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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980/06/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (2) MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA June 9, 1980 1. Call to Order The City Council study session was called to order by Mayor Phyllis McQuaid at 5:03 p.m. 2. Roll Call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: ---''� Ronald Backes Martha Elstrom Lyle Hanks Jerrold Martin John Ralles Phyllis McQuaid Also present were William Crawford, Richard Borson, and Al Pint repre - senting the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the acting City Manager/Planning Director. 3. Highway 12 Presentation Richard Borson of MnDOT explained that the preliminary conceptual plans pro- posed for Highway 12 would be the subject of the City Council's study session. He said that MnDOT was not seeking approval of these conceptual plans. Rather these plans would serve as a tool for developing consensus with respect to Highway improvements. Mr. Borson indicated that MnDOT hoped to receive feedback on these conceptual plans from St. Louis Park during the next 30 days. Mr. Borson identified the following procedural steps to be taken during the next six months: 1) finalization and formal approval of the concep- tual plans projected for January, 1981, 2) development of the final Environmental Impact Statement, 3) development of a 4-F Statement with respect to the effects on park lands, and 4) completion of a Light Rail Transit feasibiltiy study. He anticipated that a formal public hearing on the preliminary Environmental Impact Statement can be held in March, 1981. He also indicated that a time period of more than 3 years was projected for acquiring rights-of-way and developing the final plans. The proposed time-frame calls for a construction contract to be awarded in 1984. Mr. Borson indicated that the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes were the most controversial aspect of the proposed Highway 12 improvements. He said that the Metropolitan Council has engaged a consultant to perfo11 this feasibility study. -186- • • gikt- City Council Study Session minutes, June 9, 1980 Mr. Pint of MnDOT explained that the proposed lay-outs call for a six lane highway with two lanes eastbound, two lanes westbound and two HOV lanes. A network of north and south frontage roads was also included in the plan. During his presentation, Mr. Pint highlighted proposed changes that would affect St. Louis Park. He indicated that the South Frontage road of Highway 12 will go beneath County Road 18 in order to connect Kilmer Pond with the rest of St. Louis Park. He said that if Council desired, a pedestrian bridge could possibly be constructed at the • intersection of County Road 18 and West 16th Street. Pedestrian cross- ings would also be established at Highway 12 intersections with Texas and Boone Avenues. He also stated that the need for a pedestrian bridge somewhere between Louisiana and Vernon Avenues should be explored. Mr. Pint advised the City Council that there has recently been discussion of adding an interchange at France Avenue. Following this presentation, Mr. Pint discussed the impact which the upgrading of Highway 12 would have with respect to certain residential streets in St. Louis Park. He also indicated that based on the current lay-outs, MnDOT is projecting the need to acquire from 10 to 17 commer- cial properties and from 17 to 23 residential properties for right-of- way purposes. Councilman Martin asked where homes, other than those previously mentioned on Jordan Avenue, would have to be acquired. Mr. Pint replied that approximately 7 or 8 homes would have to be acquired in the southeast quadrant of the Highway 100 and Highway 12 interchange, and that other residential properties would have to be acquired along with Louisiana-Texas Avenue corridor and along frontage roads. Councilman Martin asked who would pay for such things as barrier walls, pedestrian bridges, and the France Avenue interchange. Mr. Pint respond- ed that because this project continues to be eligible for interstate funding, the Federal portion of the project cost would be 90 percent with the State financing the remaining 10 percent. The City would have some utility costs for which it would be responsible. In response to a question concerning HOV lanes from Councilman Backes Mr. Pint said that MnDOT has assumed a wait-and-see posture relative to the findings of the Light Rail Transit feasibility study. In order to maintain the current timeframe, MnDOT is continuing to follow exist- ing guidelines from the Metropolitan Council with respect to HOV lanes and the need to upgrade Highway 12. Councilman Backes asked the acting City Manager about the status of the task forces and the City's Streets and Highways Committee. The acting - City Manager said that the task forces are not currently meeting. The Streets and Highways Committee has been reviewing the proposed lay-outs and is preparing a statement which will be presented to the Planning Commission and the City Council in the coming weeks. -187- . �� City Council Study Session minutes, June 9,1980 Councilman Elstrom asked for more information concerning a proposed France Avenue interchange. Mr. Pint said that this is an alternative that has been suggested by the City of Minneapolis. MnDOT has not taken a final position regarding the suggested France Avenue inter- change. Mr. Pint related, however, that St. Louis Park members of the task forces have expressed serious reservations about an interchange at this location. Mayor McQuaid observed that half of the HOV entrances and exits will be located in St. Louis Park. She asked how this would impact such residential streets as Cedar Lake Road, Minnetonka Boulevard and Highways 100 and 7. She maintained that increased traffic would be generated in St. Louis Park by motorists desiring access to the HOV lanes. Mr. Pint said that according to MnDOT's analysis, traffic volumes would not necessarily be increased as a result of the HOV lanes. "-"+1 I Mayor McQuaid inquired whether consideration had been given to access for public safety vehicles. Mr. Pint said that MnDOT will be consid- ering this. Councilman Martin indicated that access would be improved because of the service roads. Councilman Martin asked if HOV lanes have ever been used before and how MnDOT proposes to control traffic on these lanes. Mr. Pint replied that HOV lanes are in existence in Washington D.C. ; they are also being planned as a part of many projects that are on the drawing board. He also said that the HOV lanes would be electronically monitored and that access ramps to these lanes would be electronically controlled. Councilman Elstrom asked what was being done to remedy the stacking problem which exists at Highway 100/Highway 12 interchange. Mr. Pint said that because of the traffic volumes during the peak hours, some congestion would simply have to be expected in this area. Metering of the entrance ramps will be reviewed. Councilman Martin inquired as to whether park-and-ride sites would be a part of the plan. Mr. Pint said that sites have yet to be determined in St. Louis Park but that this is an area of interest to MnDOT. Mayor McQuaid asked what would happen if greater traffic volumes began to travel west on Highway 12. Mr. Pint said that at this time, a 50-50 split between eastbound and westbound traffic is not envisioned. If such a split were to occur the two HOV lanes could be divided so that buses could operate on one lane in each direction. Councilman Ralles asked what could be done with the tunnel. Mr. Pint said that there were no changes planned for the tunnel. He indicated that some traffic would be diverted from the tunnel as a result of the Third Avenue distributor. -188- City Council Study Session minutes, June 9, 1980 Councilman Elstrom asked if MnDOT would begin to acquire properties as they become available. Mr. Pint said that MnDOT hopes to begin the acquisition process in 1981. This will be handled by MnDOT's relocation staff. Councilman Elstrom asked about the effectiveness of noise barriers. Mr. Pint said that noise barriers have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing highway noise. Where possible, MnDOT may construct berms rather than noise barriers. Mayor McQuaid asked what the project was currently expected to cost. Mr. Pint replied that the project cost is currently estimated at $235 million. 4. Adjournment The study session was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. 41-W U-C-0-4-41( Phylli ' McQuaid, Mayor Attest: 6)L.46-1,0 Sharon G. Klumpp Recording Secretary -189-