12-13-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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01713/1934 11:43 612-473-6059 FLINT PAGE 04 9 9^^^ \ Kdl Mr. Tom O’Keefe. P.E. December 7,1999 Page 4 i.kr'^ \ efforts to minimize the noise and vibration impacts along thi corridor. This will include working with the cities and property owners along the corridorjto provide optimal noise and vibration mitigation. It is important that Mn/DOT continue to work with the City toward finding a way to provide berming along the corridor west of Old Crystal Bay Road. Both MivDOT and the propeij.' owners west of Old Crystal Bay Road would benefit from the provision operrnmg. The property owners would gain some measure of mitigation of the noise and visual impacts ot the road and railroad. Mn/DOT would gain a cost-effective method of disposing of a substantial portion of the soil from the excavation needed along the corridor, as well as a substantial amount of goodwill. MivDOT has indicated the obstacle to the bcrmmg is the need to acquire additional right-of-way for the berms. If the City, the property owners, and Mn/DOT continue to work toward a solution, with a focus oii the benefits to all parties, we should be able to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. In recent discussions witlt the residents south of the Orono Industrial District, the residents have requested that, rather than constructing a retaining wall on the north side of the corridor in the area of the Orono Industrial District, a vegetated slope similar to the one on the south side of the corridor be used on the north side. This would minimize the rcHcction of noise from the corridor back to the residential neighborhoods on the south side of the comdor. would also provide a more natural aesthetic character, which would be more similar to the current character of the corridor. 5. Residents along the corridor, whose propcrt>' will be partially or totally taken for nght-of- way purposes, have been trapped in their homes for several years. It is important the decision process regarding partial versus total acquisitions be accelerated; and that acquisitions, particularly hardship acquisitions, be completed as quickly as possible. JI^* it> an e residents along the corridor need to know as soon as possible how the nght-of-way will work, who from MnT>OT will be working with residents, and what llie timing of the process will be. Principles to Guide the Ciw of Orono and MtiT)OTlb^^»gb the Final Design PtOCgiS I. The Citv- of Orono, including the Mayor, City Council. Design Review Co^iittee and staff, have always believed the “right” approach was to be straightfor^vard, pi^icipativc and big picturc’oricntcd. The City has not tied its approval of the prehnimar>' layout to the resolution of issues that arc not directly related to the prelimmao layout. The City v confident that MnT)OT will continue to work as a partner with the City to resolve issues at the proper stage in the project process. It is i.-nportani this approach guide the interaction between the cities and Mn/DOT.