Rochester Township orders study of construction impact on unique heron rookery Rochester-area rookery shares woods with proposed development. May 14, 2021 5:04pm Text size Copy shortlink:
The great blue herons nesting in their once-secret rookery in the woods near Rochester continue to stir up controversy. Now they are getting some lift from township officials.
On Thursday, the Rochester Township board agreed to study whether a proposed housing development that would cut through the unusual nesting grounds would significantly affect the majestic birds.
The environmental assessment was requested by Save the Rookery, a group created to protect the previously undocumented colony. Its petition now contains more than 1,400 signatures.
The estimated cost, however, remains $262,000 beyond existing funds.
State Destination Medical Center funds are expected to contribute $848,000 this year, and city staff has identified $198,000 in additional funds.
Mayor Kim Norton, who serves as vice chairwoman on the state DMC Corp. board, said she believes the board supports contributing more to the project in future years.
Deputy City Administrator Aaron Parrish said the $484,000 was all that has been approved.
“We initially requested a higher amount that would have included the entire project,” he said.
No additional funding is earmarked in the multiyear DMC spending plan, which drew criticism from Norton and former council president Randy Staver last year. At the time, DMCC board members voiced a willingness to consider additional funds in the future, noting the plan is updated each year.
Rochester council will review plans to address deficiencies in six downtown blocks and connected side streets. 6:30 am, Feb. 20, 2021 ×
Options for addressing nearly $1.7 million in sidewalk improvements along six downtown blocks of Broadway Avenue and connected portions of southwest First and Third streets will be discussed Monday.
The topic is as part of the Rochester City Council’s 3:30 p.m. study session and will detail an estimated $632,000 shortfall in dedicated funding.
The cost estimates do not include lighting upgrades, which would add at least $1 million to the work, or heated pathways to assist in snow removal, which is estimated to cost $1.3 million.
Mayor Kim Norton said the city gets frequent complaints about violations that can’t always be confirmed.
“We get calls daily about people violating,” she said, suggesting council action should seek to deter businesses from claiming an advantage over others by violating state restrictions.
Olmsted County Public Health closed Dooley’s Pub and Legends Bar & Grill on separate occasions for concerns related to COVID-19 restrictions. Both businesses worked with public health staff to address concerns and reopened.
Staver was joined by council members Mark Bilderback and Patrick Keane in opposing the restriction for future funding, but they were outvoted 4-3.