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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com

NEWS District 196 bus hub action The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District has entered into a purchase agreement for land to be used as a new transportation hub. Page 2A

OPINION Changing demographics The state of Minnesota needs to develop policy to match the changing needs of new demographics. Page 4A

and the surrounding areas March 30, 2017 • Volume 132 • Number 5

CDA townhome complex is opposed Neighbors question workforce housing development by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The Dakota County Community Development Agency is proposing a 40-unit townhome development to be called Prestwick Place Townhomes east of Akron Avenue and south of Bonaire Path in Rosemount. But some of the potential neighbors had plenty of questions during a public hearing at the Rose-

mount Planning Commission meeting March 20. The complex would be owned and maintained by the CDA and developed under its workforce housing program, similar to the Carbury Hills townhomes. The city approved a concept plan and master development plan for the property in 2007, but many of the residents near the proposed workforce housing are uneasy about their plans.

Several residents said had they had known about the project, they wouldn’t have moved there and threatened to move if it is built. Others admitted they were nervous about their new low-income neighbors. The Planning Commission approved the plans 4-1. Commissioner Michael Clements said a simple search would have re-

vealed this site was owned by the CDA, and it hasn’t changed since 2007. Clements defended their potential neighbors by saying he used to be a low-income person and “I’m a good guy.� “We hear this a lot any time when higher density residential comes in, people come in an say ‘not in my neighborhood, not in my neighborhood, not in my neighborhood,’� Clements said. “But eventu-

ally we’re not going to have higher density, which is what the city needs.� He said even if he didn’t want them to build the property, telling the CDA they can’t isn’t the role of the Planning Commission in this situation. “If they want to put an application for what it’s zoned for, we have to allow it,� Clements said. Melissa Kenninger, See HOUSING, 6A

Council seeks new member

For our feathered friends

THISWEEKEND

by Maren Bauer SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Bluegrass at the Steeple Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures are set to perform this month in the Rosemount Area Arts Council’s bluegrass concert series. Page 15A

SPORTS

Several children participated in the Backyard Bird Feeders program on Tuesday at the Farmington Library. The children built and decorated the bird feeders with the help from staff of ArtStart. It seemed like a fitting day for the project as temperatures neared 60 degrees during the week of spring break in Farmington Area Schools. More about Dakota County Library programs is at www. dakotacounty.us/library.

Lifting to new heights Area athletes compete in a weightlifting competition for the region’s best competitors. Page 10A

Photos by Tad Johnson

PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 12A

See COUNCIL, 6A

Outcry over damaged trees in Lebanon Hills by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 11A Announcements . . . . 14A Calendars . . . . . . . . . 14A

News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544

When a tree is damaged in the woods, if it happens at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, someone’s going to hear about it. When a member of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists was out hiking last week, the person noticed several damaged cherry trees and notified Dakota County park officials, who then notified the Dakota County Sheriff’s Department. Members of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

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were disappointed. So were a lot of people. Park officials found about a half dozen damaged black cherry trees, which were 12 to 16 inches in diameter last week within the park. They were girdled, which is a technique used in forestry to essentially kill a tree. Someone removed an entire strip of bark from the circumference and the area above the girdle will die over time. “There are no horticulture best management practice that insures that

these trees would continue to live with them being girdled,� Dakota County Parks Director Steve Sullivan said. Most of the damaged trees were found on the west trail head off Johnny Cake Ridge Road on March 22, but a new one was found at Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center, about a half mile away March 24. They were found in Photo courtesy of the Dakota County Parks high-use areas next to Cherry trees were found vandalized at Lebanon Hills Repopular trails and near the gional Park last week. One was found by the ropes course ropes course. at Camp Sacajawea and others were found just off the trail. See TREES, 6A

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The city of Farmington is accepting applications for a vacancy on the Farmington City Council, which was created after Council Member Tim Pitcher resigned on March 9. The term of the seat runs through Dec. 31, 2018 — the date that Pitcher’s term would have ended. To be considered for the vacancy applicants must be a resident of Farmington, be 21 years of age or older, and a United States citizen. Applications must be received by noon Tuesday, April 4. Interviews will likely be held on Monday, April 10. An application packet is available online at www.ci.farmington. mn.us. Pitcher wrote in his resignation letter to the city: “I have been given the unique opportunity to save and improve lives in the private sector, in which I am moving out of Farmington to perform.� He has since declined further comment regarding his resignation. With Pitcher’s resignation, Council Member Robyn Craig was appointed to the city’s Economic Development Authority, a position she had expressed interest in being appointed to since she was elected this fall.

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