Minutes - Planning Commission - 02/07/1995 - Public Hearing @ 7:37

Home

February 7, 1995 TO: City of Ramsey Planning Commission FROM: A1Kempf 15220 St. Francis Blvd. Ramsey, Mn. 55303 In regard to the plat approval of Willow Ridge, I have some real concerns, about the Department of Transportation~s solution to the traffic problems on Highway 47. It is interesting to note that they are concerned about our safety!!! With present traffic on Hwy #47 it is very difficult to head south from 149th Lane in the early morning hours. Part of the problem is that very few cars comin~ south are following the posted speed limit. If someone does, invariably the cars behind him will forget that it is a no Passing zone. The other problem is the volume of traffic on #47. So, even when you pull out into what appears to be a safe opening you often have someone right on your bumper real quick. I am sure that people entering #47 from 149th Avenue have even a worse problem going south in the morning. Making 149th Lane a 4-way intersection with no con- trols will make our access to #47 even less safe. Besides that, more cars will be making left turns in the evening right around the curve and over the hill. It sounds like more rear-end accidents to me. It would appear to me that the traffic from the new development should be directed to 153rd or 149th Avenue with a light probably at 153rd or maybe both. A light at 153rd would create gaps in the traffic to allow the local traffic further south to safely enter onto the highway. I agree that 152nd Ave. is not a safe entrance to Highway 47. That's why I very rarely use it. However, I don't believe that the Highway Department has any feel at all for the real problem if they think a 4-way intersection at 149th Lane will solve the problem. They appar- ently don't think there is a problem at County Road 5 (Nowthen Blvd) and Highway 47 either. P.S. I had hoped I could be at the public hearing but I can't seem to be able to free myself from other commitments. If members of the commission are interested in discussing this further with me please feel free to contact me.