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• . Ai Howard R. Green Company February 14, 2003 File: 819320J-0325 Mr. Steven Rohif Building and Zoning Administrator City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 RE: ROGER SCHMIDT GRAVEL MINING APPLICATION Dear Mr. Rohlf: As you requested, we have reviewed the additional information submitted on the request by Roger Schmidt for a gravel mining operation in northern Elk River. The information we reviewed was prepared by Liesch Companies and consisted of a report entitled "Application for Rezoning to Mineral Excavation Overlay District and Conditional Use Permit for Mineral Excavation and Hot Mix Asphalt Plant, Schmidt Gravel Mine" and several plan sheets also prepared by Liesch Companies. Based on • our review and meetings with the applicant, his consultant, and City staff, we would offer the following comments: 1. By far, the most important engineering issue with this application has to do with access to and from Trunk Highway 169 (TH169). The applicant's documentation indicates that they are expecting approximately 40 trucks per day to haul mined gravel to an asphalt plant less than a quarter mile to the south. The actual trip anticipated on TH169 would be approximately 600 feet. The applicant's Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) indicates that 40 trucks a day is a relatively low number compared to average daily truck traffic and heavy commercial average daily traffic levels for TH169. While this statement is true, it is also true that in typical through-stop controlled intersections along high-speed divided highways (such as TH169), the minor street through and left turn movements typically account for less than ten percent of the entering traffic but account for approximately 90 percent of the vehicle crashes. In particular, the high density of heavy commercial vehicles making this movement could lead to safety deficiencies and ultimately the potential of crashes on TH169. Therefore, we would recommend that this application be granted only if the applicant can secure an internal route from the gravel mining area to the asphalt plant. We have had this discussion with the applicant at our meeting on February 13, 2003. The applicant is willing to work with the representatives of Aggregate Industries, the property owner between the proposed gravel mining area and the bituminous plant, to secure an internal route. At our meeting we also discussed the issue of whether of not the applicant had plans to • sell gravel to others, which in this case would involve leaving the site and entering onto TH169. The applicant indicated that he would like this opportunity. We would recommend Ltr-021403-Rohlf 1326 Energy Park Drive • St. Paul, MN 55108 • 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389