Minutes - Council - 02/13/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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December of 1993 his daughter was involved in a serious car accident in that location and explained how that accident occurred. The reason he sees a problem with the extension of the median is because the access will be severely limited to the businesses. He suggested leaving the median as is, but make an entrance only from the east and have the driveway farther back so that traffic can cross straight across since the visibility is better in that location. Linda Bybee, 5031 - 142"d Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that she is one of the people that uses the shopping center as a fi'ontage road because it is impossible to turn onto T.H. #47 from 142® Avenue. She stated that she felt that the installation ora stop light at 142''d Avenue and T.H. #47 would be a better solution. The one concern she had with extending the median is that it would put the Texaco out of business. Matt Hinrichs, owner of Blue Velvet Car Wash, stated that entire area is service oriented, which involves a lot of in and out traffic. The businesses in the area have struggled during road construction and had he known that the median along T.H. #47 in front of his business was going to be constructed he would not have constructed his building in that location. The area in question is a busy intersection during the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. All weekend long and during the days the intersection is not busy. He felt that if the median is constructed and customers have a difficult time getting out from his business he will lose business. Mr. Hinrichs suggested removing the median in front of his property and installing stop lights to allow for better access to and fi'om the businesses. The idea of traffic being slowed down because of too many lights is not true. He stated that if the median is going to be extended he suggested not doing so until a stop light is installed at 142"d Avenue and T.H. #47. He suggested installing "No left turn" signs during peak hours rather than extending the median. Mr. Hinrichs explained that there is a strip of road adjacent to Blue Velvet, which he currently owns, and has a hard time maintaining it because people use it as a public road and yet the City will not plow it because it is a private drive. Mr. Hinrichs also noted that he had received comments from Diane Loive, Rum River Wine and Spirits, in which she stated that "the City keeps taking and taking accessibility from the service businesses and don't give them anything back in return." Greg Rajanen, 14277 Waco Street NW, Ramsey, thanked the Council for addressing such a huge safety issue. He stated that he is also concerned about the businesses if the median is extended. There is already a boarded up business along T.H. #47 and he is afraid that the other businesses will look similar if the City does not come up with a positive solution to the problem. He suggested reducing the speed limit from 55 mph to 30 mph. He stated that it is a .5 mile stretch of roadway at 55 mph which he has to believe contributes to the accident level. The other thing he felt the City needs to do is install stop lights at 142"a Avenue and T.H. #47. He stated that he was heavily involved in the efforts previously to get a stop light at 142"~ Avenue and collected petitions, contacted local representatives and the Governor. He believes that if there is a stop light there will not be the cut-through'traffic. Mr. Rajanen stated that the first step should be lowering the speed limit and then installing a stop light at 142''d Avenue and see if that resolves the problems. City Council/February 13, 2001 Page 9 of 28