07-24-1989 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 1989 HIGHWAY 12 SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CONTINUED There will no longer be any left access after Virginia Avenue. Mr. Benson explained in detail whether the accesses and channelizations would occur and noted that a U -Turn capability would be provided at the intersection of Willow. This is being done to better serve the businesses on the south side of Highway 12. He also advised that in light of the County Road 116 project, MNDOT intended to prepare the intersection at Willow and Highway 12 for future signalization. Mr. Benson said that the City of Long Lake held a meeting to discuss this proposal and the Mayor had indicated that he would not approve the layout being presented this evening. Mr. Benson said that Long Lake wanted to see a frontage road either between Willow and Tamarack or between Willow and Brimhall. Mr. Benson said that the project was being delayed until those layouts were prepared and presented to Long Lake. Acting Mayor Callahan and Councilmembers Nettles and Goetten expressed major concerns regarding a U -Turn capability at Willow. They all felt that that intersection was dangerous in its present state and that allowing vehicles to U -Turn would increase that condition. Nettles suggested that MNDOT consider delaying the U -Turn until such time that a stop light was installed. Councilmember Goetten asked Mr. Benson whether MNDOT intended to realign Old Long Lake Road. Mr. Benson said that the proposal presented this evening did not include such a plan, but MNDOT is looking at that as a separate issue. Acting Mayor Callahan questioned whether there would be a need for the U -Turn if the frontage road were constructed as Long Lake is requesting? Mr. Benson said that there would be no U- Turn if there is a frontage road. Mr. Craig Robinson, a Design Engineer for MNDOT, said that the U -Turns as proposed would be allowed, but the desired route would be for vehicles to turn left at Tamarack and come around. He said that MNDOT expects that signal lights will be warranted at the intersection of 12 and Willow by the time this project is started. Mr. Steve Pflaum said that he lives just off of Willow Drive and is aware of the traffic at that intersection. He said that there was an existing road that allows access to most of the businesses on the south side of 12 and a stub road could be put in to access the remaining businesses. He also observed that the proposal seemed to be designed more in favor of Long Lake than Orono, specifically in the number of accesses. He suggested that there be another curb cut to allow for a collector road on the north of Highway 12. Acting Mayor presentation. Callahan thanked Mr. Benson 2 for his • is is