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Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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Traffic study a no-go BAXTER CITY COUNCIL Staff Writer BAXTER - Baxter will not participate in a traffic study on alleviating pressure on roads from increased development.
Two weeks ago, the Baxter City Council reached a consensus to not participate in a traffic study initiated by a developer proposing to build a retail center near Crow Wing County Road 77 and west of Highway 371.
On Tuesday, the council made its decision final with a unanimous vote to not be the sponsoring government agent.
Mayor Darrel Olson said developers had been sending letters containing conflicting information concerning Baxter's involvement in the study to Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, and Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd.
The conflicting information related to the possibility of a stop light at Novotny Road. Olson said that despite what the letters sent to the legislators said, Baxter had not supported a stop light at the road.
"We just don't feel comfortable with it and we don't want to proceed with it appearing we're doing a traffic study for a developer," Olson said.
The study was proposed to cover the area between Highway 210 and Crow Wing County Roads 77 and 49 and Cypress Drive and Inglewood Drive.
The idea of a study, though on a much smaller scale, was proposed by Ryan Cos., a development firm that wants to build a retail center on County Road 77 just west of Highway 371.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation agreed to participate in the study providing it didn't include adding stop lights. Ryan Cos. said it wouldn't participate unless all options were considered.
Instead, Olson said the city would participate in a traffic study with Crow Wing County and MnDOT at a later date.
"A traffic study is still important," Olson said.
Though many were in attendance Tuesday at Baxter City Hall for the issue, the council took no public comment on the proposed study.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@ brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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