10-14-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 14, 1996 • (Corridor Selection for Hwy 12 Upgrade - Continued) Debbie Lewis said data is available from Mayor Olson of Long Lake. From that information, Lewis said even if the inflated number of houses was used (45 homes), the school uses the number of 75, only 33 children are affected, some of which are currently pre - school age. In responding to a comment from Miller regarding the corridor as being a new selection, she thought the corridor was always being considered for either north or south of the railroad bed. Lewis said she thought the original corridor was good, and this alternative leaves the City of Long Lake intact allowing for more of a small town feel, with no trucks driving through and provides better safety. She questioned how the neighbors in the Linda Woods area would get in and out and saw possible destruction there. Lewis said both cities are making compromises. Lewis said more people will be living out to the west and saw the need in taking a civic responsibility. She did note that she does not live on or near any corridor alternative but people commute and Orono and Long Lake cannot bury their heads. Doug Coleman, 140 South Brown Road, said he has been involved in the highway matter for six years with a committee of citizens and has reviewed all of the alternatives. Coleman said homes have been held hostage, and the matter needs to be resolved. Coleman said he is in favor of the Council voting yes to Alternative 6 as it would solve the issue of no new corridor, it is a creative solution in using the railroad corridor to solve traffic problems, and it maintains the integrity of Long Lake. • Bruce Carlson, 591 North Stream Road, Wayzata, said he lives on the north side of Hwy 12, east of Long Lake. He sees the situation as unfortunate. Carlson has served as president of the North Long Lake Residents Association. Carlson said he recognizes the difficulty the Council is facing. He sees Orono's situation to reconcile differences in order to get to a rational decision almost impossible. He said their board recognizes that 100% satisfaction is unattainable. Carlson said he supports Alternative 6 as it will facilitate traffic, is good for Long Lake, will improve safety and access, has a relatively low impact on residences, and is consistent with the Orono comprehensive plan approved by the Met Council. Carlson said the alternative is an acceptable solution and sees the need to make a decision in order to gain some certainty in the lives of people affected. Carlson said he recognizes growth as a fact and sees the need to plan and make decisions. He personally believes it would be useful if the State law was modified to protect those near a road such as this. Carlson would like to see those impacted by noise get some compensation for what occurs noting those one inch away from the right -of -way have no current recourse. • Callahan said the City of Long Lake has concerns for impact of noise and the City Council agrees. The Council has asked to be part of getting legislation changed as Mn/DOT has their hands bound. He noted there will be interest in such legislation by Long Lake and others. 11