7.1 SR 04-07-2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I'm writing to you today to address several concerns that I have about the Capstone development on Hwy. 10. 1 think there are several issues that should be worked out befo this project is approved. I Safety is the main issue that concerns me. I spoke with Ken Hansen (218-820-8341) from MnDot to find out how all the traffic from the development would be handled. He informed me that the intersection at 1651h would be closed and two J- turns would be added. According to their calculations, they estimate an average of 10 trips each day per household. With 533 houses, that adds up to a lot of cars on the highway. Even though a turn is safer than an intersection it will still be very difficult and, during busy times, dangerous to merge into traffic with cars going anywhere from 65 to 75 mph. The other issue regarding traffic is the amount of cars that will now be going west on Hwy 10 and taking the ramp to 101 South at the stoplight. Right now there are times when the turn lane isn't long enough causing cars to actually be stopped on the shoulder all the way back to the 101/169, overpass. Luckily nobody has been seriously hurt, that I'm aware of, from being hit from behind by cars that might not be paying attention and don't notice there is stopped traffic so close to their lane. With so many more cars coming from the new development this will only become more dangerous. This development shouldn't happen until the interchanges and frontage roads that have been proposed are actually slated for constructed, The second concern I have is the placement of the park. It would make more sense to put the park somewhere in the middle of the development to make it more accessible to everyone as well as safer. Having a park by the water is always very scenic and people like that, However, the Mississippi River can be very fast moving and dangerous as we know from the accident with the two children that happened in Eik River last year. People won't want to let their children go to the park alone if it's by the water because if won't be safe. Not to mention the fact that the land proposed for the park is in a flood plain and prone to floMYding. If it's a very wet year the park could be under water or muddy for a lot of the time. It would be a good idea for you to take a tour so you can see this for yourseff. My last concern is the size of the lots. If the city ordinance calls for 55' lots, that's what should be approved. There is no reason to have such a high density development when there are 250 acres to work with. Exceptions should only be made when there isn't enough land. Thank you for taking the tune to hear my concerns. Ken Nathe 10835 191" Ave NE Elk River, MN 55330 612-91.9-7019 Page 143 of 249