02-20-1991 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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F •-'C' ■V" •' V:i * •,■•* ' '. • ’: ? ' PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 20, 1991 Cohen stated that the Medina citizens did indicate a slight concern about County Road 116, but mainly did not wish to have the corridor in their backyards. Councilmember Goetten said, "Though I am really here this evening to listen to what the citizens have to say, I would like to respond to Ann's question. I think the City of Medina is very concerned about the upgrade of Willow. In my opinion, if either Highway 55 or County Road 11 is selected, there is no question that upgrading Willow Drive would come back on the drawing board. I do not think that the City can just take a position that Highway 55 is the only option, because the City of Medina will be working equally as hard to keep the corridor out of their City as well." Eleanor Winston, Spring Hill Road, stated that she is not only concerned about existing Highway 12 be selected as the designated corridor. She said, "I am also concerned about the Comprehensive Plan in terms of the Planning Commission seeming to want to re-work it." The Planning Commission members all emphatically stated that they did not wish to re-work the Comprehensive Plan. Kelley said, "As Chairman of the Planning Commission, I have no intention to raise that issue or debate whether an amendment should occur." Ip Winston said, "We have the Comprehensive Plan in place. It seems to me that we should stand by it, rather than be intimidated into accepting something we do not want. Perhaps if we join forces with Long Lake, Medina anl Independence, we can take a stand that we do not want the road. Out East, in Massachusetts, there is a much more dense population. Yet they have found ways to preserve open spaces by slowing down development. One way to do that is to say no to these highways. We know that we need to make Highway 12 more safe, but we do not have to accept a freeway." Bellows stated that Kelley had read from the Comprehensive Plan at the beginning of the first Highway 12 Planning Commission raeeting. She said, "Everyone agreed that we are here to uphold the* Plan. We are here tonight for the purpose of being able to draft a statement representing the City that comes from the citizens of Orono. I would just like to express to those of you who are of the 'no build' or Highway 5 5 options that I would be very concerned if we, as a City, took that stand. That would provide MNDOT with a way to catch us shorthanded, when they unilaterally decide that northern routes will not be considered. I urge you to re-think some of Mr. Massopust's comments. I think there are alternatives to a four-lane highway or freeway. However, I think we had better explore those alternatives and be - 13 - ...... a.-,