The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a resolution Feb. 18 authorizing permanent and temporary easement acquisitions along 105th Avenue for a planned roundabout involving land owned by the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
City Attorney Eric Larson said the city is proceeding through a condemnation “quick take,” explaining that one method of acquiring or expanding city right of way is to seek court approval through a condemnation process. He added that most acquisitions are typically handled through negotiation.
Because of the limited construction window from spring through fall, Larson said the city needs certainty that it will obtain title to the property in time to keep the 105th Avenue development on schedule.
“Basically, what this is is the process to secure acquisition of that property, so we can go forward with construction on that roundabout for this important development,” Larson said. “I just want to underscore that there have been, for many many months now, discussions with the Metropolitan Airports Commission with respect to how to facilitate this acquisition in a way that hopefully works well for them as well as the city.”
Council approval allows negotiations to continue among the developer and the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Larson said. He noted that the council did not approve additional right-of-way acquisition costs to the north, and that property to the south, also owned by the commission, has already been budgeted.
City Manager Erik Thorvig said the roundabout proposal was presented to both the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, which owns and operates the National Sports Center and leases the property.
Thorvig said the Sports Center expressed particular interest in how the roundabout could affect the nearby golf course and soccer fields.
A meeting was held with city staff, the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, Larson, a representative of the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Anoka County officials. Thorvig said the group discussed multiple options in the area, including the roundabout and “potential changes” to Radisson Road and 105th Avenue.
The outcome of that meeting was a direction to staff to review modifications to the roundabout plan to address access concerns raised by the Sports Center. Staff, Sports Center representatives and an airport commission representative met again Feb. 13, and Thorvig said conceptual ideas have since been discussed.
Council Member Tom Newland asked whether property on the south side of 105th Avenue would be included in the right-of-way acquisition.
Larson said a permanent easement would cover the southern portion of the roundabout and surrounding land, along with a temporary easement around that area. The temporary easement would last six months and provide construction lay-down space. After that period, the area would be restored to its prior condition.
The easement area also includes one side of a forthcoming pedestrian bridge associated with the development, Larson said. He added that a strip of land north of the roundabout would also be permanent, with surrounding temporary construction easements.
Council Member Chris Ford asked for clarification on the acquisition process, saying he understood eminent domain to be a legal last resort.
Larson said condemnation is a customary tool used by cities when acquiring land for roadways and right of way. While it can serve as a last resort, he said most public entities prefer to negotiate.
“And even as they’re going through the eminent domain process, there’s negotiation with the various property owners,” Larson said. “…This is going to be a three month process. We have three months to either get this negotiated, or get title and make sure that we can construct on time.”
Ford asked whether the city would incur additional legal fees if there is pushback. Larson said he presumed legal costs would fall under the master development agreement and that he did not anticipate disputes over public purpose. He said discussions would more likely center on location, size and timing.