2002-12-19 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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, . Father Tom Fitzgerald, 7087 Goiffon Road, appeared before the Council concerning the requested vacation of Goiffon Road. Fr. Fitzgerald explained the location of his concern, where Main Street makes a 45-degree turn. He indicated the danger of the turn and gave examples of trucks not being able to make the turn, which is a 10-mile per hour curve, and entering the church parking lot at inappropriate speeds as a result. Fr. Fitzgerald stated that during rush hour cars are moving slower and are following each other so they see the turn approaching, however during other times of the day or night they inevitably end up in the church parking lot. Fr. Fitzgerald indicated he has been at the church for three years, and has seen the situation worsen. He has been surprised that no one has been seriously injured, and would like to correct the situation before that happens. Fr. Fitzgerald is asking the Council to vacate the road or make it a temporary dead-end. Council Member Capra stated she spoke with the City about vacating the street. They did not have a problem with doing so. Mayor Swedberg opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Council Member Broussard Vickers asked the Council to review a memo from the Parks and Recreation Committee giving their recommendation. They advised that the Council take into consideration the trail plan and expressed concern about access to Laurie LaMotte Park if Goiffon Road is vacated. They recommend a temporary dead-end be constructed until the church plans for renovation or expansion are known, with a trail easement provided by the church at that time. Council Member Capra indicated she had spoken with Fr. Fitzgerald concerning the trail easement and the church is open to this suggestion. A member of the audience asked if a decision had been made on improving County Road 14. Mayor Swedberg indicated the proposal goes from 35W to 35E, including trail around lake, past church, to LaMotte Park. The proposal calls for design completion in one to one and one-half years with construction commencing in 2006. Ms. Moore-Sykes advised the Planning and Zoning Commission denied due to the improvements on County Road 14. They recommended vacating at that time. Council Member Capra asked if the City would have any liability if they were to choose a temporary dead-end. City Attorney Hoeft indicated they would not. Suzanne Seeley, Parks and Recreation Committee, questioned the purpose of barricading the street and creating a dead-end. She expressed concern that vehicles would then run into the barricade. Council Member Broussard Vickers stated that if the City chose to vacate the street, the church would then barricade that section and the result would be the same. Page 4 of2l