Just when you think you’ve figured out who makes the decisions, another committee appears. Some facts corrected. Some questions answered. Some skepticism preserved for future use.
In the May issue of the Hill & Lake Press, I wrote that the non-compromise Lyndale plan would take down 52 mature trees. I also wrote that the non-compromise plan would have passengers exiting a parked car into an active bike lane. Both statements were questioned by a reader.
I take my opinions lightly but not my facts. I checked with the Hennepin County media department and was told the number of trees to come down was between 50 and 60.
Since then, Commissioner Marion Greene has pointed out to me that the compromise plan takes down 45 trees, so there is not much difference in total number of trees to be cleared in either plan. She added that not all the trees are mature, and that the county is already planting replacements.
The county media department also told me that they have “removed the conflict between people exiting vehicles in the parking lane and people biking in the only area where that had been an issue.” Kudos to the county for their attention to this matter. And for their corrections to the plan.
Finally, I implied that the city has the final say on the Lyndale Avenue plan. The situation appears to be more complicated.
According to Hennepin County, the municipal consent process has historically been collaborative. The City Council votes on whether to approve a county road project within city limits, and the mayor may sign or veto that decision.
State law provides a mechanism for resolving disputes when a city and county cannot agree on a county state-aid highway project. Under Minnesota Statutes § 162.02, Subdivision 8a, a county board may request that the Commissioner of Transportation appoint a dispute resolution board consisting of a county commissioner, county engineer, city council member or mayor, city engineer, and a representative of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
“A compromise may be dead, but confusion remains very much alive.”
The board reviews the proposed project and makes a recommendation to the Commissioner of Transportation, who has the authority to approve a project following the board’s recommendation. Whether that process would ultimately be used for Lyndale Avenue remains unknown.
Susan Lenfestey writes for the Hill & Lake Press. She lives in Lowry Hill.
