2004-12-08 Handouts - Laserfiche WebLink

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2050 Main Street · Centerville, Minnesota 55038 · Ph: (651) 429-9990 . Fax: (651) 429-9993 · www.nfpmn.com December 1, 2004 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this letter to express my concerns relating to the current proposed expansion of County Road 14 from 135W to 135E. My individual area of concern relates to the stretch of CR 14 from 2051 Ave. S. to 2151 Ave. S., where our business is located on the south side of the road. The proposed concrete median not allowing westbound traffic to make a left turn into our business would severely impact our Company's ability to operate at this location. Northern Forest Products is a distributor of hardwood lumber products. The incoming lumber to our facility arrives in semi loads (full tractor and 48 foot trailer). The outbound shipments of our lumber are shipped on common carriers that range from full tractor trailers to medium size trucks. We currently have between 30-40 trucks per day entering our facility (10-15 of which are full semis), and 99% of these trucks come west from 135E (after traveling north on 135E). The concept of these trucks doing a u-turn to arrive at our facility is impractical, and very unsafe. It also is not logical to route these trucks off of 135E at an exit south of our facility, as the community to our south would not look favorably at having this truck traffic routed through their exit, and to drive north on roads that are not equipped to handle this type of equipment. In addition to the above truck count, there are an additional 30-40 vehicles per day that also enter our facility by traveling west from 135E. We own two lots in the above referred to stretch of CR 14 (Lots 5 & 6). When we purchased the second lot (Lot 6) in 1998, we worked with the Anoka County Highway Department when requesting an access permit. The County expressed concerns about having too many access points along this stretch, and we jointly agreed to make Lot 6 an entrance only access, and Lot 5 became an egress only access point. This was done to support the County's wishes to limit access, a better flow of traffic, and to promote a safer road. It is now very frustrating to understand that our business may need to consider relocating because our need to have westbound traffic turn into our facility has not been valued in the proposed plan. I am in complete support of the attached letter which represents the joint interests of business and land owners along County Road 14 from Centerville to 135E. I believe that a "concrete free median" solution can be entertained so that the speed and flow of traffic can meet everyone's objectives, and also not severely impact the businesses and developable land along CR 14. Paul McDowell President Northern Forest Products