02-09-2004 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes Page 7 February 9, 2004 Highway 169 from the Mississippi River (Highway 101) up to Princeton. Currently, MnDOT is drafting a Scope of Services and proposes to hire a consultant in late fall of 2004. She noted that the EIS will likely take up to two years to complete, and only then could MnDOT or the City begin the process of acquiring property. She noted that the City has no money budgeted for property acquisition. Ms. McPherson stated that these steps need to occur so that if and when money should become available for MnDOT to do a project, they and the City will be prepared. Ms. McPherson explained that preliminary plat consists of seven lots ranging in size from 1.02 acres to 3.73 acres. Holt Street will function as a service road along Highway 169 and will connect with the existing Holt Street at 194th Avenue and be extended to intersect with 197th Avenue. She noted that the Park and Recreation Commission recommended cash for the park dedication requirement. Staff recommends approval of the requests by Morcon based on the findings and conditions listed in the staff report. Mayor IClinzing opened the public hearing. The following addressed the Council. Mary Larsen, 11625 197th Avenue N.W., stated that she had purchased her home in November and had asked if there was anything pending to be built in this area and was told no. She stated she would not have moved there had she known. She stated that she was not aware of this meeting until 1 p.m. today. She expressed concern about the removal of the stop sign at the end of her block and the safety of her stepchildren. She stated that she wants the neighborhood to remain the way it is currently. John Polden, 11751 196th Avenue N.W., stated that the Planning Commission had voted down this proposal. Mr. Polden stated that this proposal has been going on for ten years and he knew it would be developed at some point. He asked if the Council members had been at the site and are aware of the traffic issues (the entire COuncil stated that they had). He expressed his concern that the traffic and customers will be from the local area versus people going north to their cabins and stopping, and that the local traffic will have to turn left and go onto Holt Street. He stated that 200+ people live in this development and there are only two exits - Holt Street and 197thAvenue -- to get out for work. He feels traffic issues should be studied and wants in writing to see the long-range projection for this area. He feels that there has not been any initiative to call a neighborhood meeting and he asked the Council to take a long look at the traffic issue. Mr. Polden submitted two letters of opposition to be entered into the record. These were from Scott Fraser, 11678 200th Avenue N.W. and Ted Travica, 19702 Irving Street N.W. Fred Johnson, 11869 194th Avenue N.W., expressed concerns with the Holt Street and 194th Avenue intersection and running traffic through the residential areas. He was concerned if the residents ~vould be assessed for city ~vater and sewer. He expressed concern with access to the development on the west side of Holt where four residential homes exist. Brad Averill, 11966 193rd Lane, expressed concerns of traffic off of Highway 169 and Holt Street and felt that it would be congested off of Highway 169.