Yup, it’s that time again! Another installment of random shit that’s happening around the South Metro:
1. They’re at it again, law makers in Northfield and Jordan are trying to get the gag order keeping discussions about a “Dan Patch” commuter rail line from Northfield to the metro from happening lifted.
Personally I feel that gag orders are fucking ridiculous in government and should be abolished. As long as they’re just talking and not spending money, I’m fine with it. The more talking they do, the less likely they’ll actually end up spending anything because they’re too busy arguing over stupid bullshit.
2. While ISD 191′s superintendent asked to have his salary capped at current levels to help save money (more from Thisweek), ISD 192′s jerkoff super, Brad Meeks, is being a grubby motherfucker and still hasn’t given up his raise that he so does not deserve.
Hey Brad? Stop being a fucking dumbass and just take the salary cap already. You’re a fucking douchebag anyway, at least raise your street cred a notch, ok? Sheesh.
3. Rosemount took citizen input on the sign ordinance at an open house on March 24th and will be looking for more at a public hearing in late April.
4. Apple Valley councilmember Ruth Grendahl agrees with everyone here that Elizabeth Kautz is a slimy and tricky little bitch that has her sticky little fingers where they don’t belong. Grendahl accused Kautz of favoring a law firm to handle MVTA business which gladly donated to Kautz’ campaign. You can read even more in a letter submitted to the Star Tribune here.
Personally I think that they’re all fucking dirty but I like to see a good bit of ownage, so go Ruth!
5. The Savage Pacer is giving free ad space disguised as an article to the Burnsville PAC.
Hey local media? Stop fucking wasting precious space with bullshit kthx.
6. Savage’s main artery connecting it to Prior Lake (27 and 44) is undergoing a $25,000 study to determine which is the best way for that connection to occur and one of the options is a ridiculous roundabout.
I attended a Savage city council meeting where they briefly discussed this topic and the council was told that whenever an intersection is studied one of the mandated options to consider is whether or not to put in a fucking roundabout. I think we just like to waste time and money.
7. The Craigslist murder trial began this week. The Asperger’s defense was denied but they are still confident that they will keep their client from spending the rest of his life in jail (surprising, I know).
8. Couple of items from the Star Tribune’s South Metro Town Briefs:
- Burnsville is hosting a “comedy camp” at the hysterically wasteful Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $40 to $60 and you too can laugh at the ridiculousness of the event.
- Lakeville wants to separate itself from Apple Valley and actually have trees. As such, they are offering up to 4 trees per household which range in price from $26 to $44. For questions call: 952-985-2712
9. I alluded to this in the Medical Marijuana Bill Poll but the other night at Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz was apparently livid over the idea that Dunkin Donuts have changed their minds and are now looking to put a shop in the Heart of the Shitty™. The horrible part? They want a fucking drive-through! The horror! To this Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz reportedly said, “if you want to get donuts, you can get out of your car!” loud enough for many in the restaurant to hear.
If there’s something to get upset over, it’s a fucking drive-through. Kautz, please never get voted out, I’m not sure I could even make shit up as funny as you provide to me. Idiot.
So what do you think of Kautz, should we let her stay in office just so we can continue to point and laugh or should we help the taxpayers of Burnsville out of the mess their fellow voters apparently enjoy? Should we make up Lazy Lightning t-shirts which read: “Lazy Lightning: DONUTS? GET OUT OF YOUR CAR!”? Maybe instead we could go with “I <3 Burnsville Drive-thrus" bumperstickers? Go ahead and comment on about any of the above items, I want to hear what you have to say!
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March 25th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
So, there’s a business that wants to locate in Heart of the City that will actually probably draw a lot of people (some think DD is overrated, and maybe it is, but nonetheless it has a lot fans) and she’s opposed to it? Wow.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I have to agree with Tim 100%. I think that little story sums up everything I have seen about Mayor Kautz. She just does not get that businesses have options, and in some cases they will choose to do things thier way, not her way. I think that statement goes a long way to understanding why there are so few businesses in the HOC.
While we are on the subject, has anyone else noticed that the MCC seems to tower over both the park and the Liquor store? Its not finished, so maybe something will change, but right now it looks like ANYTHING but a planned addition to what is supposed to be a walking community.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Two things to note:
1. There is a restriction on the number of lanes permitted in the HOC district. I cannot find any specifics but I know that there are archived Planning Commission discussions for two or more.
2. Mayor Kautz fucking loves Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine–a little too much to be appropriate in my opinion. They already have competition from Caribou and I can only imagine that if Dunkin Donuts gets their way (and they should), it would fucking decimate the two businesses without drive-thru access.
So, while it doesn’t make much sense that Kautz would be against a business coming into the HOC and being successful, I suppose I can see her twisted logic. One business instead of three including one that she probably has some sort of personal interest in?
March 25th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I am all for local and small business owners and would hate to see them loose out to a big chain, but Jo Jo’s is not very good and they dont serve donuts.
If they are afraid of loosing thier coffee business to a donut shop, perhaps they should change the business model. Less wine, lower prices, and better food?
As an example, you could put a Leann Chins in right next door to Ronin, I would still eat at Ronin. You could put an Olive Garden right next to Guiseppes, I would still go to Guiseppes. Etc, Etc. If people are choosing Caribou or Dunkin Donuts over Jo Jo’s, well thats kinda thier own fault.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Chad,
Regarding placing Leeann Chin next to Ronin. Way back in July you said, “One caveat, I would never have gone into a place called a Sushi Cafe if I had not read the review on here.”
Being that you’re tuned in to the local restaurant world, you are more likely to eat at a place that’s far superior to chains but by your own admission you probably wouldn’t have eaten at a place that had sushi in the name if you hadn’t known better. While I don’t believe that you would have picked a chain instead, I have a feeling that the vast majority of people traveling past the HOC will choose a chain over any restaurant in that area based solely on name recognition alone. “Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine? Wine at 7 AM? Fuck that, I want Bou.”
March 25th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
“If you want to cross the street, walk down to the next traffic light!”
Personally, I’m dying for a Dunkin’ Donuts around here, I’ve been jonesing for them since I moved here 12 years ago!
March 25th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
To be fair, the Heart of the City has a zoning ordinance against drive through lanes at restaurants.
That said, I sense that the Mayor’s relationship with JoJo’s is more than just one of businessperson to government official. If the decision came between helping Burnsville land a new business in the HOC vs. loyalty and protection of the interests of JoJo’s, I personally believe the Mayor would act in support of the latter.
It’s an interesting conundrum for her. I would be fascinated to ask the Mayor “If Dunkin wants to open without a drive through, would you do everything possible to welcome and encourage the business expanding to the community?”
March 25th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Bill you are 100% correct in your last post. I think the name does have some impact on peoples choice of a place to eat. What I was trying to point out was that if I know someplace is good, I am going to choose that place over other competitors every time.
If Jo Jos provides a good and unique service/food/option to people, they should not be worried about a donut shop opening near by. I happen to agree with you. The name alone is just screaming stay away. Personally, I have been in for coffee a couple times, and while the people were friendly, the food was average at best, and I dont really get into wine or coffee. I would say Jo Jo’s is a direct competitor to the Savage Depot and possibly Pardon My French. While I do think that Dunkin Donuts would thrive, and I think that they would cut into the business that Jo Jo’s does, I was trying to point out that they have nobody to blame but themselves. If they offered a distinct product and a value (price/quality/location/ambiance/etc) that other places could not match, they would not need to worry about a DUNKIN DONUTS.
Seriously, the place screams yuppy snob, and they are worried about a donut shop taking thier business?
They mayor clearly has a conflict of interest. It is interesting what MSPD pointed out about the zoning though. If thats the rule, its the rule, but perhaps someone needs to determine if it is preventing viable businesses from moving into the area.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I can only locate references to HOC having the ordinance, nothing more specific than that. There were discussions for people who wanted more than one drive-thru lane.
Perhaps if they really want to get one, they should buy t-shirts and/or bumperstickers with the above logo, I’m sure that’ll get them a lot of points w/the mayor ;-)
March 25th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
You and Mr. Marcos, both! I think he looks forward to Dunkin’ Donuts coffee as much as spending time with the family when we vacation in New York!
March 25th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
No drive-thrus in the Heart of the City? Open your eyes people!!! There is already a property with 4 drive-thrus in the Heart of the City today!!
Oh wait, the old vacant TCF Bank with 4 drive-thrus, and spray painted sign, that sits there empty as an eye sore and one of dozens of reminders to Mayor Kautz that her HOC is a failure, not generating tax revenue, probably does not count.
Dunkin’ Donuts should move into that space and use the vacuum tube delivery system to deliver donuts and coffee to drive-thru customers. Heck, I would go there just to see that delivery system of hot coffee and donuts.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I may be in the minority here but I actually like going to JoJo’s. The place is friendly, and it’s sort of nice to have a gathering place to meet some friends. For sure, Caribou and the old Starbucks have better coffee, but they just don’t quite do it for me.
I’ve seen Kautz in JoJo’s numerous times. I guess if I lived only a few steps away I too would be in the joint sipping coffee morning and night. If anything, it’s good PR to make yourself available to those you govern. Now, I’m no fan of Kautz, but she is approachable.
Next time I see her, I will have no problem suggesting that the logical thing to do about the current crosswalk is to simply eliminate it. People who want to cross the street should walk a half-block to a controlled intersection.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Thought Leader — maybe you should open your eyes. ;-) No drive through RESTAURANTS. And the old TCF building predates the HOC zoning and is slated for demolition. The zoning ordinances are available throught the Burnsville city web site.
Lyn, I enjoy JoJo’s as well for what it is. The staff are pleasant and the atmosphere is nice. When I needed to do some work the other night, I chose to go there instead of Caribou. I also agree that Mayor Kautz is approachable.
Speaking as a father of three small children who has crossed from JoJo’s and the former Double Dip to the HOC park many, many times, I just don’t see a need to make any changes to it at all. If anything, some better signage/crosswalk markings and maybe posting a police officer there (which they already do from time-to-time). If someone is determined to cross the street in front of moving cars, they are going to do it with or without a stoplight. I would venture to guess that, statistically, just as many people get hit by cars at controlled intersections as they do at uncontrolled ones.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I have to admit that while I have been to JoJo’s, I have only enjoyed a hot cider. I have looked at the menu on several different occasions and just never saw anything that made it seem worthwhile for me to drive from AV to go there. In fact, on Saturday when Kim and I went to Taqueria La Hacienda #3 I had first suggested JoJo’s and Kim shot it down. I’m glad she made the choice she did. I have to note that I did find the service to be very friendly although the space was not terribly comfortable.
MSPD, can you link to the HOC ordinances for drive-thrus? I can’t find them and I’m interested in reading up on them.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Jo Jos is a nice place, and I wish them success, but when even the people defending them say that Caribou and a CLOSED Starbucks have better coffee, thats probably a sign that things are not all roses.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am
http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=468
Title 10 – Zoning
Chapter 22B: Heart of the City
10-22B-4: CONDITIONAL USES
“Drive-through lanes serving permitted or conditional uses, except for restaurants, for which drive-through lanes are not allowed in the HOC district….”
March 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Here is the link to the ordinance that covers drive-thru’s and restaurants in the Burnsville City code:
http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=468
March 26th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Sorry, the link doesn’t get you to the page.
from the above posted link go to Title 10, Chapter 22B, item 10-22B-4: CONDITIONAL USES:
Sorry but you can’t link to the exact page of the code.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:33 am
KJ, thanks. I used what you had there and got this link which seems to get you right to the important section: http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/getBookData.php?id=&chapter_id=22217&keywords=
March 26th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’m personally not that concerned about no DD or drive-thru’s in the HOC, I don’t go down there often and it’s mostly because I can’t get what I want or need there. The last time I went down to the HOC area was to get flowers for my wife on her birthday, knowing there was a flower shop next to Jensen’s Cafe in the Grand Market Place. When I got there at 5:50 pm, even though the sign said they were opened until 6:00 pm, the lights were out and the doors were locked. Nobody home so I took my business elsewhere. Their loss.
As a resident of Burnsville, I have a vested interest in the success of the HOC and PAC, not that I would have voted for any of it. But now that I am a stakeholder (so to speak), I’m in it for the long haul and can’t get out unless I pick up and move. The decisions to build this all have been made and there is no use crying about it now, but if this whole area fails (which it appears to be doing at this point), then it’s just going to cost us residents even more.
I’m more concerned about the level of ranker, rhetoric, mis-statements and outright falsehoods being fed to the citizens of Burnsville by our elected officials and city staff. And disgusted by the inept reporting of John Gessner at ThisWeek newpapers. He truly is the City and the Mayor’s #1 cheerleader and his articles are almost always propaganda rather than news. Truly pathetic!
Thanks to you Bill. I just found your site about a week ago and was pleasantly surprised to see there were so many people here expressing the same thoughts I was having. I knew I wasn’t alone but rather than become Burnsville’s #2 pain in the ass, I’d rather be their #1 in your face, call them on their lies and rhetoric citizen.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am
An efficient drive through for DD in Heart of the City could be a good business opportunity to capture the traffic on its way to the transit station or en route to the 35W on ramp. People who otherwise would not want to get out of their cars if the on-street parking spots are open in front of JoJos, or at Caribou for example, run in to get a cup of coffee and get back in their car and on the road. People for sure would not park in one of the HOC ramps & walk to a coffee shop for morning on-the-road coffee – it would take too much time. So, a drive thru would be nice. That being said, depending on where DD was located, access back onto Nicollet could be difficult during rush hours–traffic is already bad there. HOC was designed to be “pedestrian friendly” which is why the on-street parking is limited. However, after several years of operation (including years before the economy turned), the design has not been business friendly. It will be interesting to see if the City modifies its zoning to accept the reality that the Ped-Friendly intent of the design is not working. DD would capture a lot of the rush/drive business, but the sit down and chat, enjoy a cuppa customers would likely still go to JoJos or Caribou, which is no different than what is happening now.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:49 am
No A&Ws in the HOC! http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2009/03/aw_bringing_mor.php
March 26th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
KJ captured alot of my thoughts, although I would disagree with the part about not going to HOC. We do most of our grocery shopping at either Cub in HOC or Target in Burnsville, and from the huge amount of traffic in the area, it seems others do as well.
Put in a Dunkin Donuts, its another business. Adds a couple jobs. Adds to the tax base. And it would give commuters in thier cars a chance to grab morning coffee as Whit said, and possibly draw a few people down into the area who might not normally go there.
March 26th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
The location in question for Dunkin is the old Starbucks at the end of the Cub strip mall.
If they were smart, the MVTA would lure a Dunkin INTO the Transit Station(s). My last Dunkin Donut purchase was at the PATH Train Station (the train from northern New Jersey into Manhattan) in Woodbridge, New Jersey.
March 26th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hey Lyn: re: #12. Be sure to report back here about what she says. I’d be curious to find out about her reaction to hearing your opinion.
March 26th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
MSPD, thats kinda deep when you think about it. Starbucks closed the location as an underperformer, and now Dunkin Donuts wants to move into the location, with the caveat of a drive through.
I wonder if Starbucks ever asked for a drive through at that location, and if it had been allowed, would they still be in business?
I also wonder if they mayor has stopped to think that she might drive Dunkin Donuts to close the location before they ever open it if she does not allow the drive through?
Can anyone here give me a convincing reason why a drive through would be a bad thing? There is no foot traffic to speak of at that spot, assuming the drive through would go where the cement padio area/parking area is currently, to the edge of the building now. It already a huge parking lot, so there would be no issues with traffic getting on and off Nicollet or 13.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I think it might bring some more traffic to the area. Sounds like it needs it. We go to that area once in a while to go to the Jensen’s Cafe for breakfast. That place has some tasty breakfast. Last time we went with our two year old though and they put us in what basically looked like a closet with no doors. Thanks assholes.
No one commented on the Dan Patch line. That is an interesting story, but I’m not sure if it’s feasible. I do think they should plan for a possibility of using that line at some point in the future though. I’m thinking the south metro will look a little different and be a little more populated 30 years from now. Right now there is another interesting story on those tracks. They are being used for rail storage by a local line company. Lakeville is trying to get the feds to give them power to stop it. If you have driven down 50 lately you’ll see that the rail cars do make the town look like shit. It looks like it has to be 10 miles of continuous tank cars.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
For those of you interested in the hoopla surrounding the drive-thrus in the HOC, you’ll want to attend (or watch on TV or the Internet) the May 5th Burnsville City Council meeting.
You can see the entire agenda here: http://service.govdelivery.com/docs/MNBURNSV/MNBURNSV_2/MNBURNSV_2_20090505_en.pdf (PDF) but the relevant piece is this:
I don’t know the specifics of the location inside that parking lot, but I have to say that I cannot see one single reason why a drive-through would not be permitted in that sprawling strip mall parking lot.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I thought Dee Dee Currier’s rationale for her vote ((1)’this is a pedestrian area’ and (2) ‘why would people sitting in the patio want to be next to cars waiting in a drive through’), was weak. (1) Despite all intentions, HOC is NOT a pedestrian friendly area. The sidewalks are empty. The plan did not work. Next step in problem solving is to see what can be done to turn this area around – here is a major national tenant with major customer loyalty wanting to enter into a lease during an economic downturn, and you are going to turn them down? Way to cut off your nose to spite your face. (2) Regarding drive thrus next to patios, I direct you to the Starbucks off CR 46 in Lakeville. The patio is right next to the drive thru. The drive thru is efficiently run, and cars rarely back (if ever) back up to the point that people are breathing exhaust fumes. Secondly, the early morning rush is when this drive thru is going to be at capacity, and at that time of day, no matter the season, I don’t see a lot of people sitting outside at coffee shop patios. The whole Cub Foods lot is not a pedestrian friendly area – you’ve got people driving their to get their groceries, for goodness sake – I have yet to see a pedestrian walking around in HOC toting bags of groceries. Recognize reality, and make the change.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
“6. Savage’s main artery connecting it to Prior Lake (27 and 44) is undergoing a $25,000 study to determine which is the best way for that connection to occur and one of the options is a ridiculous roundabout. ”
I’ll do it for $10,000. In half the time.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
“Studies” drive me nuts. What a way to suck money out of the food chain without providing an actual product or filling an actual need. Schools especially get sucked in by $$$ “studies” and “consultants”.
Ditto to all of your comments on D-Donuts. Advice to the mayor and city council: FILL UP ALL OF THE EMPTY RETIAL SPACE IN BURNSVILLE WITH ANY VIABLE BUSINESS THAT IS WILLING TO MOVE IN. And give up on some of your control-freak rules.
JoJo’s. The owners are great people, but the space is a tad uncomfortable and the food is seriously lacking.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Sandy, I 100% agree.
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
[...] I mentioned here, Burnsville’s City Council will face the issue of whether or not to approve a drive-through [...]