04-28-09 WS
April 28, 2009
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and
Council members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Y ouakim and City Manager Rick Getschow;
Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Planning and Economic Development Kersten
Elverum, Planner Nancy Anderson, Zoning & Planning Commission members; Kyle Skiermont,
Tom Jenny, Kate Reilly, Bob Hatlestad, Kathryn Newcomb and Patrick Beddor.
JOINT MEETING WITH THE ZONING AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
DISCUSSION OF SLIP RAMP FROM HWY 169 TO MAINSTREET:
For many years there has been discussion of a slip ran1p from southbound 169 to Mainstreet. This slip
ramp would abut Walser Chrysler Dodge property on the east side of Mainstreet.
To accommodate the slip ramp, a cul-de-sac would be constructed on the east side of Mainstreet. The
proposed slip ramp would require the east side of the old Hopkins Honda property to be acquired. The
slip ramp would be on the south side of the single family homes and curb onto Mainstreet. Park Lane
would also have a cul-de-sac constructed, and Washington Avenue between Park Lane and First Street
North would be vacated. Acquisition of property and improvements to the roads would be at the City's
expense.
Steps to be takes:
1. Complete traffic studies. The purpose of this task is to quantify two items; 1) current volume of
traffic that enters the downtown area from the north on TH 169 by turning to the west on
Excelsior Boulevard and then turning north at 5th Avenue, 8th Avenue, 9th Avenue, or 11 th
Avenue. 2) Travel times to enter the downtown area via the existing routes mentioned under
point 1), as compared the travel times if direct access were provided to Mainstreet.
2. Estimate existin2 annual trips bv route and travel time savin2s. The purpose of this task is to
compile the results from the first task.
3. Develop 'preliminary cost estimate to construct direct access to Mainstreet from
southbound TH 169. The first step in this task, will speak with Wayne Norris to inquire- about
refinements to the concept plan he indicated in his e-mail note would be needed. With that
further information, we will refine the concept plan drawing as appropriate and then will develop
a preliminary estimate of the cost to construct that plan.
4. Estimate additional benefits downtown area would 2ain throu2h direct access to
Mainstreet from southbound TH 169. In addition to improving access for existing trips
entering the downtown area, it is clear direct access to Mainstreet would attract additional trips
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and would provide further benefits to the downtown area. T help estimate these further benefits,
we would engage the firm of Maxfield Research, Inc. as a sub-consultant. Maxfield staff would
use the traffic volume information from the prior tasks and would compile the following
additional information regarding the downtown area:
a.) Obtain visitor counts for special events in the Downtown including Raspberry Festival,
Hopkins Center for the Arts, and other destination locations.
b.) Identify current and historic retail spending at businesses in Downtown Hopkins.
c.) Estimate projected growth in retail spending given economic slowdown and during
normal conditions.
d.) Estimate current spending generated by Hopkins residents and employees versus visitors.
Maxfield staff then would quantify the supplementary benefits through the following steps:
a.) From vehicle capture rates, estimate vehicle destinations including home, work, school,
church, events, shopping etc. . .
b.) Identify proportion of new traffic that would benefit Downtown Hopkins businesses and
organizations;
c.) Quantify the amount of retail spending that could be expected from the increase in traffic
to the Downtown. Provide estimates for short-term( over the first three years) and long-
term (beyond three years);
d.) Assess qualitative benefits that may be derived over the long-term.
e.) Factor impact of current economic slowdown and quantify benefits to be derived under
normal economic conditions.
5. Complete cost/benefit correlation~ meet with staff~ and prepare a memo report. The first step
in this task will be to apply the results from all preceding tasks to determine, on a preliminary
basis, the overall cost/benefit relationship that would occur if the new access connection were
provided to Mainstreet. We then will meet with City staff to reviewal draft results. Accounting
for comments expressed by City staff, we then will prepare a brief memo report to document the
analyses performed and associated results.
Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated that the City has to show the need for the exit ramp as well as
the need with the scope of services of items one through 5. Mr. Stadler also indicated that the City needs
to show the cost/benefit ratio. Mr. Stadler stated that we need to look at the increased traffic after all
three of the Cargill buildings are done. He stated that the first building is up and running, the second
building should be done in a couple of months and the third building should be done at the end of the
year.
There was a great deal of discussion on this topic with concerns about traffic, events during the summer
(3 days in the summer), need of more traffic downtown, neighborhood impact, possible new trail, stop
light, side walks, traffic counts from Washington to Mainstreet, etc.
The consensus of the meeting was that the concept may have merit. The City should wait until Cargill is
fully developed to explore this issue in-depth. Prior to any study, a city-wide meeting including
neighborhoods and businesses should be held to discuss this item.
DISCUSSION OF 525 BLAKE ROAD: 525 Blake Road is a vacant gas station located on the corner
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of Blake Road and Cambridge Avenue. This property is currently zoned B-3, General Business. The
General Business district is the business district that allows the most uses. Gas stations, fast food, and
dive-ins are allowed in this district. Staff has been discussing the idea of rezoning this site to B-4,
Neighborhood Business.
There was discussion about rezoning this property to B-4. Planner Nancy Anderson stated that traffic is
a big issue. There would need to be a traffic study done. Some of the things that were discussed were
that the apartment buildings would act as a buffer to whatever goes onto the property. Ms. Anderson
asked for feedback on what others thought could go in that property keeping in mind that the entrance
and exit would have to be on Cambridge. There was discussion about the types of uses that might fit in
that area.
Consensus was to not move forward at this time with a city initiated rezoning. This could change as the
planning process for the Blake Road Corridor continues.
DISCUSSION OF HARRISON AVE SOUTH HOMES: Harrison Avenue South, abutting the Blake
School, is zoned R-I-A, single and two family high density. The new Comprehensive Plan has
designated this property as low density residential. Recently the City sold two lots on the east side of
Harrison Avenue to Habitat for Humanity to construct two single family homes on these lots. The Blake
school has been purchasing homes on the east side of Harrison for future expansion.
In order for The Blake School to use the east side of Harrison Avenue for a school use, the property
would have to be rezoned to Institutional. A rezoning is a discretionary decision by the City Council,
and the Council is not obligated to rezone property. The Institutional District has strict requirements for
the removal of homes because of cases like this. The City Council, at the time the ordinance was
approved, did not want institutional uses to expand into residential areas and remove homes. There is
also a platted unimproved alley between the Blake campus and the residential area.
The four homes that The Blake School owns are as follows:
17 Harrison Avenue South, purchased June 2008
21 Harrison Avenue South, purchased October 2007
33 Harrison Avenue South, purchased August 2008
37 Harrison Avenue South, purchased June 2008
The staff met with representatives of The Blake School in December 2008. At that time they showed the
City staff a master plan. The representatives also said that they did not know what the plans would be.
City staff again met with representatives from The Blake School on April 21 for an update.
Representatives from The Blake School have contacted Habitat for Humanity with the proposal to trade
the lots Habitat currently owns on Harrison Avenue for other vacant lots in Hopkins. In this trade they
are proposing to have Habitat construct three homes. An updated master plan was also given to the city.
The new master plan indicated the east side of Harrison Avenue could be a future parking lot. The
representatives from The Blake School suggested an interim use as a green space. Both of these uses
violate the city ordinance; the ordinance would have to be amended.
Planner Nancy Anderson stated that the ordinance now states that if you tear down an existing single
family dwelling you must build another single family dwelling in its place. She stated that there is a very
good reason for the ordinance. Planning Director Elverum stated that we need to protect the single
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family homes.
There was a general discussion regarding the concerns that exist with what Blake School is doing.
Several Commissioners and Council members stated that there is a need to understand further what their
expansion and growth needs are, but not at the expense of a loss of single family homes.
City Manager Getschow stated that Blake School would like to be at an upcoming work session. He will
work to place them on the May 12 agenda.
STEP TO IT CHALLANGE:
City Manager Getschow stated that the Minnetonka/Hopkins Cities will be involved in the Step to It
Challenge which is sponsored by Hennepin County.
Debbie Sperling stated that the program started in 2003 but that this is the first year that we will be
involved in it. The purpose is to raise awareness of the health benefits of physical activity, create
community sprit, and get folks walking, running, biking on sidewalks, parks and trails. It came to our
attention when Hennepin County contacted the Minnetonka/Hopkins Recreation Department.
The other cities that are participating are; Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley,
Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, Osseo, Robbinsdale, and St. Louis Park.
The Minnesota Twins join Hennepin County and the participating cities as proud sponsors of the 2009
Step to it Challenge. The Twins will honor the 10 participants who log the n10st steps from each City.
The Twins will also give away a four-pack of tickets to five families from each City that finishes with
the most steps.
Minnetonka/Hopkins Recreation Department put on a Community Health and Fitness Expo on April 19th
from 1 :00 to 4:00 pm at the Lindberg Center. This was the first year for this event. Pedometers and
water bottles were handed out to those that came to the booth. Registration will start on May 1 st and the
event will take place from May 18th - June 14th.
Mayor Maxwell suggested having a thank you party to all who registered and took part in this event. He
suggested that it could be done the first night of the Music in the Park.
Other:
Council member Rowan stated that he received a call from a youth minister at West Oaks.
He stated that it would be a good idea to get the youth from the churches to do senior
assistance. Mayor Maxwell also suggested that they could help clean up the creek and parks
as well as other buildings within the City.
Council member Halverson inquired about people walking around the neighborhoods and
wondering if they are census people. City Manager Getschow stated that she is the census
person and she is checking addresses.
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Council member Brausen inquired when the last time we reviewed city attorney services.
Mayor Maxwell stated that he thought it was 2-3 years ago. City Manager Getschow stated
that he will check into it.
· Mayor Maxwell stated that he received a call about an off-sale liquor store acquiring the
Baker's Square property. City Mnager Getschow stated that City Clerk Obermaier also
received a call and expressed concern with this potential license proposal.
· City Manager Getschow stated that the last update included information about the need for a
new roof on part of City Hall. It will be a revision to the CIP so he is asking council to take a
look at this.
· City Manager Getschow also stated that there will be a council work session at the Plaza
Apartments in June - the site of our rental community engagement project. An Earth
Day event was held there in April and another event will be held in May regarding
recreational opportunities.
· City Manager Getschow also stated that Judy Reinhar will be resigning as Chair of the
Human Rights Commission. She will continue as a Commission member. The next
Commission meeting in May will focus on the discussion of installing a new Chair.
With no further business, a motion was made by Y ouakim, seconded by Brausen to adjourn the meeting.
The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm.
Debbie Sperling, Secretary
ATTE~~ft~~
Eugene J. Ma well, Mayor