02-25-2003 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes Febmu)' 25, 2003 Page 3 e Commission Ropp asked if the auxiliary lanes could be located together with a center median between them. Mr. T obare stated that there would need to be separation between the south and north bound lanes and the highway. Commissioner Lemke asked Mr. T obare what his opinion was regarding trucks using the lanes as they currently exist. Mr. T obare stated that speed differential posed the greatest danger. Commissioner Lemke stated Highway 169 is used as a local access in this case and should not be, and he could not support this request. T eny Maurer explained that Highway169 was built to guarantee 65 miles per hour travel speed and that MN/DOT's goal is to eventually eliminate the stop lights through Elk River. Bob LeFavor, 11349 219th Avenue NW, stated that he could not see how a few tandem axel trucks using the auxiliary lanes would interfere with Highway 169 traffic. Dave Sheppard, 18984 Carson Street, asked who would pay for the lanes. Chair Pederson stated that the applicant would pay for the construction. Mr. Sheppard asked why a service road couldn't be built along Highway 169, as a continuation of what is already in place. Mr. Rohlf stated that the applicant has not been able to obtain approval from MN/DOT. Mr. Sheppard stated that allowing the slow-moving trucks to access Highway 169 does not make sense and will cause drivers to panic when they see the truck pulling out across the highway. Rose LeFavor, owner of the subject property, stated she did not feel Mr. Schmidt's proposal is unreasonable and that there is a high level of visibility in this section of the highway. e There being no further public comment, Chair Pederson closed the public hearing. Chair Pederson stated that he has very serious concerns regarding the access issue and that the best scenario would be for no trucks on Highway 169. He stated that he could not support the request based on the major problems which would be created for traffic flow and safety. Commissioner Anderson asked if there are residents on 217th Avenue. Mr. Rohlf stated no, that the road was used by Aggregate Industries to access their shop. Mr. Rohlf stated that Elk River Bituminous may potentially open up gravel sales on their site to other users. Commissioner Lemke stated that he felt the zone change was appropriate since it is compatible with the surrounding land uses, but that he would recommend denial of the conditional use permit because of the access issue. Mr. Rohlf stated that staff recommends denial of both the rezoning and conditional use permit. Mr. Schmidt explained that an alternate access was discussed, but it would involve obtaining an easement from 6 or 7 property owners, with some of them favorable to the idea and some were not. e Commissioner Anderson stated that the frequency/number of trips per day would have to be looked at. He stated he was not in favor of the request based on the fact that the property was not currently zoned for mining on either the zoning map or land use plan. He felt the request posed a public safety issue and that adequate drainage and wetland information has not been provided.