02-20-1991 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

h '■h ite.i-r.- ■ -v'^j r.- ■■," '•. :\' ■ I' ..r PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING EIELD FEBRUARY 20, 1991 to west and west to east. Speed may not be our responsibility. Whether it takes ten or twenty minutes to get through Orono, if you can do it safely, then that is the point. If we accept our responsibility as citizens of the State and feel that we must let people get through safely, and yet we maintain our integrity position, which is that there would be no additional corridor in Orono, then logically something needs to be worked out with existing Highway 12." Sally Hauser, said, "I chose to live in Orono because it is a rural community. My husband works in Arden Hills, but wa did not want to live" there. It is my opinion, that those people who wish to live far west and work in Minneapolis can make that choice. If they wish to get to work quickly, they can live near 35W in the city. The people living Orono chose to do so because of the environmental characteristics. I have a proposal that I've not yet heard discussed by anyone. As mentioned previously, there are two groups of people wishing to get to two different places. One group wants to get to the Dakotas and others live in the immediate western suburbs. The solution for traffic going to and from the Dakotas, you bring 494 north to Highway 5>. For those living in the western suburbs, a gentle upgrade of the existing Highway 12, using reversible lanes, would solve the traffic congestion. If there are four lanes, three lanes could head east in the morning and three lanes heading west in the evening." Bob Biesterfeld stated that he pi*eviously resided in Willmar. He said, "Western Minnesota is very well served by several major routes, 94, 169 through Mankato, Highway 1?, and Highway 7. Highway 7 lends itself much better for upgrading and v/idening. I agree that we are dealing with two different traffic groups. There is speculation that economies of western cities would improve if more roads serve that area, but that is just speculation. I think we need to address the major issue for local traffic which is getting through Long Lake and Maple Plain. I personally would rather take an additional five minutes to get through Long Lake than have the entire road torn up." Cohen stated that he would like to know how many of the persons present prefer to have nothing done at all. One resident asked why it would not be possible to have one lane of traffic heading east and west elevated over the railroad tracks. He said, "There would be no properties or businesses lost, yet it would alleviate some of the congestion." Another gentlemen stated that it seems the consensus of the residents is that something needs to be done, but that there only be an upgrade and utilization of existing east/west roads. - 3 - m