06-26-1989 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 16. 1989 i; W3/„35 ----:ii!i I • / /' Mr. Mark Bernhardson, Orono City Administrator 1335 Soutii Brown Road Orono, MN 55323 Dear Mr. Bernhardson: I'm writing with regard to the Highway 12 corridor evaluation and planning now underway. It is my impression that to date little citizen input has been solicited particularly from Orono residents. Of the recent meetings of the Corridor Task Force, I've attended, primarily elected officials and MN DOT Engineers have debated the topic and initiated next steps. In addition, development objectives and priorities were not discussed, rather, funding and MN DOT project protocol received the task forces attention. This raises two concerns: 1. The meetings avoid the more difficult and critical priority and objective setting process which shou*" proceed MN DOTS study of corridor placement. Citizen concerns should guide the study not be raised a ’ - mplaints to a finished MN DOT corridor plan. 2. Orono is essentially a residential community and as such it^^tizens are less organized in communicating their priorities. Glvdn this situation Vm concerned that during the planning stage Long Lake business district priorities will be heard and adversely effect near in Orono as a residential area. Below are what I feel should be Orono's priorities for the planning process. The purpose in r^y writing is to determine whether these priorities are the same as that represented as the Cities at planning sessions and to advocate these points of view. 1. In placement of the near in Highway corridor, residential should be considered the primary development priority, not business development or the current Business District. 2. First priority should be place on the current ^'..jdway or adjacent property for any road upgrade. . Development that diminishes or prevents the current roadway from being the primary site should be checked or held until a corridor is selected. 5100C:31