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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-20 Minutes 1 MINUTES OF THE Edina Transportation Commission Thursday, October 20, 2005 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Marie Thorpe, Jean White, Warren Plante, Joni Kelly Bennett, Dean Dovolis MEMBERS ABSENT: Les Wanninger STAFF PRESENT: Steve Lillehaug, Sharon Allison I. The meeting was called to order by co-chair Bennett. II. New Business a. The Gateway, Mixed Use Development, 4930 West 77th Street Lillehaug stated that the developers are seeking rezoning approval to build a retail/multifamily condominium. Staff reviewed the traffic study and travel demand management plan and recommended three conditions to receive approval. Lillehaug said two of the three conditions have since been met. Staff is recommending that the ETC approve the traffic study subject to the other condition being met. Representing the developers were architect Daniel Green with Miller Dunwoody, and traffic study consultant Craig Vaughn with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Vaughn said the project would be completed in 2007 and in addition to analyzing the current traffic pattern, he also analyzed 2008 (future project build). Vaughn said he studied four key intersections and found them to be operating at acceptable levels of service. He said there is some build up of traffic especially in the p.m. hours, and signal optimization could probably reduce this failure. Overall, Vaughn said the redevelopment will generate a small amount of traffic, but they will not all leave and return at the same time. Currently, the traffic being generated is low because the building is almost vacant. During discussion, Plante said he believes the area will be overly congested if changes are not made to the roadway. Lillehaug said Mn/DOT’s 2030 plan includes changes for the interchanges and increased redevelopment along West 77th Street will require roadway changes. Dovolis wondered if they should create a developer’s fee that would be used to cover the expense of future transportation needs. White is going to distribute an article to Commissioners that discusses developers’ contribution to transit development in another city. Discussion of a developer’s fee will be added to the next agenda. A motion was made by Dovolis to approve the traffic study. Thorpe seconded the motion. Ayes: 6 2 Nayes: 0 Motion carried. III. Handouts a. About Business, Autumn 2005 (page 15 advertisement) b. Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan Brochure No discussion. IV. Approval of Minutes a. October 6, 2006 Bennett requested the following revision to page 2, first paragraph: delete ‘conceding’ and insert ‘unlikely.’ Page 3, paragraph 6, delete ‘ETC’ and insert ‘NTMP.’ Workinger requested the following revision to page 3, last paragraph: delete ‘is recognizance’ and insert ‘pointed out the value.’ A motion was made by Workinger to approve the minutes with the changes as noted. Plante seconded the motion. V. Planning Commissioner Update (Commissioner Workinger) Workinger said they continue to review the two redevelopment plans before them: Haugland Development - 50th & France o Discussion surrounding ‘egress to’ or ‘ingress from’ the property – no solution yet; Cypress Development - Gallagher Ave o Integration of the restaurant on the first floor with the inside park; they thought it would be better to invite the public in; o Discussed proper height of condo; o Adequacy of Gallagher Ave; VI. Open Discussion White said she attended the City of Minneapolis’ transportation 10-year action plan public meeting where they are seeking ideas from citizens regarding implementation of multi-modal transit, making the city more livable, reviving northeast Minneapolis, etc. She said they talked about congestion at W. 50th and France as well as W. 44th and France. Bennett said she attended the traffic workshop by David Engwicht, Mental Speed Bumps. She said he encourages cities to give residents the authority to change their neighborhood according to its characteristics. She handed out a summary of the workshop. Thorpe said she also attended the workshop and likes Engwicht’s ideas, but they seem impractical. Dovolis said some of his ideas do work and it would be good to combine his creative approach with practical engineering methodology. More information is available at www.mentalspeedbumps.com Dovolis said it appears there may be a few City of St. Louis Park council members that oppose the temporary 3rd lane on Hwy. 100. They are fearful that it could become permanent. Lillehaug said both Mayor Hovland and City Manager Hughes are meeting with them on this issue. Meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2005, 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Community Room.