05-11-1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r May 6, 1998 C0uNC/LMi3r_ ■} MAY i 1 rnry o.-. , Jyj^8 >.. I Mr. Edward J, Callahan, Chair Orono Highway 12 Design Review Advisory Committee City of Orono P.O. Box 66 Crystal Bay, MN 55323-0066 Dear Mr. Callahan: This letter will serve as Mn/DOT’s initial response to your letter of March 24,1998 on behalf of the Orono Highway 12 Design Review Advisory Committee. As your letter indicates, many of the issues raised require more investigation. In this letter I will respond as best I can given the information at hand. In the attachment I’ve reproduced the numbered section of your letter in italics with Mn/DOT’s responses following, item by item. /. Bast Interchange Starting at the eastern end of the proposed highway, it appears to us that a general design layout and location has received acceptance from the Advisory Committee members of the three cities and Mn/DOT. But, we do understand that further information will be presented refining and clarifying some of the additional details. In connection with this interchange, it is Orono's view that, to a considerable extent, the opinion of the City of Wayzata should be given the greatest weight since the proposed structures are almost entirely within that city. However, it is immediately adjacent to, and in some cases, impinges upon Orono as well. The City of Orono seriously objects to and opposes the placing ofa semaphore at the intersection of Wayzata Boulevard and Highway 12. Further, although the matter has not been discussed at the Committee meetings, we are hopeful that it will prove unnecessary to move the Meyer Brothers parking lot at state taxpayers' expense. However, the Orono Police Department has raised the question of whether it would be possible to incorporate an entrance for emergency vehicles only, to permit them to obtain access to the Highway on the east end without the necessity of going all of the way to 101. If this is done, the Dairy parking lot will have to be moved. Based on trafhc forecasts, the intersection of Wayzata Boulevard and “old Highway 12" will meet the most important traffic signal warrants. Ln an unsignalized condition the right turn from Wayzata Boulevard to westbound “old Highway 12" will operate at level of service F in the afternoon peak hour. Whether a signal is justified at the time of construction has yet to be determined. Several factors will weigh in the decision. Mn/DOT certainly prefers not to relocate Miller Dairy, both because of the cost of doing so and the disruption to the Dairy. In the event that Miller Dairy does not move, the intersection of Wayzata Boulevard and old Highway 12' is more likely to be signalized immediately. As you indicate, emergency vehicle access ramps to “new Highway 12" in that area may require the relocation of the Dairy. In the event the dairy docs move, that area becomes even more attractive as a park and ride lot location. This, also increases the likelihood of signalizing the intersection immediately.