02-09-00 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 9, 2000 Fahey asked if it were the Engineer's opinion that medians had a calming effect on traffic. The Engineer agreed that the existence of curbing and medians will slow traffic down. Fahey asked if any additional right-of--way needed to be acquired because of the extra width that is necessary due to the medians. The Engineer reported that additional right-of--way is needed along the west end of the project. John Vitale reported that there is a dispute about the location of the right-of--way as it abuts his property. The City Engineer reported that the plan as presented will not disturb the parking lot for the strip centers that Mr. Vitale owns on Little Canada Road. Vitale indicated once the road is widened, snowplowing of Little Canada Road will result in snow being pushed into his parking lot. Fahey noted that the snow will be kept within the road right-of--way. The City Engineer noted that from the sidewalk to the edge of Vitale's parking lot is 10 feet on the east end of the Vitale property and 5 feet on the west end. If the right-turn lane is eliminated in this location it will move the road surface further from the parking lot. Vitale was concerned that the sidewalk improvement will eliminate the trees along the front of his property. Vitale stated that he would be satisfied if the trees are not removed. Vitale suggested that if the City purchased the houses at 10 and 30 West Little Canada Road, the road improvement could be shifted further south and away from his property. The City Administrator agreed that the City could approach these property owners to determine if they were willing to sell their property to the City. If the City was able to shift the road south, a portion of the Kettle River Blvd. easement could be vacated. LaValle asked how much the office building at 93 Little Canada Road would be impacted if the road were shifted further north on the west end. The Engineer reported that afive-foot shift would have minimal impact on 93 Little Canada Road. However, shifting the road 10 to 15 feet would have a significant impact. The City Administrator did not think it was possible to shift the road further south where it is adjacent to the John Vitale property and further north where it is adjacent to The Venetian Inn property. Vitale disagreed and felt the result would be a straighter road.