HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/03/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session JIf St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
MARCH 7,2011
The meeting convened at 8:02 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and
Sue Santa.
Councilmembers absent: Paul Omodt and Julia Ross.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), City
Engineer (Mr. Brink), Planning & Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Engineering Project
Manager (Mr. Olson), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Hughes).
1. Highway 100 Project Update
Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and advised that the City recently retained SEH to review
the current plans for the TH 100 project, including impacts with respect to Mn/DOT's proposed
closure of the West 27th Street entrance ramp. He presented a matrix outlining the various
scenarios and discussed Concept C which currently includes a one way frontage road and
Council's interest in a two way frontage road on the east side of TH 100 south of Minnetonka
Boulevard.
Councilmember Mavity stated that Councilmember Ross expressed a strong interest in having
this be a two way frontage road. However, she indicated that she does not believe a two way
frontage road is critical as long as it can be assured that traffic traveling south will flow
adequately in this area.
Councilmember Sanger stated that she would prefer to have a two way frontage road to relieve
some of the pressure in this area. She indicated that the only other route that goes south on the
east side of TH 100 is Ottawa Avenue which is congested between Minnetonka Boulevard and
County Road 25.
Councilmember Santa stated that she felt a two way frontage road would work better in this area.
Mr. Rardin reviewed a suggested improvement for drivers experiencing difficulty in turning left
onto Minnetonka Boulevard between City Hall and TH 100 with a new connection that extends
West 31s` Street out to the proposed frontage road. He stated that it is difficult for dnvers to get
in and out of this neighborhood and he did not foresee any potential for cut through traffic.
Councilmember Mavity stated that this did not appear to be a great benefit and would seem to
have liabilities associated with it.
Mr. Rardin pointed out that it is not clear if this two way frontage road will work until Mn/DOT
performs its modeling analysis. It is possible the intersection at Minnetonka Boulevard may not
perform acceptably.
Councilmember Finkelstein requested further information regarding costs that would be
attributable to the City.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- March 7, 2011
Councilmember Mavity requested that any design plans factor in the bike trail and to make sure
that cars are visible from the trail.
It was the consensus of the City Council that Concept C be designed to include a two way
frontage road on the east side of TH 100 south of Minnetonka Boulevard.
Mr. Rardin discussed the proposed ramps on the west side of TH 100 from Minnetonka
Boulevard south to Highway 7 and stated that SEH was asked to evaluate Mn/DOT's proposed
elimination of this direct connection to Highway 7. He presented a concept prepared by SEH
that includes the connection in front of Groves Academy which allows dnvers to go into the
Sorenson neighborhood or to travel directly south to Highway 7.
Councilmember Sanger expressed concern that if Mn/DOT takes away this connection, there will
be significant cut through traffic into the Sorenson neighborhood.
Council discussed the proposed signalized intersections on Minnetonka Boulevard and expressed
concern about three signals along such a short length of Minnetonka Boulevard.
Councilmember Sanger asked if would be worth considering the taking of additional parcels in
order to provide more space between signals in this area as a way to ameliorate the congestion
problem.
Mr. Rardin stated that the County will have a vested interest in this project and will be required
to sign off on the project. He indicated that the City will be responsible for paying for
improvements wherever there is a local street connection; in addition, if the frontage road
becomes a two way frontage road, the City may be asked to participate in that cost.
Mr. Rardin then discussed the proposed closure of West 27th Street by Mn/DOT and presented
drawings prepared by SEH containing options for West 27th Street. He explained that SEH
proposed realigning this ramp all the way south to Minnetonka Boulevard.
Councilmember Sanger stated that one drawback to this realignment is that it appears to take
away the space needed for noise walls or berms.
Mr. Rardin stated that SEH has configured a noise wall to fit in this area between the frontage
road and Utica Avenue.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated that it will be important to keep in mind that the Novartis site
will be redeveloped in the future and the use will likely be more intensive.
Councilmember Sanger reiterated her request to hold a meeting with the Birchwood
neighborhood to discuss the West 27th Street closure and their preferences. She stated that she
felt it was important to give these residents an opportunity to speak and provide feedback on the
plans, including the question of noise walls and/or berms.
Councilmember Finkelstein agreed that it was important to include the Birchwood neighborhood
in the plans for West 27th Street. He indicated that this project is a regional issue that includes
additional north-south or east-west connections that will impact more than just the Birchwood
neighborhood and it will be important to obtain feedback from other neighborhoods.
Special Study Session Minutes -3- March 7, 2011
Councilmember Sanger asked if Mn/DOT has provided any updated information with respect to
the homes on Toledo Avenue.
Mr. Rardin replied that Mn/DOT has indicated that it will not be taking any homes on Toledo
Avenue under any of their current concepts.
Mr. Rardin advised that SEH has suggested an additional option with respect to West 27th Street
that would relocate that entrance ramp approximately four blocks to the north; however,
Mn/DOT has indicated it did not like this suggestion and that it appeared to be much more
costly. He noted that there would be more traffic generated in the area but it would not go
through the residential area at all.
Councilmember Santa stated that this ramp relocation would move it to a more congested
industrial area rather than keep it in a residential area.
It was the consensus of the City Council to conduct a community meeting regarding the
proposed West 27th Street closure.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
9-(eXt(ii
Nancy Stroth, Ci Clerk Jeff Jaco s, Mayor