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The economic impact of granting the variance <br />is that the City would replace a high mainten- <br />ance gravel road with a low maintenance bitum- <br />inous surfaced road. By ,granting the variance <br />the City would also avoid'eondemning an addi- <br />tional 2+ acres of right -of --way and severing <br />two parcels. <br />2. The social impact of granting the variance is <br />that based upon public meetings it appears <br />that the City would be able to obtain the 0.70 <br />acres required for a 30 mph design without con- <br />demnation where a 40 mph design would require <br />condemnation and severing the two parcels. <br />3. There will be no adverse safety or environ- <br />mental impacts by granting the variance. <br />The road presently consists of a continuous <br />gravel road with two right angle curves. It <br />is planned to erect advisory speed signs on <br />the 30 mph curve if the variance is granted. <br />C. The proposed project will. eliminate an existing <br />and proposed deficiency in the transportation <br />system. If the variance is granted, the street <br />will become an easily and economically maintained <br />bituminous surfaced street. If the variance is <br />not granted it is doubtful whether any improve- <br />ment will be ordered. The street will remain gravel <br />surfaced and deficient..in cross-section and design <br />for some time. <br />D. The effect on adjacent lands will be negligible if <br />the variance is granted. if the variance is not <br />granted, 40 mph design curves will take additional <br />prime agricultural land out of production in con- <br />flict with Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan and Metro <br />Council policy. The 40 mph curves may also sever <br />two parcels. As soon as the Lake Elmo Comprehen- <br />sive Plan is approved by the Metropolitan Council, <br />two adjacent property owners will place their land <br />in Agricultural Preserve. <br />E. The project affects six property owners. <br />F. The safety considerations that apply to the project <br />concern negotiating the requested 30 mph curves by <br />the motoring public. The existing gravel road and <br />its continuation to the east are presently not speed <br />zoned. The speed is limited by the very nature of <br />the gravel surface. The road segment immediately <br />west of the project area is bituminous surfaced <br />and zoned for 35 mph. The City of LakeElmo does <br />not believe the motoring public will exceed 30 mph <br />on this segment, and <br />