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Planning commission recommends county road reconstruction in Scenic Rivers District to city council
Summary
Oak Grove Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the countyconditional use permit to reconstruct Viking Boulevard NW (Roam River Bridge to Orchid Street NW), noting safety improvements and asking staff to confirm trail/shoulder details and outstanding signage.
The Oak Grove Planning Commission on Feb. 20 recommended that the City Council approve Anoka County's conditional use permit to reconstruct Viking Boulevard Northwest from the Roam River Bridge to Orchid Street Northwest, a project that includes work inside the Scenic Rivers District.
Commissioners and staff described the project as a continuation of the bridge work completed previously and said the new alignment and pavement will include separated crossings on the bridge for winter snowmobile use and summer bicycle and pedestrian use. Planner Claire Stickler, MSA, presented the application and staff report to the commission.
Why it matters: the work lies within Oak Grove's Scenic Rivers District, so the city must act on the county's conditional use permit application before construction proceeds in the designated corridor.
Commissioners said the county had coordinated well with the city on the earlier bridge project and that the current reconstruction appears to improve safety. Commissioner Chuck (Commissioner) noted tree removals along the right-of-way and asked whether the county is preparing the corridor for a future regional trail extension; staff said the submitted application and plans did not explicitly show a completed trail extension and that the county has discussed trail concepts but would need property acquisition for a longer extension.
Tom Daley, a civil engineer for MnDOT who spoke during the public comment period, told the commission that "road departures, hitting trees is typically a big reason for fatalities," and said state and county agencies often clear some right-of-way trees to improve roadside safety. No other members of the public submitted comments or messages during the hearing; staff said a large notification area had been mailed for the project.
Commission discussion also touched on shoulder width and stormwater implications. Commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the county intends an eight-foot shoulder in portions of the corridor that could function as a bike route and to clarify how traffic control will be managed during construction. Staff noted the project remains open for final items such as signage and project closeout.
Action taken: Commissioner Farah moved to recommend approval of the staff report and the conditional use permit, Commissioner Hall seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action; staff said the item will likely appear on the council consent agenda at the next regular council meeting unless pulled for discussion.
The commission record shows the DNR was noticed where the Scenic Rivers District rules apply; staff confirmed no DNR objections were on file at the time of the hearing. The county remains the project applicant; the city acted only on the conditional use permit required because work falls inside the Scenic Rivers District.
Next steps: the commission's unanimous recommendation will go to the City Council. Staff will follow up with the county to clarify any trail- or shoulder-related design details and outstanding signage before council review.
