Council supports Dorset Road cul‑de‑sac, backing Dakota County’s Delaware Avenue reconstruction plan

The Mendota Heights City Council voted Sept. 2 to support Dakota County’s planned reconstruction of Delaware Avenue that would remove the Dorset Road connection and replace it with a cul‑de‑sac on Dorset Road.

Assistant City Engineer Ritchie told council Dakota County plans to reconstruct Delaware Avenue in 2027; during that work the county’s design team identified the Dorset‑Delaware intersection as a candidate for removal. Ritchie said the existing Dorset approach has a 13.5% grade, well above the city’s usual 6% maximum except where topography warrants it, and that winter plowing and stopping at the intersection are operational challenges for public works. He said the county has acquired a vacant parcel on the northwest corner that may be demolished to improve sight lines and that the cul‑de‑sac would create a gentler 3–4% slope within the terminus area.

Ritchie summarized public outreach: mailed notices to nearby residents in June produced mixed responses (about four in favor, two opposed and two effectively 'no' responses); a planning‑commission hearing Aug. 26 drew four residents who spoke in favor; the planning commission then unanimously recommended council approval of the cul‑de‑sac alternative. Ritchie said both cul‑de‑sac and intersection‑rehabilitation alternatives would be funded through municipal state aid (MSA) funds and that property‑acquisition tasks are underway, led by Dakota County.

Residents, emergency responders and councilors asked detailed questions. Mary Kirby, who with her husband owns 3 Dorset Road, told council, “We are in favor of this proposal,” and expressed concern that stormwater runoff and the disposition of the vacated Dorset Road right‑of‑way be handled with a natural, easily maintained turf or landscape solution. Chief Kelly McCarty described why the city avoids speed bumps and similar traffic calming on its streets, saying, “Speed bumps, they don't go over very well” with plows; he and fire officials said they did not anticipate a meaningful emergency‑response access problem from the cul‑de‑sac but noted winter routing could vary.

Council debate was robust. Councilor Motzko opposed the resolution, arguing the city has a long-standing preference for through streets and that the record showed no documented crash history at the intersection over several decades; he said, “I cannot support this because I don't like long cul‑de‑sacs.” Mayor Levine and other councilors said the combination of steep grade, the county project, trail opportunity and improved sight lines made the cul‑de‑sac the preferable option. Councilors asked about length (Ritchie estimated about 600–620 feet), the affected number of homes (approximately 11 on Dorset Road), right‑of‑way impacts and the city’s expected share of local costs (Ritchie said the county-led JPA anticipates a roughly 15% local share split with West St. Paul, so Mendota Heights’ share would be approximately 7.5%).

Councilor Paper moved and the council seconded the resolution; the council approved Resolution 2025‑56 by voice vote. The resolution expresses support for removing the Dorset‑Delaware intersection, constructing a cul‑de‑sac on Dorset Road, and building a multi‑use trail along Delaware Avenue. Final design, bidding and construction are scheduled to follow: 30% plans reviewed, right‑of‑way acquisition in progress, final design in early 2026, bidding in summer 2026 and construction in 2027.

Staff and county leaders will continue right‑of‑way acquisition discussions and finalize trail alignment, storm‑sewer adjustments and other utility considerations before construction.