Metro briefs: Burnsville City Council approves landfill expansion

Waste Management wants to expand the landfill by 26 million cubic yards, including solid waste from the nearby Freeway Transfer landfill. The plan is opposed by many officials and residents across the river in Bloomington, who worry about unsightliness, odor and water pollution.

The council approved the plan with 35 conditions that Waste Management must meet, including a certificate of need from the state.

Erin Adler

Citing concerns over parking, the Stillwater City Council has again rejected a plan to remodel the historic National Guard Armory into apartments, office space and potentially a distillery or brewery.

The council had denied a similar reuse plan in February over concerns about the compact size of parking spaces planned for the indoor garage in the building's lower level.

The owner, CVII Holdings, revised the indoor parking layout in its request for another conditional use permit, which was approved by the Planning Commission. But the council voted 3-2 to deny the permit.

CVII paid $610,000 last year for the 96-year-old building on E. Chestnut Street, with plans to turn it into office and commercial space. But the council's long-term plans for downtown parking have restricted its redevelopment options.

Anoka County is putting more money into its budget to upgrade Chomonix Golf Course in Lino Lakes.

The County Board recently agreed to pull $250,000 from the county's asset preservation fund for upgrades at the clubhouse and to replace golf course equipment, including about $89,000 for clubhouse siding and $40,000 for restroom work. The county also is moving ahead with hiring new management and bringing in a golf industry consultant.

Commissioners have been weighing the course's fate after learning that it had a net operating deficit of nearly $642,000 from 2014 to 2018. They decided last month to keep the course open three more years to see if it can be turned around.

Chomonix needs about $1 million in upgrades over the next five years, according to county staff.

Hannah Covington

The $112,000 grant was awarded by the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources, in collaboration with nearby cities and the Long Lake Waters Association.

Long Lake, Wolsfeld Lake, School Lake and Holy Name Lake are among area lakes with impaired water, said district official Brian Beck.

The district will study the best methods for keeping excessive nutrients out of the water, which happens when surrounding areas are developed. The nutrients disturb a lake's natural ecosystem.