11/25/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 25, 2002 . Street where the City started with their own plan and wanted Anoka County to agree with it. In this case, it started with an Anoka County sketch so he does not share that concern. • Community Development Director Grochala noted the Anoka County letter says to "build this." Councilmember Reinert stated that if Anoka County approval is granted then there is not another hurdle for this to move forward. Community Development Director Grochala explained that timing may be an issue. Councilmember Reinert stated he does not want this to turn into an opportunity for Anoka County to say the City needs this road and then force their "monster intersection" plan on the city. Community Development Director Grochala stated Anoka County could not require the City to build that big intersection. Mayor Bergeson stated he would like to compliment the developer on working with the City through this process which resulted in a quality plan that will be an asset to that neighborhood and the entire community. He stated tonight the Council is faced with approving or not approving. If not approved, there is high likelihood that eventually there will be something on that property of lesser quality than what is being proposed tonight. Mayor Bergeson stated the signal has been discussed for ten years or more and it has been the position of the City and various Councils that they need to move toward a signal at that intersection for safety and convenience needs. Now the City has the opportunity to get half of the signal paid for and, hopefully, all of the signal paid for eventually. Mayor Bergeson stated in terms of an Anoka County commitment, he thinks Councilmember Carlson raised some issue with commitments Anoka County had made in the past and recalls numerous times they have indicated they had a responsibility both for that intersection and for the bridge. Mayor Bergeson stated he thinks that in working with the developer, the City would be in a good position to remind Anoka County of their overall commitments and promises made in the past. He suggested that Anoka County, long term, has the responsibility for that corridor and the City is facilitating getting some of that work done and should be aggressive to remind Anoka County of their obligation and previous promises. With regard to the right-of-way, Mayor Bergeson stated he does not agree that getting adequate right- of-way around that intersection would push the City to a commitment of a bigger road. He stated it is important to get adequate right-of-way because if the right-of-way is too skimpy, the road will be built too close to some parcels and in future the City may have to acquire more right-of-way, which would be problematic and expensive at that point. He stated he supports obtaining adequate right-of-way to assure good engineering and design of the intersection and roadways. He stated he is in support of the motion. Councilmember Carlson stated Councilmember Reinert had suggested some language be included and maybe it would not be a condition but, rather, a finding of fact in the ordinance as follows: 26