Agenda Packets - 1998/04/27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Report TOLD Development Co. Case# 507-97 January 14, 1998 Page 7 Traffic Calming: The City Engineer was sent two diagrams showing possible traffic calming plans for Greenwood Drive. Of the two options presented, both of which are attached and labeled Option 1 and Option 2, both the City Engineer and Mike Ulrich, Director of Public Works, indicated that Option 1 would be more of a deterrent to fast speeds due to the abruptness of the lane shift, whereas Option 2 is less abrupt and more smooth-flowing. The cost associated with either option are minimal, although Option 1 would be significantly less as no additional pavement would be required. Mike Ulrich explained that this might be a good test case which if proved successful, could be incorporated into future street reconstructions and as a tool to reduce speeds on some streets with long, uninterrupted blocks. Accident Data: Discussions with the Ramsey County Traffic Engineer have revealed that the number of accidents on County Road I between Long Lake Road and Highway 10, excluding those occurring at either intersection, numbered only six during the last four years. Of these, four involved right-angle impacts from vehicles leaving Moundsview Square. Regarding accident data . for the intersection ofHighway 10 and County Road I, a printout:was generated for an almost two year period, beginning January 1, 1996 to November 12, 1997. There were 18 recorded accidents reported by either Mounds View Police or the State Patrol. Given the number of vehicles passing this intersection daily, the number of accidents that have occurred is relatively insignificant. The following represents some of the"mitigating circumstances" associated with the accidents. • 4 of the accidents occurred between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am • 5 of the accidents involved wet, snowy, icy or slushy road conditions • 2 of the accidents involved alcohol • 1 accident involved a bicycle • 1 accident involved a fixed object--the traffic semaphore Neither the Chief of Police nor the Ramsey County Traffic Engineer believe that the construction of a Walgreens store at the northeast corner of Highway 10 and County Road I would lead to an increase in accidents. With the eliminationof the Eastwood Road access and the addition of a right turn land on'westbound County.Road I onto Highway 10, thepotential-for.accidents.and the traffic flow at this intersection could actually improve. " Conclusions: The following represents staff's assessment of the advantages and disadvantages from this development proposal. Advantages: • The proposal is designed in a manner which provides protection and buffering for the surrounding residential neighborhoods • The proposal brings a national retailer into Mounds View I- • Walgreens will give Mounds View residents an added choice for their prescription needs