Briefs: MnDOT approves Rosemount station

Construction of a transit station in downtown Rosemount has won the approval of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority announced.

Work on the station, to be located near City Hall, should begin in July and is expected to be largely completed in November, with service scheduled to start in December.

The station will be heated and cooled and have a restroom as well as a canopy for those who want to wait outside for buses.

The site will have 102 parking space, as well as bike racks and lockers and benches.

Hearing setting on UMore mining plan Rosemount will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall tio discuss proposed gravel mining at the UMore Park property south of County Road 42.

Public comments will be taken on the application by Dakota Aggregates LLC for an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance to allow the mining, which may last 40 years. The zoning ordinance amendment would set requirements that would regulate the mining.

The Planning Commission might hold a second public hearing in March before sending a recommendation to the City Council on the proposed ordinance change in April.

Those unable to attend the hearing may send comments before the hearing to the Planning Commission at 2875 W. 145th St., Rosemount, MN 55068.

Business plan classes set March 6 and 13 A free class called "How to Write a Business Plan" will be held March 6 at Burnhaven Library in Burnsville.

The class, and a repeat session on March 13, will run from 6:30-8 p.m. at the library, 1101 W. County Road 42.

The classes are offered by the Dakota County Library and WomenVenture. For more information, call 651-450-2900.

Food shelf gardening kick off on Thursday People interested in gardening and helping those in need are invited to a the Garden to Table Mission Gardener Kick Off on Thursday.

This year's Garden to Table goal is to grow 35,000 pounds of fresh produce for distribution to families in need.

The session runs from 6-8:30 p.m. at Mount Calvary Lutheran church, 3930 Rahn Road in Eagan. For more information, go to www.eaganrc.org. RSVP to Lisa Horn, executive director of the Eagan and Lakeville resource centers, by e-mail at lisahorn@eaganrc.org or by phone at 651-605-2881. Include your name, your organization name, contact information and names of people who will be attending.

New route sought for North Urban Regional Trail The search for a route for the North Urban Regional Trail continues now that Dodge Nature Center has scuttled county plans for a trail through its property.

The County Board voted last week to consider all alternative routes and the possibility of still finding a way through the nature center in West St. Paul.

Among the options might be running the trail north from Hwy. 110 along Warrior Drive or Delaware Avenue to Marie Avenue, where it would run east to meet an existing trail at Garlough Elementary.

That has frustrated county officials, who have a $709,000 federal grant in hand -- with a 2013 expiration date -- to help pay for that 1.1-mile segment of trail. When they applied for the grant, it was with the understanding that Dodge Nature Center would allow the trail construction. County staff said they could seek a one-year extension on the grant if necessary.

LAURIE BLAKE, JIM ADAMS KATIE HUMPHREY

Campsite reservation begins Thursday The reservation period for campgrounds at Lake Byllesby and Lebanon Hills regional parks will open at 10 a.m. Thursday. The camping season runs May 2-Oct. 14.