CCP 10-29-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. e e e Mr. Joe Lynch, City Administrator --€ity-of-Ai'dcn Hills 1245 W. Highway 96 ArdenHiIls,MN 55112 October 22, 200 I Dear Mr. Lynch, We are residents of Arden Hills who live near the proposed construction site at Cleveland Avenue and County Rd E2, We participated in the public hearing held in September at which point we voiced our concerns about having a 30 unit apartment building with 90 parking spaces added to an already congested intersection. We don't object to the city's desire to build on that spot and to add to the tax rolls. What we do object to is putting such a large building on a constrained site so close to an already congested intersection. The on and off ramps for 35W at the E2 exits are very busy and hazardous, especially during rush hour. This in turn causes significant back ups along Cleveland Avenue. Adding 90 cars to the fray will put an excessive traffic burden on the area. We feel very strongly that a traffic assessment be performed prior to approval of this project. There have already been numerous and serious accidents on that overpass and at New Brighton Road. At the hearing someone suggested adding traffic lights. This would not be an effective resolution to the problem, as it would only serve to further congest the ramps at 35 W. The increase in foot traffic is also a concern. We urge Arden Hills to work with Ramsey County to effectively address this issue along Cleveland Avenue, County Road E2 and New Brighton Road. We want trails to be built into the plan before any construction is done. This area has become a heavily trafficked route frequented by area residents and students. In the absence of adequate walking paths or shoulders, safety concerns would only multiply. Why change the zoning? Why not allow for a much smaller structure with downscaled parking? Perhaps a 15 to 20 unit building with no more than 40 spaces could be better accommodated, and a structure that is within the current limits on height. Let's be honest here, the proposed building is not a long term solution to the student housing shortage at Bethel College. As stated at the hearing, Bethel's involvement and commitment to that structure is temporary at best. It is also unlikely to become a senior building after Bethel vacates it and should be viewed simply as an opportunity for Beacon Construction to build rental units. R~~ctfullY S=it~~~ Lfn ~~& Paul Farley Marsha Burgeson 3790 Brighton Way 3759 New Brighton Road ArdenHills,MN 55112 F~ Liz Modesette 3743 New Brighton Road Arden Hills, MN 5511Z I) -z- Pwd-e$v~ Cl)frf IIJ!).,?(DI