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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 26, 20133 <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> asked if the army water was clean enough to be used to augment the water feature <br />to ensure it would not go dry. He suggested bubblers and pumps be installed as well to improve <br />the water quality in the wetlands. <br /> <br />Mr. Dresdner <br /> stated that this could be investigated. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> expressed concern with the proposed roundabout and that the <br />MnDOT roundabouts are generally too small. <br /> <br />Mr. Smalkowski <br />believed that the City and the County would be included in the design process. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> agreed that the roundabouts in the Midwest differ from the roundabouts on the <br />east coast or throughout Europe. He wanted to see the roundabout wide enough to safely get <br />traffic in and out without panic. He stated that if the roundabout was done incorrectly, it would <br />be a detriment to the entire project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> commented that the roundabout would be an extreme mistake in the <br />proposed location given the fact that it was a major entrance to the development. She thought <br />that people would avoid the roundabout and that it should not be used within TCAAP. She <br />recommended the consultants bring the five roadways together in a different alignment. <br /> <br />Mr. Smalkowski <br />understood this property was a clean slate, however, in this part of the site, the <br />only way to provide a connection to I-35W and the thumb property is by constructing a <br />roundabout. It is the only logical configuration to provide the necessary access. He stated that <br />roundabouts today are becoming more popular and provide a much safer design. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> explained that the roundabouts on the east coast are much broader <br />and carried a higher capacity of traffic. He recommended that the proposed roundabout be <br />designed in the same manner. He has concerns with the roundabout if it is designed like others <br />throughout Minnesota. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> stated that the thumb did have some constraints with how it could be developed, <br />however, at this time it is a blank slate and access to and from this area needs to be carefully <br />considered. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br />did not oppose the roundabout. She asked if the bridge to the <br />corporate campus would be able to be viewed from the roundabout. <br /> <br />Mr. Smalkowski <br /> stated that the bridge would be across the spine road, after the roundabout. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br />indicated that he is interested to hear the public comments regarding <br />the proposed roundabout. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> requested clarification on the proposed small, medium and large residential lots. <br /> <br />