HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-129 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2015/09/21RESOLUTION NO. 15-129
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PHYSICAL DESIGN COMPONENT OF THE
110 PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
WITHIN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
WHEREAS, a Strategic Priority for the City of St Louis Park is "to be a connected and
engaged community;" and
WHEREAS, St. Louis Park is committed to enhancing the regional transit system and
recognizes the value the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project ("SWLRT Project") will contribute
to St. Louis Park citizens, businesses, employers and employees; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has been an ardent supporter and active partner of
the SW LRT project since its inception, participating in numerous processes for the SWLRT line
including the Corridor Management Committee (CMC), Community Works Steering Committee,
Business Advisory Committee (BAC), Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Technical
Project Advisory Committee (TPAC), Technical Implementation Committee (TIC), several city
advisory groups, and many community processes and education forums through Corridors of
Opportunity, LISC, ULI Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County and others; and;
WHEREAS, the City of St Louis Park is committed to protecting and enhancing
the quality of its neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, St Louis Park and its citizens have dedicated enormous effort, time and
resources into visioning the city's station areas, including planning, engineering, analyzing,
discussing, and gaining community input in anticipation of the line, and,
WHEREAS, the Governor designated the Metropolitan Council ("Council") as the
responsible authority for the SWLRT Project, which makes it responsible for planning,
designing, acquiring, constructing and equipping the Project; and
WHEREAS, the SWLRT Project is now in the preliminary design phase; and
WHEREAS, the design at this phase is approximately 30 percent complete; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes section 473.3994 allows cities and counties along a
proposed light rail route to provide input to the Council on the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans; and
WHEREAS, on July 23, 2015, the Council submitted the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans ("Plans") to the governing body of each statutory and home rule charter
city, county, and town in which the route is proposed to be located; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing on the Plans was held by the City of St. Louis Park on
September 21, 2015; and
WHEREAS, within 45 days of a joint hearing held by the Council and the Hennepin
County Regional Rail Authority ("HCRRA"), which was held on August 27, 2015, the City of
St. Louis Park must review and approve or disapprove the Plans for the route to be located in the
City of St. Louis Park, and
Resolution No. 15-129 -2-
WHEREAS, approval or disapproval by the City of St. Louis Park is part of the statutory
preliminary design process; and
WHEREAS, City of St Louis Park staff has reviewed the Plans and developed a report
pertaining to these Plans and has made its recommendations, and
WHEREAS, the City of St Louis Park supports the implementation of the Project and is
doing everything possible to support its successful implementation by 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is committed to work with the Council throughout
the design and construction process, and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park desires that the Council and its staff continue to
address and work with the city on SWLRT line and station area design revisions that were
identified in comments sent to the Southwest Project Office on August 14, 2015 ("RCSC
Form").
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The City of St. Louis Park provides its municipal approval of the Plans pursuant to
innesota Statutes Section 473.3994.
ity of St Louis Park staff are directed to submit the City's approval to the Metropolitan
ou cil.
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Adopted by the CityyCounci eptember 21, 2015
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