Minutes - Council - 03/21/1995 - Public Hearing

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Jeff Menth, 14726 Ramsey Boulevard N.W., Ramsey, commented that we have a bridge going through Anoka that has one lane and he sees them building a four-lane highway. He inquired what Anoka's plan is. Mr. Weaver stated there is no committed plan through the City of Anoka. Ernie Larson, 7229 - 153rd Lane N.W., Ramsey, stated that tonight is the first he has heard about another bridge crossing the river. He commented there are four bridges crossing the Mississippi in the area right now. He questioned if our efforts should be to get more bridges across the Rum River instead. Our problem exists crossing the Mississippi River. Anoka County does not exist on both sides of the Mississippi; however, they do exist on both sides of the Rum River. He felt that maybe the County and the State would both go along with this idea. Mr. Johnson stated that with gl01 being widened, the pressure will be relieved somewhat between Sherburne and Anoka Counties; however it will not be relieved enough. He stated that he and Mr. Klusak had suggested that Ramsey be proactive and move this bridge crossing forward. He agreed with the east line because that's where the force really needs to be. The City of Dayton is a key but MnDOT, Hennepin County, Anoka County and the Cities of Anoka and Ramsey should pull together to make this happen and the greatest benefit will be to the City of Ramsey. Ben Deemer, 14501 Sunfish Lake Boulevard N.W., Ramsey, pointed another error (an area zoned business that should not be) on the map. Councilmember Peterson stated that one of the issues we dealt with was the ratio of commercial to residential. The City of Ramsey has kept a significant number of acres of industrial property - it might have been set aside due to the proposed airport which is not a reality any more. We now have to deal with what to do with this land. We have changed some areas to mixed residential but kept a good amount of commercial to provide a good tax base. Some of this has come about as a result of the Metropolitan Council's continuing decision to expand our urban service area. We continue to put cars on Highway gl0. We probably cannot extend our urban service area if we do not resolve some of our problems on Highway gl0. We are also dealing with a gridlock on Highway g47. Mayor Hardin stated that one of the items we discussed was focusing on expansion of Highway gl0 rather than putting a lot of energy into the bridge crossing. We all like to have a short drive to work. If we expanded Highway gl0 to three lanes each way, it would bring more businesses here. Keith, a former resident, stated he lived in Ramsey for about 20 years and moved out of the area because of Highway g47. It's a shame to spend so much time on that discussion. He suggested that the City of Anoka has a habit of staying its own way. Ramsey has to do something to allow growth - Anoka doesn't care - they want to stay small. Ramsey has to do something - this has been a discussion for 30 years. "Take the initiative to make it happen". Robert Stoll, 17940 St. Francis Boulevard N.W., Ramsey, stated that the horse trail is a "bunch of baloney". This will bring the need for more police officers plus we will also have motorcycles driving on the trails. This should be ruled out. Mark Peterson, 15810 Traprock Street N.W., Ramsey, noted that the equestrian trails will be starting in his neighborhood. Right now the only place for horses to go is down his street to get to the trail. Part of the problem he's experiencing is hoof tracks/prints in his driveway. With snowmobiles being allowed, he felt that would create more problems. Horses and snowmobiles do not stick to trails and there will not be a lot of policing going on. Public Hearing/City Council/March 21, 1995 Page 6 of 10