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Waite Park council approves Sundial Drive reconstruction after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing, the Waite Park City Council approved reconstruction of Sundial Drive, including new curb, gutter, sidewalks and pedestrian improvements, while the city will absorb most roadway costs and adjacent property owners face assessments limited to new components.
Waite Park — The Waite Park City Council voted Feb. 17 to approve the Sundial Drive reconstruction project, following a public hearing in which business owners and staff debated the scope and assessments.
The project will convert Sundial Drive to a curb-and-gutter urban section, add sidewalks on both sides, install storm sewer and provide a two-way center left-turn lane. City staff told the council that the city will cover the majority of the roadway cost and that adjacent property owners will be assessed only for the new components — curb, gutter, sidewalk and related storm sewer — consistent with past assessment practice under Minnesota Statutes 429.011–429.111.
“Basically, Sundial Drive corridor started as an industrial park and it’s certainly transitioning a little bit,” a city staff presenter said during the hearing, noting the pavement condition and growing pedestrian needs. The presenter encouraged property owners to review the mailed assessment roll and said the city would maintain any new sidewalks.
Several business owners opposed parts of the plan at the hearing. Randy Vuluth, president of DJV Label at 520 Sundial Drive, said his manufacturing operation relies on frequent truck movements and that sidewalks would create safety and operational impediments for large trucks. “We alone have between 10 and 15 trucks entering our property daily,” Vuluth said. “We were hoping to be doing an expansion in the next years, but if this passes, I would have to look at and see if it is good for our business.”
Staff told the council an appraisal will be completed for affected parcels; staff characterized the mailed assessment figures as a worst-case estimate and said appraisals could reduce assessed amounts. The city also said Sundial Drive is not eligible for state aid funding and that the project fits the city’s street improvement budget, with assessments intended to stretch available dollars.
After questions about assessment limits, maintenance and financing, the council moved and seconded the resolution to proceed with the Sundial Drive project as presented. One member recorded an objection during the voice vote; the motion passed.
The council’s resolution and the assessment roll will remain available for property owners to review, and staff said a more detailed assessment hearing will follow project completion to finalize payment terms.
