HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/04/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionA//St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
APRIL 2, 2018
The meeting convened at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne
Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Senior
Planner (Mr. Walther); and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guests: None
Mayor Spano mentioned a few items for possible future discussion:
Net Neutrality
Conflict of interest with family of city council members serving on a board or commission,
especially the Charter Commission.
Gun control permit system for gun stores in St. Louis Park (requested by students).
Councilmember Mavity stated that the study session agendas are quite full and she would like to be
judicious with time. She stated that if a discussion were included about gun sale policy, she would
like staff to come very well prepared with options for discussion.
Mr. Harmening stated that he would discuss the conflict of interest concerns with the city attorney
and report back to council.
1. Wayside Recovery Center/Future North-South Road Connection
Ms. Heiser and Mr. Walther presented.
Mr. Walther stated that Wayside Recovery Center is considering an expansion of their existing
facility. Wayside met with city staff to determine if their preliminary building program could work
on the site and what approvals are needed. He noted that staff is supportive of the proposed
expansion and identified a path forward for city review. Staff also shared background about a
planned roadway across the western part of the Wayside property.
Mr. Walther pointed out that long-range development plans for the area, that were created with
significant public process and task forces, proposed a new north -south road connection between
Excelsior Boulevard and Park Center Boulevard. Most of the road right-of-way for the connection
has been dedicated for this future roadway across part of the Park Nicollet Clinic campus. Mr.
Walther noted that the city does not yet have an easement or right-of-way across the Wayside
property. He and Ms. Heiser presented the proposed road layout and evaluation to the council.
Councilmember Harris asked if there is a timeline on this project. Mr. Walther stated that Wayside
wants to understand the city's position before they make a decision, and they hope to move ahead
with construction in the next two to three years. Their main concern with the St. Louis Park site is
the north -south connection. The road connection is not currently included in the 10 -year Capital
Improvement Plan. Allowing a building to be constructed in the path of the future road would limit
the city's ability to construct the planned road and could significantly increase costs to build it.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 2, 2018
Ms. Heiser pointed out that plans for this area and potential connections for north -south connectivity
date from 2004. She noted potential impacts to Byerly's, Wayside, and the Park Nicollet Campus if a
north -south road connection is pursued. She also described the benefits the north -south connection
would provide to neighborhood circulation, as there is no north -south connection between the half
mile from Park Center Boulevard and Monterey Drive, and also the benefits of simplification and
optimization of the signal timing and operations along Excelsior Blvd near Highway 100 at Park
Center Blvd and Wooddale Avenue intersections.
Councilmember Mavity pointed out that people will be walking around the Park Nicollet Campus
from one building to another, so there are concerns for roadways going through this area. Ms. Heiser
stated that in general, there needs to be more study related to this project and a better understanding
of traffic in this area.
Councilmember Mavity stated that she recently met with people at Wayside, noting that it is a 60 -
year -old treatment and recovery center which is pre-eminent in the Midwest. They have served in St.
Louis Park for 50 of those years, and their building is in dire need of replacement. She added that
she is not supportive of staff's recommendation for the north -south roadway, adding that alternatives
must be included. She suggested that Wayside needs consideration of their property, and the city has
no right-of-way there. Councilmember Mavity suggested that as a compromise the north -south
roadway be a pedestrian walkway or a bike trail to ensure that there is connectivity in this area.
Councilmember Mavity also pointed out that any connection with the Quentin and Excelsior
intersection also poses problems in front of Fresh Thyme and the Wolfe Park Condos. Adding a busy
intersection there is a challenge.
Mayor Spano agreed with Councilmember Mavity, stating that there are many pieces that would
need to fall in place to make this north -south route happen. He added that the route actually already
exists in some form with the frontage road.
Councilmember Hallfin stated that he lives in this area and drives there daily. He agreed with Mayor
Spann and Councilmember Mavity, noting that possibly the reason this north -south route has not
ever been created is that it is a very heavy lift. He added that he hopes another alternative will be
presented at a later date.
Councilmember Miller stated that the city does not own the easement at Wayside and has no right-
of-way. He asked if purchasing the property for the roadway is expensive or difficult. Mr.
Harmening stated that technically it is not difficult; however, politically it would be more difficult.
He added that if the north -south roadway was going to be developed, the city would need to buy the
right-of-way, along with some property from Byerly's and others in the area.
Councilmember Brausen stated that he wants to make this work for Wayside. Councilmember Miller
agreed, as did Councilmember Rog.
Councilmember Harris stated that she likes the idea of having more circulation in the area and is
interested to see the PUD when it available. She added that she liked Councilmember Mavity's idea
for pedestrian and bike mobility.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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