Res 2000-89 RESOLUTION NO. 89-2000
A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ADVANCED CORRIDOR PLAN OF THE NORTHSTAR
COMMUTER RAIL STATION
WHEREAS, the Northstar Commuter Rail Development Authority(NCDA) is a multi jurisdictional joint
powers entity empowered to study multi-modal transportation systems in Hennepin, Anoka, Benton, and
Sherburne Counties; and
WHEREAS, the NCDA is proposing an 80 mile commuter rail system extending from St. Cloud to
downtown Minneapolis in conjunction with other transportation system improvements; and
WHEREAS,the proposed commuter rail system will utilize the existing tracks of the Burlington Northern
Santa Fe railroad; and
WHEREAS, said railroad tracks run through the City of Fridley; and
WHEREAS, a commuter rail station is proposed in the City of Fridley; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota State Statute Section 174.86 requires cities to review and comment on the
proposed location and design of commuter rail stations as depicted in"advanced corridor plans"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fridley received a request to complete the statutory defined process via a letter
dated August 4, 2000 signed by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT)and the Northstar Corridor Development Authority Chairperson; and
WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) conducted its statutory required
public hearing on the Advanced Corridor Plan on September 7,2000; and
WHEREAS, the statute requires the City to complete its review within 45 days of said hearing by the
NCDA; and
WHEREAS, the NCDA and the City of Fridley conducted an informational meeting on August 2, 2000;
and
WHEREAS, the Fridley Planning Commission received public comment on the Advanced Corridor Plan
on September 6,2000; and
WHEREAS, the Fridley City Council received additional public comments at its September 25, 2000
regular council meeting; and
WHEREAS,the statute requires the city to either approve or disapprove the submitted Advanced Corridor
Plan; and
WHEREAS, the statute requires the city to specify the amendments or conditions by which, if resolved,
were to remove the city's disapproval;and
WHEREAS, the city acknowledges that the NCDA Board, by policy, has suggested a third option of
"approval with conditions"; and
WHEREAS,the city must act in accordance with state statute; and
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Resolution 89-2000 Page 2
WHEREAS, the city acknowledges that the NCDA has attempted to address as many issues as possible
given that the level of design is equivalent to 10%; and
WHERAS, the Environmental Impact Statement has not been released for public comment; and
WHEREAS, the city finds that a commuter rail system in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area will help
reduce traffic congestion and will help promote increased use of public transit systems; and
WHEREAS, the Northstar Corridor Development Authority's Advanced Corridor Plan has prompted a
public discussion of the proposed station location and station design in Fridley; and
WHEREAS, there was significant concern expressed about the size and location of the park and ride
facilities on both the east and west side of the railroad tracks; and
WHEREAS, there was significant concern expressed about the additional traffic, especially"cut through"
traffic,through adjacent residential neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, there was significant concern expressed about whether a station was appropriate within
and/or near a residential neighborhood; and
WHEREAS,the City suggested several changes to the site design of the proposed station; and
WHEREAS, a different location of the station was suggested by the public south of I-694; and
WHEREAS, the NCDA reported that a station could not be located farther south of the I-694 because of
the location of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe main switching and operation yards; and
WHEREAS, the NCDA responded with a revised site plan stamped "preliminary draft" and dated
September 20,2000; and
WHEREAS,there was significant concern expressed by residents of the adjacent neighborhoods within %2
mile of the station that the additional sound generated by whistles,bells, and other warning devices on the
trains would detract from the livability and enjoyment of their properties; and
WHEREAS, there was significant concern expressed by the residents of the adjacent neighborhood about
the potential increase in crime associated with the park and ride facilities and the proposed underpass; and
WHEREAS,the City of Fridley assumes that there will be monitoring cameras at all stations and that the
NCDA will construct a central security control facility to monitor the activity of the commuter rail
operation (similar to the control facility in Oceanside, California) at a station site along the proposed
route; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fridley encourages development on the four-acre site, on the east side of the
railroad tracks, with uses that would be compatible with the residential neighborhood, commercial
neighborhood, and the commuter rail station; and
WHEREAS, there has been significant concern expressed by the residents of the City of Fridley that the
commuter rail station area be properly maintained and meet the City Code requirements for exterior
maintenance for similar types of land uses; and
Resolution 89-2000 Page 3
WHEREAS,the signal at 6151 Way/East River Road was installed at the request of School District No. 14,
and School District No. 14 pays for the annual operation of the signal; and
WHEREAS, the statutory process mandates that the City choose between 100% acceptance of the
proposed station or "disapproval" with an itemization of all potential changes without the benefit of the
Environmental Impact Statement and a higher level of design work; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fridley finds it extremely difficult to make specific comments and suggestions
about the Advanced Corridor Plan when,in fact,there are a number of questions still outstanding that will
be addressed in the forthcoming environmental impact statement or preliminary engineering phase of the
project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Fridley hereby
disapproves the station design as submitted by the Northstar Development Corridor Authority as
submitted in the Advanced Corridor Plan transmitted to the City on August 4,2000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley encourages the NCDA and the Commissioner of
Transportation to evaluate possible station locations within Fridley that might create less impact on
residential neighborhoods.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the station is located at 61St Avenue/615`Way, the City of Fridley
places the following conditions on the City's disapproval:
• The site plan dated September 20,2000 is the preferred design alternative
• The southerly driveway on the east side parking lot shall be a right turn only
• The northerly driveway on the east side parking lot shall be shared with the development on the
remaining 4 acre parcel
• The proposed storm water management system shall meet the City of Fridley requirements.
• The storm water pond on the east side may be sized to accommodate the run off from the 4-acre
parcel.
• A detailed landscaping plan shall be submitted prior to construction meeting City requirements
for parking lot and neighborhood screening.
• A detailed lighting plan shall be submitted prior to construction meeting City requirements for
lighting near residential areas.
• The Ashton Avenue connection shall be platted as a public right of way.
• The Ashton Avenue connection to 61s' Way shall be designed such that the roadway is 30 feet
wide and is one way from 62°d Way to just south of the proposed pond.
• Access points to Ashton Avenue shall be consolidated to minimize traffic disruption.
• The underpass shall be designed with the "switchback" on either side of the railroad tracks, and
shall be designed with some type of enclosure to protect pedestrians from inclement weather, but
yet allows an appropriate amount of light and air.
• Sidewalk and bikeway connections as shown on the September 20, 2000 plan shall be
constructed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the City of Fridley requests the Commissioner of Transportation,the
NCDA, and the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe to work with the appropriate state and federal authorities to
minimize, if not eliminate, all train whistles and bells within the city limits of Fridley including, but not
limited to,train crossings and stations.
Resolution 89-2000 Page 4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the City of Fridley requests the NCDA to review appropriate means
to reduce and to mitigate the noise from any rail operations as a result of negative impact findings in the
Environmental Impact Statement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley encourages the Commissioner of Transportation
to locate the central security control facility as an anchor tenant of a building on the four-acre site on the
east side of the railroad tracks.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley requests the Minnesota Department of
Transportation arrange for the appropriate maintenance and operation of the commuter rail station in
order to meet the City of Fridley's code requirements for outdoor maintenance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley require the Northstar Corridor Development
Authority and the Commissioner of Transportation to submit all applications for land use issues (street
and easement vacations, plats, and others) to the City of Fridley for review as is typically completed by
other developers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley reserves the right to place stipulations and
conditions on any land use applications as is typically done for other developers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley reserves the right to install traffic control
signage, as it deems appropriate on public streets around the station area.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the City of Fridley requests the Commissioner of Transportation,the
Northstar Corridor Development Authority, and the appropriate governmental agencies to review the
benefiting parties of the signal at 61S`Avenue/East River Road with a view towards the operation of the
signal being undertaken by the general transportation funds of some governmental agency.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley requests the Commissioner of Transportation to
evaluate the current statutory process and to recommend a change to the legislature permitting approval of
Advanced Corridor Plans by municipalities after more information is available.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fridley requests the NCDA to respond to the issues
contained in this resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS 9TH
DAY OF OCTOBER 2000.
ANC J O G 11 ON-MAYOR
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DEB' • SKOGE , CITY ERK
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