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➢ That the business park will be accessed from the south end of the alignment and that <br /> the construction of an alternate alignment would not inhibit future expansion of the <br /> business park, and <br /> ➢ That the construction of an alternate route is consistent with the City's <br /> Comprehensive Plan, the proposed Downtown Plan and the City's overall approach <br /> to land use controls, and <br /> ➢ That the alternate route will infringe on the land proposed for a new cemetery, and <br /> ➢ That there are no significant environmental issues or concerns with the construction <br /> of the alternate alignment, and <br /> WHEREAS, the T.H. 371 Study Group heard testimony that the expansion of the existing <br /> alignment will cost the taxpayers of Pequot Lakes significantly more than the construction of <br /> the Alternate Alignment, and <br /> WHEREAS, the Study Group also heard testimony that,while there is certain to be impacts <br /> to individual businesses before, during and after the construction of an alternate route, <br /> compelling evidence exists that the overall impact to businesses and the City's tax base <br /> would be positive, and <br /> WHEREAS, there are no indications that an alternate route would be destructive to the <br /> economic health of the City of Pequot Lakes, and found substantial evidence to the contrary, <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, the Study Group was also presented with a number of initiatives that the City <br /> can undertake to strengthen the economic health of the City before construction, as part of <br /> the construction project and then in the years following, and <br /> WHEREAS, the T.H. 371 Study Group identified no issues or impacts that would cause the <br /> City to reconsider a decision to route T.H. 371 east of the downtown and, in fact, found <br /> many factors that favor an alternate alignment, and <br /> WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the T.H. 371 Study Group report in <br /> September, 2007 and accepted the report and recommended to the Council that the easterly <br /> alternate alignment be approved; and <br /> WHEREAS, Mn/DOT is required, as per State Statute 161.16, to obtain the consent of the <br /> City of Pequot Lakes for proceeding with an expansion of T.H. 371 within the city limits and <br /> has therefore worked closely with the City of Pequot Lakes to address outstanding issues <br /> and concerns, and <br /> WHEREAS, the City Council approved, on August 7, 2007, and amended, on October 2, <br /> 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Pequot Lakes and Mn/DOT <br /> that establishes guidelines for Mn/DOT to follow in reevaluating the Environmental Impact <br /> Statement and reconsidering an alternate alignment, and <br /> WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that, in order to attract quality, long-term <br /> investment, the City of Pequot Lakes must create a stable and predicable economic, social <br /> 3 <br />