Posted: 8/21/07
Request for driveway on CSAH 6 tabled by Houston County Board
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
The Houston County Board of Commissioners decided to take a "wait and see" approach when it came to a request by a La Crescent resident to have a driveway located on CSAH 6 (South Third Street) in La Crescent.
John Radecki, 432 South Third Street, had requested a driveway be located on the county road, which is part of the Highway 61 reconstruction project in La Crescent. Radecki has access to his property via an alley at the back of his property. That access includes a driveway and a two-stall garage.
But Radecki explained since South Third Street has been converted into a four-lane road, with no parking allowed, anyone wishing to visit him and his wife must park at least 150 feet away and walk to his front door.
Houston County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans told the county board he recommended the request be denied because he was concerned with the safety issue of cars backing out of the driveway onto the busy street. He felt traffic on Third Street would increase considerably once the highway project was completed and Radecki already has access to his property via the alley.
Radecki said he felt not having access to the front of his home was more than inconvenient and asked the commissioners to take a closer look at the situation.
Evans warned if Radeckiís request for a second access to his property was approved, it would set a precedent.
"Traffic might not be an issue right now, but once the highway reconstruction project is completed, it might be a different story," Evans warned.
The commissioners decided to wait until the project was completed, have a traffic study conducted and revisit Radeckiís request at that time.
In other action:
Rep. Pelowski stops by
Dist. 31A Representative Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) discussed a number of issues with the county board, including the impending special session, the transportation bill, tax bill, and the proposed criminal justice center.
As far as a special session, Pelowski feels Gov. Tim Pawlenty will call one. He felt a special session was in the works, but the I-35W bridge collapse was the issue was has made it a certainty.
Pelowski said the proposed transportation bill, which the Governor vetoed, had wide bipartisan support. Legislators from both sides of the aisle supported a five cents per gallon increase in the gas tax, which hadnít been increased since 1988.
"Weíre moving from a paved to gravel road society as weíve moved into the 21 Century. That just isnít right. Gov. Pawlenty changed his tune on the gas tax increase following the bridge collapse," Pelowski said.
Pelowski hopes the tax bill can been revised somewhat, giving local governments more LGA funds. The proposed tax bill would have increased LGA for most counties, cities, and townships in Minnesota. But that bill was also vetoed by the Governor. One example Pelowski gave as to how the veto hurt local governments was the city of Winona. The city planned to increase its taxes by three percent, but thanks to the veto, the tax increase will be 12 percent next year.
"The county jails situation in this state is crazy," Pelowski noted. "Since 2003 when the state made all these funding cuts, most counties do not have room for their own prisoners. They are shipping them all over, spending taxpayersí money. Itís not a good situation. More and more mandates are handed down by the federal and state governments, and the burden is being placed on county governments."
Commissioner Larry Graf asked if the state could take over all county jails. Pelowski replied he would like to see that situation, but it wonít happen. "It should though," he added. "Most of the laws broken are state or federal laws."
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