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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/03/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MARCH 19, 2018 The meeting convened at 6:15 p.m. Councilmembers present: Tim Brausen, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog. Councilmember absent: Mayor Jake Spano and Councilmember Anne Mavity Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Sr. Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Community Development Director (Mr. Barton), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Planner (Ms. Monson), Planning & Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: Dean Dovolis, DJR Architecture; Matt Pacyna, SRF Consulting. 1. Monterey Drive Multimodal Study and Bridgewater Bank Traffic Study Ms. Monson and Mr. Sullivan presented the report. Mr. Sullivan stated that the Bridgewater Bank proposal fit into the Monterey Drive multimodal study as part of Connect the Park because the redesign of the area has implications for the Bridgewater Bank development site access. He noted that the city is in the process of preparing a concept design for Monterey Drive to better accommodate all modes of travel - including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians - as part of Connect the Park. He added that this study looks at how to keep traffic functioning well into the future. Mr. Sullivan pointed out that at the intersection of Monterey Drive and Beltline Blvd. there are 5-6 lanes of traffic to cross, adding that it is challenging for pedestrians and bicyclists. He noted that the traffic consultant was asked to work on a plan for this intersection. The consultant's plan is a roundabout, helping to reduce lanes and traffic speed on Beltline and making it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the intersection. Mr. Sullivan added that at the Ree Center, traffic lanes would be reduced from 4 to 2 lanes, with added road rehabilitation. He also explained the right in and right out/left in and no left out concept at the Park Commons intersection and how the left turn out movement is problematic during peak times. Mr. Sullivan added in removing the left turn out at Park Commons, drivers would need to turn right out, go to Excelsior Blvd. and do a U-turn to drive north on Monterey. Councilmember Rog asked if this maneuver then counts for 2 trips, with the right out and the U- turn. Traffic consultant Mr. Pacyna stated that it is only considered a change in travel pattern. Mr. Sullivan stated that it does not cause problems for traffic elsewhere and would not be considered 2 trips. Mr. Sullivan stated that this project is slated for 2019 and needs more public engagement and work with the Parks Department on the Ree Center entrance, before work begins. Mr. Pacyna, Traffic Engineer from SRF Consulting, noted more details about the traffic study and study goals, including access; impacts of the proposed Bridgewater development; and improvements for safe and efficient operation in the future. He noted that the study included Special Study Session Minutes -2- March 19, 2018 modal (bike, walk, transit) and multi -use reductions. He pointed out that the Bridgewater development business will provide a change in traffic as most traffic will be in the morning and at the end of the work day. In the past, the traffic studies with the current retail building included all -day traffic, both to and from the retail building. Councilmember Brausen stated in the past, there had been consideration for signalizing the Park Commons Drive/Monterey intersection. However, he noted that it did not make sense and would have worsened conditions. Mr. Sullivan added that the city has talked about enhancing safety at this location and has a lot of video of conflicting events happening with cars, pedestrians, and kids on bikes in that corridor. Councilmember Miller had concerns about the wait time at the signal at Monterey and Excelsior. Mr. Pacyna summarized that once the Bridgewater development is in place, the signal time at Monterey and Excelsior should be re -optimized to make sure the intersection is operating at the optimal level. Councilmember Harris asked when the multimodal project on Monterey would begin. Mr. Sullivan stated that before it can start, there will need to be a public process, as well as coordination with the Bridgewater project and the Rec Center. He stated that it will most likely start in 2019 and be completed in 2020. Councilmember Harris stated that was plenty of time for the public to be part of the process. She asked that the roundabout near the Rec Center include a second stage of bike lanes, so bicyclists would not have to stop in the roundabout. Councilmember Brausen noted that the Park Commons and Monterey intersection is problematic, and the design proposals will enhance safety. He stated that he is supportive of what is being proposed. Councilmember Miller stated he is very supportive of the whole traffic infrastructure at this location; however, he noted that with the Bridgewater project, he is concerned the Monterey/Excelsior intersection will be a mess and will get worse, no matter what is built there. He stated that when the Bridgewater developer was at an earlier study session, he noted there would be less trips because the development is not going to be mixed use. Mr. Pacyna stated that with recent traffic counts and the fact that the retail building there is no longer in service, there might be some changes, but it will be very similar. Councilmember Brausen added that the nature of the trips will be different because the Bridgewater development is a different type of business - commercial versus retail. Most of the people going in will remain at the bank during the day, rather than traveling in and out all day. Councilmember Miller stated that he feels like the council is approving more access points here, and he does not see any regard for duration times as drivers are leaving the development. He noted that this is coming at the expense of the neighborhood, and traffic delays should be expected. He wondered if all 4 access points need to be included or if one could be removed, adding that there are typically not 4 access points in one development. Councilmember Rog noted that she sees a lot of rezoning coming up for the city and asked how this will all fit into the future zoning until 2040. Special Study Session Minutes -3- March 19, 2018 Mr. Sullivan stated that everything has been reviewed with future modeling and projections, and the entire city is being studied for Comprehensive Plan purposes. Mr. Pacyna added that the traffic study also looks at historical trends and changes and also at future land use concepts. He added that SRF works with Hennepin County on land use for St. Louis Park and the whole region and uses those projections in developing future plans. Councilmember Rog commented that she was surprised to see how the city is looking at 10 -story buildings for the future, adding that seems too dense. Mr. Pacyna noted, however, that density does not always mean more cars. He added that there may also be more people walking versus driving cars. Ms. Monson also added that the largest percentage of residents with no cars is in the Excelsior and Grand area of the city, which is a denser part of the city. Councilmember Rog asked if the council could get more details of trips in that area, including how many trips there are today and how many are projected in the future. She noted that she took a trip to Access D and asked how that will work since the entrance is so narrow. Ms. Monson stated that as part of the Bridgewater proposal, they will be upgrading that access/entrance and will widen the road. Councilmember Rog asked why the Bridgewater project is asking for TIF when there is no longer housing involved in the project. What is the public benefit? Mr. Hunt stated that Bridgewater has submitted a TIF request which will be presented with more details to the council in April. He pointed out that there are extraordinary costs involved in this project because of grades of the land; demolition of the current building (since it is built into the hillside); and the very expensive planned parking structure. Mayor Pro Tem Hallfin stated that he appreciated the traffic study and the long view from the Rec Center to Excelsior and Monterey. He added that he liked the idea of the roundabout and would like to note that every time a roundabout is proposed for the city, he would like staff to explain how it fits with the city's Climate Action Plan. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Nk 1411k � rI •