08-29-11 Council Special Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 29, 2011 to the Council with a proposal. Plowman indicated that they would be willing to step back from the process if the City gets another proposal that it would like to proceed with. Theresa LaGatto, Cobblestone Village, indicated that their townhome complex has concerns relative to vacant property in the area (strip mall on Minnesota Street) and with congestion and traffic in the area. LaGatto indicated that there are near accidents on Minnesota Street every day. She indicated that there is a conflict with vehicles exiting and turning left from the McDonald's curb cut on Minnesota Street and vehicles turning from Rice Street onto Minnesota Street. LaGatto also indicated that there is a great deal of traffic congestion in the area and asked if there were any plans to alleviate the problem. Plowman pointed out that traffic from a medical or dental clinic would be minimal and spread out over the course of a business day. He also indicated that once the timing of the traffic lights is finalized along Rice Street, there should be a dramatic difference in traffic flow through the area. The City Administrator indicated that given the Rice Street project is not completed and all the lanes open, the area is still somewhat confusing to drivers and does not flow as well as it will once the project is final. Plowman reported that his office is on Viking Drive in this area, and pointed out that moving the street behind McDonald's has improved traffic flow on Rice Street dramatically. He felt that in the next couple of months there will be a big difference on traffic flows along Rice Street. The City Administrator stated that he understands the concerns raised by LaGatto relative to the McDonald's Minnesota Street curb cut, and he will discuss the possibility of limiting this curb cut to an entrance point only. The Administrator stated that he thought this was the initial intent, and that traffic exiting McDonald's would be limited to the Viking Drive curb cuts. LaGatto stated that she supported the professional office concept suggested by R. J. Marco and felt it was the best possible development for the area. LaGatto felt another fast food restaurant in this area would only add to the traffic problems. LaGatto stated that hopefully once the road improvements are completed in this area, additional businesses will move into the Little Canada Mall. The City Administrator reported that at the City's recent goal setting session the decision was made to delay the marketing of the City's Rice Street /Viking Drive site until the Rice Street improvements were completed. The Administrator also pointed out that as part of the land swap with McDonald's that facilitated the relocation of Viking Drive, 6