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CR 92-109 Speed Study Minnetonka Boulevard . l' y \ 0 V '" May 13, 1992 :Ca: Council Report 92-109 o P K \ ~ REQUESTING SPEED STUDY ON MINNETONKA BOULEVARD Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion "Move to adopt Resolution 92-41 a resolution requesting a speed study on Minnetonka Boulevard. County Road 5". This action would begin the process of a speed study performed by the State of Minnesota. Overview A request to lower the speed limit on Minnetonka Boulevard in the Belgrove area was received by the City Council during a recent discussion on signalizing the County Road 5 and County Road 73 intersection. The basis for the request was that the residents in the area felt there was excessive speeding and that the speed limits needed to be consistent on this road. Council felt that the residents request to lower the speed limit justified further consideration and agreed to bring the issue back at a later date for review. Marjorie Hance, President of the Belgrove Association was notified that Council would be discussing this issue on May 19th. primary Issues to Consider 0 What are the existing speed limits on County Road 5 and 73? 0 Who can authorize a speed limit change? 0 What factors are considered in a speed limit study? 0 How is Hennepin County involved in this process? 0 What should the speed limit be lowered to? supportinq Information 0 Analysis of Issues 0 Resolution 92-41 Lee ~d~ Works Director ... ~ Analysis of Issues o What are the existing speed limits on County Road 5 and 73? COUNTY ROAD 5 - 35 MPH East of Oakridge Road - 40 MPH Between Oakridge Road and approximately County Road 61 - 30 MPH West of County Road 61 COUNTY ROAD 73 - 40 MPH From County Road 5 north to Cedar Lake Road and beyond. - 40 MPH From County Road 5 to approximately 1/2 mile south at Farm Lane. - 35 MPH From Farm Lane to T.H. #7 o Who can authorize a speed limit change? Change in existing speed limits upon any Minnesota street or highway must be authorized by the Commissioner of Transportation. Chapter 169.14, Subdivision 5 of Minnesota statutes reads in part: "When local authorities believe existing speed limit --- is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under existing conditions they may request the commissioner to authorize, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, the erection of appropriate signs designating what speed is reasonable and safe ___II. o What factors are considered in a speed limit study? While a request such as this one from residents adjacent to County Road 5 appears to justify a request for a speed zone change, it should be emphasized that authorization for a speed zone change is based upon an engineering and traffic investigation. These investigations take into consideration such factors as existing roadway characteristics, accident rates, daily traffic volume and prevailing traffic speeds. o How is Hennepin County involved in this process? County Road 5 is under the jurisdiction of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, and as such, the appropriate procedure in this matter is to request by resolution that the County Board request the Commissioner of Transportation to make a speed study to determine the proper speed zoning. ~ 1 0 What should the speed limit be lowered to? Residents in the Belgrove area have expressed a strong desire to have the speed limit lowered to 30 MPH where it is currently 40 MPH. Staff, however, feels this type of a reduction is not very realistic and a more realistic reduction should be requested such as from 40 MPH to 35 MPH. ~ 1 CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION NO. 92-41 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE A SPEED STUDY ON COUNTY ROAD 5 WHEREAS, complaints have been received from the general public on excessive speed on Hennepin County Road 5, in the Belgrove area between County Road 73 and Oakr idge Road; and WHEREAS, speed zoning on all pUblic roads in Minnesota is under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Transportation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota that the Hennepin County Board is hereby requested to inturn request the Commissioner of Transportation to make a speed study of Hennepin County Road 5 between Oakridge Road and Hennepin County Road 61, and that if the results of said study warrant, the speed limit on Hennepin County Road 5 at the aforementioned location be established a 35 miles per hour. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 19th Day of May 1992. Nelson W. Berg, Mayor ATTEST: James A. Genellie, City Clerk