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Planning & Zoning Board <br />October 13, 2021 <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />Vice-Chair Root declared the Public Hearing open at 7:02 p.m. <br /> <br />Ed McCormick, 14880 Empress Ave N, Hugo MN 55038, said when he purchased <br />his home he did not realize Rosemary Way would be extended. Rather, he thought <br />the road near Kwik Trip would be extended for the connection to the Belland Farms <br />parcels. Mr. McCormick wondered when construction of the Otter Lake Road <br />extension would begin and where the street would go. Lastly, he asked if there are <br />plans for Elmcrest Avenue/24th Avenue to be widened. <br /> <br />Dick Pickhartz, 14941 Empress Ave N, Hugo, MN 55038, expressed concern <br />regarding the possible increased traffic on Rosemary Way. He informed the Board he <br />recently witnessed a child get hit by a vehicle at the corner of CR 14 and Rosemary <br />Way. Moreover, he also stated there was a recent major accident at the intersection <br />of Victor Hugo Blvd and CR 8. Mr. Pickhartz expressed concern with the U-turn at <br />the stoplight on Victor Hugo Blvd. He asked why the City would not connect <br />Rosemary Way across 24th Avenue to the controlled intersection at CR 14 and Otter <br />Lake Road. He explained by directing traffic to Otter Lake Road, U-turns at the <br />stoplight on Victor Hugo Blvd. would be prevented. He asked if the City has <br />considered connecting Rosemary Way across 24th Avenue to the intersection at CR <br />14 and Otter Lake Road. Furthermore, Mr. Pickhartz questioned why the City is <br />waiting to proceed with road construction until the other lot is developed. <br /> <br />Mr. Reinert made a MOTION to close the Public Hearing at 7:06 p.m. Motion was <br />supported by Mr. Wipperfurth. Motion carried 5 – 0. Vice-Chair Root abstained. <br /> <br />Staff Comments <br /> <br />Diane Hankee, City Engineer, said Rosemary Way is a future planned road intended <br />to be a frontage road to Main Street in the City of Hugo. There are plans for <br />Rosemary Way to be extended all the way to Highway 61. She commented <br />Rosemary Way may come out at McDonalds or it may come out to the north <br />depending on intersection spacing, stacking distance for cars, and turning to serve the <br />commercial area. She said there is potential for a round-a-bout or a signal at that <br />future intersection. Ms. Hankee stated Rosemary Way as it heads west will likely be <br />a collector road and will have more traffic than 24th Avenue. She noted, Otter Lake <br />Road at the intersection with McDonalds is planned to be right in right out only. Ms. <br />Hankee stated Otter Lake Road is dependent upon wetlands. She said the City cannot <br />set alignment of Otter Lake Road at this point because the City is required to go <br />through a wetland sequencing process with the Army Corps of Engineers and the <br />Rice Creek Watershed District. She explained the wetland sequencing process is set <br />in coordinator with those agencies through their permitting process. The next phase <br />of the Otter Lake Road extension is planned for 2024 due to the fact the City will <br />need to work with property owners, wetland delineations will need to be complete, <br />and permitting will need to be authorized. Ms. Hankee said Otter Lake Road will <br />likely connect near Heritage Parkway and thus traffic on 24th Avenue will likely be <br />reduced to mainly Hugo traffic. She stated street improvements for 24th Avenue have