Minutes - Council - 08/12/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Presentation Assistant Public Works Director Olson stated that the streets included in this proposed project are 151st Street NW - between TH #47 Service and Fluorine Street NW; 152nd Avenue NW - between TH #47 Service and dead end; and Fluorine Street NW - between 151st Avenue NW and 152"~ Avenue NW. The informational meeting for Project 02-21 was held at 7:00 p.m. on September 20, 2001, at City Hall. 17 residents representing 15 households from the project area attended the meeting and we received several phone inquiries as a result of the mailed notice. After a staff presentation of the proposed project, time was spent answering residents' questions and addressing their concerns. There seemed to be support from those attending, however, there was some concerns that were expressed. The concerns that have been brought up include presence of Municipal Utilities (sewer, water, and storm sewer); the "due on sale clause" ordinance; development potential of the adjacent land; No 152nd Avenue NW connection; and cost and assessment policy. Citizen Input Mayor Gamec noted that he had received a letter from James and Erna Sandness stating their reasons for opposing the project. Wendy Stamen, 5540 - 152nd Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that she has been a resident for nearly 15 years and the street currently ends at her property. Before the City completed any feasibility study staff was informed that the residents wanted a cul-de-sac if they were going to do anything. The residents in her area found it absurd that they cannot have a cul-de-sac, when the neighborhood has been there for 37 years. The children ride their bikes on the street and it would no longer be safe for them. A big issue they have with the study is claiming they have bad drainage area. She agreed that they did not have the best drainage, but a huge part of the problem was caused because of the poor maintenance of the streets. The City has never maintained their dirt road. Another problem is that the City wants the residents in her development to help pay for the project discussed in the first case to correct their drainage problem. Their development is already suffering from what was done with the Brandseth development. She felt that the City Council was acting in their own best interest rather than for a neighborhood that has been there for years. Ms. Stamen stated that she had spoken personally with every resident in her neighborhood and they have started a petition opposing the project and they have 92 percent of the residents opposed to the project. The residents are feeling like the City is shoving something at them without any options. She did not know how they were being benefited by being charged for the extension of a road that they do not want. The residents in the area would prefer to deal with the existing road rather than have the road extended. Daryl Simonson, 5545 - 152"d Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that he did not have much of a drainage problem until the Brandseth Addition was developed and now they are getting all of their water every spring and every time it rains. He questioned why he should lose his right of way for another project. The project will force him to lose a lot of land and what will he get in return. He stated that nothing was done years ago when he brought up the concerns. That all being said, he would like to have City sewer and water. City Council/August 12, 2003 Page 8 of 30