HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/10/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session JfiSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 19, 2015
The meeting convened at 6:16 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Gregg Lindberg, Tim Brausen (arrived at 6.23 p.m.),
Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity(arrived at 6:19 p.m.), Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineenng Director (Ms. Heiser), Senior
Planner(Mr. Walther), and Recording Secretary(Ms Staple).
Guest: None
1. Monterey Drive/ Excelsior Boulevard Area Traffic Study
Mr. Harmening stated the discussion tonight would be regarding the traffic issues that the
Council had asked for further analysis on. He advised the analysis had been completed and was
presented at the Rec Center on September 29`h
Ms. Heiser explained concerns were raised regarding the existing traffic operations and volume
and the Council asked for additional study She began reviewing the results of the study
completed on 36'1 Street.
Councilmember Mavity arrived at 6:19 p.m.
Ms. Heiser reported the Traffic Committee meets monthly to consider requests from residents
regarding traffic controls and conditions. She stated that the Committee uses the critena in the
policy to weigh requests against. She advised of additional steps that may be followed after a
request is heard which could include additional study and noted that many requests require
Council approval. She reviewed the current designation of 361/2 Street, which is an urban two
lane undivided roadway which has a capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 average daily tnps (ADT) She
stated in 2000, the ADT was 2,800 and in 2015, the ADT was 2,500, which shows that there is
not a significant traffic increase. She reported a speed study was completed on two portions of
361/2 Street and the 85th percent speed was found to be 33 and 35 miles per hour (mph), for a
posted speed limit of 30 mph, staff recommendation would be additional police patrols and the
use of a speed trailer.
Councilmember Brausen arnved at 6:23 p.m.
Ms. Heiser continued to review the results of the 361/2 Street study and stated that staff finds that
the all way stop criteria were not met at Kipling or at Lynn. She stated that if the critena are not
met for the installation of traffic controls and if further action is still desired, there could be a
petition submitted by at least 70 percent of the property owners within a 600-foot radius of the
intersection to request the action. She noted that additional special studies and the installation of
traffic calming could be completed but would be at the cost of the benefitting property owners
She noted that staff did receive comments regarding a desire for a sidewalk and noted that the
segment of sidewalk is already included in the Connect the Park! CIP, proposed for construction
in 2018.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- October 19, 2015
Councilmember Mavity stated this neighborhood is mostly composed of renters and therefore the
property owners would most likely be LLCs or other companies and asked how that would work.
Mr. Harmening stated he cannot recall a petition process initiated by renters in the recent past.
Councilmember Mavity stated that there are long-term renters in that area and wanted those
residents to have a voice in these matters.
Councilmember Spano asked for examples of other roadways that operate at that same capacity.
Ms. Heiser replied that higher density areas have higher traffic counts and provided examples of
other roadways that operate at this volume or higher.
Councilmember Mavity stated Bndgewater should also be considered as that development could
have an impact on the traffic as well. She asked staff to keep that item on the radar as additional
study may be needed in the future.
Ms. Heiser presented the additional analysis for the Monterey/Park Commons intersection,
including the data that was collected; the specific lengths of the queues; traffic volumes; crash
analysis; sight light distance issues; the level of service, which is measured in average seconds of
delay; and capacity, providing the different ratings. She stated that staff reviewed possible
alternatives for traffic control at that intersection that would have an impact on the queue length
and the length of time drivers are waiting.
Councilmember Hallfin referenced alternative five, the roundabout, and noted that if there is
sufficient space that would be a great alternative.
Ms. Heiser provided additional information on why a roundabout would not be the best solution
for this intersection noting the proximity to a major intersection. She highlighted additional
alternatives that staff did not further research, as they would not be viable for that intersection
Councilmember Sanger asked for additional information on why some of those options would
not be reviewed simply because it would place the burden in another area. Mr. Walther explained
there is a hierarchy of roads and you would not want to give higher pnority to a lesser ranking
road as you need to ensure that the roads with the highest traffic volumes are operating
efficiently.
Councilmember Mavity asked if the concern is that the dnveway for the building would be
blocked. Ms. Heiser stated the concern would be at the Excelsior and Monterey intersection and
explained that the intersection would drop a level of service.
Councilmember Mavity stated that there are safety challenges with the nght turn on red option at
Excelsior, noting that there are problems for bikers and pedestnans to safely cross in that area.
Councilmember Sanger stated that it does not appear that left turns in and out of Trader Joes and
traffic blocking Park Commons because it is waiting to enter or exit Trader Joe's were
considered in this study. She stated that the results of the study do not seem to match her real
life experience. She asked if some of the congestion problems would be addressed by widening
the Trader Joe's driveway.
Special Study Session Minutes -3- October 19, 2015
Ms. Heiser stated that she is not sure if that would help. She continued to review the possible
alternative options for the intersection. She stated there was a neighborhood meeting at which
some of the same concerns mentioned by the Council were also made by residents. She stated
there was not a clear consensus of the residents in regard to a preferred alternative.
Mr. Harmening stated the problem should remain a focus of the discussion, which he heard to be
the congestion and length of delay.
Councilmember Mavity stated she appreciates the in-depth analysis provided by staff that
provides a high level of detail and information as well as possible choices. She stated that she
attended the neighborhood meeting and it did not feel like there were grand conclusions made
from the meeting. She stated pedestnans and bikes are a key piece of information that was
missing from the study. She noted Bndgewater may or may not move forward and that could
then have an impact on the traffic as well. She referenced access B shown in the study and had
concern with safety challenges for pedestnans. She stated there has been discussion of adding a
bike lane to Monterey and noted that does not appear to be shown in conjunction with the plans.
Mr. Harmening provided additional information on the bike lane that is built into the sidewalk in
that area. Ms. Heiser noted that there is a bikeway connection proposed for the area.
Councilmember Mavity stated this should be a cohesive plan that integrates the bikeway as well
She noted that her main concern is the pedestnan safety. She stated that there are problems with
sight lines and wanted to make sure that is addressed. She believed the stop light should be
installed at access B. She referenced the possible use of a flashing yellow turn for left turning
vehicles.
Ms Heiser stated staff is looking into adding that in at the intersection of Quentin and Excelsior
and at the intersection of Monterey and Excelsior
Councilmember Mavity stated she would like to see a stop light placed at the intersection of
Monterey and Park Commons.
Councilmember Sanger stated she agrees with the concern that the impacts on pedestnans and
cyclists were not taken into account during this study. She noted that she would not be able to
support banning left-hand turns from Park Commons onto Monterey She stated that if left turns
from Park Commons Drive to Monterey were banned the many residents who lived north of
Excelsior and Grand would not have any good way to get home They would either have to turn
nght onto Monterey, shoot into the left lane, and turn left on Excelsior Boulevard and cut
through the neighborhood to get back to Monterey, or they would have to go Grand Way, wait at
the light at Excelsior Boulevard, turn left, and wait again at the light at Monterey, which is
already crowded. These bad alternatives would just transfer the problems somewhere else and
thus are not a good solution. She stated part of the reason for this discussion is the proposed
Bndgewater development and believed that perhaps the City should reconsider the type of
development on the site and the type of access that would be provided to the site. She stated
while she appreciates the analysis that has been completed, she did not believe what needs to be
addressed has been addressed.
Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg stated he lacks clanty on what is trying to be solved for this
intersection.
Special Study Session Minutes -4- October 19, 2015
Councilmember Mavity stated there is congestion at the intersection dunng certain times, which
could become increasingly congested with future development. She believed the other issue
would be pedestnan safety, which could also increase with the Bndgewater discussion and
believed a pedestrian crossing should be provided in that area.
Councilmember Spano stated alternative three appears to be the most appropnate of the possible
solutions for the intersection. He asked if the reason Councilmember Mavity supports a traffic
light option is because of the pedestnan crossing that would be provided with that option.
Councilmember Mavity agreed the biggest component of her support for that option would be
the pedestrian crossing that would be provided.
Councilmember Spano asked and received confirmation that a traffic light would cause a delay
to northbound and southbound traffic.
Councilmember Brausen stated he would be supportive of not doing anything at the intersection
until the future development is better known. He stated the purpose of the intersection is to
allow the flow of north and south bound traffic and is not for easy access to Trader Joe's He
stated if there were an alternative chosen in the future he would support alternative two. He
agreed additional pedestrian crossing options should be discussed and studied.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he would also agree that the purpose of the roadway is to move
the traffic north and south and would not want to impact those flows of traffic. He stated while
he has concern for pedestrians he does not have the same point of view regarding the issue at this
intersection.
Councilmember Spano stated the focus should remain on the main reason this was being
discussed regarding the delays at Park Commons and Monterey. He stated a decision will need
to be made as to whether or not the City wants to change this situation. He stated onginally he
supported alternative three but now he is unsure. He stated unauthorized pedestrian crossings
could be prevented with fencing.
Ms. Heiser thanked the Council for their input and noted that the discussion will need to continue
at another time.
Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
2. 2015 Ci Mana er Performance Evaluation Process
°16.1t.
Melissa Kennel y, City Clerk Greg Lindbag, Mayor Pro Te