Minutes - Council - 08/01/1996 - Neighborhood Mtg

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149TH/HIGHWAY #47 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING CITY OF RAMSEY ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA The City of Ramsey conducted a neighborhood meeting with residents on 149th, along Highway #47 on August 1, 1996, at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW, Ramsey, Minnesota. Present: Councilmember Sheila Beyer Councilmember Gerald Zimmerman City Engineer Steve Jankowski Bud Storm, Evergreen Land Services Denny Eyler, SRF (Consultant for Highway #47 Study) CALL TO ORDER Councilmember Zimmerman called the neighborhood meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENTATION City Engineer Jankowski: We would like to get the Highway #47 Corridor Study to City Council for formal action at the August 13, 1996 meeting. We would then use this document when development proposals are submitted to the City. It's meant to be a tool to mold development along Highway #47, it's not a schedule for construction. This study does affect 149th property owners. This study says that at some point in the future, when the traffic volume warrants it, we envision this area to be four lanes. That will require acquisition of property. That's sometime anywhere from eight to 20 years away. Plus, the level of funding from MnDOT may not be available for a number of years. The property owners have brought up several issues in the past. 1) Connection of Sunwood Drive up to 149th. It would create a second road frontage on the rear of seven of the eleven properties. This would modify the nature of the property. The City will not pursue that connection except coincidentally with the widening on T.H. #47. 2) When will this occur? The projection hinges primarily on traffic volumes through this segment. We indicated that by about 18,000 vehicles per day, there will certainly be a capacity problem. At the lower end, if we are willing to spend City money, we could talk MnDOT into doing this at about 8,000 vehicles a day. We are projecting the level of growth along that segment. Our best guess is it will happen in eight to 20 years. 3) What will happen when you do decide to do the project - how much notice will residents get? MnDOT said generally 18 months is about the lead time. In that time, there's a fair amount of assistance made to help relocate. Bud Storm, Evergreen Land Services: The land acquisition process is covered by State Statutes. It's covered by Federal roles and regulations that well in advance of that 18 months you will know if it will be a reality. Procedures are established to protect land owners. He referenced some pamphlets pertaining to this. The ultimate goal of the project is to get title for projects to go forward. When the project starts construction, the City will need title to the property. Condemnation or eminent domain procedures will start. If there is no agreement, this condemnation procedure enables the City to proceed on time. At the same time, it leaves a venue for the property owner. That takes 90 days from the time they file a petition. If it requires taking a home, an additional 90 days is added. An offer has to be made. The offer has to be based upon an appraisal. It will be hired by the persons doing the project. Fair Value is what's offered to the property owner. Then you have the right to secure your own appraisal. The agency pays up to $500 for that appraisal. If we are relocating your home, certain benefits are given to the home owner. For example: 1) comparable housing at the least. You are given the difference of what Neighborhood Meeting/149/47/August 1, 1996 Page I of 3