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Memo- Supervalu Redevelopment ProjectPLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Memorandum To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jim Kerrigan, Planning & Economic Development Director Date: December 2, 1997 Subject: SuperValu Redevelopment Project At the December 9 work session, Jim Benshoof of Benshoof and Associates will provide an overview of the preliminary traffic findings for the SuperValu expansion project. A draft report is attached to this memo. The first few pages provide a summary of the conclusions of the document. Prior to preparation of this document, SuperValu and Benshoof first met with both the East End and Park Valley neighborhoods to hear their issues and concerns. The minutes of these meetings, which have previously been provided to the Council, are attached to this memo There was a second meeting with both neighborhoods on November 20 to present the draft traffic report. There was limited attendance at this meeting (approximately 12 persons). The Zoning & Planning Commission was presented an overview of the draft report at their meeting on November 25. Both of the above identified neighborhoods received notice of this meeting, and there were probably a couple dozen people in attendance. A copy of the meeting minutes is attached to this memo. As part of the discussion at the December 9 work session, the Council needs to decide whether they wish to have any additional discussion concerning this document prior to having Benshoof prepare the final traffic report. Attachments: Draft of traffic report from Benshoof & Associates Letter from Deb Carlson, SuperValu Zoning & Planning Commission minutes JF3202]A Deborah A. Carsan ~/ice Presicenc Real Es:zte '` ~~~,~ _ PO Box 1457 Minneapolis, MN 55440 612 932 4386 September 24, 1997 Mr. Jim Kerrigan Planning and Economic Development Director City of Hopkins 101 First Street South Hopkins, MN 55343 Re: SUPERVALU Redevelopment Project Dear Jim: As you know, we held two Hopkins neighborhood group meetings last week. The neighbors east of Highway 169 were invited for Tuesday, September 16, with the west side neighbors invited for Wednesday, September 17. The east side meeting was attended by only five neighbors. While they appeazed to be generally in support of our project, their main concern was what would happen to the Monroe and Milwaukee intersection. Peter Hultgren of Benshoof & Associates was also in attendance, and could give you additional feedback. The west side meeting was attended by approximately 40 neighbors. They, too, seemed to be generally in favor of our project. Their concerns focused on increased traffic to their neighborhood, especially in light of the new Excelsior Avenue intersection; increased traffic on 5th Avenue; and noise and light issues. They specifically want a closer look at 5th t~venue, and have suggested an additional road be constructed. Jim $enshoop was at this meeting. I am enclosing copies of the meeting sign-in sheets, notes that Lloyd took at both meetings, and letters I have received in the mail. Call with any questions. Regards, De Carlson cc: Jim Benshoof Lloyd Johnson Steve Mielke COMMENTS FROM HOP iN N ICHBOR a t En G~ 1( j1 Monroe: Can only so south or north on Monroe. City plans to correct 1 MilwaukeeJMonroe. Is City planning to cul de sac Monroe? When Excelsior is widened folks felt County has priority and may change the Monroe/Excelsior intersection. Jackson crossing not desired. Park YaldeX ~' Flexibility on berming? Trucks on 5th a concern. Buffer Pazk: 5th too narrow -needs to be wider. Would accommodate trucks easier. 5th needs to move north to facilitate use of the pazk with additional green area dedication. bead end 5th Street at Buffer Park. Move 5th north of berm. Worried about noise since it's closer to homes than perishable truck noise now. Goodwill: 5th moved north -safer access to Buffer Park -berm south of new 5th. Leave existing trees in place on north side of 5th. Shelters homes south of 5th and safe access to park. Traffic concerns with connection of 169 and new frontage. Adds traffic to neighborhood. If extension eliminated, cars won't use 5th and come azound. Didn't want 6th closed. Puts more pressure on 11th Ave, which can't handle it. Eliminating connector off 169 may help traffic. West frontage road will up traffic since if 169 backs up they get off and use west frontage to keep moving north. Public vehicles cut through SUPERVALU parking lot rather than connecting up west frontage road. Closing 6th may increase truck traffic on 11th for other than SUPERVALU trucks. Propose no trucks on 2nd Ave. off 169. Height of berm is important. Talked of a 50 ft. height requirement. Would rather have a wall than aberm -could be Iower. Woman sees us walling off neighborhood from rest of Hopkins -closure of 6th creates this. _ Any pedestrian possibilities through the site. Plan we present is best plan they have been presented, even with loss of 6th. Worried about retail coming in. A wall may lower property values, but cul-de-sacing 5th would increase property values. If 5th moves north, need two streets accessing onto new 5th. Raised viaduct across our property for 6th Avenue. Problem here is it (our plan) increases traffic on 11th Ave. Need to address this issue. If SUPERVALU wasn't on-site and another user would increase traffic on bosh 6th'and 1 lth. Shady Oak development would take pressure off 11th. Detention ponds -how is water handled. Neighbors want to see the traffic data as it is available. Where are cazs coming from and where will they go. Neighbors want to be kept in Ioop throughout the project -provide too much information. Could we build without docks on the south side? Would we consider elongating the building so it doesn't come so far south? Community friendly. Don't want 2nd Ave. to become a highway. Trucks have alarms when they are reversed? Combination of a berm and wall would be best. UNOFFICIAL ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES November 25, 1997 A regular meeting of the Zoning and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, November 25, 1997, at 6:30 p. m. in the Council Chambers of Hopkins City Hall. Present were Commission members Sid Blair, Dorothy Boen, Randy Engel, Roger Gross, Rick Brausen, Pat Gleeson, and Council Representative Fran Hesch Also present were City Planner Nancy Anderson, Economic Development Director Jim Kerrigan and Public Works Director Steve Stadler. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Brausen called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Boen moved and Mr. Blair seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the October 28, 1997, meeting. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM: DESIGN STANDARDS FOR SUPERVALU Mark Koegler of Hoisington Koegler appeared before the Commission. Mr. Koegler reviewed the direction they are heading to develop the design standards for the SuperValu development on the Hennepin County site. The design standards are proposed to be incorporated into the development agreement. ITEM: TRAFFIC STUDY FOR SUPERVALU Benshoof and Associates has completed the preliminary traffic study for the redevelopment of the Hennepin County site. aim Benshoof appeared before the Commission. Mr. Benshoof reviewed the preliminary traffic study with the Commission. Mr. Benshoof stated that they are recommending Scenario B, which is no new access on the west ramp. Scenario B also includes a full intersection at Jackson Avenue. Mr. Benshoof also discussed improvements to Fifth Street South. Mr. Gross left at 7:17 p.m Mr. Engel asked Mr. Benshoof if the additional one foot additional right-of--way to widen Fifth Street was necessary. Mr. Benshoof stated that he thought the additional one foot was necessary. The additional one foot ofright-of--way is necessary to meet the City standard for a boulevard. MINUTES OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING MEETING Page 2 1 Mr. Engel asked Mr. Benshoof how many homes would have to be removed for the Jackson Avenue intersection. Mr. Benshoof stated that additional work would have to be done to determine the exact number, but at this point he could identify at least two Mr. Gleeson left at 7:25 p.m. Mr. Benshoof was asked about the need for the Jackson intersection. Mr. Benshoof stated that the intersection would provide full access to the North Annex and other properties north of Excelsior Boulevard and to enhance the redevelopment of the North Annex. The intersection would also provide a safety of movement at the intersection. Don Roesner of 618 West Park Valley Drive appeared before the Commission. Mr. Roemer stated that the neighborhood wants a new Fifth Street moved to the north of the existing Fifth Street. Mr. Roesner was concerned that Fifth Street would become a high speed short cut. Paul Labounty of 537 Seventh Avenue South appeared before the Commission. Mr. Labounty had concerns about the following: o North Annex development -not quite sure how that is going to work o How many employees at the new development? -concern of how many employees o Intersections have A-D ratings -how many more cars does it take to reduce rating fromaCtoaD o Most people will use 1 lth Avenue not the new frontage road o SuperValu will want more curb cuts in the P,ature o Buffer along Fifth Street will buffer 20 years down the road -not now o Still get the trucks in the neighborhood -not going to stop truck traffic in south Hopkins Virginia Moll of 604 Fifth Avenue South appeared before the Commission. Mrs. Moll was concerned with the proposed sidewalks on Fifth Street and did not want children on 11th Avenue. Gale Navratil, president of the Park Valley Association, appeared before the Commission.- Ms. Navratil stated that the neighborhood wattts Fifth Street relocated to the north. She also stated that it would be nice for the children to have access to downtown Hopkins and the sidewalks on I ith Avenue do not seem safe. Paul Lund of 614 West Park Valley Drive appeared before the Commission. Mr. Lund asked where all the trucks were going to come in and out. Mr. Lund also stated that the sidewalk on the west frontage road would have no value. Mr. Brausen left at 8.00 p.m. Don Roemer stated that the neighborhood wants to be proactive and willing to work with SuperValu and the City for the development of the Hennepin County site, r MINC3TES OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING MEETING r Page 3 Mr. Benshoof responded to some of the residents' concerns. Mr. Benshoof stated there could be a parking lane or boulevard between the sidewalk and Fifth Street. There are limitations to the intersection of 11th Avenue and Excelsior Blvd, but with the improvements to the intersection next year the intersection will function much better. Mrs. Hesch left at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Koegler stated that the design standards will spin offthe Benshoof study. Jim Kerrigan stated that the City Council would be reviewing the traffic study at their December 9 work session. ADJOURN Mr. Blair moved and Ms. Boen seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. MEMBERS: ATTEST: Rick Brausen, Chair