Minutes - 2009/10/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council October 26, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 7 addition, mailboxes and snow storage are not issues in that area. Mr. Glidden felt that bicycles did not belong in that area and that the issues were solvable, but it brings to light the reasons residents have been so involved with the Edgewood Drive project. He stated that three residents favor sidewalks and conceded on that issue since the width of the street was left intact, which they believe adds safety. Mr. Glidden stated he had been willing to accept the configuration that included the sidewalk as an acceptable intrusion for the safety of the wider street. However, now it has become more intrusive and had he known, he would have spoken more strongly against the sidewalks at the Committee meeting. Mr. Glidden advised that he just got the notice on Thursday but the meeting had already been held on Monday so his only opportunity was to attend the meeting tonight. He stated he can live with the mailboxes being on the other side of the street; however, that may be an issue for his other neighbors. He asked the Council to revert to the design agreed to at the September 21, 2009, Committee meeting and September 28, 2009, Council meeting. Dwayne Freeburg, Edgewood Drive, a 42-year resident, stated he was originally against the sidewalk but accepted the configuration shown on the orange sheet of paper and having mailboxes on the other side of the street. However, he objected to the configuration shown on the white sheet of paper because he believed road salt would cause dead grass along the street and in his yard. Barry Larson, 5200 Edgewood Drive, stated he lives across from the school and supports Option 3. He stated he also supports a wider street and sidewalks on both sides so it is up-to-date for the whole community. He stated there is validity in support of the boulevard, which he supports, noting it does not encroach beyond the right-of-way. Mr. Larson stated he has a salt problem on two sides since he has a corner lot. He thought the snow would be restricted to the boulevard so there would be less salt damage to yards. However, if the sidewalk is at the curb, snow would then be on their yards so more salt damage would occur. With regard to the mailboxes, he felt they should be on the east side, the same side as the houses. Mr. Larson stated he does not favor chokers or any sort of restrictions and suggested if there are concerns at the school, flashing lights at the crosswalks be considered as an alternative. Dave Warwick, 5081 Edgewood Drive, stated he does not support chokers because of the hazard caused for bicyclists and felt jogging the road over may cause a problem if drivers are not attentive. Mr. Warwork stated one day the salt truck went by his house four times and questioned why so much road salt has to be used. Public Works Director DeBar clarified that major design configurations have been approved. Under consideration tonight are design enhancements like turn lanes, boulevards, bump outs, and signing. He explained the alignment of the boulevard and sidewalk, resulting in a gain of three feet of lawn in the boulevard area. Council Member Gunn asked whether the tree in Mr. Glidden’s yard is in the way of the sidewalk. Public Works Director DeBar stated the tree trunk is within Mr. Glidden’s property. Council Member Gunn stated she supports the boulevard because it provides a margin of safety for pedestrians, does not support chokers, and supports the signage and turn lanes.