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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-19 Minutes 1 MINUTES OF THE Edina Transportation Commission Thursday, January 19, 2006 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Les Wanninger, Marie Thorpe, Warren Plante, Joni Kelly Bennett, Ellen Cerf, Marc Usem MEMBERS ABSENT: Geof Workinger, Dean Dovolis, Jean White STAFF PRESENT: Steve Lillehaug, Sharon Allison I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by chair Wanninger. II. New Business a. 2006 Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan Application Deadline Lillehaug said a press release was sent to the Sun Newspaper announcing the February 13th deadline for applications. He anticipates receiving an application for Wooddale Avenue between W. 52nd and w. 53rd Streets. Data collected there showed 85th percentile speeds of 40 mph. Patrol has since been stepped up in the area. Four issue areas were carried over from 2005 for consideration in 2006. b. Edina Transportation Studies Update Edina High School, Valley View Middle School and Creek Valley School Area Staff has some ideas for improvement and will be meeting with the school district and residents within the next month. Surveying the high school students was recommended. Cerf said she would be willing to help with the survey. West 70th Street (Hwy. 100 to France Ave) Nothing is currently being done; however, money has been included in 2006 budget. He suggested starting on this area as soon as the NE Edina study is completed. West 70th Street (France Ave to York Ave) In response to the area’s re-development applications recently received, WSB and Associates was hired to conduct a traffic study to see if a median could be installed with single lanes on either side and turn lanes. The completed study will be presented to the ETC in February or March. West 70th Street and Metro Blvd Intersection (Metro Blvd to Hwy. 100) The traffic signal needs to be replaced. Street and signal improvements were previously scheduled in 1995, but the bid was rejected because it was too high. SRF developed the original plans and staff is soliciting a new proposal from them. 2 Northeast Edina Area The traffic study is on schedule and on budget. An open house is scheduled for Jan. 26th, 7-9 p.m. Expected completion is June 2006 as originally planned. Wanninger said he met with St. Louis Park’s Mayor to explain the study and he was pleased to be involved. They also discussed the 3rd lane addition to Hwy. 100. Greater Southdale Area Land Use and Transportation Study The final report has been submitted. A joint meeting on Jan. 21st, 8:30-11:00 a.m., with the ETC and Planning Commission was called by the Mayor. Council will consider the report in February and a public hearing will also be scheduled. Lillehaug said there is some concern that the study does not completely address transportation issues for the area so he would anticipate doing a more complete traffic study. Wanninger said he and the Mayor met recently and it seems there may have been some misunderstanding by the Planning Commission that the ETC was getting into land use issues when reviewing the traffic studies for the recent redevelopment projects and this may have been based on a single sentence in the ETC’s 12/15 minutes. Wanninger said he explained that this was not the case and he explained the four criteria used to evaluate redevelopments where traffic is concerned. He said the Mayor has scheduled a meeting with himself, Wanninger and the Planning Commission Chair to clarify roles and responsibilities. Wanninger said it was suggested that the ETC list on its website a summary of projects being worked on. Plante suggested that the ETC identify traffic issues ahead of time to share at the Jan. 21st joint meeting. c. Andy Otness, League of Women Voters (LWV) Ms. Otness said the LWV is conducting a survey of boards, commissions, etc. to better understand their role and purpose. Completed surveys can be given to her tonight or return by mail by Feb. 1st. III. Old Business a. 2006 City of Edina Budget (Transportation Commission Budget) Lillehaug said a budget was approved for the ETC. IV. Handouts No discussion. V. Approval of Minutes a. December 15, 2005 The following changes were made to the minutes: under New Business, paragraph 4, change “the need for a hotel of that size in an area not considered to be a destination spot;” to “concern regarding hotel generated traffic in an area not considered a destination spot;” delete “(the area is ideal said Swing because the focus in on ‘lifestyle’ instead of the usual highway destinations);” A motion was made by Plante to approve the December 15th minutes with above changes. Motion seconded by Thorpe. 3 VI. Planning Commission Update (Commissioner Workinger) No update due to Workinger’s absence. Meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 16, 2006, 6:00- 8:00 p.m., in the Community Room, City Hall.