Minutes - Council - 03/26/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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church expects to have a sanctuary to seat 3,000 people. The traffic problem is significant and the church is commissioning a study of such problem. He stated they have looked at the corridor study and feel that the 149th intersection presents a positive solution to some of the church's future problems. In the interim, we anticipate we will need some type of temporary access onto Highway //47. Mr. Dom asked that Council consider the option of a temporary connection or maybe a permanent connection for an egress point. This could be limited to Sunday mornings. He added that the church will work closely with the City for a program that's safe and efficient for all. Greg Rajanen, 14277 Waco Street NW, Ramsey, commended the Council on dealing with the Highway #47 safety issues. He expressed concern about crossing Highway #47 at 142nd Avenue. He recalled the last literature he saw on the study was the possibility of a light there. He listed reasons why a light would add a safety factor to that area such as having to get across Highway #47 to get to the well-used River's Bend Park. He appealed to Council to consider 142nd as a permanent spot for a traffic signal. Denny Eyler suggested that this signalization is proposed for as soon after 1997 as funding becomes available. Kerde Orr, 14940 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Ramsey, stated that the City has been talking about buying her house to put in 149th Lane. They have inquired as to when this will happen and they have received three different answers. Those answers being - now, not this year, and five years down the road. She asked for an answer so she could plan for her future. Mr. Jankowski agreed that the residents should be made aware as soon as possible what the plans are. Council needs to rank this project to gage when the City would require acquisition of property. We cannot give the residents an answer tonight, however, the City does have a five-year plan. We should be able to place this project in the five-year schedule so residents will know when the acquisitions will occur. Karyn Peters, 14820 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Ramsey, stated she is also representing Todd and Julie Bartholdi at 14810 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Ramsey, and Robyn Lane at 14760 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Ramsey. She stated they are impacted on the same intersection - the road divides their property in half. She told of remodeling plans they had for their house, however, they didn't know what the future would hold now. She stated that, at the workshop, they were asked if they didn't expect that Highway//47 would be widened. She reported that they did expect it to widen; however, at the time they purchased their property, Amber Ridge was not there and they expected it would widened in that direction. She mentioned there has been conversation about purchasing the garage and turning it around. She hoped that the City would not just access their houses off the back road and leave them sitting there. If that's the case, they would rather be bought out. She reiterated that their remodeling plans have had to stop and they want answers as soon as possible. City Administrator Schroeder offered that the City would know more about the availability of funding for the project, etc. by July or August of this year. Bev Dehn, 4923 - 142nd Lane NW, Ramsey, inquired since Highway #47 is a state highway, does that mean we cannot do anything with 142nd. It's slated for a signal light in the furore but the problem is now. There is a bank coming in and traffic will be even heavier. It's a fast and dangerous intersection. She questioned if something could be done sooner than after 1997. She also asked about the light on 149th and the impact to the people on the east side of Highway #47. Mr. Jankowski stated that the projected schedule is this summer and will extend from County Road #116 back to 142nd Street. The project will not include signalization of 142nd. The next project done would be a combination of a four-lane section on #47 up to County Road #5 and having a City Council/March 26, 1996 Page 7 of 16