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DAVFD IC. GARDNER <br />1399. EAST COUNTY ROAD E <br />GEM LAKE, MINNESOTA 55110 <br />June 10, 1994 <br />Mr. Paul R. Emeott, Mayor <br />3960 Scheuneman Road <br />Gem Lake, MN 55110 <br />Dear Paul: <br />The Gem. Lake Planning Commission convened Tuesday, May.31, <br />7:30 PM, at Tousley Ford to discuss the I-35E Corridor Study and <br />the proposed Fontana Development (Target) in Vadnais Heights. <br />Present were Gardner, Nielsen, Leider, Docken, Bemis, and Emeott. <br />Mr. Nielsen represented Gem Lake on the Corridor Study <br />Committee and presented several documents which 1 have copied and <br />will provide to Mr. Magnuson for distribution to the City Council <br />members with this letter. <br />The Corridor Study Executive Summary presents a <br />disconcerting view of the future as traffic conditions in the <br />bottleneck of 135E and 1694 are already in the E--F category <br />(graded A-F, positive to negative)(p.6). The study states that a <br />moderate level of development can be tolerated with some roadway <br />improvements, but that maximum development will cause gridlock <br />(pp.4-5). Those of us who use the Highway 96 interchange are <br />familiar with the prospect. Drivers are reacting by using <br />alternative routes, thereby placing additional stress on local <br />streets, and by varying their schedules, which has led to a more. <br />prolonged daily period of congestion (p.5). <br />There are 6 recommended improvements, two of which directly <br />impact Gem Lake. The connection of LaBore Rd. northward to White <br />Bear Parkway (p.6) would alleviate some pressure on 135E from <br />short trips, and the realignment of Otter Lake Rd. would improve <br />the flow of traffic onto Hwy. 61 (vs. Hwy. 96 to 135E) Mr, <br />Bemis and Mr. Emeott have worked diligently for several years to <br />accomplish the latter, as it would substantially improve the <br />current traffic problem an Scheuneman Rd.. While the LaBore Rd. <br />extension has been discussed in the past, it originated from the <br />pressure of development to the North in VH and White Bear. <br />Township. Mt. Bemis has argued in favor of this change to reduce <br />the flow of traffic currently using Goose Lake Rd., and, to some <br />extent, the Otter Lake-Scheuneman Rds. route. Mr Nielsen argues <br />for it on the basis of apparent need shown by the Study. Mr. <br />Gardner argues that the result may well be much uglier than the <br />