HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-21 •
RESOLUTION NO. 12-05-21
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE REQUEST OF BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG
HIGHWAY 36 TO KEEP THE OMAHA AVENUE ACCESS TO TRUNK HIGHWAY 36
OPEN
WHEREAS, the City of Oak Park Heights has been in contact with its business
owners along the south frontage road of Trunk Highway 36 and has reviewed with them their
concerns over the potential closing by the Minnesota Department of Transportation of the Omaha
Avenue access on and off to Highway 36; and,
WHEREAS, existing at -grade intersections at Highway 36 and Oakgreen and Trunk
Highway 36 at Osgood are inadequate for traffic volumes and movements that now are experienced
in both of those locations; and,
• WHEREAS, tentative plans for the construction, revision, and redesign of both of
the intersections at Trunk Highway 36 /Oakgreen and Trunk Highway 36 /Osgood will not alleviate
the traffic congestion at those locations; and,
WHEREAS, the Omaha Avenue access at Trunk Highway 36 acts as an additional
opportunity to facilitate reasonable traffic movements on and off Trunk Highway 36 at Omaha
Avenue, relieving traffic volumes and pressure on the south frontage road; and,
WHEREAS, the Omaha Avenue access exit from Trunk Highway 36 has been in
place and utilized by the traveling public in the area for over 40 years; and,
WHEREAS, the south frontage road has a high concentration of fast food,
convenience, and other retail operations that generate significant traffic and vehicular movements;
and,
WHEREAS, it is probable that detrimental economic impact will occur to
businesses along Trunk Highway 36 that depend on the access at the Omaha Avenue and exit onto
Trunk Highway 36, should that be closed; and,
WHEREAS, other than for engineering design considerations, there does not appear
to be any compelling public safety reason to close or modify the access and exit off of Trunk
Highway 36 at Omaha Avenue, as the city police department has experienced few, if any serious
• traffic accidents, and has experienced no fatalities or serious personal injuries at that site in decades;
and,
. WHEREAS, the use of the Omaha Avenue access to Trunk Highway 36 along the
south frontage road is substantially different than the access point along the north frontage road
serving those businesses.;
WHEREAS both 1995 and 2006 plans the Omaha Avenue was to remain open.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council for the City of
Oak Park Heights as follows:
1. That the City Council does urge the Minnesota Department of
Transportation to reconsider its planning, design, and engineering for the proposed Trunk Highway
36 /St. Croix River Crossing project as it affects the Omaha Avenue access as there does not appear
to be a compelling reason to close the access, and there are substantial opportunities for detrimental
impact to business property owners at that location, and substantial opportunity for inconvenience to
the traveling public which would result from the closure of the Omaha Avenue access at Trunk
Highway 36. The City Council supports that the Omaha Avenue access onto Trunk Highway 36 be
kept open.
Passed by the City Council 4the gCityofPark H i hts this 22 nd day of
May, 2012. --
• David Beaudet, Mayor
AT EST
Eric John o
City Ad ini trator
•