Agenda - Council - 12/09/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Steve Jankowski Paul & Tina Miller [paultinamiiler@comcast.net~ From: Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 7;05 PM Tc: Steve Jankowski pc; pavid Jeffrey Potential Traffic Modifications west of TH 47 Subject: Mr, Steven 7ankowski: Given the importance of this proposal I would normally be attending this meeting, as I have numerous 'times in the past for related issues, but I have prior commitments, so I am writing this letter to continue my ongoing participation. My wife and I live at 141.38 Argon St. and-are directly affected by this proposal. We have lived at this address sine 1995 and have witnessed numerous accidents at Th 47 and 142nd. St,,,,...T was a first responder to the accident that claimed the life of Nick Sodergren. I have also been a long time witness to the cut-thru traffic that occurs every morning and. every. afternoon at the corner of Argon St. and 142nd. This corner is also a school bus. stop and further tragedy is only avoided by constant vigilance of parent volunteers who stand on this corner every morning watching over the kids until the school bus comes. We are constantly amazed (on a daily basis) by the number of vehicles that attempt to find a short-cut on Argon St. thru Mallard Ponds in order to avoid the intersection at Th 47 and Industrial Blvd, My wife and I are strong supporters of the proposal to close 1.42nd..,.this would elima.nate the danger of cut-thru traffic and calm the overall-traffic in the neighborhood considerably. Our access to TH 47 is via Nowthen Blvd.. orters of the and causes no undue :inconvenience. However, we are not supp potential to open Argon St. into the Mallard Ponds neighborhood. My neighbors and I were very involved in the opposition to the original Mallard Ponds proposal and worked hard to get to the final design that was eventually built. Mallard Ponds is a private development and should remain so. At no point in the original protess or numerous times since has the City ever convinced the Flintwood Hi11s yr Mallard Ponds neighborhoods that the current situation (with the emergency gate) does not work. To that end, we will continue to strongly oppose any attempt to open Argon St. into the Mallard Ponds neighborhood. Tn addition........Although not specifically covered in the letter I.received, I would be remiss~if I did not express my extreme displeasure with the current. configuration of the Th 47 northbound/southbound left turn lanes at 142nd. This intersection continues to be a danger and life threatening situations are a daily occurrence. The most recent narrowing of the turning throat to prevent traffic from crossing TH 47 has only made the situation worse. Vehicles still crass TN 47, and the left turning movements are simply gambles during rush hour, accidents are common. I believe it is only a matter ,of t1.me before another life is claimed at this intersection, I understand that this is not directly a City responsibility...that Mn/f1OT and the County are invnlved...but I do believe that the City has an obligation to protect its citizens. I believe that the City should take a strong stance and pressure Mn/DOT to close the left turn lanes on TW 47 at 142nd. Although I can not say it is a fact, I have been told that concessions were made to the Businesses at 142nd. However, no such concessions were made to the Businesses along Industrial at TH 47 when the left turn lanes were removed in those situations. At some point someone needs to decide what is more important...human life or business access...in the case of Th 47 and Industrial Blvd,, depending on which road you are on....we apparently have it both ways. i -161-