10/26/1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 26, 1998 Council Member Lyden stated that experts will fill your head with information until your head spins. He stated he has serious concerns about the Plan. He read page 13, Item 2, of the Plan and stated the conclusion of that is the City of Lino Lakes will become the next Brooklyn Park. The City stops at County Road J and the country begins. People came to this community for open space. If they want urban living they will live in Minneapolis or St. Paul. The communities of Afton, Lake Elmo, and Lino Lakes have reason not to change. Quality of life is an issue. Economic dollars do not improve the quality of life. He stated he is not here to please the Comprehensive Plan Task Force. He indicated he is listening to the people. He stated his constituents voted him into office. According to the survey 28% of the citizens stated rural open space is very important. It is very easy to build a city. It is much harder to preserve one. The survey indicated 25% believe rural open space is a good thing. There will be 25% less congestion if 25% more roads are not developed.. It doesn't have to be that way. He stated he has an open space plan that will preserve open space. Regarding page 65 of the Plan, staging means you fill a square. When that square is full you fill in the next square. Council Member Neal stated he received two (2) phone calls. One was regarding Birch Street. Another regarding Birch Street connecting to Hugo Road into Hugo. He stated Lake Drive should be commercial. He noted the proposed commercial development on Centerville Road and Birch Street. He stated jet planes will be here in the future at the sea plane base unless they are specifically prohibited. He stated he is in favor of the Plan if the following is resolved: Birch Street, Hugo Road, Lake Drive commercial, and Centerville Road/Birch Street commercial plan . Mr. Brixius stated language for the sea plane base will be added. Birch Street will remain a two (2) lane roadway. There will be no extension of Birch Street to the Hugo border. There is a plan for a commercial area at Centerville Road and Birch Street. It is not scheduled until after the year 2010. Council Member Neal noted the City has no control over the proposed Hugo Road extension. Mr. Powell stated the road is in Washington County. That is correct, however it would dead end at Elmcrest Avenue. Lino Lakes controls Elmcrest Avenue to I -35E. There are no plans for a Birch Street extension to I -35E. Council Member Neal stated the Plan should be reviewed every one (1) or two (2) years. Mr. Powell stated the Plan will be used as a guideline for Lino Lakes. The City can not control what Hugo does. There is no current plan for another connecting road. Council Member Lyden stated we are at the point where the issue is who will negotiate a compromise Plan. He stated he approached the Comprehensive Plan Task Force in February and March of 1998 with his concerns. He met with the representatives. He asked them to come up with vehicles to improve the Plan. The Metropolitan Council indicated some parts of the Plan can go to a citizen vote. Time is needed to explore that issue. He indicated he had brought new ideas forward to reconcile and move forward. He stated he has met with Mayor Sullivan. He stated he fears the City will not be able to move forward. Staff is going to send the Plan forward 16