Isanti officials agree to mark an ADA parking stall and explore curb changes at Dolan Ave and Main Street

Isanti City officials on the Committee of the Whole heard from a business owner and public works staff about visibility and parking problems at the Dolan Avenue and Main Street intersection and agreed to mark an ADA parking stall and evaluate curb-change options.

Amy Rapstead, owner of the corner store at 108 Main Street, told the committee that while many customers avoid parking right on the corner she has observed occasional parking and congestion that reduce visibility for drivers turning from Dolan Avenue. “If I'm there and the store is open, they'll park on the side or they'll park across the street,” Rapstead said. She proposed moving the yellow stop/limit paint back about 15 feet and identified a grassy area across the street that she said could accommodate two compact parking stalls if graveled.

Jason (staff member) told the committee the existing curb, catch basin and full‑height curb at the corner limit options for simply extending a gravel area. “There's also full height curb back to where it currently is in the catch basin. So if we tried to extend it at all there, we'd have to redo the catch basin casting and repour the curb to make it mountable,” he said, and recommended a bump‑out on the north side of Main Street that would push the crosswalk and stop bar farther out to match other downtown intersections. He cautioned that full curb and crosswalk reconstruction would be the costliest option.

Committee members discussed several lower‑cost interim options. The chair proposed marking an ADA (handicapped) stall at the corner that would remain open most of the time but be available when needed; several members supported the idea. “I think that's a good solution,” the chair said, and directed public works to mark the stall and coordinate placement with engineering to avoid conflicts with the existing pedestrian ramp.

The committee did not commit to a curb rebuild or immediate milling/overlay; staff said the intersection could be evaluated for inclusion in a future mill/overlay or reconstruction project, and that a painted bump or painted curb extension could be considered in warmer months. No formal vote was taken on the longer‑term curb or crosswalk reconstruction during the meeting.

Public works will mark and install the ADA stall and will work with engineering to place it to minimize conflicts with the existing pedestrian ramp. Staff will also return with options and cost estimates if the committee wants a painted visual bump‑out or a full bump‑out to match other Main Street intersections.