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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-23 SP ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 MINUTES The Andover City Council Special Meeting was called to order by Mayor Jaime Barthel on September 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Rick Engelhardt, Karen Godfrey, Jonathan Shafto, and Scott Schue Councilmembers absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Sarah Cotton Community Development Director, Joe Janish Others PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RESIDENT FORUM th Brent Miller, 3140 149 Avenue NW, came forward and shared he lives on the edge of this nd proposed development. He shared he had recently come before the Council on September 2, when he urged the Council to proceed with caution with this development to respect the rights of the citizens. He stated he is fully supportive of landowners' rights to sell their property. He noted the family that is selling this property had owned a lot in Andover. He said he is in support of this development; however, he hopes the Council moves carefully and cautiously in this area. He shared he is passionate about rural land and would be disappointed to see this land turned into a solar farm. He encouraged the developers to use solar panels in the area where the electricity will be used rather than taking over the rural areas. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Schue, Seconded by Godfrey, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 1. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. CONSIDER RESPONSE TO COMMENTS AND RESOLUTION OF THE FINAL ORDER TO PREPARE A DRAFT ALTERNATIVE URBAN AREAWIDE REVIEW (AUAR) Community Development Director Janish reviewed the Staff report in regard to the comments Andover City Council Special Meeting Minutes – September 23, 2025 Page 2 received ahead of the draft AUAR. He introduced Jennifer Haskamp from Swanson Haskamp Consulting. Ms. Haskamp gave a presentation to the Council on the preparation of the draft AUAR. She reviewed the AUAR process and the public comments received. She shared they received comments from the Coon Creek Watershed District, Met Council, the Minnesota DNR, the MPCA, MnDOT, and the National Park Service. She added they also received comments from 37 residents. She explained the key themes of these comments were around questioning the density of Scenarios 1 and 2, concerns with traffic and roadway connections, concerns with the capacity of utilities, concerns with impacts to wetlands and wildlife, as well as some general comments about public services, such as the capacity impacts on the Police and Fire Departments and schools. She noted a number of these questions will be answered during the study or through different reviews throughout the process. She added all commenters will receive a copy of the responses to the comments. Motion by Councilmember Godfrey, Seconded by Councilmember Engelhardt, to adopt Resolution No. R097-25, ordering preparation of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the Fields of Andover. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Schue, Seconded by Councilmember Shafto, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Barthel declared the Special Meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ava Major, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.