Hwy 371 Municipal Consent Written Comments

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Municipal Consent Public Hearing Written Comments November 16, 2010, Addendum to Council Minutes Page 9 of 33 ------------------------------------------------------------ - - - - -- alternatives before committing Pequot Lakes to a decision that will undoubtedly have lasting consequences. Many years ago, when the railroad line was the focus of many communities, towns naturally grew up around the tracks. Pequot Lakes seems to be the classic example of the rail line splitting the town in two. We certainly should not be bound by the "decisions" that were made then, but we owe it to our citizens — current and future —to make the best possible decision with the resources that we have today. For the good of this wonderful community, please take the time to carefully review the best available options before committing to the bypass route. 34. Tom Adams – 4841 Olson Rd, Peauot Lakes, MN 56472 I favor the around town alignment of Highway 371 for the following reasons: A. The cost of a through town route is significantly more expensive to Pequot Taxpayers – roughly 3 to 4 times a much; and most of the City cost would be on the front end. B. Trailside Park, which attracts residents and visitors (real customers) to town, would be reduced by almost 40% with through town alignment meaning many, if not most, events in the park would no longer be viable. C. Safety and Welfare – requiring pedestrians, bikers and cars to cross a `. divided 4 -lane high speed highway through the middle of the business district is neither particularly safe nor conducive to attracting customers to a business. D. With a through town route, access to businesses would be severely limited. Some 36 current access points are scheduled to be closed E. In both City Elections and a survey of Pequot property owners, approximately 70% of citizens stated they preferred the around town alignment. F. While it is true that the around town alignment will result in 11 landowners being impacted, if the highway were expanded through town, 27 landowners will be impacted. 35. Barbara Sioblad – 27862 County Road 107, Peauot Lakes, MN I am in favor of the highway going around town. We then may be able to create a more aesthetically pleasing and cohesive City. A four -lane highway going through town would cut it in half and add terrible congestion and safety issues. 36. Dave Anderson – P.O. Box 212, Pequot Lakes, MN Brainerd has a by -pass via Baxter. It should have been farther west yet – Like Bemidji. Even with the By -pass, Brainerd is a traffic jam in the afternoon, etc. Can't imagine what it would be like with 371 through town. New York Mills, Perham, Frazee seem to do just fine with highway bypassing them. Perham has �. manufacturing, etc. If the town has something to offer – people will come. We are