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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 09-01 Radatz residents file suit, hope to settle out of court THE REVIEW Maplewood charged .detakrniatit. /c1-40 Radatz residents file suit, hope to settle out of court by Kamy ide Ylitalo said residents will dismiss the having second thoughts about it, par- is limited visibility for young children." suit it the council changes its position, ticularly when they're aware of strong Anderson said he objects to the plans Residents of Radatz Avenue in which could come at a planned public citizen concerns about the plans." because of loss of property value and Maplewood have filed a lawsuit against hearing on the matter.The council voted Several residents of the area, in- because "the professional traffic the City of Maplewood,but are hoping the at its Thursday,Aug.12 meeting to re- terviewed this week by the Review said engineers responsible for laying out this dispute about the proposed design of the hear the matter,after citizens appearing they favored the lawsuit.Irving Ander- type of project claim there is no precedent junction of Radatz and White Bear at the session voiced strong objections to son,1990 Radatz,was one who supported for a street being closed off without Avenue can be settled without the help of the plan. the suit. providing a convenient alternative route a judge. Ylitalo said hopes are that residents of "I think the council plan is stupid,"he in and out of the property." Attorney Ronald Ylitalo,representing Radatz who previously supported the said."It's going to cost this family 4,000 Ylitalo also voiced objections to the the residents,explained the suit charges plans for the Radatz-White Bear junction miles of driving a year to get in and out of Northeast Area Study, a professional the council acted "arbitrarily and as it is now established will support the this property and at a time when con- report on streets in the area compiled by capriciously"in adopting plans for the new petition.He said,"We hope they will servation of energy is supposed to be Howard, Needles, Tammen and junction,which would allow only a right respond favorably to this,more so than important" Bergendoff engineers and planners. turn from White Bear Avenue onto Radatz when Radatz was suggested as the only He said the city had no factual basis for That report,which utilized findings of a and no access from Radatz back onto two-way street in the area." He said closing off Radatz. citizen advisory committee, eventually White Bear. residents objected because they felt Anderson said he felt that pressure lead to the council's decision to close However, he said residents are now Radatz would then bear too much traffic, from residents in the central portion of Radatz back onto White Bear. circulating a petition in the area asking primarily from residents of both Radatz fearing excessive traffic had But Ylitalo says residents at that time that Radatz, Beam and Lydia all be Maplewood and North St.Paul heading to influenced the city council. weren't aware of such plans. He notes opened to two-way traffic to and from and from Maplewood Mall. He said that property in the central that residents responding to questions did White Bear Avenue.Hopes are the council He said he expects the only serious portion of Radatz lacks the long driveway not list access as a high priority,"but the will go for that idea, appeasing the oppostion to the plan to open all three property which is part of lots closer to questionnaire didn't ask them about residents and making the lawsuit un- streets to come from residents of Beam, White Bear Avenue.Anderson said he and closing the street off. necessary. including Maplewood Mayor Robert his neighbors do not use much on-street "As far as I'm concerned much of the Ylitalo said residents first asked the Bruton. parking and that traffic may pass in front report is very broad,general and vague. court for a temporary restraining order The petition is being circulated on of their homes "pretty well unob- I'en not favorably impressed with it." against the city in the matter.But that Radatz,Lydia and Beam.Ylitalo is not structed." He noted that the study considers the and a subsequent request for a temporary sure when it will be presented to the But traffic in the central portion of aesthetics of street plans and en- injunction were denied because making Maplewood City Council. Radatz may be obstructed by on-street vironment."We're also concerned about such plans falls under the authority of the He said he feels the council agreed to re- parking,he said."Two cars can not come those things,"Ylitalo said."But access is Maplewood City Council,the court said. hear the issues involved because"they're against each other and get past and there our primary concern."