Minutes - Council - 02/27/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITIZEN INPUT Planned Improvements for Sunfish Lake Boulevard Mr. Thor Heinen stated he owns a number of businesses off of Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Highway 10. It has come to his acknowledgment after the fact that something is being approved, which he does not quite understand why it is being done. There will be a median put on Sunfish Lake Boulevard allowing half the traffic coming into that mall to be detoured another direction. Even for some of the other business owners to come in for work they will have to go around quite a ways for this. He does not understand why the median will be put there; it will hurt all the businesses. Public Works Director Olson stated when this development was approved there was a comment made by the Anoka County Highway Department that indicated there would be a median closure and the development would have right in/right out access. Mr. Heinen stated he was never informed of this, as well as many others he has asked. Public Works Director Olson stated the developer knew this would be right in/right out. He explained Sunfish Lake Boulevard is an Anoka County Highway and the City does not have jurisdiction over that highway. Mr. Heinen stated he was informed this is something the City is pushing for; the County said to deal with the City. Mayor Gamec explained the City has input in these particular issues with County roads, but the County makes the final decision. Mr. Heinen stated they have seen what has happened in other areas where the businesses from Burger King to Holiday and EI Azteca have all been damaged tremendously. He asked if the median is planned to be put in this spring. Public Works Director Olson replied there is no chance Sunfish Lake Boulevard improvements will happen this year. The federal grant that will be utilized that allows for the upgrade of the railroad crossing must be used by the end of fiscal year 2007, which is October 2008. The City has indicated, just like they did on Ramsey Boulevard, that they want a median opening; however, they were not allowed the opening on Ramsey Boulevard. He asked who at the County suggested Mr. Heinen come to the City regarding this issue. Mr. Heinen replied he would like to get more facts to the table before he brings everything forward. Councilmember Jeffrey stated he asked Commissioner Berg about this particular intersection, and was provided with a copy of the letter indicating what was given to the developer at the time the plat was submitted. Mr. Heinen can receive a copy of this letter by contacting the County. City Council / February 27, 2007 Page 3 of 21.