Minutes - 2017/08/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 14, 2017 Regular Meeting Page 6 understood the County had access protocols in place but commented this was an existing access point and not a new access point. Mayor Mueller questioned if Ms. Laberee was involved in the County Road H improvements. Ms. Laberee stated she was not involved in that project. Mayor Mueller commented on the history of the County Road H project and described how the City and County had come together to reach a compromise so as not to adversely impact existing Mounds View businesses. She stated she would like to speak with a member of the County staff that was willing to consider the safety and needs of the community. Ms. Laberee indicated she was aware of the County Road H concerns and understood compromises were made. She reiterated that the County found no compelling reason for the proposed project to have access to Mounds View Boulevard. She provided further comment on how traffic would flow out of this site onto Groveland Road based on the traffic study. Mayor Mueller indicated she took exception to the traffic study and did not believe that only 70 trips per day would be accessing Groveland Road to the north. Council Member Bergeron expressed hurt and anger for this entire situation. He questioned what it would take to create a compelling reason in order to be granted access to Mounds View Boulevard. Ms. Laberee explained the County would need to understand why Groveland Road, a public roadway, could not handle public traffic. She indicated the traffic from the proposed development was not unreasonable for Groveland Road to manage. Council Member Bergeron expressed frustration with the fact that this property could only be developed if it were to access Groveland Road, otherwise it would have to remain vacant. Especially considering the fact that the properties currently had access to Mounds View Boulevard. He asked if there was an appeals process within the County to present a request for a simple right-in, right-out for the proposed development. Ms. Laberee explained the County was not trying to dictate how this property develops, but rather was trying to dictate how the property was accessed. She believed that Ramsey County has been very cooperative in the past and was simply trying to follow its access management policy. She understood that the County would have to further study the safety of the corridor. She encouraged the Council to speak with Jim Tolaas, her supervisor. Council Member Bergeron understood policies were all fine and good but at times, had to be reconsidered or compromised for the betterment of the community. He supported taking an appeal to the County based on the concerns raised by the Council and public. Council Member Hull asked how much additional traffic would be brought onto Groveland Road from the proposed development. Ms. Laberee referenced the traffic study completed by the developer. It was noted 31 trips would be added during the AM peak, 37 trips during the PM peak, and 399 daily trips.