01-12-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 12, 1998 ( #1 Ferndale Road North Road Improvement - Continued) Jabbour acknowledged the presence of Council Member Chris Morrison from the City of Wayzata. Diane Flatz, 795 Ferndale Road N., Orono, asked if there was any history of accidents occurring on Ferndale Road. Kellogg said he has no figures available. He said they review the number of vehicles driving the road daily (3500 currently) and look at the number of homes that access off of the road, along with design standards. Flatz felt more traffic would be drawn to the roadway if it was widened. Edwin Phelps, 211 Northgate Road, asked why anything would be done to the road if the history of accidents is unknown. Jabbour informed Phelps that road improvements are being considered because it was requested by the residents. He noted all would agree that the road in its current condition is unacceptable. A member of the audience said the road was unacceptable due to its surface condition. Jim Ogland, 525 Ferndale Road North, said he is concerned with safety from increased traffic. He says major trees will be lost affecting both the character and screening of the neighborhood. Ogland is in favor of a narrow roadway. is Laura Clapp, 475 North Ferndale Road, felt it was an excellent idea to improve the road. She indicated most residents are not interested in a 36' wide road but the majority would like to have a trail. She noted there were many bikers using the road, which is extremely dangerous. Clapp asked what recommendation the Council was making. Jabbour said the Council has not yet determined that, noting the alternates were developed after a recent work session. Gappa confirmed that. Jabbour said the Council was asked to fix the potholes on the road and felt the road could be resurfaced. Staff had indicated the road was deteriorating due to the base conditions and needed to perform a more permanent solution by moving drainage away from the road to prevent heaving. Jabbour said the City of Plymouth has a plan for a trail. Staff came in with a recommendation that Council agrees is over - ambitious and costly. He said saving trees is of major importance to the City. Nancy Berg acknowledged the safety issues on the road indicating the danger in walking along it. Berg said the edge of the road is broken down requiring people to move to the center of the road. She supports the addition of a trail especially in light of the Luce Line being nearby. Berg said she has come close to hitting a pedestrian many times in evening hours. She does not believe the road should be widened, however, feeling it would increase speeds. Drainage was noted to be an important issue. An audience member indicated water ponds in the • center of the road on N. Ferndale on the north side of Chevy Chase throwing cars over to the side. 4