allowed to proceed with a mixed residential develop- ment on 90 acres of the site, but preserving 30 acres throughout the site as undeveloped space. The question appears on the ballot as a direct result of the settlement of a lawsuit between the owner and the City. The settle- ment set the price at which the owner is willing to sell the land, and also created the opportunity for voters to choose whether the City should bond to buy the land or whether the tract is allowed to develop as housing. How will the land be used if the City acquires the parcel? What are the developer's plans if the land is privately developed? What's the impact on voters either way? These are just some of the questions addressed in the following fact sheet prepared to offer voters information which may be useful to them in making their decision. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 1. What is the Carriage Hills property and where is it located? Carriage Hills is the name of a 120-acre tract of land east of Lexington Avenue near Yankee Doodle Road and Westcott Woodlands. It was used as a privately run golf course from 1965 until it closed in 2004. Yankee Doodle Road Lexington Ave. 2. What is the exact ballot question? "Shall the City of Eagan be authorized to issue and sell its general obligation bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $10,250,000 for the purpose of acquiring approximately 120 acres of land formerly known as the Carriage Hills Golf Course for public facilities, recre- ation, and open space uses?" 3.What does a "yes" vote on the ballot question mean? A "yes" vote means you approve issuing up to $10.25 million of bonds by the City of Eagan to pay for the acquisition of the 120 acres of land. It means taxes on your property would increase for the next 20 years to pay off the cost of the general obligation bonds used to finance the land purchase. It also means the land can- not be used for private residential development. The City would acquire the property and hold the land for use at such time as there are identified purposes or community needs. The City must use the land in only three ways -for public facilities, for open space, and for recreational purposes. While the current City Council cannot bind the actions of a future City Council, it has adopted a Visioning Statement that is intended to inform the public about foreseeable uses under those three property categories and how it envisions a com- munity conversation and how a decision on future uses should be made. 4. If the bond referendum passes, what will that do to my taxes? Property taxes would go up. A preliminary estimate, not taking into account changes in interest rates or the timing of the bond sale, indicates that for a home with a market value of $150,000 the annual increase would be approximately $13. For a home with a mar- ket value of $200,000 the annual increase would be approximately $19. For a home with a market value of 0 Wescott Woodlands 750 1500 Scale in Feet $300,000, the annual increase would be approxi- mately $30. For a home with a market value of $500,000 the annual increase would be approxi- mately $51. The bond would be paid back over the next 20 years. 5. What does a "no" vote mean? A "no" vote means the current landowner will be allowed, under a Planned Development, to build up to 480 units of mixed -use housing (including single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments) on 90 acres of the site, but must leave a total of 30 acres spread throughout the site that will be unde- veloped but privately owned space. The timing of any construction decision would be up to the owner. While the owner is free to sell the property to a third party, any new owner would be bound by the same approvals and restrictions that cur- rently apply in the Planned Development. 6. Is there a difference to my taxes if the land develops vs. if it doesn't? Assuming the property was already developed with the full 480 units and with the mix and per unit values projected by the developer, the property would generate approximately $432,000 annually in Eagan property taxes (estimated rev- enue calculated at 2009 rates and home values.) While additional homes mean additional revenues, there could be additional City expense to extend City services (police, fire, etc.) into a new neigh- borhood. The extent of any service level demand or expense is unknown and unquantifiable at this time. If the referendum passes, on the other hand, the City will pay approximately $852,000 per year for 20 years to acquire the property. City -owned land is typically removed from the tax rolls and does not generate property tax income. 7. What happens if I don't vote either "yes" or "no" on the ballot question? Unlike a state constitutional amendment question, a non -vote on this Eagan ballot question has no effect on the outcome, other than to reduce the continued page 2 1 ebrate a New Link for the Community Winter Fun Abounds in Eagan! BRIDGING THE FUTURE LINKING THE COMMUNITY Kids Discover Out -of -This World Wonders at the Blast! Get the kids out of the house this winter and into an intergalactic experience at the Blast, indoor playground at the Eagan Community Center. The Blast features loads of play opportuni- ties and interstellar delights. Kids can let their imaginations run wild on this unique, two-story playground —searching for UFO's, discovering planets, exploring the time travel bridges and climbing over the moon's sur- face. The Blast is perfect for kids 18 months to about 12 years of age and is painted like a gigantic galaxy, adding to this one -of -a -kind play odyssey. Kids can burn energy and get exercise while pretending to be astronauts on their very own International Space Station. New this fall, 1/2 price admission after 5 p.m. That's just $2.50 per child, Monday through Sunday. For more information visit www eagancommunitycenter.com or call (651) 675-5550. Event Parking Glenn Ponds Apartments & Metropolitan Office Condos Be among the first to cross the new bridge over I-35E linking Central Parkway and Pilot Knob Road on the west, to Northwood Parkway and Denmark Avenue on the east. A ribbon cutting ceremony, dedication and "lst Crossing Procession" will be a part of the bridge opening celebration on Monday, October 27 at 2:30 in the afternoon. The public is invited to join the celebration and especially the "lst Crossing" which will include fire trucks, a Model T, bikers, unicyclists, pedestri- ans, a Smart Car and other various modes of transportation. Children, families, scout troops and Civic groups are also being asked to make per- sonalized paper chains to be linked together for use in the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the bridge and round- about. All paper chains should be brought to the celebration site by 2 p.m. Event parking and the staging area are on the west side of the bridge at the Glenn Pond Apartments and Metropolitan Office Condos park- ing lots (shown on adjacent map). More information is available on the City of Eagan Web site. Carriage Hills...from page 1 number of voters on the question. A non -vote is not counted for or against the question. The ques- tion is decided by a majority of those who do vote either "yes" or "no." 8. Why isn't there one specific land use or public purpose for the property identified in the ballot question? The question comes before the voters as a result of contingent settlement of a four-year lawsuit against the City. Following that settlement, two public open houses were held prior to the adoption of the ballot question. Approximately 80 residents offered numerous ideas of how the land could or should be used. Because there was no consensus on one specific use, the Council selected the following land uses for the ballot question: public facilities, recreation, and open space uses. 9. What's allowed under those three uses: public facilities, recreation, and open space? A Carriage Hills Visioning Statement was adopted by the City Council on October 7 and is available on the City Web site at wwwcityofeagan.com or at Eagan City Hall. It provides explanations of what would be allowable under these land uses. 10. Should the referendum pass, what would happen next? The City would then purchase the land in January of 2009, per the settlement agreement, for the agreed upon purchase price. The land would then be held for use to meet future public needs or desires. There is no immediate proposal for what to do with the land. A public process to evaluate needs, costs, and benefits, for future public facili- ties, open space and recreational opportunities is anticipated to occur prior to land use decisions by the City Council. 11. Does the $10.25 million include opera- tional or development dollars to accomplish any of the three types of land use? The bond amount is only sufficient to acquire the property and pay for the cost of issuing the bonds. There is no additional money set aside for any pub- lic improvements or development. 12. Could there be another referendum later for land improvements or public facilities? Unknown. There are no current plans for any additional referendum. Land held for future public use could be idle for some time. Depending on determinations the community makes regarding future desired use(s) of the property, there may or may not be a need for another referendum brought before the voters. Such a decision would depend on several fac- tors: 1 the specific land use, 1 if improvements are necessary to facili- tate that use, the costs of intended improvements, 1 and available City dollars —if any —to pay for improvements. It's also possible, if the land were leased to a private entity to run a public facility (a hospi- tal, for instance), improvements made to the property in a public/private partnership, might not have any additional taxpayer cost. 13. Has the City Council taken a position on the referendum either for or against? No, while individual Council Members may have an opinion, the Council as a whole does not and cannot have a position for or against the ballot question. 14. lithe bond referendum is approved, does the money go into an Open Space fund, or can it only be used for acquiring the Carriage Hills property? It can only be used to acquire the Carriage Hills property. Below is a quick listing of a few fun things to look forward to this winter. Check the City Web site for more ideas and information. Santa Claus is Coming The room is decorated, the tree lit, the fire- place warm and glowing while Santa's helpers arrange trays of frosted cookies for the kids. This storybook setting can be found at the Eagan Community Center's Lone Oak Room on Saturday, December 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., courtesy of the Eagan Seniors. Lifetime resident and Eagan Senior Dick LeMay has been dressing the part of Santa for several years at this event and has become well known for this role. LeMay says he loves helping Santa and hearing what kids want for the holidays and posing for hundreds of photos with the little tikes. He says even the kids who start out a little scared almost always warm up to Santa by the time their parents take their picture. Best of all, the kids leave the Lone Oak Room with a cookie and a smile! Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras. For more information, contact Parks & Recreation at (651) 675-5500. Great Outdoor Fun Part of enjoying a Minnesota winter is finding fun ways to spend time outdoors. Eagan's Parks & Recreation staff works hard to provide lots of these opportunities. Outdoor ice rinks and the Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill will open for the season in December and remain open, weather permitting, until about the end of February More detailed information can be found on www.cityofeagan. com as the snow season approaches --search either "Outdoor Ice Rinks" or "Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill". Get Your Holiday On Planning a holiday party is not some mysteri- ous art. Once you have a few simple tips from the experts at the "Holiday 101" class at the Eagan Community Center, you'll dazzle your guests with your creativity. This two-hour class on Tuesday November 11, from 7-9 p.m. will help you add some festivity to your decorations, food presen- tations and more. A seasoned party planner will teach you how to work with themes, demon- strate simple ways to be extravagant, and give insider tips on current trends. Register at www. eagancommunitycenter.com Behind the Scenes of the Eagan PD Each year for the past eight, 25 lucky Eagan resi- dents get a behind the scenes look at police work at Eagan's Citizen Academy. They learn what police officers look for when administering a field sobri- ety test, what it's like to maneuver through traffic in a squad car with lights on and sirens blaring, how officers decide when to use force, and how a Police canine team works together in the field, among many other aspects of police work. The next academy runs for eight weeks on Thursday nights beginning March 5 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration will begin in early January. The first 25 qualified registrants will be enrolled. Watch for more information and an application for this popular and highly acclaimed academy, by visiting wwwcityofeagan.com/police. Recycting RecyclingZone: New name, same Zone great service The Dakota County Eco-Site has a new name: The Recycling Zone. Residents in Eagan have taken advantage of the services provided by the Dakota County Eco-Site for years. It has provided a place to bring unwanted paint, cleaners, fertilizers, batteries, electronics and more. None of that is going to change. You will still find the site tucked behind buildings and train tracks off of Highway 149 between Yankee Doodle Road and Highway 55 in Eagan. You can still drop off old electronics, fluorescent light bulbs, plastic bags, household chemicals and lawnmowers, and much more, for free. You will encoun- ter the same helpful staff — only the sign will be different. To find information on all the services the Recycling Zone provides to residents visit www.dakotacounty.us and search Recycling Zone. Winter Parking is Always Odd or Even Residents are reminded that Eagan's winter parking regulations are in effect all winter, from November 15 through April 15. Anyone parking on the street in daytime hours (6 a.m. until 6 p.m.) must park on the odd numbered side of the street on odd numbered days and on the even numbered side of the street on even numbered days of the month. Violators may be ticketed or towed. Garbage containers are also problematic dur- ing the winter and require special attention. Containers awaiting pick-up must be placed at least 4 feet behind the curb line and not within the trail or sidewalk. Check your mailbox now to make sure it won't get hit as a snowplow comes by. Mailboxes should be 48 inches high and not extend past the back of the curb line. For more complete information about any of these winter topics, visit the City Web site at wwwcityofeagan.com/streets or contact the Public Works staff at (651) 675-5300. Changes to Trail Clearing Process This Winter A tough economy has all of us tightening our belts a bit and finding ways to cut spending. Things are no different for the City of Eagan. That's why this winter, the City Council has determined that funds are not available to hire contractors to clear the trails along Eagan roadways, immediately following snowfalls. Instead, City road crews will need to perform this duty clearing City streets. Street clearing operations will remain the first priority. Winter trail and sidewalk clearing will be done between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday by City staff during the regu- larly scheduled work day. The new service delivery time will likely be 2-5 days after snowfall. During significant storm events or back-to-back storms, winter trail and sidewalk maintenance may not occur until conditions and operations return to normal. 5131IQb Golf (Continued from front page) unanimously recommended denial of the amendment. The City Council decided unani- mously to follow the recom- mendation, and asked the city attorney to prepare findings of fact for denial, which will be placed on the council's next consent agenda. If the amendment had passed, Pulte Homes planned to develop 525 housing units — 25 percent single-family residences and 75 percent townhomes — at a density of about 4.4 units per acre on the 120-acre golf course site, said Peggy Reichert, director of community development. But according to residents who paid premium prices for their homes because of their proximity to the golf course, the amendment and the pro- posed residential development came too late. If Carriage Hills' owner.envi- sioned selling the golf course at some point, he should have asked for the comprehensive guide plan amendment 10 years ago, before development occurred all around the site, one resident said. If the amendment were approved back then, the owner could have continued to operate the golf course as a conditional use until he was ready to sell the site, the resident said. According to Reichert, the history of the Carriage Hills Golf Course stretches back to 1959 when Bill Smith, the pre- sent owner, started its con- struction. The site was rezoned from agricultural to public fa- cility in 1962, and in 1965, the facility opened as a nine -hole course, Reichert said. It was expanded to its present 18 holes in 1967, she said. Development around the golf course mainly occurred in the 1980s and 90s, Reichert said. If the golf course were to be replaced with residential de- velopment, the area would change in more than just looks. According to Reichert, roads in the area would see increased traffic from the development, and Wescott Hills Drive would be among those most affected because access wouldn't be allowed directly onto Yankee Doodle Road. meeting detailing everything from environmental and safety concerns to the impact the loss of the golf course would have on the whole community. According to Bryce Thorpe, a member of the coalition, the city has received hundreds of letters and phone calls from residents concerned about this issue. The city also was pre- sented with a petition signed by 4,112 people asking that the city deny the amendment. the area," she said. Along with exacerbating crowding of schools, other sys- tems would be affected as well, according to Reichert. While park space would be adequate, more parks pro- gramming would be necessary to serve this area, she said. The sewer system that would serve the northern portion of the Pulte proposal also would need to be modified because it wasn't designed to handle this development, Reichert said. Perhaps the biggest point with the council was the fact that Eagan already has vacant D-II land, and adding more D-lI to the city's stock isn't consis- tent with its Livable Communi- ties goals, as Reichert pointed out. Along with these concerns, residents also said they were concerned about many other issues including housing den- sity in the area, the loss of green space and the loss of a golf course in the city of Ea- gan. Mayor Tom Egan pointed out the burden was on the land- owner to prove Eagan citizens are better off without the golf course than with it. "The landowner has failed to carry that burden," Egan said. Pulte Homes has only shown self-serving, economic reasons for the comprehensive guide plan amendment, which isn't enough to justify the change, Egan said. He added that "the loss of this treasure" doesn't make sense, especially at a time when the city is looking at going to voters in August for money to buy more park land. Council Member Sandra Masin said Pulte Homes had the right to bring forward its proposal and being treated with fairness and respect. "I don't think that always happened," she said. But while Pulte Homes fol- lowed all the appropriate channels, Masin said, the city needs as much public facility space as possible. Council Member Shawn CITY HALL was inundated with letters from people concerned about the fate of the Car- riage Hills Golf Course. Photo by Rick Orndorf Hunter said that people should be able to rely upon the city's comprehensive guide plan. Hunter said the council has held up the plan to residents concerned about commercial development next to their neighborhoods, so residents should be able to hold up the plan to the council as well. "People have come to rely on this," Hunter said. Approving the amendment also would "fly in the face of this" — the parks system plan, which says the city needs more golf courses, Hunter said. He added he believes the golf course is a viable use for the land at issue. With the possible exception of the ice arena issue, the Car- riage Hills issue has brought forth the largest outpouring from the community, Hunter said. "This has been a big eye opener for me," he said. Members of the Carriage Hills Coalition, a community group that formed to keep those interested in the issue informed, have followed the issue all along, and gave a presentation at Monday's business Burnsville's Asia Grille offers unique menu, `downtown' feel By EVELYN HOOVER When Leeann Chin, Inc., opened its Asia Grille location in Burnsville, the company was hoping it would be viewed as a "downtown restaurant in the suburbs," according to Ron Fuller, president and CEO of Leeann Chin, Inc. To that end, the restaurant, located in the former site of Green Mill, was totally redeco- rated using light woods and deep accent colors. But the decor of the second Twin Cities Asia Grille isn't the only thing that's different about the restaurant. Featuring the textures and flavors of five different Asian countries — Japan, Korea, Thailand, China and Vietnam — the restaurant strives to make its food "a little more fun and a little more contem- porary," Fuller explained. Developing the Asia Grille menu was the work of Director pork with wild mushrooms, Sa- shimi -style tuna spring rolls, wok -steamed Manilla clams, Thai chicken satay and Japa- nese udon noodles with vege- tables. Another unique feature of the restaurant is the open grill, making the food preparation area is visible to customers. The design, Fuller said, was chosen to take some of the "mystique out of Asian cook- ing." "We thought we'd take out the kitchen door and let people see how it works," Carey said. "We offer something no one else in the neighborhood of- fers." The Burnsville location was chosen after the company, which has two other Asia Grille locations in Eden Prairie and Seattle, Wash., studied the demographics of the Twin Cit- ies market. "We looked at the distribu- tion of the population and our nd STEVE CAREY, director of food development for Leeann Chin, Inc., shows off the Burnsville Asia Grille's open grill area. Photo by Rick Orndorf Allina plans to build new clinic in Eagan The Allina Medical Group plans to build a new clinic in Eagan in response to growing demands for health care east of the greater St. Paul metropoli- tan area. The new clinic will be lo- cated on Yankee Doodle Drive, just west of Lexington Avenue. It will be a 30,000 square -foot ambulatory care facility. Ground breaking for the clinic will be this summer, with construction expected to be completed in December. The clinic will be the new location for Westview Clinic, Parkview OB/GYN and United Care, 3386 Pilot Knob Road. Other tenants will include Spectrum Physical Therapy and United Occupational Health. In addition, the new clinic will host an array of medical services, including eye exams and an optical dis- pensary, pharmacy and other medical specialties. The Allina Medical Group is part of Allina Health System, a not -for -profit integrated health care system committed to en- hancing the health status of the communities it serves. Allina owns or manages 18 hospitals and two nursing homes and Norwest provides $147,000 for housing in Eagan Norwest Bank Minnesota re- ceived approved from the Fed- eral Home Loan Bank (FHLB) for $147,000 in grants to help finance the construction of 42 townhomes in Eagan. The housing will be available for low-income families. The projects are part of FHLB's Affordable Housing Program and are sponsored by the Da- kota County Housing and Re- development Authority. "It's not always easy to find affordable housing in suburban areas," said Pat Hanson, direc- tor of community development for Norwest. "These projects provide non-traditional solu- tions to a problem found in all areas. The Affordable Housing Program is important because it helps access grants for non- rofit organizations to make e acces- Eagan THISWEEK Your Community: Newspaper Volume 17, No. 5 March 31, 1996 Residential development won't be allowed on golf course site Citizens' efforts pay off as council moves to deny comp guide plan amendment By BRENDA HAUGEN Icy- roads and all the » snow dumped on the area :over the weekend didn't deter residents interested in the future of the Carriage Hills Golf Course Catholic . Church Monday from attending a city meeting ' where the Eagan City Council to determine the possiblefate :and Advisory Planning Com- of the site. mission held a joint meeting Hundreds of folks filled the on the subject. At issue was a basement of St. John Neumann comprehensive guide plan amendment that would change the golf course's present public facility designation to . D-II, mixed residential, which would request from Pulte Homes for a allow upto six units per acre. Residents' efforts Monday • nightand:'throughout the • proc- ;, :ess didn't go. unrewarded: The • Advisory Planning Commission (See .Golf, p.17A). agan man among ose charged in alleged drums ring ; An Eagan man was among those indicted March 26. by a grand jury on federal narcotics charges. He and four others were allegedly involved in a cocaine ring that stretched from Los Angeles to Minnea- In late January, a court - ordered state wiretap was placed on. Smith's residential and cellular telephones. Ac- cording to an affidavit filed in the case, from the wiretaps of- ficers intercepted numerous Golf (Continued from front page) unanimously recommended denial of the amendment. The City Council decided unani- mously to follow the recom- mendation, and asked the city attorney -to prepare findings of fact for denial, which will be placed on the council's next consent agenda. If the amendment had passed, Pulte . Homes planned to develop 525 housing units — 25 percent single-family residences and 75 percent townhomes — at a density of about 4.4 units per acre on the 120-acre golf course site, said Peggy Reichert, director of community development. But . according to residents who paid premium prices for their homes because of their proximity to the golf course, the amendment and the pro- posed residential , development came too late. If Carriage Hills' owner.,envi- sioned selling the golf course at some point, ,he should have asked for the comprehensive guide plan amendment 10 years ago, before development occurred all around the site, one resident said. If the amendment were approved back then, the owner could have continued to operate the golf course as . a conditional use until he was • ready to sell the site, the resident said. According to Reichert, the history of the . Carriage Hills Golf Course stretches ' back to 1959 when Bill Smith, the pre- sent owner, started its con- struction. The site was rezoned from. agricultural .to. public fa - cility.in 1962, and in 1965, the facilityopened nine -hole the area," she said. Along with exacerbating crowding of schools, other sys- tems would be affected as well, according to Reichert. While park space would be adequate, more parks pro- gramming would be necessary to serve this area, she said. The sewer system that would serve the northern portion of the Pulte proposal also would need to be modified because it wasn't designed to handle this development, Reichert said. Perhaps the biggest point with the council was the fact that Eagan already has vacant D-II land, and adding more D-II to the city's stock 'isn't consis- tent with its Livable Communi- ties goals, as Reichert pointed out. Along with these concerns, residents also said they were concerned about 'many other issues including housing den- sity in the area, the loss of green space and the loss of a golf course in the city of Ea- gan. Mayor Tom Egan pointed out the burden was on the land- owner to prove Eagan citizens are better off without the golf course than with it. "The landowner has failed to carry that burden," Egansaid. Pulte Homes has only shown self-serving, economic reasons for the comprehensive guide plan amendment, which isn't enough to justify the change, Egan said. He added that "the loss of this treasure" doesn't make sense, especially at a time when the city is looking at going'to voters in August for money to buy more park land. Council Member .. Sandra rrntrSP RPirhPrt 'caiii' If' :,,n,o 11T•lc;r1 CITY HALL was inundated with letters from peopleconcernedabout the fate of the Carr. riage Hills'Golf Course. Photo by Rick Orndorf. Hunter said that people should meeting detailing everything city has received hundreds of be able to rely upon the city's . from environmental and safety letters ' and phone' calls from comprehensive . guide plan. concerns to the impact the residents concerned about this Hunter said the council has loss of the golf course would issue. The city' also was pre - held up the plan to residents have on the whole community. sented with a petition signed concerned about commercial According to Bryce Thorpe, a by 4,112 people asking that the development next to their member of the coalition, the city deny the amendment. neighborhoods, so residents should be able to hold up the plan to the council as well. Rosemount man "People' have come to rely on this," Hunter said. also would "fly in the face of Approving the amendment chargedin . .assault this" -- the parks system plan, A 31-year-old Rosemount man has been charged fifth -degree which says the city needs more assault, first -degree criminal damage to property and terroristic golf courses, Hunter said. He threats in connection with a March 10 incident in Eagan. added he believes the golf James Glenn Triggs was charged in Dakota .County District course is a viable use for the Court. According to the criminal complaint, Eagan police were land at issue. called to LaFonda's Restaurant,:3665 High13, just after 6 With' the.possible exception.. wa XA of the ice arena issue,: the Car- P m. in reference to an "assault. Police found the victim sitting in her vehicle. The driver's riage Hills issue has brought forth the largest nutnnnrinside-window was smashed out. According to the:oomplaint, the cility in 1962, and in 1965, the facility opened as a nine -hole course, Reichert said: It was expanded to its 'present 18 holes in 1967, she said. Development around the golf course mainly occurred in the 1980s and 90s, Reichert said. If the golf course were to be replaced with residential de- velopment, the area would change in more than just looks. According to Reichert, roads in the area would see increased traffic from the development, and Wescott Hills Drive would be among those most affected because access • wouldn't be allowed directly onto. Yankee' Doodle Road. "This would change the street pattern significantly in CAC Child Care. Resource and Referral service available Community Action Council's. Child Care Resource and Re- ferral is a non-profit agency providing up-to-date informa- tion to parents who are% search- ing for child care. Information about child care centers, family child care homes, nanny ' agencies and preschool or school -age pro- grams. may be obtained. Cur- rently, for a fee of $5, there is a list of summer camp pro- grams available. For information regarding any. child care need or issue, in- cluding finding care for chil- dren with special needs, call 431-7752 Monday through Fri- day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. BROOKLYN PARK JCT. HWYS. 169, 18885thAVE N. money to buy more park land. Council Member Sandra Masin said Pulte Homes had the right to bring forward its proposal andbeing treated with fairness acid respect. "I don't think that always happened," she said. But while Pulte Homes fol- lowed all . the .appropriate channels, Masin said, the city needs as much public facility space as possible. Council Member Shawn o one iee arena issue, Me Car- riage Hills issue has brought forth the . largest outpouring from the community, Hunter said. "This has been a big eye opener for me," he said. Members of the Carriage Hills Coalition, a community group that formed to keep those interested in the issue informed, have followed the issue all along, and gave a presentation at Monday's Police found the victim sitting in her vehicle. The driver's side window was smashed out. According to the complaint, the victim said she had an argument with Triggs inside the bar, and when they went outside the argument :.turned physical. Triggs allegedly pushed the woman to the ground and kicked her in the back and chest numerous times as well; as strangling her around the neck, punching her in the face and slapping her, according to the complaint. The woman went to her car and locked the doors, but Triggs allegedly broke the car's window, got into her car and started rubbing broken glass in her neck area as wellas allegedly threatening to kill her, according to the complaint. IFLEEFf FARM Mills Fleet Farm will be closed aster f al( so our customers and employees may enjoy the holiday with. family and friends. SET THE LOWEST OVERALL PRICES-EVERYDAW MILLS SLEET FARM HUDSON INDUSTRIAL PARK JUST OFF I.94 LAKEVILLE JCT. HWY. 50 81-35 JUST SO. OF B'VILLE CENTER o+.S iwrFmk OAKDALE JCT. HWY. 694 & 38 5635 HADLEY AVE. N. THISYIB '1:.49084) 17All` t 14S;ar, Tribune StaffWriter • rews were .Working Friday to • • .'figdthe source of an overbearing unpleasant odor thatforced the .-.evacuation of about 600 children: . - from. • Northview Elementary'.. Scho�1 in Eagan.. • - • ':.Northview Principal Kathy Carl • • issued the orderafter several chil- r • • complained of headathes nausea. The students walked about two blocks to Eagan High. hoo1, where 12 were examined Iparamedics.•., ••• • .:." • "There is a smellin the air, but always hard to tell where it's said Mike ::Schrader, an Eaginpolice officer. "..1 smelled it about 10:30; said Maura Szydlowski, a parent vol- teering at Northview on Friday diming. She said it smelled like e •propane gas .used to heat heir home. T••.Eagan officials • aren't sure hat caused the smell, but they ave . ruled out a gas leak on orthview's property. "We suspect it may be natural • •L aS. It smells like the chemical ut in 'natural gas to give it its mell — we don't know that for : -; • . • • • - • •• ...` .••• t:.4."3--':•?• Star Tribune Photo by Tom Sweeney said Eagan Police Chief Pat Northview Elementary students In Eagan await the all -clear at a neighboring high' school Friday after a strong odor. Veagan. ."At this point I don't, prompted theitevacuation. Paramedics checked several .children, who coropialifeil'ot headaches and nausea. • •.; • hink there's anything to be con..., • • • ••• •,, •- • - • !to cerned about.". • '• The Minnesota Pollution Con- rol Agency (MPCA) said late in :Vie afternoon that if the odor was :roniniercaptan, the chemical dded io natural gas, which by ,atself iS odorless, there is no dan- :$6i. Of lasting health problems, *yen4 though heavy concentra- tions can cause headaches' and and People's Natural Gas, have : theuriexpected guests from nausea. .' • inspectors working to determine Northfield mainly because of a • • • All of the children, including whether the smell is coming from 'neWernergency plan. those treated by paramedics, re- their emissions, Geagan said. The "This 'was the fiiif time We': turned to classrooms at noon.. source might not be determined evacuated the elementary school But city officials are still trying to until an investigation is done by to come here," said Tom Wilson,. find the cause of the smell. the MPCA, Geagan added. - prliiCIP41 of Eagan High School Local plants, including Koch The staff at Eagan High School - • - • Refinery, BFI, Wescott Gas Plant was prepared to accommodate ; • .4c een is charged with murderin'sidewalk shootin. py Maria Elena Baca County medical examiner deter- : There was a black jacket lying the bus incident and had taken Ig• . Par Tribune Staff Writer mined that he'd been shot three neatby,. and officers found a his gun "to even up the odds;" • MinneapolisikO CelE ' 'told p�hcethatekictithti said he shot thiman in self-c • • ecetitsriowincr • .1-leaVy'Siow_lhatfell over creased s-the l potentiallot fl • Weather Service,said Friday. In its latest flood update;, - sissippi River:flooding hasibet berg, Iowa.. ., Low temperatures have de] sibility of a rapid melt during fall, increases thellood potei report Said. The Minnesota River at I • Crow River at Delano are cu S•ervice said: • - Snowpack in the Arrawfu erages 25 to 35•inches with above normal for this time of • Across northern Mirines1 inches, and the water conten —Assoc./1*d Press Dome plaza only g • Minneapolis officials, cc arrangements. Outside the lv decided to giant only a teinpf stadium's new outdoor plaza. The City council approve( complaints -from the Police involved in a long-standing d off-dutyofficers for security. .Minneapolis police haver world championship seasor scheduling and command Str The dispiiielas led to qu Metropolitan Skorts Faciliti responsible for security at the Council members say the granting a permanent liquor I In the meantime, Twins se officers from Stillwater, Oak P , — Kevin Diaz Police officer to g ST.. JOSEPH, MINN. — Pc the line of duty, will rece Association's first Medal of 1-11 The award, announced th ter's widow, Wendy, during quet April 17 in St. Cloud._ Public hearing set for golf course site A joint public hearing is sched- uled between the Eagan City Council and its Advisory Planning Commission (APC) to consider an amendment to the Comprehen- sive Land Use Plan for Carriage Hills Golf Course in Eagan. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March- 25, at St. John Neumann Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Road. Following the hearing, the APC will make its recommendation to the City Council, who will convene imme- diately after the APC meeting to consider action- on the amend- ment request. Pulte Homes is re- questing the amendment in order to build residential units at the site of the Carriage Hills Golf Course at Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Hills Drive. Information: 681-4671. Comment sought on tree ordinance Public comment on a pro- posed tree preservation ordi- nance will be heard at an Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meeting'at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Municipal Center, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. The proposed ordinance would replace a similar tree preservation policy that has been in effect on a trial basis for the past year. It requires devel- opers and commercial or resi- dential builders to preserve or replace a percentage of the trees and foliage that exists on a site prior to grading or con- struction. Following public comment, the APC will make a recommen- dation to the City Council, which will take action on the ordinance. Information: 681-4300. Funds established for 15 scholarships The Minnesota Sheriff's As- sociation has established a fund totaling $9,000 for the awarding of 15 scholarships for 1996. • Applications will be received until Feb. 28, with scholarships being awarded by May 1. Application forms and a statement of procedures are available at the Dakota County Sheriff's Office in Hastings. Scholarships are available to of th eon: e Season: The B'dal Event and More More !Exhibitors a • New Decorating lore �, Qgjti0:►s� ' Ideas and Floral Designs by ha Minnesota's Best Bridal Show Presented by... WED""D5INI.G G U 1 D E The Wedding Planning Soureebook For Today's Brides and Grooms. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18, 1996 MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Dazzling Bridal Fashion Shows Throughout the Day Wedding Exhibits • Live Music Performances Ideas & Planning Help • Games & Prizes All Day iekets: '.10/door 8/advance CALL TODAY! 482-0072 oW! or rates and information. to gearup for the . 1996 golf season, if that's the outcome of the process, Egan said. Effective Golf Course Sys- tems' report won't be done un- til mid -'to late -spring, Egan said. Staff will be available to answer questions on this proc- ess at the public meeting, but neither the staff nor the City Council will' get a presentation from the consultants until after the Pulte application is com- pleted, Egan said. "We' don't want to cloud the issue," he said, adding the council's decision can't be centered on the city's decision . on a municipal golf course. Questions and concerns about Pulte's request for a compre- hensive guide plan amendment and the public hearing process can be directed to the city's Community Development De- partment at 681-4671. Criorus� (Continued from front page) and you take a pitch." Sweet Adelines Interna- tional boasts 30,000 mem- bers worldwide and five choruses in the metropolitan area alone. The 90-member Twin Cit= ies Chorus includes a siz- able south -of -the -river con- tingent. "There's like a Sweet Cat is High," a '40s juke joint number, followed by ."On My Own," a- love song from "Les Miserables." Later they were heard singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." "Our repertoire's kind of strange, said Wendy Ham- ilton, 45, of Arden. Hills. "It can't be put in a box." When • the Adelines sing, �,....,.n.. ...:rh *ha Taxes/from 1A among the. lowest in:the metro area. According to the city, its porL tion of property taxes in 2006 will amount to $707 per year, or. $58.90 per month, for a $263•,458home,, the average in Eagan. • The 18-city average, which includes nine cities in Dakota County and eight comparably - sized cities in'the metro area, is $877 per year. The city is again assuming it . will not receive $1.15 million in aid from the state. • Eagan has had to do without state aid for the past four years. It managed to hold steady on the budget and taxes in 2003 by dip- ping into savings, and it made up for the loss in 2004 with a tax increase, service cuts and •a hiring freeze. - - The city levied back the full amount of lost state aid in 2005 and is proposing to do so again in 2006. City taxes pay for about three-quarters of • city govern- ment operations, with the ba1= ance made up by license and permit fees; program revenue and other sources. "To hold a levy increase be- low inflation despite not ceceiv- -ing $1.15 million in homestead credit from the:state is a signifi- cant accomplishment," Hedges said. Erin . Johnson • is at eagan.• thisweek@ecm-inc.com. give back wiser is Sunday served cider, cocoa and candy canes. Esch estimates that he and Shirley greeted 200 to 300 children last year. "It's a way for my wife and I to give back to the community," said Esch, a partner in Burns- ville -based Custom Expres- sions, an independent drapery and blind company. Esch has also served on the nitv'e Plonniner (`nmmi ecinn fnr Fotze& 5.1•1t)IS