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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-15 Meeting PacketAGENDA Regular Meeting of the Edina Transportation Commission 6:00 PM, Thursday, March 15, 2007 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Council Chambers I. Call to Order II. Public Comment III. Old Business No old Business IV. New Business a. 7380 France Office Building* b. Edina Transportation History V. Approval of Minutes a. Regular Meeting of February 15, 2007* b. Special Meeting of February 22, 2007* VI. Planning Commission Update (Commissioner Brown) VII. Open Discussion VIII. Staff Liaison Comments (Sullivan) a. Transportation Comprehensive Plan Update b. Southwest Transit way Alternatives* c. Highway 100 Update d. I-35/Crosstown Update e. Pentagon Park AUAR* f. W. 70 Study Update g. Safe Routes to School Application* h. MNDOT Speed Study for Local Roads* i. Edina’s Advisor, Commissions and Committees Annual Meeting j. Draft Transportation Impact Analysis* k. Valley View Roadway and Sidewalk Improvements IX. Adjournment * Note: Attachment included. During "Public Hearings," the Chair will ask for public comment after City staff members make their presentations. If you wish to speak on the topic, you are welcome to do so as long as your comments are relevant to the discussion. To ensure fairness to all speakers and to allow the efficient conduct of a public hearing, speakers must observe the following guidelines: • Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less. The Chair will modify presentation times, as deemed necessary. • Try not to repeat remarks or points of view made by prior speakers and limit comments to the matter under consideration. • In order to maintain a comfortable environment for all those in attendance, the use of signs, clapping, cheering or booing or any other form of verbal or nonverbal communication is not allowed. During "Public Comments," the Chair will ask to hear from those in attendance who would like to speak about something not on the agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less and cannot speak to an issue for which a public hearing was previously held and closed or a matter scheduled for a future hearing. Individuals should not expect the [Board or Commission] to respond to their comments. Instead, the [Board or Commission] might direct the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in advance of the meeting. REGULAR TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING REPORT/RECOMMENDATION To: Transportation Commissioners Agenda Item No.: IV. a. From: Jack Sullivan, PE ACTION: Assistant City Engineer Recommendation/Motion Date: March 15, 2007 Discussion Subject: Traffic Impact Study – 7380 France Office Building Information Recommendation: Review the attached memos dated February 2 and March 8 from Jim Benshoof regarding the development plan and if so desired by the Transportation Commission, adopts a motion recommending that traffic generated from the proposed submittal of 7380 France Office Building (Development) does not adversely affect the adjacent transportation system. Info/Background: Staff received the proposal for re-development of an existing 2 story 25,000 square foot office building located along the west side of France Avenue north of Parklawn Avenue. The existing building would be torn down in order to construct a new 3 story 44,000 square foot office building in approximately the same location. Wenck Associates, Inc. (formerly Benshoof and Associates) has submitted a traffic impact study and traffic demand management plan. Staff requested that an analysis of the intersection of France Avenue and Parklawn Avenue be performed. Wenck Associates, Inc. have included a memo, dated March 8th, addressing this intersection. Staff also contracted with WSB and Associates, Inc. to review the memorandums. The following is an excerpt from the May 19, 2005 Transportation Finding of Fact requirement for Traffic Studies (comments for this development are indicated in bold): The Transportation Commission shall consider the following four effects in the evaluation of traffic studies that are warranted by certain zoning, land-use, conditional use permits and final development plan applications prior to the application being submitted to the Planning Commission and Council for consideration: i) Does the development significantly affect the operation and congestion of the adjacent roadways or intersections and/or result in a traffic hazard? Page 2 of 2 Item IV. a. Edina Transportation Commission According to the Traffic Impact Study, no adverse impact to surrounding roadways or intersections shall occur from this Development. ii) Does the development significantly affect pedestrian safety? The Traffic Demand Impact Management Plan addressed the pedestrian facilities in the area and since the location of existing sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalk at signalized intersections are not to be altered, no adverse impacts shall occur from this Development. iii) Does the development provide opportunities for enhanced transit usage, vanpooling or car-pooling? A Travel Demand Management plan was submitted with the Development’s application. The Development is willing to promote transit use by on-site sales of transit passes, flexible work hours for employees, and having a staff person work with the I-494 Corridor Commission. iv) Does the development provide feasible opportunities to address an existing traffic issue or safety problem? The proposed development does not address existing traffic issues along France Avenue. Since no significant traffic increases are calculated from the Development no improvements are required. The proposed use(s) of the site are allowed in the zoning for this area. From a Traffic Engineer perspective, and based on the Traffic Impact Study, this project will not adversely affect France Avenue or the intersection of France Avenue and Parklawn Avenue. G:\Engineering\Infrastructure\Streets\Traffic\Transportation Commission\Agendas\2007 R&R\20070215_Revised York Place Traffic Impact Study.doc MINUTES OF THE Edina Transportation Commission Thursday, February 15, 2007 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Les Wanninger, Warren Plante, Marie Thorpe, Jean White, Marc Usem, MEMBERS ABSENT: Hilah Almog, Steve Brown STAFF PRESENT: Wayne Houle, Jack Sullivan, Sharon Allison I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by chair Wanninger. Thorpe was nominated by Plante to serve as co-chair and seconded by White. All voted aye. II. Public Comment None III. Old Business a. York Place – West 69th Street and York Avenue: Project Re-submittal Houle said the traffic study and plans were reviewed two months ago and minor changes were made such as switching the entry to the high rise to come off Xerxes Avenue instead of W. 69th Street and the retail entrance off W. 69th Street. Houle said traffic impacts have decreased substantially and staff recommends approval of the revised plans. The project’s traffic consultant was not in attendance, but the City’s consultant, Chuck Rickart with WSB was in attendance. Discussion centered on the following points: • A sidewalk to promote walking from the residential complex to Walgreens should be a condition for approval; • Safety concerns with traffic backing up at the stoplight on Saturdays when Cub Foods parking lot is at capacity; • Potential for Xerxes to become more congested due to car dealer’s employees’ on-street parking; the general area becoming congested like 50th & France; • Using redevelopments as an opportunity to make changes and looking at the impacts on a broader scale; • Properties with only one access point; • Stacking lanes was a condition of approval when traffic study was first reviewed; • Trip generation on Saturdays seems low (data is showing peak hours only); • Study shows everyone exiting Xerxes going north (this is based on current traffic pattern); 2 Houle said the simulation model being developed will help to show the impact of a redevelopment on a broader scale. He also said according to a Traffic Management Plan to be developed by Best Buy, a certain percentage of their employees would take public transportation which will help to minimize congestion. Thorpe moved to accept the resubmitted plans and traffic study subject to a sidewalk being built (staff and developer to determine best location) so that residents can walk to Walgreens and other businesses, and that the stacking lanes on York Avenue and West 69th Street be fixed (a condition attached to the first approval). The motion was seconded by Usem. All voted aye. Motion carried. b. NE Edina Traffic Study Implementation Plan Houle said due to cost, implementation of the NE Edina Traffic Study improvements will be spread out over 3-4 years. Implementation schedule is as follows: 2007 Arterial Improvements o Vernon Avenue and Interlachen Blvd o 50th Street & Halifax Avenue o 50th Street & France Avenue 2008 Arterial and Local Neighborhood Improvements o 44th Street & France Avenue o Country Club Area – Phase 1 2009 Collector and Local Neighborhood Improvements o 44th Street (or could be done in 2010 with the West 44th Street project) o Country Club Area – Phase 2 2010 Local Neighborhood Improvements o Morningside Area and White Oaks Area o Country Club Area – Phase 3 Wanninger asked about the business area parking study and the public relations campaign. Houle said staff is initiating a study for the parking ramps in March and at that time he will contact the City of Minneapolis regarding the business area parking study. Regarding the public relations campaign, Houle said staff will develop a plan within the next two months. c. West 70th Street Corridor Study Update Wanninger said he is still looking for someone west of Highway 100 to serve on the Study Advisory Committee (SAC); otherwise, there are good representations which will result in good input. Plante suggested having someone from the Southdale area. Wanninger will continue to work on identifying a resident west of Highway 100 and from the Southdale Shopping Center. The first SAC meeting was scheduled for April 12, 7-9 p.m., location to be determined. Houle suggested that they wait until the SAC meeting to learn about the State Aid policy for W. 70th so that everyone can be informed at the same time. Wanninger asked that other policies such as sidewalk, crosswalk, stop signs, etc. also be included as this will help the new members to understand appropriate placement and use of such traffic measurements. 3 Wanninger noted that the last of the three public hearings is scheduled for February 22. He asked if there is a need for a 4th public hearing. Plante recommended discussing the need for a 4th public hearing at the conclusion of the 3rd. Wanninger said they will probably need to have a meeting with the business district similarly to the NE Edina Traffic Study 50th & France Business Representatives meeting. He requested that residents’ comments be summarized into common issues with the biggest issues listed first. IV. New Business a. Traffic Impact Statement Sullivan said the current Traffic Initiation and Review Policy does not cover all the requirements that staff asked of traffic consultants when they are considering conducting a traffic study relative to redevelopments and therefore, staff is recommending a revision of the current policy. A more detailed policy will also help to reduce the amount of time staff spends on the phone with traffic consultants. Sullivan said the revised policy would include a name change to Transportation Impact Analysis to reflect incorporation of new components which include pedestrian movements, alternative transportation methods, etc. Sullivan stated that a Transportation Impact Analysis is a study that assesses the effects that a development’s traffic will have on the transportation network. He said if the ETC is in agreement, staff will work with the City’s traffic consultant to develop the revised policy. A consensus was reached by the ETC for staff to revise the Traffic Initiation and Review Policy. b. Neighborhood Improvement Projects Houle said three neighborhoods are scheduled for reconstruction this summer. They are: Southdale First Addition and Woodhill; Concord Avenue (South View Lane to Valley View Road); and Todd Park. Some areas will include bump outs, entry treatments, realigned intersections, crosswalks, parking bays, narrowing of roadway, etc. Wanninger said he’s observed that drivers tend to speed up at the pedestrian signal at Valley View Road and Concord Avenue and asked if there is anything that can be done on Valley View Road to change drivers’ behavior. Houle said he will look into this separate from the project. Thorpe said the traffic calming measures is consistent with the ETC’s vision. She would like to ensure that the roadways are bike-friendly. Houle said the Bike Task Force is developing a bike plan for the City. V. Approval of Minutes a. Regular Meeting of December 21, 2006 The following correction was made: p. 3, second paragraph from the bottom – change 50th Avenue to 50th Street. White moved to approve the corrected minutes of December 21, 2006, and the motion was seconded by Plante. All voted aye. Motion carried. b. Special Meeting of January 18, 2007 Plante moved to approve the minutes of January 18, 2007, and the motion was seconded by White. All voted aye. Motion carried. 4 c. Special Meeting of January 23, 2007 Plante moved to approve the minutes of January 23, 2007, and the motion was seconded by Thorpe. All voted aye. Motion carried. VI. Planning Commission Update No update. VII. Open Discussion a. Transportation Comprehensive Plan Update Houle said WSB was hired to do the Comprehensive Plan update. He said they were chosen primarily because of the north/southeast Edina Synchro Network Model layout. Rickart of WSB said the Synchro Network, in conjunction with land use data, will be used to look at whole or ultimate build of the area and it will identify problem intersections. He said the model will not give solutions but it will show the outcome of various solution scenarios. Houle said City of Bloomington has contacted him regarding a joint study along Highway 494 (to be paid for by Bloomington). He said both cities will be able to use their Synchro Network to better manage traffic flow from one city to the next. Wanninger said during the NE Edina Traffic Study planning, they talked about meeting with their legislative representatives to discuss funding of a pilot project. Houle said the League of MN Cities recently hosted a meeting with Mn/DOT that also included himself and the city engineer for the City of St. Paul to discuss dropping the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph in urban residential areas. He said Mn/DOT’s speed limit and traffic engineers have agreed to meet with him and St. Paul for further discussion. Wanninger said he recalls a sidewalk plan that was presented to them for approval and funding recommendations. Houle said pedestrian movement is included in the Comp Plan and it will be brought back to the ETC in approximately six months. Plante asked about the high school area. Houle said they are short on State Aid funds because of the number of projects planned. He said some projects are being pushed back to later years, but he is going to look at a modified plan for the high school area because of safety. Wanninger said notification was received saying that Mn/DOT is not ready with their plans yet but is still pursuing the full build of Highway 100. Crosstown is scheduled for this summer but they are still experiencing funding problems. Houle suggested getting an update from Mn/DOT at the next ETC meeting. Mr. Robert Shotwell, City of Richfield resident and member of their Transportation Commission, was asked if there are any issues that Richfield has as a neighbor of Edina that they are working through with their Council. Mr. Shotwell said he is not aware of any issues. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2007, 6-8 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. 1 MINUTES OF THE Special Meeting of the Edina Transportation Commission Thursday, February 22, 2007 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Les Wanninger, Marie Thorpe, Jean White, Marc Usem, Steve Brown MEMBERS ABSENT: Hilah Almog, Warren Plante, Geof Workinger STAFF PRESENT: Wayne Houle, Jack Sullivan, Sharon Allison West 70th Street Corridor Traffic Study Public Hearing Residents south of West 70th Street Chair Wanninger called the meeting to order. Wanninger said the sole purpose of the public hearing is for the ETC to listen to the residents. He said all comments received thus far are available for review at the libraries, the Senior Center, the Engineering Dept. and the City’s website. He said questions raised at the public hearings will be answered at a later time and posted at the locations previously mentioned for all to see. The study process will take approximately one year, said Wanninger. Wanninger described the study area as Hwy. 100 to France Avenue and Hwy. 62 to the Fred Richards Golf Course. He said after this first round of public hearings a Study Advisory Committee will begin meeting to review residents’ comments and data collected by the traffic consultants. The Study Advisors to the ETC will be made up of W. 70th residents (Earl Benson, Dave Hatzung and Peter Warner), City staff and Planning Commission members, City of Richfield’s staff and a Transportation Commission member, representatives from area businesses, CPC Church, the School District, Hennepin County, Mn/DOT, and SRF, the traffic consultants. Wanninger said some things are already known such as congestion certain times of day, heavier traffic volume since 1984, speeding, crashes, cut-thru, etc. and others would be revealed tonight. He said the rumor surrounding a 4-lane highway is false and the only decision that has been made so far is to conduct the traffic study. The meeting was then turned over to the residents to speak as follows: Ronald Rich, 7008 West Shore Drive • Have not heard any plans to expand W. 70th but cannot help believing that there is a “hidden agenda” based on “neighborhood concerns (speeding, high traffic volume, residential access)” of which he is supportive; “Southdale Area Redevelopment, ETC 2 Problem Ranking (identified in previous studies as traffic at its capacity) and the ETC[‘s] desire for board support.” • “…selection of the ETC “study advisors” indicates bias against neighborhood” • Hidden agenda is evident in “city council’s recent approval of three-roundbout[s]” • “Widening 70th is polar opposite to residential goals,…” • Do not “understand the apparent design irrationality of introducing three single lane roundabouts on 70th Street…” • “Normal engineering requires a more complete assessment of area traffic flows following a stated design goal.” Patricia Harmon, 7129 Cornelia Drive • The Sun Newspaper had an article saying 70th, east of France is going to be two lanes, do the same for the other side; • Put a 4-way stop sign at West Shore and 70th; • Lower speed limit to 20 mph on Cornelia since it is not a state aid street; Gary Hudson, 4512 Belvidere Lane • It was not clear from the letter that residents were being held firm to the meeting dates; would like to hear the points-of-view of residents who attended the other two meetings; suggested separating by alphabetical order in the future; • Cut-thru traffic on West Shore to Belvidere and on to France; • Put a stoplight at either West Shore or Wooddale, this would help to slow traffic; Morgan Larson, 7204 Monardo Lane • No access to the west and south for those who live south of 70th; only choice is 70th and it is difficult to get on to; • Promote public transportation; • If police cannot stop speeding, install stoplights; David J. Carlson, 4713 Aspasia Circle • Representative from the Greater 70th St. Homeowners Association • Petition drive sponsored to show broad support in the Cornelia Neighborhood for changes that would enhance residential nature, promote traffic safety, especially around the Cornelia School, and presume the integrity of the parks and community. • Petition included: no thru trucks, slower speeds, new pedestrians and bike access, maintain current width/location of 70th, beautification measures; originals of signed petitions were presented to the ETC at an earlier meeting. • Concept drawing of what they would like 70th to look like – a parkway with name change, blacktop, crosswalks, flashing pedestrian lights, bike lanes and plantings; • Greatest inconvenience is exiting service road, making left turns between 4-6:30 p.m., dealing with traffic coming east/west, out of the church and off the freeway; • Greatest hope is that the entire neighborhood will be enhanced by calming traffic, increase accessibility for pedestrians and bikes, improve safety around school and increase general attractiveness; • State aid is a detriment and should be dropped; • Future developments that does not lead to enhancement could lead to the area becoming 2nd class; • If widening were to go away residents would be more comfortable with whatever evolve and it should become a dead issue; 3 Bob Rofidal, 7125 Bristol Blvd • Traffic was an issue before church and it still is; • The City keeps changing variables that affects traffic such as Greatland Target and other approved redevelopments; • 70th will become a freeway after options are gone; • Stop redevelopments and figure out traffic with redevelopments in mind; Joan Bolduc, 7001 West Shore Drive • Hope these are not performa meetings; • Feel other interest may have already decided what will happen, such as Grammercy and high end hotel, with residents in the middle; • Agrees with many suggestions and take issues with some; • 70th seems to be the stepchild with interest of developers taken more seriously and meetings are held to make it appear that you are interested in what residents has to say; • Neighbors have given wonderful suggestions that may or may not work and you are limiting yourself by saying it’s a state aid road or by saying you have to service retail and make 70th the corridor. You could open your imagination and start with Arneson Park; • Listen to all the suggestions, but no stoplights, find other methods to slow traffic; Linda Presthus, 4921 Belvidere Lane • Used 70th as access to Southdale and other places when she lived on Lanham Lane and she looked at it differently than she does now; she also drives it differently now that she lives on Belvidere; • Trust that the ETC will be doing its job and going through all the studies; this is how she believes government works; • In the interim, consider a stop sign and not a stoplight, during the study process at West Shore; it is difficult to get out from the south side; Vaughn Asseltine, 4513 Ellsworth Drive • How were the residents appointed? • Concerned with piecemeal approach; a Southdale focus group study was done not too long ago and the participants were told to forget about money and create a vision of what they would like to see and in the end they all had a vision that included access for pedestrians and bikes; the focus was to decrease traffic and have public transportation; some of the plans are still around such as a bridge going over France; • Emphasis is more on developments and traffic problem is already bad and will get worst; • Hope the goal is not to accommodate more traffic but to solve the problem and to give other options than cars; • Believe they have an opportunity to make area more pedestrian friendly and livable; Tom Sullivan, 4512 Hibiscus Avenue • City officials told them high-rise, mixed-used, high-density housing is trend of the future and 20-year comprehensive plan drawn up to provide housing in the Southdale area for seniors which will be designed primarily to encourage walking; • Last year when they were discussing developments, he talked about traffic and Council member Housh said they could not solve the traffic problems; • The chairman of the Planning Commission invites developers to call in between meetings for private discussions and they get three minutes; 4 • Sun Newspaper brags about roundabouts; why is the City more concerned about shoppers and hotel guests than safety of children crossing 70th; • Having no plans for 70th is a cause for alarm; City is pushing ahead with developers because they are threatening with alternatives if the City waits; • Developers are not concerned with preserving integrity of neighborhoods and, has they’ve observed, City officials are in line with developers; • The rumor of 70th being widen comes from the Greater Southdale Land Use Study of December 2005; • Star Tribune had an article regarding children having safe routes to walk to school; • Allowing high speeds causes parents to drive children to school; • How many knows that Planning Commission changed their mission statement within last year? Cannot trust them to do what’s best because they are under a lot of pressure from developers; Josh Sprague, 4720 48th St. W. • Chair of Greater 70th Street Association; • City cares about quality of life from the residents’ point-of-view and would like to see the ETC and Council do the same for 70th; • Can put aside the procedural flaws, but will hold the representatives accountable for the results; • When the business people go home, the residents will still be there; • They are not just another voice, they are the voice; • Truck traffic is a safety, quality of life, noise and pollution issue and the only solution is to drop state aid; • Would like a broad view on committee to consider that their rendition of 70th could be achieved by dropping state aid; • Their plan is a win-win for all the different constituencies involved and they’ve met with the Mayor and Council member Housh; • Their plan is a comprehensive solution that ties in with the 20/20 vision plan to restore and protect residential integrity; Wanninger said their proposal will be considered by the SAC. Kris Norton, 7007 Cornelia Drive • Member of the Homeowners Association; • Have heard lots of support for Arneson Parkway; • Another term for cut-thru traffic could be metro-wide speeding using 70th as short-cut; • 70th is the thru street and they are okay with this, but three other avenues exist (TH-494, 76th/77th and TH-62); • Parkway design will have slower speed, calmer traffic and easier neighborhood access and hopefully reduce cut-thru traffic; • Wants to stay positive and believe that ETC and Council will be supportive of them but is tedious with input; there is no dialogue; she’s put her name in the hat to be part of the SAC but have not been chosen; happy to have had the chance for input but it feels hollow; • Do not believe the City can move large volumes of traffic, calm and reduce traffic, and increase safety with one plan; Arneson Parkway can; Todd Porthan, 7301 Wooddale Avenue • Worked public safety for the City for the past 10 years; 5 • Cut-thru have gotten increasingly worse; • Crossing 70th to public attractions can take 10 minutes even with sign for pedestrians posted; • Cannot wait one year, something needs to be done today to protect children; • To everyone that lives in the area shame on you for going over 30 mph, need to set example as residents; JB Overstreet, 4813 Dunberry Lane • Member of the Homeowners Association; • How will information be conveyed to residents from the ETC and SAC after the series of public hearings? • Two options: push more traffic through or make safer streets; however, do not see that you can have a goal with these two options; Regarding communications, Wanninger said he is not sure their meetings will be televised, however, minutes will be made available on the website, in the libraries, newsletters will be published in the Sun Newspaper, etc. and more public hearings will be scheduled as they progress with the planning. He said they will be aggressive in making sure they are communicating with the residents. Sheila Wright, 7128 Glouchester Avenue • Quality and investment comes to mind when she thinks of Edina; • Quality of life is outstanding, but by enlarging 70th homes will devalue; • Ask that you take this into account and make a return investment in the residents by giving them something that is aesthetically pleasing, safe and clean; • Take some pride so 70th can become a work of art and beauty and serve as an example for the rest of the country; Melissa Jancourt, 6900 Wooddale Avenue • Thanked neighbors for efforts and prepared statements; • Lives in the Creston Hills Neighborhood where there is an elementary school and last year she heard arguments about putting in sidewalks so the children can walk to school; • Does not believe crosswalks alone will work, drivers do not respect them; need to look at more significant measures; • Regarding the support against global warming, would be curious to see how many new developments have been approved that LEED certification would be a part of this development; are we taking our sustainable values and including that into our attitudes and approval towards development; George Griffiths, 4444 Dunham Drive • Had presentation prepared until he read about roundabouts in the Sun Newspaper; • He agrees that traffic will slow down, but what happens west? Mass parking lot or angry drivers finding another route; this will probably send them to 76th/77th, TH-494 or TH-62; • If we’re not residential, tell us so; • Design challenges on both ends of 70th with two lanes going to one in short distance; Ardis Wexler, 4913 • Commended neighbors for coming to meetings; 6 • Recalls a meeting at Braemar to look at redevelopment of France; discussion was about making France and York parkways to deal with traffic; • With heavy traffic on Hwy. 100 and France, she is concerned with what is going to happen within the study boundary; Larry Friedrichs, 4601 Gilford Drive • Thanked the ETC for all their hard work; • Believe the process has been very good and everyone was notified; • Problems since 1984, so take the year to study, no need to jump into anything rash; • You’re doing a great job and thanks for listening to us; Craig Coleman, 7024 West Shore Drive • Has learned to criss-cross in different directions in order to get out onto 70th; • Drives his 14-year old daughter to CPC because she’s afraid to cross 70th; Ron Naae, 4508 Dunberry Lane • Suggested finding alternative ways to get industrial park off 70th and make it the northern tier; put an entrance on the frontage road to Hwy. 100; • Need to share the traffic load with 66th; this was the road to Southdale; • Knows that we have a problem and hope that we can “think outside the bun;” • Maybe an exit at Metro Blvd that would go south only; • Severe problem on 70th, but cannot make it a 4-lane road; • Doing a good job and is glad the residents have the opportunity to express their concerns; • Try to “think outside the bun;” Mark Chamberlain, 7004 Bristol Blvd • Many comments regarding drivers ignoring pedestrians at crosswalks; suggested a crosswalk like they have at 102nd Street in Bloomington with a flashing light and a button that pedestrians can activate to change the light to red; Kate Overstreet, • As a part of your aggressive communication, do you plan on responding to the many questions that have been posed to you, or will you pick and chose? Wanninger said they will address the broader questions, including the goal, as they get further in the planning process. Nancy Siemers, 7004 Lynmar Lane • Consider the amount of stopping time at the stoplight at 70th & France; this frustrates drivers and they find alternative routes to avoid the lights; • Heard that France has been rezoned on the west side for taller buildings and if this occur traffic will increase; Colby Wilkins, 4515 W. 70th Street • Serves on the steering committee for their group; • Part of him believes there is a dialogue and the other part says he’s talking to a wall; • If 85% of people are speeding, why aren’t the police writing speeding tickets and making some money? 7 • Chief of Police said at a safety meeting that it is too dangerous for the police officers on 70th and therefore no speed trap; • Regarding participation of the church and school, he said it was difficult to get a dialogue with the City over the last year and they were told by the schools that the problem was a political one; • Residents wants to be part of the solution; John Bohan, 800 Coventry Place • Street is at capacity and there continues to be more redevelopment; • Have to make it a 4-lane road or route traffic somewhere else; • Put in roundabouts without much discussion which will not help traffic; • Announce your goals very soon and not drag it on for months; Mary Ellen Chamberlain, 7004 Bristol Blvd • SAC seems out of balance with only 3 residential members; would you consider adding more? Wanninger said they are using similar methods used for the successful NE Edina Traffic Study. He said it will not be a majority vote or equal voice but more gathering perspectives from all who will be impacted. Brown, a resident of the Cornelia area and new member to the ETC, said the ETC is not charged with decision-making, all decisions will be made by the Council. He said the purpose of the meetings is to get as much input from the residents and having more people will not change what is said or done. He said the ETC is looking for a representative group so that they can understand all the issues. He said it is a residential area but it is also the corridor that services the church and the school and these entities need to be represented. He reiterated that the ETC is only a recommending body which makes this process very important. He said the residents can always call their elected representatives. In reference to removing the thought of a 4-lane roadway, Brown said in order to do the study, they must consider all the options and their effects on the area. However, no pre-determined decisions have been made and the process will be more effective if people come to the table looking for solutions as opposed to criticizing. Janet Bohan, 800 Coventry Place • Heard reference to a traffic simulation model and asked about the status. Wanninger said the model is being developed by WSB as part of the Comp Plan. Houle said it is being developed simultaneously with the Comp Plan. Wanninger said the Comp Plan and the model will help them to develop credible solutions for W. 70th. Wanninger said he believes that everyone wants a good solution and their experience with the NE Edina Study was that people did not believe they could come up with solutions and they did. He said they’ve learned things from each of the meetings and appreciate all the input and hopes that in the end, when the residents listen to the final draft, they will hear some things that may need tweaking. Wanninger thanked everyone for coming and restated that they will be kept informed during the year-long process. Meeting adjourned.