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132 <br />COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 28, 1994 <br />He had Mr. Schumacher and Mr. Hanson to his property and they <br />could not get near that count. Mr. Stodola said he has owned the <br />property for 11 years and feels there is not need for the <br />improvement. There has not been a major accident or any other <br />traffic problem. Mr. Stodola asked if there was any way that the <br />City could help the landowners buy the right-of-way. He said the <br />improvement would devastate Budget Foreign Auto. He would not <br />have any frontage and have to park across the street. Mr. <br />Stodola said he did not see where there would be any big increase <br />in traffic on Lake Drive. <br />Council Member Kuether asked if the State plans to "turn back" <br />some of the right-of-way to the City. Mr. Hanson said that the <br />State is willing to turn back this particular 100 foot strip <br />providing the frontage road is located on the strip. Council <br />Member Kuether noted that the City would then control the right- <br />of-way and can turn back to the adjoining landowners any portion <br />of the strip not used for the frontage road. <br />Mr. Stodola asked Mr. Schumacher if it was correct that he had <br />said that the City could take the right-of-way to solve this <br />problem. Mr. Schumacher explained that this issue has been <br />wrestled with for many years. He noted that he and Mr. Volk had <br />visited MnDOT about 10 years ago and they told him at that time, <br />if the City could guarantee that this project would be completed, <br />they would turn back the right-of-way. Mr. Schumacher noted that <br />the only thing MnDOT is interested in is that there be only one <br />controlled access in this area so there will not be half a dozen <br />accesses onto a State highway. They are not concerned what would <br />happen to the balance of the right-of-way. <br />Mr. Stodola said he did not see where anyone can say that there <br />has been a problem in this area or that there is going to be a <br />problem. Mr. Schumacher noted that the City has not said there <br />was a problem, MnDOT has said there is a problem. Mr. Stodola <br />said he felt that this was a "typical deal", they have too much <br />money and if they do not spend it, they will loose it. He said <br />that it is very unfair because this is being pushed on the <br />property owners. Mr. Stodola said he feels that this area has <br />been a good neighbor and asked for help from the City Council. <br />Mayor Reinert noted that the City gets "pushed" by the State many <br />times too. <br />Mr. Schneider explained that if the frontage road is built, the <br />City only has a need for enough area to store snow during the <br />winter. The balance of the right-of-way can be released back to <br />the adjacent property owners. <br />Mayor Reinert explained that if the City were to take control of <br />PAGE 10 <br />1 <br />