HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.b. 42/52 Comprehensive Planning Studyf
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CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION
COUNCIL WORD SESSION DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2004
AGENDA ITEM: 42/52 Comprehensive Planning Study
AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Kim Lindquist, Community Development Dir.
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ATTACHMENTS: Map
I APPROVED BY: 4��
Staff has been talking about potential changes to the City's adopted comprehensive plan that may be warranted.
One of the bigger issues is what would be appropriate land uses in the 42/52 area. This may take on more
urgency depending upon the ultimate timing for highway reconstruction and the potential introduction of the Air
Cargo facility in the southeast quadrant of the intersection.
A map has been attached which portrays the area staff would like as the focus of the study. In the west, the study
area has been extended to take in land on both sides of Akron Avenue. The study boundary in the east
recognizes that the 42/52 project may impact Hwy 55. The crosshatched area on the map shows the amount of
land currently owned by Flint Hills. Because of the Flint Hills and University land holdings in the immediate
area, the planning focus will be on land adjacent to Highway 42 with only minor discussion of land beyond. An
exception is just east of Akron Avenue where the study boundary has been shifted north to take in all land not
currently controlled by Flint Hills. As a separate item, if the Council would like, staff could initiate more
regular discussions with Flint Hills on the long - and short-term plans for their large landholdings.
There are a variety of goals that staff would like to achieve through the 42/52 study. From a land use
perspective, planning staff would like to define a commercial area in the community as a larger retail hub that
would co -exist with the city's downtown commercial district. This is one of the reasons the Akron Avenue
intersection has been included in the study area. Due to Dakota County spacing requirements and other potential
restrictions on development in the area, a commercial node may be sited closer to the western portion of
developed Rosemount than closer to the intersection.
One of the major development constraints in the eastern portion of the community is the provision of utilities.
While it appears that the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services will address sanitary sewer capacity, it is
difficult at this time to determine how water demands associated with additional development will be met.
Engineering has requested the Utility Commission authorize the preparation of a Comprehensive Water System
Plan in part to investigate infrastructure needs in this area. Updating of the Water System Plan is also necessary
for other reasons. Regardless, the known contamination in the area of the University property makes it difficult
for the City to continue planning for the development of additional municipal wells to understand how the city
can provide water service in the east, without further information. As part of the Water System Plan, the City
will be undertaking a groundwater model to assess what impact construction of wells will do to the current
contamination plume. The results will also allow the city to better understand the financial ramifications of
future utility needs.
Another component of the study would be to design arterial and collector road systems consistent with proposed
land uses and taking into consideration the 42/52 project. As was mentioned previously to the Council, the State
and County will not, on a long -term basis, allow direct access to County Road 42. Therefore alternative access
must be explored, such as creation of a frontage road system. Because it is difficult to predict how development
will occur; in large tracts or piecemeal, staff believes it is more prudent to be prepared with fairly developed
road plans.
Staff estimates that approximately $50,000 would be needed for various consultant time relating to this planning
project. The Plan may evolve into development of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR), depending
upon the projected timing of development and the wishes of the Council. From a funding perspective, the City
could upfront the costs associated with the planning and utility study and would recoup costs through future area
fund charges as development of property occurred.
If the Council is interested in embarking on this planning and utility study, staff would like direction regarding
the process. Often planning studies such as these are directed to the Planning Commission. Another option is to
have the Council be the primary lead on the study. A third option is to create a joint group of Commissioners
and Council members who would meet separately, on an as needed basis, to provide direction and input.
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