Flying J development plans gain village approvals

Talk about it

The proposed Flying J truck stop project was the main topic of discussion again this month at the Roberts Village Board meeting Monday night.

Brad Alsup of Flying J requested approval of their site plan and conditional approval to work with Angi Goodwin, Roberts village engineer, and Public Works Director John Bond on finalizing road design. Goodwin agreed to review all specifications and plans.

Alsup and Goodwin presented the board with pros and cons regarding planned road upgrades to accommodate increased traffic at Highway 65 and 70th Avenue. Road width and whether or not to include curb and gutter were the talking points.

Goodwin and Bond favored curb and gutter with the contingency that there be no parking along that stretch of road. Bond indicated that curb and gutter helped eliminate erosion and breaking up of road edges, but noted that in rural areas snow may collect due to drifting, which can result in higher road maintenance. It was agreed that the benefits of curb and gutter outweighed the negatives.

With an estimated 2,500 vehicles passing through this intersection per day, a 66-foot right-of-way is required for this type of intersection. Currently the road width is about 22 feet with no curb and gutter, according to Goodwin. The board agreed to an upgraded road width to 36 feet.

Board President Willard Moeri said he learned earlier in the day that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation intends to construct a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Highway 65 and 70th Avenue, but it will not be completed for at least three years.

In the interim, there will be three turn lanes at the intersection and 70th Avenue will be upgraded to handle the anticipated increase in truck traffic. The board approved a motion to adopt Flying J’s site plan and the conditional request for final road design.

The board also approved Flying J’s developer’s agreement contingent upon review by the village attorney.

This agreement includes a waiver of $28,000 in impact fees for Flying J. The board agreed to waive the fees after much discussion because Flying J will be installing approximately $400,000 of water, sewer and road upgrades along 70th Avenue.

Bond reported that the village water/sewer plant will run more efficiently due to these upgrades and will provide approximately $50,000 to $54,000 per year in income on wastewater. Bond stated that future businesses in that area will also benefit from the improvements.

Board member Katy Kapaun pointed out that this waiver of impact fees was a one-time exception due to the benefits the village would receive from the improvements provided by Flying J. The board concurred.

For the complete story, see this week's New Richmond News.

Tags: local government, roberts, business