12/16/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 1996 PUBLIC HEARING, 6:30 P.M., OTTER LAKE ROAD IMPROVEMENT, DAVID AHRENS Mr. Ahrens explained that on November 25, 1996, the City Council accepted a feasibility report and called a public hearing on December 16, 1996 for the Otter Lake Service Road Street and Utilities Project. The proposed project will provide sanitary sewer and watermain service and streets to the properties at the southeast quadrant of the I -35E and Main Street (Highway 14) interchange. The proper notices have been mailed and published notifying property owners of the public hearing pursuant to State Statutes. In a separate agenda item under the City Engineer's report, the City Council will be asked to consider ordering the project and preparation of plans and specifications. Mr. Ahrens provided the following background for this item: Using the overhead projector, he indicated the location of this project, explaining that the existing Otter Lake Road will be realigned next Spring to better serve the properties in Clearwater Creek by routing the roadway through the middle of the development area. The realignment would improve safety on Main Street by eliminating the Main Street/Otter Lake Road intersection that is in close proximity to the Main Street/I-35E ramp. The Otter Lake Road realignment project is a joint venture between Anoka County and the City, and will be completed in 1997. Proposed Improvements Improvements include sanitary sewer and watermain. Mr. Ahrens explained that there are additional components to this project, such as the installation of regional ponding and wetland mitigation so property owners will not have to use buildable or otherwise usable land for ponds. Mr. Powell presented the updated feasibility report for this project. Since the original feasibility report was given to the City Council, he and Mr. Ahrens reconsidered traffic generation assumptions and their effect on the proposed roadway design. They concluded that the proposed pavement section should be reduced. The revised feasibility report reflects this change in design. Mr. Powell then presented the estimated construction costs and the estimated assessments, as well as the proposed project schedule. Mr. Wessel commented from an economic development standpoint. The City Council has placed a priority on economic development, and has focused on this area for the past 1-1/2 years. The subject area has been aggressively marketed, and commitment for light industrial activity has gained momentum. Landowners have requested road access and availability of utilities in order to enable development, and the Economic Development Department has worked diligently to respond to their requests. Mr. Wessel said that effective economic development is a partnership between the landowners and the City. He and Mr. Ahrens have met with all of the landowners and have developed a strong working relationship with the majority of them. Mr. Dick Schreier was a part of this process. Mr. Wessel explained that the new alignment of Otter Lake Road has always been a part of the overall plan. Staff has been able to obtain assistance from the County in opening up the Clearwater Creek area interior. 2