12-02-1997 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 2, 1997 (#5 - Bike Trails - Continued) Tamarack is going to be a separated trail as well. Wilson questioned whether this trail should be done with a wide shoulder. McDermott asked how the City of Medina is going to develop their portion of that trail. Welles said they would be constructing a wide shoulder trail. McDermott recommended the City follow the same type of trail as constructed by Medina. Tamarack was moved to the wide shoulder category. The wide shoulder bike trails were reviewed. Wilson noted that Medina did not want a wide road along Willow Road to reduce the possibility of it becoming a through road. Erickson thought if the shoulder was widened from Hwy 12 to CoRd 6 on Brown, he could speak with the City of Medina regarding the portion from CoRd 6 to CoRd 24. Welles noted that patching of that road has taken place. Erickson suggested other neighboring communities be spoken with regarding trails. McDermott noted that Willow Road is a City road in Orono. CoRd 6 will continue with a bike trail from border to border of the City. A reasonable shoulder width needs to be determined. McDermott noted that the County has specific standards. Gappa said he has a copy of Mn/DOT's standards for Commissioner's use. Wilson said she would like to see wider shoulders with the high speed of traffic along that road. Gappa indicated that the Council has asked for a speed study to be conducted on the road and noted the speed limit in Medina is 50 mph. Wilson asked for wide shoulder specifications from Gappa. Welles felt the bigger issue was not width of shoulder but the maintenance of the shoulder. He noted that debris is thrown from car wheels causing problems for bikers. Wilson did not believe the standards could be changed. McDermott thought standards could be changed if the road was a bike route. Erickson reported that South Brown Road has a widened shoulder the entire length of the road, paved to 3'. North Shore Drive has a widened shoulder at least 3' wide but is not currently a bike trail. CoRd 19 shoulders should be widened and paved. White asked if this would occur on both sides of the road noting this would be difficult to do by Lakeview Golf Course. Gappa suggested the use of CoRd 151 as there is less traffic on that road and it connects on both ends with CoRd 19. Welles noted the large number of potholes. White reminded the Commissioners of the major park and density levels by Saga Hill. Wilson thought CoRd 19 should be maintained as the bike trail if it is going to be improved. She suggested CoRd 151 be a designated bike trail. McDermott suggested the Commission find out the County designation. 10