CR 91-183 Public Hearing Design Plans - SW LRTo
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August 13, 1991 do P Council Report 91 -183
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ORDER PUBLIC HEARING PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR
SOUTHWEST LRT CORRIDOR
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends the adoption of the following motion: Move to order a
public hearing for 7:30 p.m. on September 3, 1991 regarding the
Preliminary design plans for the Southwest LRT Corridor
Ov rview
On January, 8, 1991, the City of Hopkins conducted a public hearing on the
preliminary design plan 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 2nd St. NE near Blake Road (Dick's Towing site).
Edco is, the owner of the property and was concerned about the impact the
LRT station could have on Edco's future operations. In addition to
questions raised regarding the 2nd Street station, staff also had concerns
regarding traffic implications relating to the proposed LRT station at
Trunk Hwy. 169 and County Rd. 3.
Due to the concerns relating to the, proposed stations on 2nd Street and
Trunk Hwy. 169.and County Rd. 3, the HCRRA has approved several extensions
for approving the plans, the most recent of which is scheduled to expire in
late November (this assumes HCRRA approves the City's most recent extension
request.)
Recently, HCRRA staff submitted an LRT station plan to the City of Hopkins
as an alternative to the LRT station on 2nd Street NE. This alternate LRT
station is proposed to be located on the west side of Blake Road, about '
block south of 2nd Street NE. City staff has met with HCRRA staff and has
expressed reservations regarding the location of the station on this site.
The HCRRA has indicated that they will not take additional time to study
other alternative sites. I might also add that city staff has not been able
to make progress with HCRRA staff regarding traffic implications at the
Trunk Hwy. 169 and County Rd. 3 station site.
Due to staff concerns with the proposed station locations at Trunk Hwy. 169
and County Rd. 3, and the alternate station site along Blake Rd., staff may
be recommending in the future that the Council disapprove the preliminary
design plans.
Primary Issues to Consider.
o What are staff's concerns regarding the proposed station
locations?
o Why is staff suggesting that City Council conduct another public
hearing?
o What action must the City take on the preliminary design plans?
Supporting Information.
o Alternatives
o Maps of station locations
Thomas K. Harmeni g
Community Develo or
CR 91 -183
Page 2
Primary Issues to Consider.
o What are staff's concerns regarding the two proposed station
locations?
Trunk Hwy. - 169 /County Rd. 3 station.
The City retained Benshoff & Associates to examine the LRT
station plans and outline traffic concerns which the City should
take into consideration. As a part of the study, Benshoff
identified several traffic .issues for this station which were
recommended.for further study:
o. Traffic impacts at the intersection of 5th Ave. &
Excelsior Ave. and the need for improvements on 5th
Ave.
o Traffic impacts at the intersection of 5th Ave. & 3rd
St.
o Location of driveways relative to existing and future
access on the south side of 3rd St.
o Adequacy of spacing of access from 3rd St. /5th Ave.
intersection.
o Traffic impacts at 3rd St /Washington Ave. intersection.
o Site distance at access on Washington Ave.
o Need for /desirability of a new railroad crossing.
o Traffic at west and east Trunk Hwy. 169 ramps.
o Possible redesign of park and ride lot to allow direct
access from Country Rd. 3 to Hennepin County property
to the south. This involves a road through the park and
ride site for access to the Hennepin County site.
o Second St. Station (Edco property).
Other than various traff is and access concerns, staff had no
major objections to the location of the LRT station on this site.
In fact,, this site was included in the City's Comp Plan and
identified as an LRT station location.
CR 91 -183
Page 3
o Proposed Blake Rd. station.
Staffs concerns with this station location relate to the fact
that the site contains a small shopping center (Blake Center)
which was constructed in the early 1980's. The City facilitated
the construction of this shopping center through the issuance of
a revenue bond. Staff feels that as a part of the realignment of
County Rd. 3, a large redevelopment project may take place on the
north side of County Rd. 3. As a result, staff is of the mind
that it may be appropriate to withhold identifying a specific LRT
station site until a better understanding is achieved regarding
how redevelopment might take place on the north side of County
Rd. 3, west of Blake Rd.
o Why is staff suggesting that City Council conduct anoth r
public hearing?
The City is required to hold a public hearing as a part of
approving or disapproving the preliminary LRT design plan. Due to
the fact that a new station location is being proposed on Blake
Rd., staff felt it appropriate for the City to conduct a new
public hearing to allow for comments to be expressed regarding
this station.
o What action must the City take on the preliminary design
plans?
Upon reviewing state law and discussing this matter with Ken
Stevens of the HCRRA, the City is in a position to approve or
disapprove of the plans in a fashion which the City Council is
not normally accustomed to. In this case, unless the City is in a
position to approve the preliminary design plans without ay
conditions, it may be necessary for the City Council to take
action which would involve disapproving the plans with the
conditions clearly outlined which, if met, would allow the City
to approve the plans. Under this type of process, even though the
City disapproves the plans subject to a number of conditions, the
plans would not be required to be brought back to the City
Council until the next normally scheduled review period (300
design review) . Essentially, the Council would be approving the
plans subject to conditions.
Alt rnatiyes.
The Council has the following alternatives:
1. Approve the actions recommended by staff.
2. Table matter for further information.
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