Minutes - Council - 04/25/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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and trail corridor should be removed from the map. Instead, narrative should be added to the comprehensive plan amendment directing that a corridor be identified in concert with the City of Andover somewhere along the Rum River. A Rum River bridge corridor would be moot if traffic congestion from T.H. #47 were redirected to 7th Avenue. Another comment made at the public hearing was that the thoroughfare plan needs to address some relief for the congestion on Highway #47. Staff is not suggesting any changes. The County Road #116 and T.H. #47 intersection will be upgraded by MnDOT/Anoka County within the 1995/1996 time frame. The City has budgeted for a corridor study for 1995 and set aside $300,000 in the 1998 CIP for corridor improvements. Mayor Hardin added that the City of Anoka is involved in a similar traffic study and he inquired of Mr. Weaver where his City was at with regard to that. John Weaver, Councilmember for the City of Anoka, stated that Anoka had a rather extensive meeting about a week ago. MnDOT's funding will not permit changes at Main Street and Ferry Street until 1999. They have indicated that this project is at the top of the list for the 5-year plan. Mr. Schroeder commented that just because a project is at the top of the priority list doesn't mean funding will be received. Mayor Hardin stated that alternatives will have to be discussed. Mr. Weaver stated that they have four alternatives, but no positive assurance they will receive funding. Councilmember Zimmerman felt that, with regard to Highway #47, the year 1998 seems to be too distant. We need to get some controlled intersections. We need to get some alternative funding. Councilmember Beyer agreed that this project better get moved ahead. With regard to reconsidering the proposal to plan for a Rum River bridge crossing corridor through the Boy Scout Camp, Councilmember Beyer stated that Staff suggested that come off; however, it is still shown on the map. Mr. Schroeder stated that Staff did not want to presume that changes made have received the "nod" from Council. The map is left as is until Council gives the word. Mayor Hardin added that the lines will be reviewed for wetlands, etc. Mr. Schroeder commented that the wetlands had just been reviewed. Ben Deemer, 14501 Sunfish Lake BOulevard N.W., Ramsey, disseminated a typed response to the items being discussed. He commented as follows: With regard to Staff's response to the opposition to the off-road trail system, he didn't understand where the figures 16,000 and 100 came from. He didn't feel the numbers were realistic or relevant to the issue. A person on horseback may travel several miles further than a person out for a casual stroll, therefore, in his opinion, the horse trail should be farther. He added "See how you can bend the issue with statistics and numbers". With regard to the opposition to a trail around Sunfish Lake, Mr. Deemer dissected Staff's response by stating that "Trail corridors protect and reduce these sensitive areas from the impacts of development" is poor grammar and can be made into two sentences which would not change the meaning as stated. For example, "Trail corridors protect these sensitive areas from the impacts of City Council/April 25, 1995 Page 7 of 23