02-20-1991 Planning Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. M i- (’•■'” . ?.. PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 20, 1991 r.r..T'. Kp Board. I am not speaking for the School Board, because they have not discussed this issue. My personal opinion is that any construction that occurs in Orono through School District boundaries, in going to cause major problems. Tne School District does not have any additional funding for more school buses. If construction of a new corridor, or a major to change to the existing corridor occurs, it v/ould be necessary to add bus routes. It now costs the School District $30,000 per year for each bus. Any additional costs would have to passed on to the taxpayers. I think the best location for this improvement, which I believe is going to be a freeway, is on Highway 55, out of our School District entirely. The School Board was recently contacted by MNDOT. They indicated that they will begin safety improvement construction next June. The proposal is to first construct center islands at every intersection from Maple Plain to Delano and then to instal two extra stoplights when the project is completed. Even if Hiqhway 55 is the chosen corridor, there will still be a fair volume of traffic using Highway IZ. I think we need to encourage MNDOT to improve Highway 12 in such a way that it can handle t e traffic going through there in a safe, slow manner. I think a four-lane road, 35 to 40 mph from 1-394 to Maple Plain \;ould best serve that purpose. I would hope that is the position that the City takes." Kelley asked whether the School District is going to make its own recommendation to MNDOT. Maresh replied, "The School Board has not discussions on this issues. I think discussions delayed until the routes become more defined." begun its are being Kelley asked how the School Board intends to interact with all of the various cities it serves. He asked, "Vlill the School Board work with each city council prior to making a public statement about its position?" Maresh did not know how the School Board would approach the recommendation process in that respect. He added, "I only know that if the construction occurs anywhere in Orono, it will have a devastating effect on the entire Community. I think the Planning Commission should take the position that the City does not want the corridor here. The pressure for the corridor is coming from the western cities t’nat want a super highway to access Minneapolis." Kelley asked what time frame the School Board may have for discussing this issue in an open forum. - 8 - 1