Rosemount rezonings create additional residential area Posted 12/22/00 by Aaron Tinklenberg Staff Writer A large section of land east of downtown Rosemount was rezoned by the City Council Tuesday. Although much of the area will be zoned for low-density residential development, the council ordinance also creates zones for general commercial, business park and public/institutional development. According to City Planner Rick Pearson, the zoning changes are a significant step in the implementation of Rosemountís Comprehensive Plan, a document that guides the cityís future development. The new general commercial parcel is located on the northeast corner of County Road 42 and Highway 3, where the Quonset hut is currently standing. Demolition of the Quonset hut is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Dec. 27. By removing that structure and promoting commercial development at that corner, the city hopes to create a more attractive entrance to downtown Rosemount. The creation of a public/institutional zone, which allows for governmental, educational, recreational and health-care uses, has drawn the ire of some landowners. The designation is being applied to land between Biscayne Avenue and the Canadian Pacific Railroad, north of the Union Pacific Railroad. Although the city feels the designation is in compliance with its Comprehensive Plan, two landowners in that area have expressed concern that the land would be better served as a residential area. According to Council Member John Edwards, by all indications the city had suggested the area wasnít appropriate for low-income or single-family housing. Several property owners also voiced concern that the new business park zone, straddling 145th Street, south and east of the Union Pacific Railroad, would render their properties nonconforming. However, the only property that will become nonconforming because of the ordinance is the Dakota County maintenance garage site, which will be low-density residential. The rezonings include only the land within the current Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). Although there are plans to create additional residential areas as well as an urban reserve further east of downtown, the city must wait until those areas are added to MUSA. ©Thisweek Newspapers