11-04-1999 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orono ’s transportation plan is tailored to the different needs of urban and rural neighborhoods. AH Most roads within Orono directly service the abutting properties. The intended exceptions are the existing Highway 12 corridor fromBrow'n Road to Old Crvtal Bav Road, and the forthcoming Highway 12 Bypass which is planned to be a with limited-access major arterials beginning east of the City and extending west to County Road 6. Near the lakeshore and in some rural areas, the collector roads are relatively slow speed with circuitous alignment dictated by the hills and bays rather than by commuter preference. These roads have been designated "scenic parkways" to connote their aesthetic qualities and lack of high speed, through traffic potential. The urban areas are provided with a typical network of city streets connecting residential and shopping areas with each other. The rural area is gridded-off with a core system of publicly maintained collector and minor arterial streets running at regular intervals. Within this grid, most rural homes are located on neighborhood owned and maintained private roads serving from three to ten residences each. These roads are constructed to city standards for safety and durability', but are privately maintained without requiring city staff or equipment. The privacy and neighborhood control afforded bv such roadwavs is viewed bv most residents as an amenity. Orono's parks and open space facilities reflect different urban and rural characteristics. In the urban area, the City is involved with numerous small neighborhood parks and playgrounds offering centers for neighborhood activities such as swimming, skating, softball and soccer. In addition, two larger preserves offer substantial "natural" areas to break the urbanized monotony. In the rural area, most open space is managed on a privately-owned and maintained basis with large lots and individual recreation opportunities including joint riding trails. Large public and quasi-public recreational fheilities include Hennepin County Park Reserve lands, several golf courses, a gun club and the State Minnesota DNR’s Luce Line Trail as well as two 'big woods' Scientific and Natural Areas. CMP3B-13