HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-175 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 1996/11/1896-175
RESOLUTION NO
A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 96-73, ADOPTED MAY 6,
1996, AND ADOPTING A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT TO THE ST. LOUIS
PARK NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR IDENTIFICATION OF ACCEPTABLE
ALTERNATIVES TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROPOSED RAILROAD ROUTES
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) has acquired
the 29th Street rail line through the City of Minneapolis, and
WHEREAS, the closure of this route will cause the Twin City and Western Railroad to
need an alternative route to the St. Paul barge facilities, and
WHEREAS, the City Council directed staff to sponsor a neighborhood informational
meeting regarding the alternative routes proposed by the railroads, and
WHEREAS, representatives of the Birchwood, Brookside, Creekside, Lenox, Elmwood,
Sorenson, South Oak Hill, Brooklawn, Eliot View, Bronx Park, Lake Forest and Sorenson
neighborhoods have subsequently evaluated the railroad issues which they feel need resolution
and developed their own railroad alternatives, and
WHEREAS, the north -south trackage in St. Louis Park is in close proximity to existing
residential areas both to the north and south, with a minimal distance to existing homes which
would unduly cause noise and vibration to the adjacent residential properties, and
WHEREAS, the north -south trackage is in proximity to the St. Louis Park High School,
and has several uncontrolled railroad crossings with residential streets causing danger to the
residents and blowing of the train whistle, and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is a community with deep historical roots in the
railroad history of the State of Minnesota, and
WHEREAS, the railroad industry has undergone significant change recently due to
property real property sales, route mergers and bankruptcies, and
WHEREAS, residents of the City are stakeholders in any change that results in operational
modifications inconsistent with the historical railroad use of the track in their neighborhood, and
WHEREAS, the switching operations of railroad locomotives and cars are the loudest
noise and of the longest duration, are a concern of several neighborhoods and have a potential to
become a nuisance if performed anywhere within the City, and
WHEREAS, the above noted neighborhoods have created a Task Force on Railroads, and
WHEREAS, the Task Force has developed the following Goal Statement:
It is the intent and goal of the Neighborhood Task Force that all rail traffic within the City run
smoothly and efficiently as "through traffic". This goal should be accomplished by eliminating all
types of switching operations within the City while assuring that there is no increase in rail traffic
on the North/South route
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the St. Louis Park City Council
that they accept the following order of the alternatives and conditions identified by the
neighborhoods for routing trains through the community.
Option 1. The trains will be routed through Kenwood to get to St Paul and a new connection will
be made north of downtown Minneapolis to provide access to Camden. All train traffic to the
north and east will be sent through Kenwood The train traffic to the south will be accommodated
in St. Louis Park with the new southern rail connection at the Milwaukee Junction.
Other conditions.
- Move the Edgebrook switching to Hopkins.
- Remove the wye connection in the Oxford area.
- No other rail interconnections other than noted above
- Gain commitment from MnDOT to improve Hwy. 100 railroad bridge
Option 2 Same as number 1 above, except, St. Louis Park would agree to accept half of the
round trip traffic from the Camden route. This varies from number 1 only in train operation, as
there is no difference in required construction.
Other conditions:
- Move the Edgebrook switching to Hopkins.
- Remove the wye connection in the Oxford area
- No other rail interconnections other than noted above.
- Gain commitment from MnDOT to improve Hwy. 100 railroad bridge.
Option 3. Install the southerly connection in St. Louis Park (Milwaukee Junction) to
accommodate the Camden rail traffic. St Paul traffic would be routed through Kenwood.
Other conditions.
- Move the Edgebrook switching to Hopkins.
- Remove the wye connection in the Oxford area.
- No other rail interconnections other than noted above.
- Gain commitment from MnDOT to improve Hwy 100 railroad bridge
Option 4 Maintain 29th Street corridor and build bridge over Hiawatha Ave
Other conditions.
- Move the Edgebrook switching to Hopkins.
- Remove the wye connection in the Oxford area.
- Install the southern connection. (No northerly connection)
- No other rail interconnections other than noted above.
- Gain commitment from MnDOT to improve Hwy. 100 railroad bridge
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be distributed to State
legislative leaders and the affected railroad companies and that the City Council develop a
strategy for promoting the identified alternatives.
ATTEST:
City Clerk -
Reviewed for Administration:
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Manager
Ad q ted by the City Council November 18, 1996
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Mayor