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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-1985RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL 2451 CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA _ Adjourned Meeting No_ 4 - .lime 19, lgRS Agenda Item A-1 President Postier called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., the following members being present: President Postier, Aldermen Allen, Bluhm, Duffy, Powers, Solinger and Strain. Absent : None. B-1 A Hearing on the consideration of deletion of the proposed 7th Street N. E. extension from the adopted Thoroughfare Plan. Wishing to be heard was Charles Rei1Er of the City/County Planning Department. He presented the maps of the present proposed extension and told how it would be effective for traffic flow in the future. He also stated that if such an extension would be needed in the futur( and it was taken off the Thoroughfare Plan, and the governmental bodies would have to buy back land that would -probably be built on and acquired in some other manner. This would be costly. By leaving it on the ma bodies would b p� the governmental e sure that it was safe in the event that it would be needed. He urged the Council to keep it on the map. Mr. Reiter also stated that he had been a member of the Chamber task force studying this and they are in favor of leaving this on the map. Mr. Reiter gave possible alternatives and also stated the proposed ..us -age of this road and the projected count as far as the year 2000. This extension would still prove to be the best link in the future. Mr. Reiter stated that in order for a project to be made, hearings would have to be held, environmental impact statements received and the flooding would be considered. He stated that just because it is left on the Thoroughfare Plan, it would not mean that the project would ever become reality, but meantime the land would be safe. Wishing to be heard was Franklin Michaels, Attorney, Rochester, Minnesota and member of the Townboard. He stated that the township was against leaving this on the Thoroughfare Plan. Mr. Reiter stated that he did o to the neighborhoods g and found the meetings were not well attended. President Postier stated that as far as he is concerned, the City Council wants this deleted, the School Board, Park Board want this deleted, the DNR want it deleted. We have a petition with over 1,000 names on it that want this deleted, Harry Buck of the Quarry Hill Nature Center wants it deleted so he sees no support for leaving this on the Plan and would advise that it be deleted. Dr. Duffy u y stated that no other representatives were present when Mr. Reiter met with the Chamber, so he feels that only one side was presented. Mr. Reiter stated that they researched the project and facts were presented rather than making this a onesided.. issue. Every- one could draw their own conclusions. Alderman Duffy however remindec Mr. Reiter that the City Council, County Board, School Board, or any other boards were asked to be present when this was discussed. 2452 RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS. OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Adjniirned Meeting Nn_ 4 - ,lime 19, ICIRS Agenda Item B-1 Alderman Solinger also stated that this Chamber board was one sided and no representative was present from opposition. Mr. Reiter stated that he is a non -voting member of the task board and each member gathered information so they could vote the way they felt they should. Alderman Strain stated that for the record he wanted it noted that the City Council, School Board, Olmsted County Board, ROCOG, etc. were opposed to this extension being left on the Thoroughfare Plan. Alderman Powers stated that he was bothered by the property that this would :affect. He stated that some property would become an island. Mr. Reiter stated that a Thoroughfare Plan is hard to draw up to please everyone and it takes years of study. Having no more discussion by the Council, President Postier asked if anyone in the audience wished to be heard. Wishing to be heard was Craig Darsow of 1616 7th St N. E. He is opposed. He is concerned about the Nature center and the flooding that could occur. He stated that 13 homes would be hit with this extension if it were to be built. Wishing to be heard was Curt Taylor, 828 10 112 St. S. W. and is Superintendent of the Park and Recreation for the City of Rochester. He spoke in opposition on behalf of the City Park Board. He stated that if Circle Drive is built, it will handle all traffic in the future. He opposes this because of the damage it will do to the nature center and park system. Wishing to be heard was Dave Brandt of 625 3rd St. S. W. on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. They are in favor of keeping this on the Thoroughfare plan. He stated they would like more options, but something has to be done with the future traffic. Mr. Brandt stated that they did meet with the people in the area. Did work with Harry Buck of the Quarry Hill Nature Center and he did work with the Planning Department. Wishing to be heard was Jean Slockbower of 945 7th Avenue N. E. She is pleased to be a part of this hearing and is opposed. She is speaking on .behalf of the Rochester Chapter of the Issac Walton League of America. She stated that they would not want the Gordon Yaeger Wildlife Center destroyed. Wishing to be heard was Harry Buck of 2012 Viola Rd. N. E. He is opposed to this. It would destroy the wildlife and would hurt the nature center. He is worried about the potential flooding and is worried about the habits of the geese. They would likely take the acreage that is now set aside for food for the geese and the geese would suffer. Wishing to be heard was Mike Lovejoyce of 620 loth Ave. S. W. and is one of the students of Quarry Hill Nature center. He is opposed to leaving this on the Thoroughfare Plan. RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL 2453 CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Adjourned Meeting No. 4 - June 19, 1985 Agenda Item B-1 Wishing to be heard was Joyce Martin of 3610 Hidden Lane N. E. she appeared on behalf of the OCBC and they are opposed to leaving this extension on the Plan. Wishing to be heard was Joel Dunnette of 1448 Durand Court S. E. He is appearing on behalf of the Zumbro:Valley Chapter of the Audibon Society and they are opposed. They want protection for the Quarry Hill Nature Center. Wishing to be heard was Jack Dolan, County Engineer - Rural Route 6 Rochester, Minnesota. He is in favor of leaving this on the map. He stated that this should be left on the map and not removed without detailed study of alternatives. It is difficult to put it on, meantimE if it is not needed, it will not harm anything. President Postier stated that we are taking action on 7th Street as it exists and no other route. Wishing to be heard was Ron Hein of 1304 7th St. N. E. He is concerned about the homeowners as he is one of the homeowners that would be in an island. He is opposed. Wishing to comment was Olmsted Commissioner Daly. He stated that for 30 years this has been on the map. Since that time Quarry Hill and th DNR came into being. He stated that if Circle Drive was developed, this would become a spoke and is in favor of keeping this on the map. Wishing to be heard was Don Baldus of 1212 7th St. N. E. He did not think that just because something was on the map for 30 years, it should be left on. He stated " That just because you had a bomb in your basement, should you leave it"? President Postier questioned how many people present were opopsed to leaving this extention on the Thoroughfare Plan. Approximately 150 people stood in opposition. That carried about 99% of those present. Having no one else present that wished to be heard, President Postier closed this hearing. (NOTE:) Alderman Duffy left at 7:40 P.M. and was not present for the voting. Powers moved, Bluhm second to adopt Resolution No. 341-85 deleting the extension of 7th Street N. E. from llth Avenue N. E. to Silver Lake Road N. E. from the City's Official Thoroughfare Plan. Ayes (6), Nays (0). Motion carried. Having no further business, Allen moved, Bluhm second to adjourn the meeting until June 24, 1985 at 4:30 P.M . Ayes (6), Nays (0).Motion carried.