INFORMATION #3 09-17-2001Sandy Peine
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Sue. Tisdale@co.hennepin.mn.us
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 2:43 PM
cityclerk@ci.elk-river, mn.us
As the closest private resident to the Morrell Trucking Company, I can
guarantee that if you build the proposed high-density housing, you will get
complaints about the noise, as I experience the noise levels on a
daily/nightly basis.
As a long-time Elk River resident, I used to live on a quiet 25 acre hobby
farm on a sleepy 2-lane blacktop road. I still live in the same place, but
it's no longer quiet. My driveway is one of the very few private drives
that actually intersects with 171(superscript: st) St. and I am within ½
mile of the railroad tracks and all the trucking companies on 171
(superscript: st) St. I don't think I'll ever get used to the noise and
traffic that this new road has brought.
When Morrell and the other trucking companies moved in, the noise level
increased dramatically and I'm usually awakened at around 3:00 am when the
trucks start their engines idling and their horns blaring. Trucks then
begin their "jake-brake-ing" down the road. And that's just the middle of
the night din! This will certainly affect any potential residents even
closer than we are.
I also can't imagine the jam-up of traffic around the railroad tracks and
at the "T" intersection to get onto Highway 10. How is all that traffic
qoing to flow in/out of, and across 171(superscript: st) street as the
Fraffic grows and as the flow of existing traffic is stopped by trains? I
nave a hard time pulling out from my own driveway sometimes as it is now.
Besides the noise factor, I do not feel that a project of this magnitude is
necessary and don't feel we need something "like nothing the metro area has
every seen". Bigger is not always better and the boom has to stop
somewhere. Let it stop with the Elk River Station.
If you build it, 'they' will come, but then we're all going to have to deal
with 'them'. I'm a bit tired of all consideration being given to "future
residents" and not to people like myself who have made Elk River their home
for so many years. I welcome the future of light rail, but the impression
is it's being built for the future Elk River Station.
I commend you, Mayor, for being the lone opposition to this massive
unneeded project. I would urge the rest of the city council to follow your
lead.
Susan Tisdale
17391 Tyler St. NW
Elk River, MN
63-441-7910