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Baxter, MnDOT move closer to agreement on intersection BAXTER CITY COUNCIL Staff Writer BAXTER - Baxter and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are moving closer to an agreement on Elder Drive and Highway 210 intersection improvements.
The intersection, just west of the intersection at Highways 210 and 371 and near Home Depot, was brought to the forefront of city and state debate after three serious motor vehicle collisions, including two fatalities, happened in the past nine months.
The city and MnDOT have met twice on the subject and have held a public information meeting.
"Any loss of life is a tragedy but if there's any kind of silver lining, and I don't say that lightly, it's brought everyone to the table and we're talking," Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson said at Tuesday's Baxter City Council meeting, in which staff gave the council an update on the city's negotiations with MnDOT concerning Elder Drive and Highway 210 intersection improvements.
Progress was being made to incorporate the city's long-range plans for Highway 210 within MnDOT's plans to create a three-quarter intersection at Highway 210 and Elder Drive, which means right-in and right-out turns only, Public Works Director Trevor Walter said.
Walter told the council that in addition to the three-quarters access, MnDOT appears amenable to switching the traffic signal at Knollwood Drive to Inglewood Drive and connecting Fairview Road, a frontage road along Highway 210, to Excelsior Road to the north to allow for better access near the Elder Drive and Highway 210 intersection.
Walter said MnDOT again looked at a temporary signal light for Elder Drive and Highway 210, but is still against the idea.
"To make it all happen, probably in one to two years, means work has to start immediately," Walter said.
Baxter resident John Sullivan said he was pleased MnDOT listened to the city's long-range plans to some extent, but expressed concern that the proposed project doesn't include a reduced speed limit on Highway 210 between Highway 371 and just to the west of Elder Drive. He said the speed limit should be reduced by 10 mph. He also wanted to see Elder Drive extended to Excelsior Road.
Council member Jim Klein said he had reservations about a three-quarter intersection at Elder Drive and Highway 210.
"MnDOT is looking for a cheap way out in my estimation," Klein said.
City Administrator Gordon Heitke said the council wasn't being asked to take action on the improvements Tuesday night and the council tabled action until more defined projects costs were given by MnDOT.
In other action, the council:
Approved by a 3-2 vote issuing an administrative permit to Dondelinger Automotive for a special five-day event at the vacant Baxter Village second phase in conjunction with the federal Cash for Clunkers program starting Friday. Voting against were council member Todd Holman and Mark Cross.
City staff said the request was received too late to get in the packet. Heitke said it met all qualifications for the administrative permit except for duration, which currently allows for only a two-day event.
Holman objected because the request wasn't in the council's regular agenda so questions couldn't be asked ahead of time and because he didn't approve of allowing exceptions to the city's land-use policy.
"I don't think an overnight crisis ... is a reason for the city to make an exception," Holman said.
Cross voted against because he said the city would be setting a precedence by allowing a five-day event instead of two days, which is currently called for under the administrative permit.
"The argument is not there in my mind to say we need to compromise," Cross said.
Olson, Klein and council member Rob Moser said they voted in favor because surrounding businesses were in favor of the event and in these tough economic times it would be difficult to not allow an event that would draw business to those stores.
Olson said that if someone else came in and it was the exact same scenario, the city also should approve it. He said that in speaking with Dondelinger representatives, they didn't realize they needed approval from the city and waiting for a commission recommendation made it too late for the federal program.
"It could be the mistake of my life but I think we ought to give it a try," Olson said.
Passed a resolution proclaiming Aug. 22 as Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Day.
Amended a planned unit development and conditional use permit for Prairie Bay restaurant to allow for a fenced-off area for special events and a greenhouse to grow vegetables and herbs.
Was reminded that Night to Unite, formerly National Night Out, is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Oscar Kristofferson Park. The council intends to adjourn it's Aug. 3 meeting to attend the event.
Heard from resident Bob Miller, who questioned why Community Development Director Bill Deblon requested money to enforce the city's tall grass and weeds ordinance when it was adopted to be at no cost and why the city wasn't holding another budget workshop between its Sept. 3 budget session and its Sept. 16 council meeting, where the preliminary budget and levy will be adopted. Miller said it was important to have the meeting to allow for public comment.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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