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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-15 Minutes MINUTES OF THE Edina Transportation Commission Thursday, May 15, 2008 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Les Wanninger, Jean White, Marc Usem, Paul Mooty, Warren Plante, Steve Brown, Geof Workinger, Tom Bonneville MEMBERS ABSENT: Hilah Almog STAFF PRESENT: Jesse Struve, Sharon Allison I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by chair Workinger. II. Comments a. Chairman Comments None b. Public Comments None. III. Old Business a. W. 70th/Cornelia Area Traffic Study Updates Commissioner Brown, chair of the W. 70th/Cornelia Area Traffic Study Advisory Committee, reported that they met with the Mayor, Council and consultant and he is drafting an outline of the SAC’s process for approval by the Mayor and Council to re-initiate the study. He stated further that City Engineer Houle is conducting a speed zone study as part of the Safe Routes to School Program and completion is not expected until June; therefore, the SAC will most likely not reconvene until August. IV. New Business a. 6921 York Place The City of Edina’s traffic consultant, Chuck Rickart of WSB, explained that the development at 6921 York Place has been before the ETC twice previously and on each occasion received approval. Mr. Rickart said the plan has since been revised with less retail and more residential space, and as a result, trip generation is slightly less. He said issues raised included the intersection at 69th Street and York Avenue, as well as access from 69th Street; however, the developer has since agreed to add a median at the intersection which satisfies the concern. Mr. Rickart said staff is recommending approval with the following conditions: 1. This development shall address all comments in WSB’s May 7, 2008, memo to the satisfaction of the ETC and Engineering Department. 2 2. The developer shall fund appropriate improvements to correct intersection deficiencies resulting from the further study of adjacent intersection at 69th and York as required in WSB’s May 7, 2008, memo. 3. The right-in/right-out from the site along 69th Street as stated in the traffic report date April 23, 2008, does not coincide with the site plan supplied by the developer. The plan shows a site access that could be used as a full access, however, the current configuration and striping of 69th Street does not allow full operation. Clarification of this intersection will be required as part of the approval. Representing the development were Robb Miller, developer with TE Miller Development; Dean Dovolis, architect with DJR Architecture Inc.; and Michael Klobucar, traffic engineer with Wenck Associates, Inc. Mr. Miller said he is agreeable to improving 69th Street because it will benefit their property; however, in reference to the intersection, he said they should not be required to upgrade a pre-existing problem that will not be negatively impacted by the development. He was informed by chair Workinger that who pays for the improvement would be decided by Council. In reference to the right-in/right-out, Mr. Klobucar said this is no longer an issue because they have eliminated some entries/exits and instead will have full access to the site. Chair Workinger asked for assurance that delivery trucks will not use W. 70th Street to access the site. Mr. Dovolis said drivers are given directions to use the major freeways but without a tracking system they cannot guarantee the routes the drivers will take. He said the roundabouts should discourage them from using W. 70th because it is no longer the fastest route. Commissioner Brown motioned to approve the traffic study as recommended by staff and that the developer provides an assurance that W. 70th Street will not be used by delivery trucks. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bonneville. All voted aye. Motion carried. b. 4010 W. 65th Street – Crosstown Medical LLC The City of Edina’s traffic consultant, Chuck Rickart of WSB, said the 65th Street and France Avenue intersection was the major concern for this redevelopment; however, he said the developer’s traffic consultant has recommended upgrading the intersection with a ‘protective permissive signal phasing’ traffic light. Mr. Rickart said staff is withholding a recommendation at this time because there are still some issues to be addressed. Staff’s position is as follows: Currently, staff and our traffic consultant, WSB, feel that this transportation submittal is not yet complete. Staff, WSB and Wenck are working to resolve the outstanding items listed in the attached memo prior to the Edina Transportation Commission meeting on May 15, 2008. Currently, the conditions of the approval are: 1. This development shall address all comments in WSB’s May 7, 2008, memo to the satisfaction of the ETC and Engineering Department. 2. To participate in appropriate cost sharing for signal improvements at 65th Street and France Avenue. 3 Representing the developer were Ed Terhaar, traffic engineer, with Wenck Associates and Mark Hansen, architect with Mohagen Hansen. Mr. Hansen said they are willing to work with both the City and County to upgrade the 65th Street and France Avenue intersection Commissioner Wanninger motioned to accept the traffic study with staff’s recommendation and that the developer works with the City and County to improvement the intersection at 65th Street and France Avenue. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mooty. 7 voted aye. 1 abstain (Brown). Motion carried. V. Approval of Minutes a. Regular Meeting of April 17, 2008 Commissioner Plante requested that the resolution that was approved at the April 17 meeting be included as part of the meeting minutes. The following change is to be made to Page 2, para. 1, “…reviewing the composition of the SAC; however, the composition will remain the same.” Page 2, para. 2, “Commissioners Brown, Usem and chair Workinger will meet with the consultant…” Commissioner Wanninger motioned to approve the minutes of April 17, 2008, with the above changes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown. All voted aye. Motion carried. VI. Planning Commission Update (Commissioner Brown) Commissioner Brown said regionally development has been down. He said at their upcoming May 28 meeting they will be discussing the two developments that were presented tonight. VII. Staff Liaison Comments (Houle) a. ETC Member Orientation With one new member on board and another expected fairly soon, Sharon Allison reported that staff would like to schedule a new member orientation for mid-June. The orientation would be open for all to attend. b. Transit for Livable Communities The Engineering Department has applied for four grants from the Transit for Livable Communities. The four grant applications are for: 1. City-wide Pedestrian and Bicycle Route Marking and Signage Improvements 2. Bicycle Marking and Signage Improvements and Pedestrian Connection Improvements along 54th Street 3. Upgraded Pedestrian/Bicycle Tunnel at York Avenue 4. Information Accessibility Improvements VIII. Adjournment Meeting adjourned.