Memo - LRT Station Study/Discussion; BeardMEMO
To: Hopkins City Council and Zoning & Planning Commission
From: lk Tara Beard, Community Development Coordinator
Date: July 28, 2009
Subject: Southwest LRT Station Area Master Planning Update
As you are aware, two County -led initiatives are currently underway for the Southwest Light
Rail Transit line planned through Hopkins: A Station Area Master Plan and a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Both of these plans build on previous work, but are
still broad in scope. A public open house is planned for August l l to share the progress of
these initiatives. The Station Area Master Plan process is coming to an end, and this open house
will be the last public meeting before the plan is completed. The DEIS will wrap up at the end of
this year, and the open house will serve as an opportunity for an update and to answer questions.
Tonight's worksession will provide an opportunity to discuss any significant changes or issues in
the Station Area Master Plan process that have come up since the last LRT update to City
officials.
First, there has been ongoing discussion of the street infrastructure needed to access the Shady
Oak Station. Hay Dobbs, consultant for the Station Area Planning, will be presenting the current
infrastructure proposal. Issues that will be addressed in the worksession discussion include the
design/layout of the infrastructure, including possible phased development, and a dialogue about
how such infrastructure costs might be planned for. Other Shady Oak Station topics to discuss
are the location of the Park and Ride, and land uses at the Minnetonka/Hopkins border.
Secondly, the Downtown Station requires follow up discussion about parking, including whether
or not a Park and Ride would be provided and if so, where it would be located. The parking
concerns of neighboring uses will also be discussed. Land uses south of the Downtown Station
have not been addressed in the Station Area Plan at this point, and input on this is sought as well.
Finally, redevelopment around this station is the most crucial, and further discussion about land
banking, use of TIF, and other redevelopment strategies will be addressed.
There have been no major issues or changes to Blake Rd Station Plans, although between the
County, Hay Dobbs, and City Staff we are happy to address any questions about that station as
well.