06-28-1999 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING • MINUTES FOR JUNE 28, 1999 ( #2439 Service 800, Continued) that MnDot is strongly discouraging the eastbound left -turn into the site, with the permit being issued to Service 800 only, and any future use by Otten or.conversion to a City road would require a new MnDOT permit. Otten has indicated he would like a more full- service intersection. Often applied to MnDOT for reconveyance of the Brimhall triangle property in April, and has applied for an access permit on behalf of Service 800. MnDOT has indicated that they will agree to issue a permit for an access that incorporates all possible turning movements except for a left -turn out (eastbound from the site). MnDOT has expressed concerns regarding safety if an eastbound left -turn is allowed into the site. City Staff believes the best solution to the access issues in this area of Highway 12 is a frontage road, noting that the City Council has advocated limiting access to Highway 12 in Maple Plain through a frontage road system. City Staff is recommending that the eastbound left -turn lane be constructed and that left - turn -in movements be allowed by MnDOT. Tom O'Keefe, MnDOT, stated that a three- legged intersection would allow for two lanes of traffic in each direction, has five conflict points where vehicle paths cross and where an accident is likely. With a four - legged intersection, with left turns being allowed out of each leg of the intersection, there is a total of 16 conflict points. The accident rate for a four - legged intersection is higher than that of a three - legged intersection. If a left turn in is allowed and not • out, which would not allow for through movement through the intersection, it would eliminate eight conflict points. O'Keefe indicated that MnDOT is paying more attention to preserving the safety and efficiency of intersections by limiting access. Kelley inquired whether Hennepin County would take over maintenance of this road once the Highway 12 project was completed. O'Keefe indicated that Hennepin County would maintain this road, noting that the County also has the same basic policy of limiting access onto Highway 12 and limiting intersections to no closer than one -half mile. Often. commented that in his view MnDOT is discriminating, biased and prejudiced, noting that the City of Long Lake currently has three full intersections and that MnDOT is not supportive of one full intersection in the City of Orono on Highway 12. Often stated in his opinion this should be a full intersection and that MnDOT should bear the costs of construction of the intersection. Otten stated he currently only has two right -ins. O'Keefe stated it is within MnDOTs authority to close an intersection. Sansevere inquired why there was such a long delay in responding to this application. • O'Keefe remarked that he is unsure why this application was not handled sooner, noting that a different department would handle this request. Page 11