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CR 01-106 Approve Preliminary Plans, Layout 1 G\IY OF m August 2, 2001 HO P K \ N S Council Report 2001-106 APPROVE PRELIMINARY PLANS, LAYOUT 1 EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD/MILWAUKEE ST/JACKSON AVENUE INTERSECTION AND ST LOUIS STREET/JACKSON AVENUE INTERSECTION (REVISION TO EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD RECONSTRUCTION, PHASE II - HENNEPIN COUNTY PROJECT 9227), Proposed Action. Staff recommends the following motion: Move that Council adopt Resolution 2001-53. Resolution approvina roadway construction preliminary plans. lavout 1. for the construction of new intersections at Excelsior Blvd/Milwaukee StlJackson Ave and Jackson Ave/St Louis Street and connectina roadways (Revisions to Hennepin County Project 9227). This action authorizes the City and Hennepin County to proceed to final design and acquire necessary right-of-way, permits and easements. Overview. With the redevelopment of the SuperValu North Annex site it is necessary to improve access to this area from Excelsior Boulevard. A concept roadway plan . was approved by City Council on June 5, 2001. Since then, more detailed preliminary design work has been underway involving Bolton & Menk, Inc. (city engineering consultant), city staff and Hennepin County staff. The Zoning and Planning Commission approved the staff-recommended plan at its July 31 meeting by a 4-1 vote, with one abstention. Primary Issues to Consider. . Traffic Impact Study · Proposed preliminary design roadway plan · Presidential Avenues neighborhood and general public input · Pedestrian/regional trail improvements · Staff recommendation Supportina Documents. . Analysis of Issues . Proposed Resolution 2001-53 . Proposed preliminary layout plan . Presidential Avenues neighborhood resident input (petition + survey) . esidenf nues neighborhood traffic information Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director Council Report 2001-106 Page 2 Analvsis of Issues . Traffic impact study The Medica staff traffic consultant completed a comprehensive traffic impact study. There has been an extensive review of this document by the city and its traffic consultant, Jim Benshoof, P.E., Benshoof & Associates. Mr. Benshoof is not able to attend the Council meeting but has provided the attached memorandum. Some of the key results from the report include: o Average daily trips to/from the Medica site = 5,120 o AM peak hour trips = 910 o PM peak hour trips = 860 o Trip distribution is fairly evenly split in all four directions (see attached trip distribution map showing percentages and expected additional traffic). o Proposed road plans will accommodate future full development of the nearby Alliant-Tech site o Local roads affected by redevelopment can support additional projected traffic volumes without changing the character or classification of the street (2nd Street NE, Minnetonka Mills Rd, 5th Avenue North, Milwaukee StlWashington Ave) o 10 intersections analyzed for impact to level of service and queuing · Proposed preliminary design roadway plan The preliminary roadway plan has been reviewed and/or approved by several outside agencies, including: Hennepin County, Suburban Hennepin Parks, Canadian Pacific Railroad, Metro Transit, Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority and SuperValu Corp. Key features of the preliminary design include: o Accommodates heavy morning and afternoon peak hour Medica site traffic o Maximizes the number of free turning movements during freight train crossing, future LRT vehicle crossing or bus crossing on express busway o Improved safety for regional trail users by providing alternate paths and a traffic signal-controlled pedestrian crossing of Excelsior Boulevard o Will likely meet upcoming "whistle-free" crossing requirements of Federal Railroad Authority o Minimizes SuperValu property impact (southsicfe of intersection) o Provides signal-controlled access to westbound Excelsior Blvd for Presidential Avenues neighborhood residents (Monroe Avenue Council Report 2001-106 Page 3 connection is an exit-only onto Excelsior Boulevard or north on Jackson Avenue) o Bus stops on both sides of Excelsior Blvd between Monroe and Jackson Avenues · Presidential Avenues neighborhood and general public input Public input has been received at several previous meetings, including a public information meeting held on July 26 and the July 31 Zoning and Planning Meeting. Concerns that were voiced at the meetings included: Regarding the option of whether to cul-de-sac the north end of Monroe Ave S or to maintain a connection to Milwaukee St for controlled access to Excelsior Blvd: Monroe Avenue South residents expressed strong sentiment against keeping Monroe Ave S connected to Excelsior Blvd. There was also strong concern against this connection expressed by the Harley Hopkins Family Center staff. The opinions expressed can be summarized as follows: · Connecting Monroe Ave S to a signalized intersection on Excelsior Blvd will bring more traffic into the neighborhood, especially Monroe Avenue. This additional traffic is expected to include Medica development employees coming to work from areas southeast of the site. . The connection will provide little benefit to the neighborhood as the intersection will not function well during the busy traffic periods - the Excelsior Blvd improvements will make it much easier to enter or leave the neighborhood via Jackson Ave and Harrison Ave, especially during the non-peak traffic times · With the cul-de-sac option, the access the neighborhood is losing is minimal and not often used. · Opinion of one resident that the process is moving too fast and there needs to be more neighborhood discussion/input · Bottom line: Monroe Avenue residents will experience increased traffic because motorists will be drawn to the new intersection but the neighborhood will receive little, if any, benefit. Other issues/concerns that have been brought up include: · Highway 169 on-ramp congestion - concerns regarding additional Medica building traffic · Lincoln DrivelWashington Avenue traffic increase · Questions on reliability of AM/PM peak hour traffic projections . 3rd Street to 5th Avenue is available for those wishing to go westbound on Excelsior Blvd - no need for the connection at Monroe Avenue Who is paying for the road improvements Council Report 2001-106 Page 4 · Question on why not a grade-separated pedestrian crossing, i.e., bridge or tunnel Questions/concerns regarding access for residents and emergency vehicles from Excelsior Blvd to/from the northeast Hopkins area were brought up previously. These concerns were addressed by designing to allow several free traffic movements while a train, LRT vehicle or bus is operating diagonally across the intersection. This design also provides a more efficient route for employees entering and leaving the Medica site via Excelsior Boulevard, thus reducing the amount of traffic entering/exiting the site from/to 2nd Street NE. · Pedestrian/regional trail improvements City staff and our engineering consultant reviewed the roadway plans in detail with Hennepin Parks staff to investigate how to improve the safety and function of the regional trails as a part of this project. Based on their experience with the use of grade-separated pedestrian crossings, Hennepin Parks staff believes that neither a bridge nor an underpass would be used by a high enough percentage of trail users to warrant the construction. This is because the length and alignment of either structure would result in many trail users opting for the more direct at-grade crossing of the intersection. Studies have been done showing that pedestrians are very sensitive to the perceived difficulty, safety or time to cross a bridge or underpass. If pedestrians perceive even a small increase in difficulty or time to cross using a bridge or underpass, they will choose the at- grade crossing option in high percentages. Additionally, it would be difficult and expensive constructing adjacent to the potentially busy HCRRA corridor (railroad, LRT and potential future busway) plus a large diameter 12' - 14' deep gravity sanitary sewer pipe would require extensive relocation or construction of a new lift station. An underpass crossing east-west at the north leg of the intersection would require several hundred feet of ramping and fencing on both sides requiring additional right of way and making local access difficult and inefficient. It is nearly as safe and much less expensive to route the section of the trail on the north side of Excelsior Blvd to cross at the south leg of the new signalized Medica site access intersection. This provides a route that is very efficient and safe for trail users traveling from/to Hutchinson Spur trail to/from the SWLRT trail. Mr. Del Miller, Hennepin Parks, will be present at the meeting to discuss the proposed trail plan and answer questions. Council Report 2001-106 Page 5 · Staff recommendation The staff recommendation is to construct the new Excelsior Boulevard intersection, as presented, to include a limited access (exit only) connection to Monroe Avenue South. Staff believes that the proposed preliminary layout plan offers the best solution for providing: improved access to the SuperValu North Annex property (Medica Corporate Headquarters site), pedestrianlregional trail improvements and continued limited access to the Presidential Avenues neighborhood area via a Monroe Avenue exit only to Milwaukee Street and Excelsior Boulevard. The reasons for the proposed connection to Monroe Avenue South are as follows: o 700/0 of the residents (42) who responded to a neighborhood association survey preferred a connection (all Monroe Avenue residents (10) and the Harley Hopkins Family Center are opposed to a connection) o Traffic volumes on the busier neighborhood streets (Jackson, Van Buren and Harrison Avenues) will not increase as much if Monroe Avenue is left open. o The new intersection will provide a safer, signal-controlled option for neighborhood residents desiring to travel west on Excelsior Blvd o The intersection will not be an attractive option for commuters to the Medica site because of the short signal cycle length and limited vehicle queuing space. In addition, with the planned Excelsior Boulevard improvements from Highway 169 to and including the Blake Road intersection, a Blake Road to Excelsior Blvd morning travel route will be preferred over an lnterlachen Blvd to Maloney St to Monroe Avenue route. o The proposed plan eliminates the current southbound traffic, an estimated 90 - 110 vehicles/day based on July 23 - 25 traffic counts. This further reduces the likelihood that traffic on Monroe Avenue will increase. o SuperValu traffic cannot enter the neighborhood via Monroe Avenue (would violate a one-way/do not enter signed roadway) and departing eastbound SuperValu employees will be able to directly access Excelsior Boulevard via a free right turn even when a train is crossing the intersection. Staff has been showing an option to cul-de-sac the end of Monroe Avenue since the presentation of the concept plan at the May 10 public meeting. The staff position has been that we would recommend the limited access option unless the neighborhood came forward in support of a cul-de-sac. The neighborhood survey showed strong support (700/0) for maintaining the limited access option. CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION 2001-53 APPROVAL OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PRELIMINARY PLANS, LAYOUT 1, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW INTERSECTIONS AT EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD/MILWAUKEE STREET/JACKSON AVE. AND JACKSON AVE./ST LOUIS STREET AND CONNECTING ROADWAYS (REVISIONS TO HENNEPIN COUNTY PROJECT 9227) WHEREAS, Layout No.1, revisions to Hennepin County project 9227 showing proposed improvements to Excelsior Boulevard (County State Aid Highway 3) and adjacent city streets, within the limits of the city has been prepared and presented to the city. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, that said Layout 1 be in all things approved, that the City and Hennepin County are hereby authorized to acquire all rights-of-way, permits and/or easements required for said improvements in accordance with Layout 1, and that the city agrees to ban the parking of motor vehicles at all times and to provide enforcement for the prohibition of on-street parking on Excelsior Boulevard (CSAH 3) within. its corporate limits. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 8th Day of August, 2001. Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor ATTEST: Terry Obermaier, City Clerk Steven J. Stadler Public Works Director Mr. Stadler: Attached is a petition from the homeowners of Monroe Ave. S. in Hopkins. They are in unanimous agreement on the need for a cul-de-sac at the north end of Monroe Avenue South. The reasons seem clear: 1. A connection from Monroe to Milwaukee St. (and the upcoming controlled intersection) would effectively route NEW non-resident traffic through the neighborhood from the South.and East (via Belmont and Maloney). Aggravating this problem is the fact that the highest concentration of NEW traffic along this route will be during morning rush hour, the same time that parents will be dropping off their young children at the Kaleidescope Preschool and the Hopkins Early Learning Center in the Hcarley Hopkins building. This is not a desirable situation. 2. Eastbound traffic from the various SuperValu sites will virtually all be using Milwaukee Street. It will take very little time for these drivers to begin turning south on Monroe to avoid waiting for a red light. Virtually all of this departing traffic will turn south onto Monroe when a train has the controlled intersection closed. Currently, much of this traffic jogs a few feet south on Monroe and cuts through the East-West alley on the north end of the Monroe/Jackson block. When that is no longer passable, traffic will move south to 1 st Street or beyond. This is additional NEW non-resident traffic and is also not a desirable situation. Having a controlled means to enter Excelsior Boulevard West has been on this neighborhood's wish list for many years. This, however, is not the way to meet that need. We would simply be swapping one problem for several others. The Residents of Monroe Ave. S. Petition- UWe the undersigned home owners Of Monroe Ave. S. in -Hopkins, respectfully petition the City of Hopkins to cul-de-sac the north end of Monroe Avenue South without a connection to Milwaukee St. We believe the problems caused by such a connection (tile potential influx of traffic though the neighborhood in order to get to the controlled intersection and entrance to Medica) far outweigh the potential benefits of such a plan. A cul-de-sac on the north end of - Monroe Ave. S. will effectively discourage non-resident cut-through traffic" 5. 6~ 7. 8. q. ~~ Address r /fCWL'o6)(/V6-J /3 /Yhnw- ~.4 31 ('1tJ.rJf(Ob- Av&5 S'7 'ktJ7<~ It- s: 'f-cs ~f+l> ~ ~ S] JI1 ~ IL r75-f ;I if-e ~ uf J... \31 Monroe, AtltS. 'i I mon to ~ A-ve, S o~+" /"..'/ /~ I~r ~ I . . I 1~1 AIJ B ;" I I" I, 'I, , I I 'I' If , ,: J I! lol.f _:l.... _ r ' 1- I I r-- .;.... ..:- ..:- II( I" I' , "I II, , I, , I, II, , '1 "; i'l ,. I' ; . 51 OR:' ') -e II . /,./ I I' /,./ y/ /,... I ............ r:::::: /' // ,// .-// '~I /~7 II ~/-- - ..J 16 I 1- - - ...J ~ ~~4~: 14 " . I /3(42)" " ( //--- ..J'""'....',- 30 (4) ..... 29 (13') 28(12) 27(1q .. 26 ClO) 25 (9) ~ 24 (8) . 20 (5) so. -.I. _ (12 ~ "" 'i;f- ..... .... 16(/13) .... 15 CI 12) (10810 ~ -..:; 14 (/If) II <\I - --$tO. 130/0) (f09X2 .,.... (123) I I - 1302.?> (124) /2 ST. ~\ (Click h::re:md lyp~ tl.lJdn::mzl To: Steve Stadler Fax: 952-939-1381 From: Steven M. Levy Date: 07/30/01 Re: -Monroe Interst~Clion'B<1Hot Pages: l.. cc: o Urgent L Revmw o Please Comment o Please Reply o Please Recycl oil ~ .. 11 . . '" Steve.. " Just an P'tl, this is the breait..dcvvn according to strea j 'v~a; BallOts Cauldesac Lir:niLed Totai Sell"!; t 2'~ Access Votes Monroe 9 0 9 Jackson 2 12 14 Van Buren 4- 18 22 Harrison 3 12 15 Totals: 18 42 60 Percentage: 30% 70% 50% i~~~~~~~ll~lIl~Il!liltll'" ................... .. .'- ::...: .....1 , . :!~~i;~~~~':~v~~:~.<>- . <JMonroe .;Ne..':~~R.,~~~~~~o~ia~Oh'li ~~."~F~.~~t: i&~~ ,.,:....<.".;.i,.': ...... ill:1J liJ~~ ~~~~ ~t~~" I ~ ~ II iJ iJ~:I!-' ---1 ~ ~" ~I,. O Option 2 . Limited Access ~i~~~f~ ~~'= .'.-' /_,-/~;:t4 .' -'. ,'''-,/ -. .~ ,~.~ ~-- ./.....-::: -".p.;."" .' . ..,,,.<!'> '--j ~-&r.. /---::.; .;: -=:=:::j b~/:lll?~_..._..~ P ) !'Ji l I . 111 L/ #/, ~#'-.::,r"\ I 1-'-/ \ \ ! I \ \ I Any ballot not postmarked on or before Friday, June 22, 2001 wiU not be counted. Any ballot marked by more than one box will not be Counted. . . ~ ~.... . , ."' ~_......---~.~.... _...~--_...,. MONROE AVE S HOPKINS, MN-5S343 .; . \/ ~... . Please vote by placing a HX" in Olle of the boxes : .' .: "'.' . ~,'- . '.~.:..:.:.:...:....~-~ .:. ..-."'..... ...... , .. '. ..... ..:'~ ..-.---.. ~1..~ : ;. ".. .\' . ~"';:::: '. , " ~ ,. '. , . . I~f'.~~~~~f'~-; '". '-1:-: . ~ , '. - ',... ~" ..........~.. ),' ............,........ .. ~_:....--~.~.'.> ......x.......-.... :~ : I '-.'-~"-iO:\. -- --..,.. Pl"esidel-1tit:d r\ve.V\l.-1c::; l\JcighbOl"hood Associl.lfioV'\ 145 Van Buren Avenue South Hopkins, MN 55343 ':. ~"?~: ;:..~? C. ~.(.<::t(; i I f ""hiJ uB, ,ljJiHH.' uJ IIi u L II1LLi!ii' II i;J I.JuL'.1 , ~ ;-~ '>> EXCELSIOR BLVD INTERSECTION DESIGN PLANS- MEDICA PROJECT JULY 26, 2001 PUBLIC MEETING ATTENDANCE NAME ADDRESS PHONE (optional) ~-9~ -il~/1o \ ( I \ ') EXCELSIOR BLVD INTERSECTION DESIGN PLANS - MEDICA PROJECT JULY 26, 2001 PUBLIC MEETING ATTENDANCE . 00 ..- r-<t.. ..... It....., . - ....... . " .,....,,~ ...,'lIfe.... . . ~_. ~ ,. . '~t 0'-'" "a,. + t ~.. 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SUBMIT PRILIMlAYOUT TO CP RAIL (FOR DESIGN AND EIT).....AUG.9 REVIEW 75% DESIGN PlANS..... .~....... ......... ~.~.u .........: ._.n~... .SEPT . 24 . . CP RAIL COMPLETES DESIGN AND COST ESTIMATE................OCT 12 REVIEW 960k DESIGN PLANS~.................................~................NOV 5 DI8JGN"PLANf:OP'IN HOUSE'}'...... ~.............. ....~ .-... ................ ....NOV,2001' ~TYCOUNCll APPROVAL OFPINAlPI..ANII&AGRE-EMENT.. .~.NOV26f' HEN'NEPIN COUNTY COMPLETIS,CPRAIL COST AGRIIEMENT....OEC14 CP flAIL "'V'iW/APPAOV AL OF. COST A~'ReEMeNT........... .JAN 7, 20.02 . - COUNTY DOARD-APPR9VAL OF CONST AGRMTWITH.CITY.......JAN, 2002 - ADV~;RTIS'E:P.RC?JECTIi.. ...... ..~-.......... ...~............. ~...... ......... ...-. .fE~, ,'2002ti~ . . HENNEPIN "COU.NTV SOARD APPROVAL OF CP RAIL AGRMT.. ..FIB, a002 . CPR~IL'ORDERS XING.MTLI + SIGNAL COMP.ONENTS............FIIB., 2002 . 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