07/21/1992 - City Council Special
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MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EAGAN CITY COUNCIL
Eagan, Minnesota
July 21, 1992
A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on Tuesday, July 21, 1992 at 5:00 p.m.
Present were Mayor Egan, Tim Pawlenty, Pam McCrea, Ted Wachter and Pat Awada. Also present were
City Administrator Hedges, Community Development Director Runkle and Assistant to the City Administrator
Hohensteln. Parks & Recreation Director Vraa and Parks Planner Sullivan joined the meeting to provide an
update as noted below.
CEDARVALE REDEVELOPMENT
City Administrator Hedges provided background and history concerning Cedarvale and the effects
of the realignment of the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Highway 13 on the retail access and visibility.
Community Development Director Runkle reviewed the James McComb Study and its recommendations.
He stated that the principle elements recommended In the study were improved access, including a
rationalization of Silver Bell Road intersection and the potential for a right in from Highway 13 to Rahn Road,
maintenance and aesthetic issues and visibility, including an overall signage plan for the area.
The Council discussed options for corrective actions at Cedarvale to enhance Its development. A
question was asked concerning the assessment of improvements and the collection of costs for extra
services. Hohenstein indicated that a special service district could be formed to provide additional funding.
in this regard and that any improvements to the road system would be assessed to the benefitting property
owners, hopefully by prior agreement.
Mayor Egan supported efforts to study the feasibility of public improvements to enhance access,
Identification of public and private areas which require additional maintenance and mowing and efforts to
identify improvements In visibility and an overall sign plan. He stated that the City would have to focus on
public Improvements and facilitation of visibility methods which could be considered In the context of City
standards, permits or variances. Councilmember McCrea asked If Cedarvale is willing to commit dollars.
Hohenstein responded that the Cedarvale owners have expressed an intent to participate in Investments if
there appears to be a commitment on the part of the City to substantively Improve access and visibility.
The Council then discussed the City's economic development master plan, Including its economic
development targets and its reference to redevelopment. Staff indicated that the reference to depressed
areas in the redevelopment target needed to be clarified through the development of criteria. The Council
suggested that staff develop criteria focusing on physical deterioration, declining property values,
modifications of infrastructure that affect a previously dynamic area, the presence of tax appeals, and the
presence of multiple owners requiring coordination rather than single owners who could manage properties
to their own benefit. It was suggested the public purpose of considering assistance In such areas would
be the effect of deterioration on the City's tax base as well as the attraction of tourist dollars and service to
the community.
Councilmember Awada stated that she would support City assistance with the visibility and access
Issues, but would oppose active involvement of the City In the property's redevelopment or marketing. She
further encouraged the Cedarvale merchants to organize to cooperate in making improvements on their own.
She stated that with the opening of the Mall of America, Cedarvale could become an attractive retail property
and the City should see if it would redevelop on its own rather than become actively involved in the private,
sector.
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July 21, 1992
Councilmember McCrea asked If there was any similar experience In Edmonton at the periphery of
the West Edmonton Mall. Community Development Director Runkle stated that some peripheral
development had occurred, but that Cedarvale was a unique circumstance given Its location and access
issues.
The Mayor further encouraged staff to approach MnDOT, together with the Cedarvale property
owners, to discuss the Rahn Road connection. He stated that the City should not take a lead In this effort
but should provide partnership and support to property owners.
BLACKHAWK PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Parks & Recreation Director Vraa presented the final bid plan to the City Council for Its review for
Blackhawk Park. Vraa reviewed recreational and water quality improvements anticipated In the first phase.
He stated that the project would be financed by $470,000 from the Parksite Fund and $114,000 from a State
lock-on grant. He stated that two additional phases would also be built at a subsequent time. Parks Planner
Sullivan reviewed details of the plan and indicated that the park will be usable in the fall of 1993 for nature
walks, canoe launching and other low Intensity uses. Councilmember McCrea asked about operating costs.
Vraa stated that minimum mowing is the only City cost for regular maintenance of this site.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 6:24 p.m.
JDH
July 21, 1992
Date City Clerk