11-15-1993 Planning PacketC - Laserfiche WebLink

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(#1) COUNTY ROAD 15 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS (continued) Bob Sterna, 1930 Shoreline Drive, read a letter referencing Minnesota Rules, Chapter 8820 regarding natural preservation, slating that the area could" be considered K.>r Ve\*ww en the basis of natural preservation. ^ /■^ >>Barbara Halper, 1420 Shoreline Drive, stated that she felt Council should consider ^ // redirecting traffic onto Highway 12^394 just as it was done when the bridges were under repair. Jim Rivers stated that the County should have to operate by the same standards as the City of Orono regarding hardcover issues and adding acres of blacktop would be wrong. He commented that the real problem is not left turn lanes or shoulder, but rather the speed limit should be reduced. Se\'eral other residents commented on similar issues, saying that the proposed change would only encourage an increase in tralfic and speed, thereby making the road less safe. Other comments were that the City needs to look at other alternatives and also the long term picture of the freeway (394). Jabbour asked whether a lower speed could be posted. Polacek stated that the City would have petition the County to petition the state to do a speed study. The Commissioner of Transportation has authority for setting speed limits. He cautioned that a speed study might indicate that a higher spe^ could be set. Kelley agreed with the public and commented on the difficulty of crossing the road to use the lake and the hardcover issues, but stated that he’d like to see safety concerns reviewed Goetten commented that she agreed with Kelley and would like to see Country Road 15 remain a scenic parkway...not a scenic freeway. Hurr reminded everyone that the Resolution only asks the County to further study the situation, and that there is no commitment at this time to make the changes. Jabbour stated that he felt Hennepin County should be icld now whether to continue with more detailed plans and if the City has no intention of making the changes, the County should be informed before spending additional time on the project. Mayor Callahan stated that purpose of the Resolution would allow further study of the situation and that it would not be possible to know whether improvements should be made to County Road 15 until the studv is done. Pat Murphy stated that the proposed plan shows the minimum improvements that County would be wUling to build and that there would be nothing that the County could eliminate and still improve the safety of the road. Kelley asked what the maintenance plan would be if the Resolution is turned down. Murphy replied that the road and shoulders would be repaved and right turn lanes installed if needed. He asked that the City Council make its decision to proceed or not tonight. • ' .Jilii.