02-09-00 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 9, 2000 Scalze pointed out that anyone existing The Venetian Inn property wishing to get to Rice Street will exit from the west edge of the property. Scalze felt that the median was more a traffic safety device than a device to control left turns from The Venetian's parking lot. LaValle felt the median was not necessary if Little Canada Road is properly striped. The Engineer pointed out that the median will assist in the operation of the intersection. However, given the few accidents that have occurred at Rice Street and Little Canada Road, striping of Little Canada Road is a reasonable alternative on a temporary basis. Once the area redevelops and the City has a better idea of how driveways will line up, a median can be installed. Scalze pointed out that this intersection is the gateway into Little Canada and this is why the City had a redevelopment plan and streetscape plan drawn for this area. Scalze felt that Little Canada Road at Rice Street should be wider than the alternative being proposed this evening, and suggested that, if necessary, the additional width could come from the north side of the street that is owned by the City. Scalze also pointed out previous discussions about this gateway area and the development of public areas with fountains and benches and landscaping. John Vitale pointed out that if the City redevelops Little Canada Road at Rice Street the way the redevelopment guide proposes, the City will have to buy The Venetian property. Fahey asked if additional width for the street could come from the north. The Engineer replied that it could not without impacting the property at 93 West Little Canada Road. Fahey pointed out that the median would make maintenance and snowplowing difficult as well as will impact The Venetian property. Fahey felt that the money that would be spent on the median would be better spent on streetlights or landscaping, etc. The City Administrator felt there were three issues to consider with regard to the median. Those are aesthetics, traffic delineation, and the traffic calming impact. The Administrator pointed out that one of the goals for the redevelopment of this area is to create apedestrian-friendly environment. Pedersen asked how many medians were planning along Little Canada Road. The Engineer replied that there is one at the intersection with Rice Street, two from the area of Market Place Drive to the railroad tracks, and a small one at County Road C.