CCP 02-28-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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D: ~.... ~.~.';.. f!\\ f':" T ; ~\. 1'..... 14 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 14,2000 Mayor Probst noted that many requests have been made to slow the traffic down in this area and . he believed that reducing the four lane traffic down to two lanes would have this affect. Additionally, the addition of an island, similar to Tony Schmidt Park, would serve to further stow down the traffic. Mr. Paulu stated that, from a traffic engineer's point of view, this would not be an appropriate area for traffic calming. Councilmember &nlil<o\'lski stated that she was opposed to the idea of a median island since she felt that ilw.as UlUlecessill)'.. Additionally, anything less than two lanes in each direction on Old Snelling A venue will cause traffic back-up problems. She would prefer two lanes III both dir.;:ctiQn~ with tllm lane. when nece..ary. With regard to the pedestrian crossing at the Bethel College entrance, she felt that the college students should be responsible enough to deal with the current layout. Councilmember Grant asked Councilmember Aplikowski if she felt that the roadway and intersection should be left as is. Councilmember Aplikowski stated that this may be what she was suggesting. She indicated that she drives this road everyday and there was more through traffic than traffic turning into Bethel College. Councilmember Larson stated that he liked the idea of a median island. He remained concern that with the number of turns at the intersection, and the amount of pedestrian traffic, an accident will occur. An island would allow a pedestrian to stop in the middle of the street if necessary. He was also concerned that there be enough shoulder area to allow for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Councilmember Grant stated that reducing Old Snelling Avenue to one lane prior to McCracken . Lane would preoccupy drivers at the McCracken intersection. Additionally, the proposed layout did not include a dedicated left turn lane onto McCracken Lane for northbound traffic. Mayor Probst stated that the current traffic counts did not support a four lane roadway. He suggested that the road could be three lanes with the middle lane being a dedicated turn lane. He felt that this would be a safer condition than the current layout of the road. Mr. Brown stated that Mr. Solar had agreed that a three lane roadway would be safer. However, Ramsey County would not want to restripe the road without seal coating. Councilmember Grant requested confirmation that Ramsey County would be restriping part of the roadway, however, they do not wish to restripe the entire length. Mr. Brown stated that this was correct. Councilmember Rem stated that a median island should be considered for pedestrian safety. Councilmember Aplikowski disagreed. She felt that center islands historically cause more accidents. Ms. Randall noted that the reason the entire roadway was not being restriped was Bethel College would be responsibte for the restriping. Mr. Bruce Kunkel, Vice President for Campus Services, Bethel College, stated that an agreement was made for Bethel College to pay to have to current striping removed and Ramsey County would perform the restriping. He indicated that Bethel . College was concerned with the safety of the roadway and there were many opinions regarding