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<br />eliminate their concern about when Sunwood Drive becomes a freeway. It is not a permanent <br />solution, but it will work now. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look inquired about the possibility of shifting Sunwood Drive to the north. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson indicated this has also been suggested by the County. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig suggested an overpass with Sunwood Drive continuing under the <br />overpass, with a frontage road that would be a diversion of Sunwood Drive. He expressed <br />concern with the impact on the west side of Town Center by removing Sunwood Drive. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen pointed out that Sunwood Drive is the spine for access to Ramsey <br />Town Center. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson explained right-of-way will be needed for Armstrong Boulevard. <br />The County has agreed to go through the necessary condemnation process. The bottom line is <br />there is a process that takes a good amount of time, and this must be let by August 15, or they <br />will lose the $300,000 the State has committed to for this intersection. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen left the meeting at 9:33 p.m. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson indicated his recommendation would be to make the Sunwood <br />Drive intersection work. There will be some restrictions in the short term. The pedestrian <br />underpass/overpass is a future fix, and the Council seemed to be adamant about including that <br />into the equation in the short term. He explained it does not make sense to have an overpass or <br />underpass with a signalized full access intersection. He would suggest that a signal is necessary <br />on Sunwood Drive at this time, which would be eliminated with the overpass/underpass in the <br />future. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look suggested the possibility of Ramsey Crossings having an additional inlet, <br />rather than fighting the traffic on Armstrong Boulevard. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stressed that staff needs Council's support as policy makers to work with <br />the County and State on this issue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig left the meeting at 9:39 p.m. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson indicated it has been expressed to him that the Sunwood Drive <br />intersection is the County's biggest issue, and the other concerns can likely be worked through. <br />The access spacing guidelines for the county road system is a half mile for signalized <br />intersection and their policy regarding this intersection is that it does not meet access spacing <br />guidelines and cannot be allowed. <br /> <br />Consensus of the Council was direct staff to work with the County and State to keep the Sunwood <br />Drive access. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / January 16,2007 <br />Page 9 of 10 <br />