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Mr. Rick Jopke <br /> April 23, 1998 <br /> Page 3 <br /> therefore decided to remove the connection of the ring road between the Edgewood Drive relocation <br /> and Long Lake Boulevard. <br /> As part of the normal process for permits needed to work on the right-of-way and to obtain an <br /> entrance, a revised theater site plan was sent to Mn/DOT. The site plan did not have the ring road <br /> connection on it. <br /> Mn/DOT's review was what prompted the meeting on April 21. They indicated that they will not <br /> approve the signal,median opening or any other changes on Highway 10 without the frontage road <br /> or ring road connection. They indicated that the benefits to Mn/DOT were less because traffic would <br /> not be diverted from Highway 10 as a result of the project. Their two concerns were that traffic <br /> would not be diverted between Long Road and Edgewood Drive. They also felt that this would <br /> in essence remove the ring road concept from further consideration in other areas of Mounds View. <br /> Mn/DOT further indicated that they may approve only a right turn in/right turn out entrance to the <br /> development at one location. This is an even stricter interpretation than their initial review prior to <br /> any discussions regarding the relocation of Edgewood Drive. It is also inconsistent with other <br /> developments along Highway 10. <br /> Mn/DOT has indicated that they are willing to discuss the situation with the City but that they are <br /> pretty firm in their belief that the entire package is necessary for approval. <br /> Options <br /> The City has at least five options to consider to continue with the development of the theater <br /> property on the west side and to address the traffic problems which will exist with the expansion of <br /> the community center on the east side of Highway 10. <br /> Option 1 - Continue Ring Road <br /> The easiest option in terms of obtaining Mn/DOT approval would be to reinsert the ring road back <br /> into the concept. This creates three significant problems for the City to address. The ring road was <br /> removed because of local citizen opposition to the potential for additional traffic onto an adjacent <br /> roadway. Two different traffic studies indicated that the volume of traffic would be relatively low. <br /> Much of the traffic from the theater would want access only to Long Lake Road. The amount of <br /> traffic using Mounds View Drive from the theater or from other area development would also be <br /> relatively low since Mounds View Drive provides access primarily to a specific development along <br /> Lake Court Drive or for the area west along County Road I. <br /> The second concern of the City is the cost of the road. With a potential of assistance from Mn/DOT <br /> for signal costs and Highway 10 construction costs, the City apparently was able to fund the ring <br /> road connection. Without Mn/DOT financial assistance, the additional cost becomes somewhat of <br /> a financial strain on the City. <br /> T70021 09TZ 0617 ZT9 %Vd ZT:fio 11H,L 56/CZ/t0 <br />