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Residents urge council to address unsafe intersections, bike-path impacts and street lighting
Summary
Multiple residents used the open forum to describe crashes and near-misses at the County Road 121 / 113th Avenue intersection, raise concerns about a planned bike-path crossing at North Diamond Lake Road, and request improved street lighting on Fernbrook/Rush Creek intersection.
Several residents used the open forum to press the council for near-term safety improvements at local intersections and to raise concerns about upcoming public works projects.
A resident who identified their address as 11320 Carmel Lane described a recent serious rear-end collision that occurred when large vehicles and school garbage trucks constrained sight lines at the intersection of County Road 121 and 113th Avenue. The speaker said semis with long trailers often need both lanes to make turning maneuvers, forcing stopped vehicles to wait and creating hazardous passing in no-passing zones. The resident reported property damage to a mailbox and repeated close calls at the corner and urged the council to consider alternate heavy-vehicle access routes for a planned Dean development and to prioritize construction of the planned 114th Avenue roundabout or other safety improvements before approvals for construction traffic.
John Williams (13620 North Diamond Lake Road) said he and his wife only recently learned about a bike-path crossing planned for Vinewood Lane and North Diamond Lake Road. He said he was concerned about losing front-yard area, uncertainty about whether the crossing would include a two-lane access or street lights, and whether property boundaries and compensation would be addressed; he referenced Article I, Article 13 of the Minnesota Constitution (property protections) and asked staff about compensation, which staff said was not available in the corridor planning currently.
Keith Roever (113th at Fernbrook) asked the council to address the lack of illumination at the Fernbrook/Rush Creek intersection, especially in winter when snow obscures road markings. He and another resident said existing trail lighting is insufficient and recommended installing spot lighting or other improvements to clarify the intersection at night.
Staff acknowledged the concerns, noted MnDOT state aid dollars are allocated and available for some work, and confirmed the DNR was aware of a heaved boat ramp at a public landing. Council members thanked residents and said staff would follow up on specific safety, signage and lighting issues; no formal action was taken during the open forum other than referral to staff for investigation.
