Roseville Council Votes To Connect County Road C-2

Amid heated debate, the Roseville City Council decided Monday night to connect County Road C-2 between Hamline and Lexington.

With over more than 70 residents in attendance, the 3-2 vote ended an almost 20-year debate about the road, intended to be an east-west connection across the city.

The vote, with Mayor Dan Roe and Councilwoman Tammy McGehee dissenting, came after two hours of debate and testimony from the residents. The proposal was initiated by residents, mostly on Josephine Road to the north, that felt they were experiencing a large traffic burden because C-2 was never completed. 

Comprised of two groups, the residents on and around County Road C-2 and those occupying both Josephine Avenue and other points around Roseville, the citizens came prepared to argue their points. 

"Opening C-2 will not provide significant traffic reduction on Josephine Avenue," said Wayne Disher a C-2 resident. "It will destroy the quiet residential quality of the neighborhood."

Disher, a 45 year resident, voiced the concerns of many residents, that changing the street from two cul-de-sacs to a east-west connector would lower home  values.

The residents supporting the proposal, all wearing red to represent Roseville,  formed a group they named "Share C-2." The Share C-2 group contended that by opening the road, it would see the same amount of traffic as Josephine Avenue, therefore sharing the burden.

"Opening C-2 is in the best interest of the city," insisted Pam Nukem, their spokesperson at the meeting. "I hope the Save C-2 group is not suggesting the safety of their children is more important than any other group in the city." 

Council member Bob Willmus agreed with the Share C-2 group saying, "Connecting C-2 would improve the flow of traffic in the area and improve mobility." He continued, "It will be better for the environment because we will be able to move cars from point A to point B more efficiently."

"We really should not do harm in decisions we make as a council," Mayor Roe disagreed. "I can't get past the fact it's a significant change in the neighborhood."

Before making the motion to approve the C-2 connection,Councilwoman Tammy Pust made a statement intended to calm the residents in the room, half of whom were destined to be upset. 

"Reasonable people can and will differ, especially when you're talking about their homes," she said. "You know and I know that half of you will walk out of here mad. … This is the best process we have … Now we have to do the tough stuff." 

The road will be re-opened in 2012, given state funding options and will include a sidewalk.