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) Callahan informed those in attendance that the traffic problems on Highway 12 have existed for a long time, and the debate on what should be done with the roadway has heated up in the past ten years. Callahan said the highway department is restrained by the legislature and required to perform an environmental study. Once the decision was made to improve the roadway to the west, a number of steps were involved to determine acceptable alternatives. Callahan noted there were 27 alternatives at one time. Callahan said Orono did a study on its views of the highway and alternatives with a number of public hearings, work by the Planning Commission, and by the Council. Orono made the decision that they did not favor the "no build" option as it was believed that the road improvement was necessary and MnDOT would build it anyway. In the scheme of.the welfare of the State, it was determined that the highway should be brought to this area, though the Council was not necessarily for it. The Council did believe it should be built within the present corridor and widened but recognized it would have a substantial effect on the City of Long Lake. The differences between Orono and Long Lake were recognized, and Orono committed to do what was reasonable to alleviate the problems created for Long Lake as a result of the highway. Long Lake, Orono, NIn/DOT, and occasionally Wayzata, engaged in mediation but were diametrically opposed on their views regarding 4 -1ane alternatives for the corridor. As a result of the mediation, the alternatives became narrowed. • The current alternative proposed in April, 1996, for the north side of the Burlington Northern Railroad was favored by Mn/DOT. Callahan noted there were benefits to the alternative, though it is not entirely satisfactory. Mn/DOT has performed the major portion of an EIS study of the whole corridor from Wayzata to Wilmar. Callahan said if there were people who wanted to know the environmental effects on the area, Mn/DOT has studied it and knows its effect. Callahan said NIn/DOT studied the 3 -lane alternative proposed by the citizens of Long Lake and Orono. He noted, although the Canadian firm deemed the 3 -lane proposal feasible, most engineering proposals are found feasible. Callahan said a decision was necessary for the general location of the road. Once the location of the corridor is decided, additional studies relating to environment and design will take place to determine specifics as to exact location, the grade, and who will be affected. The corridor report listed the preferred Alternative 6, along with the no -build option, and why the last eight alternatives were abandoned. A public meeting will be held November 21; after which time, the City of Orono must make their determination. Callahan said, if the City was not to act at all, they would miss the chance to have any say. A no vote does not mean that Mn/DOT would not proceed, as they are not legally bound to any decision made by Orono. Callahan said Alternative 6 is as close as it can be to where the Council would like to see a road built. It is his opinion that the City of Long Lake will not approve an upgraded roadway in the current corridor. • Callahan opened the meeting up to comments.