Laserfiche WebLink
Case #1: Qonsider Closing Puma Street NW Railroad Crossing In Exchange <br /> For A Railroad Crossing At U.S. Highway ~;10 NW Weigh Station; <br /> <br />Councilmember Pearson stated that he will be abstaining from any vote on <br />this issue because he is indirectly affected. Councilmember Pearson noted <br />that he feels closing the Puma crossing will devalue surrounding property <br />because it is a direct route north and there are no good east/west routes <br />to that area. No access will impact the possible future commercial <br />development of that area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Sorteberg stated that a solution to truck traffic on i53rd is <br />needed and the Puma crossing should not be closed; suggested that maybe <br />Burlington Northern would be agreeable to keeping the Puma crossing open in <br />addition to re-establishing the Dayton crossing if Puma Street were closed <br />at 153rd to reduce the amount of traffic using the Puma crossing. <br /> <br />Councilmember DeLuca noted that at the time the conditional use permit was <br />issued to North Fork, Council did not intend to burden those along 153rd <br />but anticipated the Dayton crossing would be used. Suggested that <br />Burlington Northern might even be more agreeable to Councilmember <br />Sorteberg's suggestion if the City agreed to close the Puma crossing when a <br />east/west collector street is developed through that area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cox stated his respect for Councilmember Pearson's choice to <br />abstain and noted that every citizen has rights but it seems a person is <br />expected to give up that right when he/she chooses to serve the citizens of <br />the community. Councilmember Cox noted that a public hearing on this issue <br />was not required but Council delayed any decision making for one week in <br />order to inform and obtain comments from the citizens. He also stated that <br />Council is concerned and does care. The truck problem is not localized to <br />153rd; it starts at Northfork and ends where the fill is being hauled to; <br />this involves travelling along Hwy. #10 where there are also children <br />boarding school buses. Councilmember Cox pointed out to the residents that <br />there was a time when citizens objected to the development of the <br />Whispering Pines area too. Residents did not complain about Northfork when <br />they were using that acreage for hunting and snowmobiling; the owners of <br />Northfork paid for that land and have the right to develop it. With <br />respect to comments directed at the City Attorney during the public <br />hearing, the Attorney is expected to relay the law and facts, not get in <br />the political arena. The tax revenue base generated from residential <br />properties is not enough to carry the load; Ramsey needs industrial and <br />commercial growth. If the Puma crossing is to be closed, the city needs to <br />commit to the development of an MSA route through that area. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann stated he doesn't think it is fair of the railroad to insist <br />on closing a crossing in exchange for another crossing; that closing <br />devalues and takes away the property rights of some. Mayor Reimann <br />stated that Councilmember Sorteberg's suggestion, in conjunction with the <br />development of an MSA road to that area, is probably the best solution; <br />reopening Puma at 153rd might also be possible once the excavation <br />operation is completed. <br /> <br />City Council/August 19, 1987 <br /> <br />Page 3 of 8 <br /> <br /> <br />