CR 91-158 Request For Extension - Prelim Design PlansZ Y 0
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August 6, 1991 O K`d Council Report 91 -158
REQUEST FOR EXTENSION - PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS
SOUTHWEST LRT CORRIDOR
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Approve Resolution
No. 91 -93 requesting a 90 day extension for the approval or
disapproval by the City of Hopki of the preliminary design plans for
the Southwest LRT Corridor.
As a result of this action, the City Council will be formally
requesting that the HCRRA provide additional time to allow for the
review and approval process 'to take place for the LRT plans.
Overview
In January of 1991 the City of Hopkins conducted a public hearing on
the preliminary design plans for the Southwest LRT Corridor. As a
part of the public hearing process, EDCO expressed concerns regarding
the LRT Station proposed to be located on Second Street NE near Blake
Road. EDCO is the owner of the property and was concerned about the
impact the LRT Station could have on EDCO's operations. In addition
to questions raised regarding the Second Street Station, Staff also
had concerns regarding traffic implications relating to the proposed
LRT Station at Trunk Highway 169 and County Road 3.
Due to the concerns relating to the proposed stations on Second Street
NE and Trunk Highway 169 and County Road 3, the City Council passed a
resolution in January requesting that the HCRRA provide an additional
90 days for the City to approve or disapprove of the preliminary
design plans. This 90 day period expired on April 27, 1991. Since
that time, the HCRRA has approved two more extensions, the most recent
of which is scheduled to expire on 8- 27 -91.
During the last several months the HCRRA has been working on
alternative designs for the Second Street, NE Station. As of this
date, the HCRRA has only contacted the City once to discuss a possible
revision to the station location and recently provided a plan for an
LRT station proposed to be located on the west side of Blake Road,
about a block south of 2nd Street N.E. City staff has not yet had a
chance to discuss this alternate plan with HCRRA. Staff has and is
still working with the HCRRA and the County on traffic usage relating
to the Trunk Highway 169 station.
Due to the fact that the necessary studies have not yet been completed
by the HCRRA and the City, it appears necessary for the City to,
formally request an extension to the approval process. Staff is
recommending a 90 day extension.
Suppo rting Information.
0 o Re olution No. 91 -93
Thomas K. Harmen
Community DeveXbpm nt Director
CITY OF HOPKINS
O Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO: 91 -93
RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN EXTENSION FROM THE HENNEPIN
COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY REGARDING THE
APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR
THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT CORRIDOR
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins has been and continues to be a strong
supporter of light rail transit, and
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority ( HCRRA) has
approved for distribution the Preliminary Design Plans for the
Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor which extends into Hopkins,
Minnesota, and
WHEREAS, unless an extension is granted by the HCRRA, the City of Hopkins
is required to approve or disapprove the Preliminary Design Plans
by August 27, 1991, and
WHEREAS, as a part of the City's review of the Preliminary Design Plans,
questions have been raised by a property owner of a site
identified as an LRT station along Second Street Northeast. This
property owner expressed concerns regarding the use of the site
for LRT purposes as related to the property owners use of the site
® for business expansion purposes. Furthermore, the City has raised
questions regarding traffic impacts regarding the LRT stations,
and in particular traffic impacts relating to the station at T.H.
169, and
WHEREAS, the HCRRA just recently submitted a proposal for an LRT station on
Blake Road as an alternate to the previously proposed station on
2nd Street N.E.
WHEREAS, it does not appear that sufficient time is available for -the City
and HCRRA to study the items in question such that the City may be
in a position to approve or disapprove of the Preliminary Design
Plans by the deadline of August 27, 1991.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS,
MINNESOTA:
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority is respectfully
requested to approve an extension of 90 days from the August 27,
1991 deadline such that the City and HCRRA may address issues
pertaining to the LRT station on Blake Road /Second Street
Northeast, traffic issues which have been identified at the LRT
stations, and other items which may arise.
Adopted by the City Council this 6th day of August, 1991.
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ATTEST:
Nelson W. Berg, Mayor
James A. Genellie, City Clerk