04-12-1999 Council Minutes Townline Road Informational Meeting

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• TOWNLINE ROAD INFORMATIONAL MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 12, 1999 The following Council members were present: Mayor Gabriel Jabbour, Charles Kelley, Bob Sansevere, and Richard Flint. Representing Staff were City Administrator Ron Moorse, Senior Planning Coordinator Michael Gaffron, Assistant Zoning Administrator Paul Weinberger, City Engineer Tom Kellogg, Director of.Public Services Greg Gappa, and Recorder Lanette Wolf. Mayor Jabbour called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Jabbour stated that the mayors of Maple Plain, Independence and Medina were present. He said the purpose of this meeting is to discuss Mn/DOT's proposal to close Townline Road at Highway 12. He said the first proposal was to move County Road 19 to Townline Road and to install a stop light. Because of the expense affiliated with the bridge and the railroad, that proposal was not feasible. Tom O'Keefe, representing Mn/DOT, was present. Jabbour said that Townline Road runs through Orono, Maple Plain, Independence and Medina. He said that a major concern is how emergency vehicles would get to Townline Road if there is a cul -de -sac. He said that the City of Maple Plain is planning to run water to the cul -de -sac and the commercial property that will be rezoned to residential property located in Medina. Medina is planning to run a sewer system to the property. He said that Mn/DOT will not take any action until the City of Orono takes a position regarding closing the • intersection with Highway 12. Jabbour said that Townline Road is not a major road to Orono, it is a neighborhood road. He said the Council wants input from the citizens of Orono. Martha Diesen said she has been told for years that County Road 19 would be moved to Townline Road. She asked how emergency vehicles would get through. Jabbour said that Orono has had similar issues with other roads. One suggestion is to build the curb low enough around the cul -de -sac so a vehicle could drive over it. Roger Diesen said Townline Road is not built for heavy traffic. He feels it would be a major expense to upgrade it for County Road #19. He does not believe a surmountable curb will work for emergency vehicles. He would like the road left as it is with some repair done. He said the road can be widened and a signal put at the intersection. Emergency vehicles will need access, especially with the proposed residential development. Jabbour asked O'Keefe to explain Mn/DOT's position regarding installing a stop light and keeping the status quo. O'Keefe said that the access under the railroad bridge is too narrow and it's at the wrong skew for an intersection and turn lanes can't be installed. He said it would make a bad situation worse if they signalize the intersection. • Diesen said he feels the road can be widened a little bit and a signal put in. He is opposed to putting in the cul -de -sac. Page 1