04/22/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 1996 could be reduced to 25 mph across the front of the school. If the City wants to reduce the speed zone in front of the school, the City has to request a speed study by the MnDOT. They would monitor the traffic speed and take the 85 percentile and set that as the speed limit. Considering that the current speed limit is 30 mph, the speed limit on the street could be raised to 40 mph or even 45 mph. Mr. Killy asked about nuisance signs. Mr. Ahrens explained that installing "nuisance" stop signs can potentially cause problems. People drive up to the sign and see that nobody is coming and then "drift" through the stop sign without coming to a full stop. The problem created in this case is that someday somebody may be coming when the car is "drifting" through the sign resulting in an accident. Mr. Killy said that would be a good place for the Police Department to make some extra money. Mr. Ahrens said that staff and residents can look at the speed patterns on Elm Street and make a decision on what can be done to take care of speed problems. He felt that additional police patrol and ticketing would be the best speeding deterrent. Mr. Ahrens said that it is hard to include any design feature that adequately controls speed efficiently. Mr. Mitchell clarified traffic volumes after the middle school is opened. He explained that in 1997, Elm Street without the middle school will be handling about approximately 1200 vehicles per day. The traffic projection with the middle school occupied and regardless of what road option is selected, would be an additional 300 to 400 vehicles per day on Second Avenue and another 400 to 500 vehicles per day on Elm Street. Mr. Mitchell said that Option F does not realign Elm Street significantly so traffic projections would be about the same. Mr. Killy said that makes his point more significant. More speed control should be made on Second Avenue and Elm Street. Twice a day for 10 to 20 minutes morning and afternoon, there will be no getting out of his driveway onto Second Avenue. Mr. Killy said his last concern was the businesses that could be constructed near the Lake Drive/Elm Street intersection. He asked if it could it be possible to not allow any businesses a driveway onto Elm Street. Mr. Ahrens reminded the City Council that Mr. Mitchell had already addressed the parcels zoned for businesses. Anoka County or MnDOT will not allow a driveway access to Lake Drive. The driveways would access Elm Street. The County and MnDOT are concerned that their roadways have only a minimum number of driveways or intersections to allow traffic to flow freely and minimize traffic conflicts. Donna Kriegler, 6443 - 20th Avenue presented a petition signed by Lino Lakes citizens in support of a traffic light options A, B or F. She said she owns 10 acres on another County Road where the speed limit is posted 55 mph. Her children do not play in the street and are not allowed near the street. Ms. Kriegler said she came from another area of the City and did not want to leave the school district. She said that she would like to challenge the neighbors who are closely involved, without being disrespectful, to get over this, get past it. This is not a little micro city. There are many students and families involved. Everyone is here for the same reason. Ms. Kriegler said that you are making PAGE 21