Caledonia Argus

City considers streetlight at Green Acres intersection

Posted: 3/25/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The City Council agreed on Monday evening to consider partnering with Caledonia Township to provide streetlights at the intersection of Highway 44 and Green Acres Road.

At their regular meeting Monday evening, council members learned that the Minnesota Department of Transportation had agreed to provide the poles and base supports for two streetlights, to be located on the west and east sides of the intersection. The township would commit to $10,000 for installation, and has asked the city for a commitment to maintain the lights.

The city was not clear on whether the $10,000 included brining electricity to the poles, which City Electrician Roger Schmitz estimated at $3,851. Mayor Robert Burns asked for a committee meeting to discuss the matter.

The first several hundred feet of Green Acres Road is on city property, but all residences in Green Acres are in the township. Council members acknowledged that although most of the benefit would be to township residents, it is an accident-prone intersection and that having it illuminated at night would provide safety benefits for all who drive on that road.

City to delay part of Project Playground donation

In other news from the city, council members agreed to release $10,000 of its $20,000 commitment to Project Playground.

Miles Miller had appeared at a previous meeting to request that the money be disbursed so that plans for a new shelter at Veterans Park could proceed. The shelter, which would be on a concrete slab and have an enclosed serving area at one end, is estimated at about $21,000.

Mayor Robert Burns noted that the city is concerned over possible budget cuts and wondered if the plans could be modified. Some of the suggestions made by council members included foregoing the concrete floor or building the shelter without a serving area to save money. Miller said that he would discuss possibilities with the committee. The council agreed to release $10,000 now and the rest when state budget cuts are known.

Council denies zoning application

The council turned down a zoning application by Norman Snodgrass who sought to divide a 70' x 189.5' parcel he owns on the north end of East Street into two parcels. He had requested variances for the front yard setback and minimum lot size, and had planned to construct a new home on the north parcel.

Several of the neighbors objected to the plan because they felt their property would be devalued. Prior to the vote, councilman John Klug commented, ìHaving been on both sides, itís important to consider the neighbors.î

The vote was 4-0 with Klug abstaining because his brother is purchasing the property on which the second home is to be built.

Top of Page