07/23/1985 - City Council Special
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
JULY 23, 1985
Mayor Blomquist convened a special meeting of the Eagan City Council at
the Fire Administration Building on Tuesday, July 23, 1985, at 7:00 p.m. All
Councilmembers were present together with City Administrator Tom Hedges, City
Attorney Paul Hauge, and Public Works Director Tom Colbert.
BLACKHAWK PARK PLANNED DEVELOPMENT - NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Mayor Blomquist announced that the first order of business concerned a
request on behalf of Lynn Trok, 4233 Lodgepole Drive, Eagan, and a number of
neighboring property owners near the proposed Thomas Lake apartment project on
Thomas Lake Road that the City Council review certain questions that had
arisen regarding that project and in addition Blackhawk Park Planned
Development in general. A detailed letter from Ms. Trok dated June 15 to the
City Council with numerous questions was answered in a letter from Tom Hedges
dated July 11, 1985. The City Administrator made a presentation and reviewed
the questions and answers posed in written form. Lynn Trok was present and
presented comments on her behalf and on behalf of other interested neighbors,
a large number of whom were present in the audience.
She suggested that the City improve the method of distributing notices to
neighboring owners in the event of applications for rezoning including annual
review of planned developments. There was considerable discussion concerning
the public notice requirements under the state law and the Eagan ordinances
and it was explained that the City ordinance complies with and imposes greater
notice requirements than do the applicable Minnesota Statutes. There were
concerns about increasing density and a request was made that the City Council
negotiate with the developer of Blackhawk Planned Development for reformation
of the contract to reduce densities in certain high density residential areas.
Councilmember Egan commented that more than the Thomas Lake Place 17-acre
parcel is involved and further that the City could get involved in reformation
of contract issues, damage issues, and the potential for injunction relief in
the event of legal action regarding revisions to the Planned Development
Contract. Mayor Blomquist reviewed in detail the changes in density in the
Blackhawk Planned Development process beginning in 1972 until the Planned
Development Agreement was adopted in 1977. Councilmember Wachter stated that
he favored reducing densities but did not favor 6,000 square foot single
family residential lots. Councilmember Egan further questioned what would be
the appropriate method to treat the problem noting there appeared to be a
switch in density by the developer.
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Special Council Minutes
July 23, 1985
Alternates such as utilizing Thomas Lake Place parcel for park purposes
and reversion to single family residential were discussed. One neighboring
owner stated that they were not noticed of any of the recent platting hearings
for Thomas Lake Place.
When questioned, City Attorney Paul Hauge suggested that the most
appropriate way to change density would be through negotiation noting the
property may now have been completed and the Blackhawk Park PD developer may
no longer have control of the parcel.
Several Councilmembers indicated that it was there opinion that there may
have been an honest mistake in density revisions and it was noted that the
staff has been directed to review the Blackhawk Park Planned Development in
detail before its annual review in 1985. The petition for final plat approval
of Thomas Lake Place had not been submitted at the time of the meeting.
There was a question as to whether an Environmental Impact Statement had
been prepared and the answer was yes, ahd further that the DNR had been one of
the review agencies in the EIS process. Councilmember Smith indicated that it
was his opinion that the developer can proceed with the proposal based upon
the Planned Development Agreement. Suggestions were made including reviewing
the roof line structure for the buildings, the buffering along the north side,
a careful review of.landscaping proposed, and that the entire Blackhawk Park
Planned Development be reviewed and scrutinized in detail at the time of the
annual review.
SPEED LIMIT RESOLUTION REQUESTING MnDOT STUDY
Public Works Director Colbert requested consideration by the Council of
authorizing MnDOT to form a speed study on a number of local city streets to
designate the appropriate speed limit for enforcement purposes. It was noted
that although the majority of these streets presently have speed limits
designated on them, they have not been officially approved by the Commissioner
of Transportation as required by State law. There was additional discussion
pertaining to the recommended speed limits for the various streets for
consideration by MnDOT performing their speed study. Mr. Colbert presented a
proposed "functional classification" with recommended speed limit ranges
(maximum and minimum) for each functional classification. The Council
expressed levels of transportation, they were not constructed to the standards
necessary to handle that functional classification designation.
After further discussion, Councilman Thomas moved, with the second by
Councilman Wachter, that City of Eagan pass a resolution requesting the
Commissioner of Transportation perform speed studies on streets designated as
Exhibit "A". All members being in favor, with none opposed, the motion passed
unanimously.
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July 23, 1985 0 °
Councilmember Thomas then moved with a second by Councilmember Wachter to
approve the functional classification of streets in Eagan with the respective
speed limit ranges for each classification, subject to the condition that the
street must be constructed to the standards associated with the respective
functional classification so the speed limit ranges become effective. All
members being in favor, with none opposed, the motion passed unanimously.
PHH/TAC
July 23, 1985
Dated 4UCIerk
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