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11/21/1989 CONF MTG - 5321FWDL.�EY CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING NOVEMBER 21, 1989 - 8:00 P,M. CONFERENCE ROOM A l� STATUS OF LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT iLRT) PLANNING, ANOKA COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY AND BRW, IIVC�, CONSULTANT� 4 4 � _ UTYOf FRlDLEY DATE: TO: FROM: SliBJECT: C01�ItMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM November 16, 1989 ✓ � � �/ William Burns, City Manager � r Jock Robertson, Community Development Director Barbara Dacy, Planning Coordinator Light Rail Transit Briefing; November 21, 1989 In an effort to provide the City Council with basic information regarding the selection of transit station locations along the University Avenue alignment, the City Council established Tuesday, November 21, 1989 for Anoka County and its consultant, BRW, to make a presentation. As the City Council may be aware, Anoka County has initiated the preliminary design review process. Two committees have been formed to analyze the preliminary design issues of alignment and station locations. Councilman Billings is a member of the Inter- Governmental Advisory Committee, and John Flora and Jock Robertson are members of the Technical Review Committee. These committees have been considering what locations along the corridor would be appropriate for various types of stations, i.e. park-and-ride and walk-and-ride (see the attached LRT Newsletter dated 10/30/89). BRw contacted staff in October to analyze the development issues and station location issues at Columbia Arena and Mississippi Street, and more recently 57th Avenue. The Planning Commission has reviewed our findings at their October 11, 1989 and November 8, 1989 meetings (see the attached minutes and BRw analysis of the two sites). The Planning Commission has recommended that a park-and-ride station be located at Mississippi Street rather than Columbia Arena. The Planning Commission prefers the Mississippi Street location because of better east/west access from Mississippi for both commuters and feeder buses. The Planning Commission is very concerned about any increased traffic to Columbia Arena along 73rd Avenue, which would adverse2y impact the Melody Manor neighborhood. The Planning Commission has also encouraged staff to investigate the possibility of a pedestrian bridge from the west side of University Avenue to the east side. The Commission also emphasized that the park-and-ride station should be combined with some type LRT November 16, 1989 Page 2 of commercial development, even if it meant expanding the commercial area to the east along Mississippi Street. The Planning Commission noted that expanding the development area would also ease traffic congestion problems for left turning movements into the site from Mississippi Street. BRw will be prepared to review their information as to ridership projections and the projections for the number of parking spaces that must be provided along the alignment through the City of Fridley. BD/dn M-89-703 . , .� PRELIMINA,RY DESIGN BEGINS IN NORTHEAST CORRIDOF� �vo new committees, the Tlechni- cal Review Conzmittee (TRC) and the Intergc>vernmental Advi- sory Committ,e�� (IAC), started work in May 1��89, on the LRT Preliminary De�sign for the Northeast Corridor, s jaint ef- fort by Anoka aad Hennepin Counties.l�e TRC, oomprised of City, County and Regional Railmad Authority (RRA) techni- cal stafY', is chaired by Steve Wil- son of the Metropolitan Council 1�ansportation stafl: The IAC, chaired jointly by Anoka County Commissioner Paul McCarron and Hennepin County Commis- sioner Sam Sivanich, is gener- . � • ;. f�� . _ - ----. ._.._..---- •--� - - - 'J♦ , �. l. _ _, _ , i :. , � --- . - � . �' `, ,' ��, �� --� , ; _ .. _ _ �� '� . 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These two oommittees are work- ing on the Prelimi.nary Design for the two potentia] align.ment options identified in the Anoka County Comprehensive System Plan completed in February 1989. The alignments being studied are fram downtown Minneapolis to Northtown fol- lowing BN/University and Cen- tral/tJniversity routes. (See Figure 1. ) Forwarding a Minneapolis City Council resolution, Council- members Sandra Hilary, Walt Dziedic, and Van White recom- mended that the IAC carry the two alignment options forward to the upcoming public meetings for community input. This ac- tion concurs with the recommen- dations of the TRC and the IAC. THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PROCESS T'he Preliminary Design prooess pravides specific information on the LRT alternatives, which in- clude: • Tiack bcation relative b erist• 1� lO�dw�y� • iiaQic 000rdinatioa impacta • Coa�tro�.tion area limits • 9tation ates aad desisn This information will provide sufficient detail to select a pre- ferred LRT alignment for the Northeast Corridor. J NORTHEAST CORRIDOR L1�T NEWSI.6TTER The TRC studies the detailed technical and operstional isaues on alignment8 and stations, then passes its comments on to the IAC. The IAC reviews the technical recommendations with respect to policy iasues and sends its reoommendations to the Anoka and Hennepin County Regional Rail Authori- tl@S. NEW 1989 LEGiSLATION AFFECTS LRT In 1989, legislation was passed that significantly changes the governance of transit in the r�- gion and the regional coord.ina- tion of LRT plans and imple- mentation. IVlembership on the Regional T�-ansit Board (RTB) was changed, a Regional LRT Plan is to be develope�, and— minor changes were ma e to the City approv prooess of eion a y P ans. The new RTB is made up of eleven members, including City and County elected of5cials. Three are appointed by the gov- ernor and eight by the Metro �nv sr�r� tuP►,�� wa� si�L Aacuasra Alignmenl Opfions +uitA BRW Urbnn Drsigner Seo�f Wendt Ne.w� vroo... R't8 ,� c�. � �iE�! cammittce tssuE: e �o . 30 • � seau ' Le�aa►re ��e�oo�� � Ra�o.d ��6a;R. � ca6 �� ' c�a� � Carril I R�b6r I ���� � � �� c�� Tafinical Re.;eW Conunittee Flow Cl+orl: Participation/Communicalion Process Council. The new chair ap- '�nted hX the governor is Michael Ehrlichmann. Newly ap- pointed members from the Northeast Corridor are Hennepin County Commis- sioner Jef�' Spartz, Blaine Mayor Elwyn T�nklenberg, Muineapo- lis City Councilmember Sandra Hilary, and citizen member Ruth Franklin of Anoka. The separate fourteen-member Joint LRT Advisory Committ�e has major r�pr�sentation frnm tbe itRAs and will be advising the new R. The oommittee elected the new chair, Hennepin County Commiasioner John Derus, and vice chair, Anoka County Commissioner Paul McCarron. Northeast Corridor members are ACRRA Commis- sioners Dan Erhart and Paul McCarron, and HCRRA Commis- sioners Sam Sivanich, John Keefe, and John Deru.s. TLe RTB must adopt a regional an ore ma re- seive state un s for or begin 2 construction f i.RT facilities. The plan has two components, a Development and Finance Plan and a Regional Coordination Plan. The Development and Finance Plan will include a five-year, ten- year, and long-range program and make recommendations for funding. YVith the Joint LRT Ad- visorv Committee vla�►inQ an a�- ana compiece tne Dian authority. The purpose of the Regional Coordination Plan is to assure that the technical decisions being made by the individual Rail Authorities are consistent aad 000rdinated within the re- gion. The Joint LRT Advisory Committee prepares and r�com- mends the plan to the RTB for review, with oompletion by July 1, 1990. NORTi�.AS"T CORRIDOR 1,nT NE�SI.B'i7'ER tsst�: 8 10 . 30 . e9 REGIONAL LRT UPDATE The Anolca County North LRT Advisory Committee is studying future eztensions of the North- east Corridor on TH 10 and TH 65. In September, the com- mittee decided t,o continue study on both TH 10, from Northtown to ?th Avenue, and TH 65, from Northtown to Bunker Lake Boulevard, with a crossover at 610 as an initial stage of devel- opment, with the next stage ex- tending to the Anoka County line. In Hennepin County there are four issues that remain to be re- solved before completing the Pre- liminary Design of the Stage I System. They are: �Lnnel vs. At- Grade in downtown, the Uaiver- sity Connector alignment and its relationship to the street sys- tem, Soo Line R.ailroad issues, and the impact of light rail on West River Parkway near the post o�ce. The key issue in Ramsey County is identification of a AlYn�ts Under St�dy in Parr Courlus Colurn6ia Heighta Ciry Cou�cil�wtrnber Rita ArlkoJjo�d MAU.C. 8►tic+t Nmvrne�i Aatun Noreklaun Options 3 preferred alignment for the Midway Corridor. The selection will be done within the state or federal EIS process. Concur- rently, some Preliminary Engi- neering will be done to support the decision-maldng prooess. Washington County is evaluat- ing four potential alignments to o�nnect with the R,amsey County LRT system. Dakota County is currently oom- pleting its Comprehensive Sys- tem Plan. Soott and Carver Counties are evaluating long-range corridor potential NOR'THFaST CORRIDOR LRT NL�RSI.E"ITER FEDERAL FUNDING � �e time echedule•"� �CRRA sad HCRRA are ooasid- ELIGIBILIN FOR THE ' s ' 135 ' ion �f' federal funii� for the No - NORTHEAST CORRIDOR esst Corridor. The RTB an The Urban Mass �ransportation Adminiatrati� (iTMTA), located in Washington, DC, is the fed- eral agency responsible for na- tional transit policy and the administration of federal transit grants. LJMTA requires the com- pletion of an Alternative Analy- sis/Environmental Impact Statement (AA/ELS) to be eligi- ble for federal funds. Currently, nationwide grant requests for LRT funding far ezceed federal monies available. The RRAs are oonsidering oondurting the AA/EIS in order to maintain eli- gibility for federal funds. The AA/EIS process increases the technical analysis and length- ACRRA/�iCRR.A 325 EAST MAiN STREET ANOKA, MINNE.SOTA 55303 wcx�+ ec.'sa► P�ul McCarron, Sam S. Sivanich, Chair �u 1largatM Ieegford. 1[ari Andrew, Vioe Chur Pioe Chair D�n Erhart, John E. Den�., Secretary 1Yeaiuier Natalie Haas Stelka 7tid hde, 7�euurer S�Y BoD B�lrm�n Raady Johu�oo .lim A. Kordiat .laba Keek Nie� Cena�o ���� ACRRA StafT HCRRA Stdi 421 �760 348-9'l60 1im Y�nto� Ken Stevem BRW. lne. Jim Dunn 370-0700 Bu Colburn �ssuE: 8 io . 30 . � a�e�RRAs are worlQng together to es s a u � a to pursuing federal maney. _ IMidley City Council,nrrnbe► Steur Bi!ltn8s nnd UC Pou! McComon, ACRRA, Conaider Por�and-Ride Silrs a1 Narthfoum :���i1ii_ � �:GF'1f::.l�i: o�:•; Uf;I'�c!- i_� i r:'-'�_tlJc t:i FRIU:_E. ; , Cit; ° . . _. 4 BULK RATE I U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 847 Mpls., MN CITY OF FRIDLSY pLANNING COMMI88ION l+tEETING, NOVEMBER 8, 1989 � CALL TO ORDER• Chairperson Betzold called the November 8, 1989, Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL• Members Present: Don Betzold, Dave Kondrick, Dean Saba, Sue Sherek, Alex Barna, Paul Dahlberg Members Absent: None Others Present: Jock Robertson, Community Development Director �$arbara Dacy, Planning Coordinator Michele McPherson, Planning Assistant APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 25 1989 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES: MoTION b�y Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Dahlberg, to approve the Octobe �25, 1989, Planning Commission minutes as written. UP A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BETZOLD DECLARED E MOTION CARRIED UNANZMOOSLY. 1. CONSIDERATION OF LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT STATION LOCATIONS: Mr. Robertson stated that at an earlier meeting he had asked the Commission to reconsider some of their earlier recommendations because of new data on the park and ride lots. He was concerned about what it might do to traffic volumes on the intersections. The Commission wanted more data and gave staff some policy directions and questions. He stated he has received answers to those questions. Mr. Robertson stated the park and ride location at University/ Mississippi will not, in the independent judgement of both an in- house traffic engineer and the BRW traffic engineers, significantly load up the University/Mississippi intersection. This is partly because the park and ride station is in the most advantageous location at the 10,000 Auto Parts site. They would not necessarily need all the 300 spaces even on an expanded 10,000 Auto Part site. Some spaces could be located in the Holly Shopping Center and in the southwest quadrant. People coming from the west side of PLP►rTNZNG COldMI88ION l�IBBTING, HOVEKBER 8, 1989 PAGE 2 University might choose to park at Holly, so they do not have to cross University to park. Mr. Robertson stated the other concern he had was capturing the retail sales. The BRW economic consultants say that, although that might happen, they do not think that is a significant consideration. About the possible impact on 73rd Avenue, even if they take the worst case and say there were 500 spaces at Columbia Arena and all the cars went down 73rd Avenue, that amounts to less than a 10� increase in the traffic already projected for 71st Avenue. Mr. Robertson stated staff is recommending that the City consider a combination commercial development and park and ride station at an expanded 10,000 Auto Parts site as its first priority in terms of serving the Center City area. There is also an advantage in that it is located mos�. effectively for feeder bus traffic, because of the access to East River Road under the railroad tracks on Mississippi Street. Mr. Robertson stated staff is recommending the Planning Commission consider the Mississippi Street location as its first choice for a park and ride, understanding that it may have to be expanded and the Planning Commission consider Columbia Arena as a back-up park and ride site if they get a lot more usage over time than they can accommodate on the Mississippi/ University Avenue site. Mr. Robertson stated he has briefed Mayor Nee and HRA Chairperson Larry Commers on Monday. They agreed with the Planning Commission that to have exclusive park and ride at the 10,000 Auto Parts site was a terrible waste of valuable property. It should only be considered as a multi-use site; in other words, a transit station, park and ride, plus some retail or office activity. They suggested that the HRA look at expanding the 10,000 Auto Parts site along Mississippi Street which will improve the access, move the driveways further away from the intersection, and try to get more multi-use on the site. He stated he has been authorized to make an offer on the house that is for sale next to 10,000 Auto Parts. Mr. Dahlberg stated it would be more desirable, particularly from the standpoint of traffic, if they could expand the 10,000 Auto Parts site all the way to 5th Street. Mr. Barna stated the best thing would be to plan the park and ride at Mississippi but not pass up the ability to designate the Columbia Arena parking lot as an alternate park and ride. At Columbia Arena there would be no need for any property acquisition or changes. Mr. Robertson stated he has asked the BRW consultants to bring to the next meeting the feeder bus route preliminary plans for both Mississippi Street and Columbia Arena. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. NOVEMBER 6, 1989 PAGE 3 Mr. Dahlberg stated that in his memo, Mr. Robertson had indicated that one of the key concerns is the issue of pedestrian traffic across University Avenue if there are designated parking spaces at either at Holly Center or somewhere in the southwest quadrant. Mr. Dahlberg stated he was not sure if he concurred that signal timing would solve that problem. What other options might be available and how can the City explore funding of those options? One option is a pedestrian bridge over University Avenue. Mr. Robertson stated that when he and Ms. Dacy met with the BRW � people the previous Friday, they brought up the possibility of a pedestrian bridge. Mr. Dahlberg stated if the City says that if there is a station located at Mississippi/University, there has to be a bridge across University Avenue, can a bridge be included in BRW's construction costs and budgeting? Mr. Robertson stated he did not know the answer to that question. He stated there is the handicapped access problem which makes it even more expensive, because there has to be a ramp or elevator at each end. Mr. Dahlberg stated it would make sense that a bridge be located north at 66th Avenue, so tnere is enough distance for the ramp on each side. Ms. Sherek stated there is also the safety factor of children crossing University Avenue on their bicycles. Ms. Dacy stated the biggest concern with a bridge is, obviously, the cost. With the elevator, they quoted a cost of $900,000. Ms. Dacy stated the other concern is that obviously they do not have the background of the use of pedestrian bridges for LRT stations. BRw is also basing their concern on the use of pedestrian bridges in general. A bridge certainly deserves further study. There are other areas along the corridor that will not have the capacity for parking on the same side of the street as the LRT station, so the crossover issue will come up. Ms. Sherek stated if they balance the cost of using the existing parking in Holly Center for a portion of the LRT parking, using the land makes the bridge less costly. A bridge would also provide another enhancement for this particular intersection for all purposes, not just LRT. Mr. Kondrick stated he was not so sure merchants at Holly Shopping Center are going to be interested in having cars in their parking lot to use the LRT station. Until the 10,000 Auto Parts site can PLANNSNG COI�ISSION IsEBTING I�IOVBKB$R 8 1989 PAGE 4 be enlarged to handle all the parking spaces on that site, he was not in favor of a bridge. Mr. Saba disagreed. He stated he thought a bridge is a necessity at this intersection, not only for the convenience factor, but also for the safety factor. He would like to see the bridge whether or not all the parking is handled on the 10,000 Auto Parts site. It will add a safety factor for children crossing the LRT tracks. Mr. Kondrick stated a bridge is a novelty thing. He did not think seniors or children are going to walk up a long ramp, across the street, and then walk down the long ramp. Mr. Dahlberg stated there was nothing that said the bridge could not be on the south side of the University/Mississippi intersection and incorporate it into the southwest quadrant development, tie it into the Center City Plaza area in some way. The biggest difficulty is dealinc� with the Fire Station. Mr. Dahlberg asked what was the anticipated number of parking spaces requ�red off the site on the west side if the LRT station is located here? Mr. Robertson stated he did not know. He did know a minority would be on the Holly Center side. He would estimate 50-100 parking spaces. Mr. Dahlberg stated that even at the busiest time for Holly Center, all the parking spaces on the northeast end of the site are always empty. LRT parking would be a good use for that parking area. Mr. Robertson stated the parking spaces in the southeast corner, just south of Snyders, are used little also. Mr. Dahlberg stated he would like staff to express the Planning Commission's concern and desire to have a pedestrian bridge be seriously considered at the University/Mississippi intersection. Mr. Saba stated he had two major concerns for this intersection. One is safety, especially with children. The other one is it is a terrible waste of space for just an LRT station that may or may not go in. Mr. Dahlberg stated if the HRA does acquire additional land to double the size of the 10,000 Auto Parts site, that becomes a pretty significant parcel. Does it make sense to make that a parking lot for small retail/office versus a pretty good sized office building project? Mr. Saba stated the City might not qet the development they want on this property if the property is up for 5-8 years waiting for a possible LRT. PLANNING COI+IIdZSBION K8$TII�Ia I�tOV8K8$R 8 1989 PAGE 5 Mr. Robertson stated he agreed, and that is why Mayor Nee and HRA Chairperson Commers are asking staff to proceed with redevelopment to see if they can keep the following options open (listed in order of priority): 1. the rail line 2. the station 3. the parking � Mr. Dahlberg stated he thought the Planning Commission has pretty much agreed that there should be a station at the University/ Mississippi intersection, whether it is a park or ride or a"kiss and ride", etc. Mr. Robertson stated staff also discussed with BRW a two level use of the 10,000 Auto Parts site. Whether the upper level would be used for parking or for shops would depend on a market feasibility study. Mr. Kondrick stated it is nice to use the property for retail/ office use, but how will it attract customers if the parking is for LRT users? Ms. Sherek stated they could conceivably put offices and park and ride on the same site, because they could designate parking spaces that belong to just the offices. Ms. Sherek stated she is concerned about the access to Columbia Arena as an alternate site. In looking at Fridley as a whole and how people are going to get to the Arena, the access is not good. There is no access east/west. Traffic has to go up to Osborne or down to Mississippi to get to the west. Mr. Robertson stated that is why he is convinced that Columbia Arena should only be looked at as a back-up site. Mr. Dahlberg stated if it is possible to make it work at University/Mississippi, then that is where the park and ride site should be located. Mr. Robertson stated BRW has approached the Immanuel Christian Center at University/Osborne Road, and they are very interesteed in some type of compromise with the Rail Authority to assume some of the ownership and maintenance of their parking lot. Mr. Robertson stated that regarding the 57th site, Mayor Nee and HRA Chairperson Commers aqain feel that it is a terrible waste to use this site for only park and ride. The main reason is this is the gateway to the City. Again, they want staff to look into the PLANNING COMMISSION l�IBBTING. I�iOVBKBER 8, 1989 _ PAGE 6 possibility of multi-use or even eliminating the park and ride station from 57th, and if the LRT switches over to Central on the south side of I-694, plan the station on the east end of the Target shopping center. Mr. Kondrick stated the 57th Street site is elevated to the east of University Avenue, 5-6 ft. hiqher than the street level. Wouldn't it be out of sight of the traffic coming from the south on University Avenue? Ms. Sherek stated if the LRT is going to go along University, and there is a station at Mississippi and a station somewhere around 51st Avenue, why do they need another station at 57th? Ms. Dacy stated the main reason is for the traffic off I-694. She stated here are a lot of outstanding problems with the 57th site right now. Mr. Robertson stated Mr. Kondrick had raised a point he had not thought about and that is that if there is a park and ride at 57th and if the LRT did not have to go over I-694, it might be possible to hide much of the parking to the east. It would not necessarily need to be right at the gateway to Fridley. Mr. Dahlberg stated when the projections are made of 2,000 cars between I-694 and Northtown on University Avenue, he would like to know what the area of draw is. Ms. Sherek stated that more than that, they need to demonstrate how they determine how many of those people are even going to downtown Minneapolis in the first place. Mr. Robertson stated two public information meetings have been scheduled. The first one is for the Minneapolis portion only on Monday, November 20, 1989, 7:00 p.m. at Edison High School. The second one is for the Southern Anoka County portion, I-694 to Minneapolis, on Wednesday, November 29, 1989, 7:00 p.m. at Murzyn Hall in Columbia Heights. A meeting time for northern Anoka County has not yet been scheduled. Mr. Robertson asked if the Planning Commission wished to have a briefing before that public meeting from the consultants. Does the Commission want mailing to go out to the citizens at the public meeting stage or at the public hearing stage? Ms. Sherek stated she would like notices to go out for the public meeting stage. Mr. Dahlberg stated the earlier, the better. This also illustrates to the people that the City feels it is important that they know about these meetings. PLANNZNG COMMISSION KEETING. HOV8KB8R 8. 1989 _ PAGE 7 Mr. Betzold stated he would also like to see notices at the public meeting stage. He would just as soon not have a briefing before the meeting. Mr. Kondrick stated that 20-25 years from now when in theory the LRT has expanded out to Anoka, perhaps Ramsey, East Bethel, etc., and more park and ride stations are necessary. He would then think the significance of the parking lots in the City of Fridley would be greatly diminished. He would like to have the flexibility so those parking lots could then be changed back to something else. Mr. Dahlberg stated that in the situation described by Mr. Kondrick, when an area is no longer needed for parking, is there an option where the City or HRA can own the property and lease it to the County and the Rail Authority, rather than the County purchasing the property? Ms. Sherek stated this raised a question raised by the Planning Commission in the early discussions, and that was: Do they have to build all these stations at initial construction? BRW is saying they need 2, 000 parking spaces, but what is wrong with starting out with Northtown, Mississippi/University, 51st or Target, and then when there is the demand five years later, they build another station. Ms . Dacy stated they would have to have the land reserved under that option. Mr. Saba stated they have to be somewhat careful, because just the potential "need" for a parking lot in a certain area can stop or slow development. Mr. Barna stated his main concern about LRT is they are talking about public bodies developing the parking spaces. In looking at other cities, the vast majority of parking ramps are privately owned. Why isn't the City of Fridley looking at some type of two- level parking ramp/retail development on the southwest corner with assistance from the HRA, so that when or if the LRT does go in, they can use the extra space for retail or whatever? 2. CONSIDERATION �i'' Cr;N'1'KAL vr.ivut', wnntwn irarLi.►-ii,..�.-.�.� - Ms. Dacy stated the Planning Co ission spent quite a bit of time discussing this last spring and ummer, and it went to the Council Conference meeting in July. e thought the Council members appreciated the exercise of going hrough the land use planning and intent. Their concern was ther are other priorities in the community as for as development an tax increment dollars. Ms. Dacy stated that she used a di ond model to analyze a plan for improvements along Central Avenu whether those are land use Mr. Dahlberg stated there is quite a diversity onq the EQC and Enerqy Commission aembers in terms of intere and expertise. It is healthy to keep the membership at sev members to be able to retain that interest and expertise. Irir. Dahlberq stated they would ' e the flexibility that if, at some point they cannot maintai a membership of seven, they could reduce the membership to fi . Mr. Betzold stated it ' a qood idea to merge the two commissions. 0 ON by Mr. S , seconded by Council the proval of the Commission of the City Code and Commissi and Enerqy Commission Mr. Barna, to recommend to City proposal to amend Chapter 6, combine the Environmental Quality into one commission. Op0)i 7�1 VOICE VOTE, aILL VOTI�iG 71YE, CSAIRBER80Li BBTZOLD DECI.�RED � AlOTIO�T CIIRRZED QN7�1I1lOOBLY. 3. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED STATION LOCATIONS ALONG UNIVERSITY AVENUE• Mr. Robertson stated that since the Planning Commission last discussed the proposed LRT system, staff has received some updated information from BRW that staff feels warrants more review by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission miqht want to consider updating some of their recommendations about locations and type of station. Mr. Robertson stated that at the February 8, 1989, meeting the Commission did not know the parking requirements for commuter stations, and the Commission recommended station locations at 57th Avenue, Mississippi Street, Osborne Road, and 81st Avenue. BRW now feels that the commuter ("park and ride" as opposed to "walk and ride") station on University and Mississippi will now require 300 parking spaces. That is approximately equivalent to the two Target parking lots. BRw states the 10,000 Auto Parts parking lot will only accommodate 125 spaces, so they are asking about the use of other Municipal Center parkinq facilities. He stated the new parking ramp was built to handle the overflcw parkinq and help correct the parking problem the City already has in Center City, and the use of these facilities was discouraqed since the office building is not fully leased and an expansion is planned for the Fridley Plaza Clinic. Mr. Robertson stated the next dimension of this problem is that the Center City redevelopment is about 2/3 completed. However, they still have a 10 acre parcel in the southwest quadrant, and the HI2A is lookinq at three proposals for it at its October 12, 1989, meetinq. The question is: Do they really want to jam up the intersection with 300 more cars in the morning and 300 more cars in the evening where, durinq the day, there is goinq to be p�� I�O COlQ[IBBIO� ILEETI�3. OC'T. il. 1l49 - P�OE S nonproductive use of that land? Perhaps the solution would be to convert the "park and ride" station oriqinally conceived for University/Mississippi to a"walk and ride" station and "drive up and drop off" station and then provide those additional "park and ride" facilities at Columbia l�rena. Mr. Robertson stated staff is askinq the Planning Commission to reconsider Columbia Arena. Does it make sense to have a"park and ride" station at both Columbia Arena and Osborne Road? Mr. Betzold stated that if there is a station at the intersection of Mississippi/University, isn't it qoing to be second nature for people to park in the City's.parking lot anyway? They are going to have 300 cars parked there even if they do not have room for them. Mr. Barna stated people will park there or at Holly Shopping Center or on the residential streets. Ms. Sherek asked if they want to add 300 additional cars to the intersection of 73rd/University in a residential area that is going to be newly burdened with the Northco development. Probably a minimum of 1/2 those cars will be during rush hour adding to an already horrible traffic situation on 73rd Avenue. Mr. Robertson stated 73rd Avenue is going to be widened. Ms . Sherek stated it is not the width of the street that is the problem; it is the volume of traffic on the street, and that volume will be increased by puttinq a commuter station at Columbia Arena. So, are they improving a situation or making it worse? Ms. Sherek stated if they have a choice between putting a"park and ride" station in an area that enters and exits in a residential area or in a commercial area, she would vote for the commercial area, whether it is Osborne Road or Mississippi Street. Mr. DahZberq stated that in the eazly stages, there was minimal discussion about this, but it seemed it was always intended that the LRT would go on the east side cf University Avenue. It appears to him that there is more land available for parkinq facilities on the west side of University Avenue. Mr. Robertson stated he believed the east side of University Avenue was chosen because of the availability of right-of-way. Irir. Robertson aqreed with what I�ir. Betzold had safd earlier that even with a"walk and ride" station on the southeast corner by the Target buildinq, they are going to get a certain amount of renegade parkinq in the area. The idea would be to try to sake a"park and ride" station as attractive as possible and the parkinq as close to the station and loading platform as possible. � � � • � _ • � ]C � �`i� c� '� Mr. Betzold stated that the Columbia �►rena location seems ideal because the lot is available during tne day. Mr. Dahlberg stated that is true; however, it was BRW's oriqinal analysis to utilize the property Northco now has, not the Columbia J�rena 1 ot . Mr. Robertson stated that was true; however, he has now been informed by BRW that they will consider the joint use of the Columbia Arena lot because it is already an r,noka County facility. Mr. Dahlberg asked the capacity for the Columbia Arena lot. Mr. Robertson stated they are not sure, but know it can hold in excess of 300 cars. However, there is still the remaining problem of traffic on 73rd Avenue. Mr. Dahlberg stated he believed some of that traffic will be distributed onto 69th Avenue. They are assuming all the traffic will be coming east and west on 73rd Avenue to get to the station, but that is not necessarily the way it is going to work. Mr. Robertson stated that is an excellent point, and they should get a follow-up projection from BRW on what percentage of traffic will come east/west on 73rd Avenue and what percentage of traffic will come north/south on University Avenue. Ms. Sherek stated another way would be to get an analysis of how traffic could be rerouted to 69th Avenue to distribute the traffic. Mr. Barna stated there has been some discussion about the frontage road being eliminated at 73rd Avenue. If that is the case, traffic would have to qo throuqh the Northco development to and from 73rd Avenue. Mr. Dahlberg stated that when staff asks for follow-up information, the information be based on t�o scenarios: 1. If the frontage road is not there to 73rd which forces all the traffic to 69th or through Northco's development to get to 7 3 rd l�venue . 2. If the frontage road remains so traffic can qet onto 69th Avenue and 73rd �venue. Mr. Robertson stated the question is: will the "park and ride" people arrive at the station all at once or earlier than people arrivinq to work at the Northco development? If the latter is true, then that would spread out some of the traffic. z_�i _• � h! ,�'_ _ - • �. _ c L� Mr. Betzold atated another question that can be asked of BRW is that if BRW is committed to having a"walk and ride" station at Kississippi/University, where will the cars be parked and how can the City control the parkinq situation? tir. Dahlberg stated if the northeast quadrant of University/ liississippi becomes a 125 car lot, how is the parkinq to be controlled? By permit for LRT? Mr. Dahlberg stated he had a concern reqarding 73rd Avenue. Of all the east/west streets in Fridley that provide access to University and Highway 65 and Central Avenue, 73rd Avenue is the only street without stop siqns, and that is why it is used as heavily as it is. It would seem to be wiser to have Osborne Road as the street without stop siqns or have Osborne with traffic controlled intersections. Mr. Betzold stated when they first started the LRT discussions, they agreed that at some point the public should become involved. He is now getting very concerned about making these kinds of discussions without any public input. He felt they are getting to the point where they should have a public hearing fairly soon. Ms. Sherek stated they have to give this a lot of consideration. There are other sites they could be looking at for the "park and ride" stations. Once the LRT is in, it is going to be here for a long time. If it means exploring the idea of having the corridor run down the west side of the street with a pedestrian bridge over University Avenue, then maybe they should do that. Mr. Dahlberg stated the Commission's recommendation was that if the corridor is on the east side that they retain all the parking facilities on the east side as well. Now, they miqht have to compromise and say they will allow it on the west side only if there is a pedestrian walk bridge over or under University Avenue to the station so pedestrians do not have to compete with the traffic on University l�venue. Ms. Dacy is that process. for its process. has made It might does not stated her understanding of the public hearinq process BRW is still qoinq through the preliminary engineering Then Anoka County will forward the plan to each community review and approval. She thought that was a 6-9 month Even with the chanqe from last vinter to this winter, BRW the demand projection of 300 cars at the intersection. be more harmful to go to the public now if Anoka County have adequate information. Iir. Robertson stated a public information meetinq vas oriqinally scheduled by BRW for September but it had to be cancelled. Kr. Betzold stated it is a valid concern that they do want to have all the information toqether before qoinq before the public; but �i ��i�a oo�aissio� ILEETIIIG. ,,•� „ ,•�9 - p71GE a the Commission does not control this prxess. He is afraid that there is goinq to be a point in time when a lot of rumors and aisinformation can start coming out, and he did not want someone to point to the Fridley Planning Commission that they were the ones who aade the decision without public input. Mr. Saba stated it could be worse, though, if they do not have adequate information. Mr. Robertson stated he would forward the Planninq Commission's concern about public input to BRW. Ms. Sherek stated that when they do have a public hearing, she would like representatives from BRW to attend that meeting. Ms. Sherek stated she felt BRW does have to make a decision on the corridor first before�they can start talking about stations. OM TION by Mr. Dahlberg, seconded by Mr. Saba, that the Planning Commission recognizes the updated information presented by staff and is willing to update their recommendations after staff gets more information on the following issues: 1. The �losing off of 73rd; directing traffic to 69th; or traffic ti�rough the Northco development to 73rd. 2. The traffic assiqnments east/west on 73rd Avenue and the impact of that traffic on the residential area to the north. 3. The impact on renegade parking in the Center City area if there is a"walk and ride" station located at University/Mississippi. 4. The implication of parkinq facilities on the opposite side of the roadway from the rail right-of-way with a pedestrian bridqe. IIPOId I1 VOICE VOTE, 71LL oOTI�iG 71YE, CSAIRPBRBOI�i HBTSOLD DECI.ARED T8E MOTIO�i CARRIED Q�iiZ![OQBLY. 4. RF'yIEW pROPOSED CHANGES TO IAT COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS IN COI+Q+�ERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS : Ms. McPherson stated the reason for the initiation e code chanqe was in response to a variance r by Cortron l�anufacturinq in September 1989. In iscussion at the City Council meeting, it was discus at information be qathered on how other cities ha ot coverage requiresents. That information was uded as items B and B2 in the Commission agenda. � - , s! . ► �' _ � "' .� - _ _ � � • � - ---� --7lrJ _ ` � • - . - � ;� • . 1' - -i�= _ f -- — ... ; + '� s.��"" . a - . ' � ��: ` _ . , i _ . '_,_ • • i ` ' . .. : . ! _ �'} , r �. � �` � . � - :_,� M • • � i.- -�.� r � .�� . ��-�t. • ' j+ 1 s � -�, ' 3i,� - ., .r.r 1 /i _. �-- , ��•- - l � - . � , _' . 1 r � j � .- � • 1 � . � ) 0 _ � � / � � � � t � ' �r,. ' ° � � � � ' � � ` � • � " ` ��a _ �:a s� 1 �- a' .�_ ------ -- � . r� �. . . � - � ,,—�---------'� � �2- - a � + ` ' � _ ± - l ' r . •+ . , �� _ � 1 � � . . � ~ .. � • ' y � � � ^r�_ . . >_' � . �.— - . .. . _ . - � � � r .+a.�.,�H '. 7 _ _... . �`L .�_ �, � - � .. -- ..� -' , � � " 'i- A� � � . y � � _ �' � � � . �s i. , . .. � t � , � � � I _. � �� I Proposed Columbia Urban � Commuter Service 5. Locatton: Untverstty/TH 47 at Minnesota Transter R/W, Frldley Space Avatlable: 11.5-acre site on the northeast. Couid be connected to 2.25-acre slte at 73rd. Functtons: Park and ride, kiss and r1de, teeder bus, walk-up rldership to Columbla Arena Potential Parking Spaces: 1426 Deslgn Constralnts: Wetlands in v1c1n1ty. Ptdestrlan connectlon to residentlal area northeast ot University/73rd intersection 1lkely to be desirable. Land Assen�bly/Acquisition: Parcel is currently vacant. Land Use Compatlbility: Compattble vlth surrounding uses. i Comp�ehenstve Plan: Praperty identltied only as vacant and slte ot water tiltration plant. Zoning: northeast--heavy industrial southeast--public tacilittes Development Potential: Excellent, wlth close ttes to recreational properties to the south (Columbia Arena) and west. Auto and Bus Access: Good northlsouth v1a University. Access to east frontage road at 73rd and 69th, but 73rd the oniy through-street and only from the east. Neighborhood Impacts: Posslble trafflc tmpacts along 73rd for neighborhood on the north side. Parkland/Historic Property Impacts: R1ce Creek Reglonal Trail Park and Locke Park to the south and east. Columbla Arena already there. , r ♦ Proposed Mississippi Urban � Commuter Servlce 6. Locatlon: Unlversity/TH 47 at Misslsslppl Street, Frtdley Suggested by City Statt Space Avallable: Potentlal one-acre site north ot 10,000 Auto Parts. northeast ot intersection. Functions: klss and r1de, bus drop-ott, walk-up, park and r1de. Potential Parking Spaces: 125 Land Assembly/Acquisltion: currently vacant � Design Constraints: Adequate buttering required along resldential area to the north. � Land Use Compatlbtlity: Compatlble wtth commerclal corner. W1th adequate buf- tering and traftic access from Misslsslppl, compatibTe with residential area to the north. Comprehenslve Plan: Redevelop olstrlct by upgrading cortmercial use to create city focus. 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