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Agenda - City of Hopkins/City of Mtka - Joint Council MeetingCity of Hopkins /City of Minnetonka Joint Council Meeting Shady Oak Light Rail Transit Station Tuesday, January 12, 2009 6:30 p.m. Hopkins Fire Station 101 -17 th Avenue S. AGENDA I. Introductions II. Overview of Southwest LRT Line (Alignment, Timeline & Process) III. Brief Overview of Hopkins & Minnetonka Stations IV. Detailed Overview of Shady Oak Station a. Properties in Redevelopment Area 1. Zoning 2. Land Use — Comprehensive Plan Information b. Hay Dobbs Plan 1. Process 2. Plan c. City Issues 1. Next Steps 2. Infrastructure Planning 3. Public Financing V. Discussion Questions VI. Adjourn There may be a quorum of planning commissioners present from the city of Minnetonka or the city of Hopkins. City Council Study Session Item #1 Meeting of January 12, 2010 Brief Description: Southwest Light Rail — Shady Oak Station Introduction As the reality of light rail approaches, the cities along the route will be considering many redevelopment issues. The purpose of the joint meeting is to have discussion about those issues and to determine the next steps in the process, specific to the Shady Oak Station. This report contains general information about overall light rail planning, city specific information about land use, and the next steps to consider for planning the infrastructure related to the Shady Oak light rail station. Background The locally preferred alternative for the southwest light rail alignment, 3A, was adopted by the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority in November of 2009. It now moves to the Metropolitan Council for a final decision. After the decision, the "new starts" application will be made to the Federal Transit Administration. The significance of the particular alignment for the Shady Oak station is that the line will turn and head south, instead of being located within existing right of way. In addition to having the preferred alternative process completed, the environmental review is also close to completion. This will come in the form of the DEIS, or draft environmental impact statement. This is expected to occur in 2010. The final environmental impact statement will be completed during preliminary engineering, which is expected to begin after the new starts application is made to the Federal Transit Administration. Actual construction of the line is expected to occur in 2013/14 and the line would potentially be operational in 2015. Brief Overview of Hopkins & Minnetonka Stations There are two stations in Minnetonka, one of which is shared with the city of Hopkins, the Shady Oak Station. The other station is located within the Opus Business Park. The Opus station is very different in that it is more employment focused and the circuitous nature of the streets within the park do not make the station well suited for a major park and ride location. The Opus station is also adjacent to one, large 13 acre parcel of land which allows easier redevelopment of the property. Hopkins has two stations in addition to the Shady Oak Station. The Downtown Station is the destination station for Hopkins, and provides access to Mainstreet amenities such as housing, shopping, and the arts. Little or no parking for the Downtown Station is planned. The Blake Road Station, east of HWY 169, is in the heart of the Blake Road Corridor which hopes to build on recent efforts at revitalization and redevelopment. A park and ride facility is planned here, as well as transit oriented development including housing and office uses, with some neighborhood serving retail. City Council Study Session January 12, 2010 Page 2 Detailed Overview of Shady Oak Station The Shady Oak Station has the potential of being a very convenient park and ride location and major hub for bicycle. commuters from the west. The proposed plans in this area envision a 350 car parking ramp. This estimate is subject to change depending on the other station plans and availability of parking. The existing land uses are very industrial in nature flanked on the outer perimeter with retail /commercial. The high visibility on Shady Oak Road and Excelsior Boulevard allows the property to be a destination for commuters. The challenge with the site is that the station area is setback off Excelsior Boulevard approximately % mile. Another challenge is the timing of the road and utility improvements as well as a major building removal to align 17 Avenue in order to access the station. It seems that in this station area, the challenge of infrastructure is unique in that typically redevelopment would determine the majority of the infrastructure. The station separation from the major roadways has caused city staff to contemplate an approach that begins with infrastructure planning. a. Properties in Redevelopment Area — near the transit station The Minnetonka side of the station area consists of approximately 17 parcels of land, which are owned by approximately 12 property owners. There are 16 buildings on the properties. The size of the area is 31.3 acres. The current land value is approximately 15.5 million dollars. The Hopkins side includes 5 parcels, owned by 4 property owners. There are 6 buildings on the properties. The current property value is 20.7 million dollars. These parcels are all north of the transit corridor, border Excelsior Boulevard, and are expected to receive market pressure for redevelopment sooner than properties to the south of the corridor. When infrastructure in the area is finalized, access to the station from the southern properties may impact this assumption. An overall map of the properties in the development area, along with the owner /business located on the property can be found on page A1. 1. Zoning Information Minnetonka. The existing zoning designation is 1 -1, Industrial and along the major roadways the property is B -2, business. Approximately, two years ago the city council rezoned property along Shady Oak Road from R -1 to 1 -1 to accommodate an existing excavation business in the area. Hopkins. The existing zoning designations in the area are predominately 1 -1 and 1 -2, Industrial. The properties north of the proposed LRT line from 11 Avenue to the city border have been guided for mixed -use in the City of Hopkins Comprehensive Plan. The requirements of the mixed -use zoning designation have not been adopted but generally will support transit - oriented development resulting in higher densities, City Council Study Session January 12, 2010 Page 3 significant attention paid to pedestrian amenities and connections, shared parking, and a mix of uses that support transit ridership. It is anticipated that these properties will be re -zoned to mixed -use in 2010. 2. Vision —Land Use Minnetonka. The 2030 plan identifies this area as one of several neighborhood village centers throughout the city where redevelopment is encouraged. It recognizes that the future LRT may initiate more interest in mixed -use and high density redevelopment. The land use designation for this area is mixed use. The plan identifies that there was a station area planning process occurring so that the plan could be amended, if the city was accepting of the outcome of that plan. Additionally, Minnetonka has established several criteria that are expected when redevelopment of this area is initiated. This includes coordination of access to improve safety, inclusion of appropriate transit oriented development design techniques, buffering /screening of adjacent residential neighborhoods, consolidation of access, and pedestrian /bicycle connections and facilities. Because of the initial station area planning work, which included public outreach, the next step in the planning process would continue be to create a specific master plan for this area. Hopkins. In anticipation of the Shady Oak Station, the Hopkins comprehensive plan update anticipates transit oriented development including housing and office uses. Retail geared toward park and ride commuters and basic neighborhood services for residents is envisioned, but destination retail that may compete with Downtown Hopkins will be avoided. Improved connections from the Shady Oak Station to Downtown Hopkins will be pursued to encourage connections between the station area and Mainstreet. a. Hay Dobbs Plan — within % mile of station 1. Process The planning process for the station area included property owners in the area. There were several sessions with small groups and then two larger open houses where residents and businesses were invited to provide their feedback. The outcome of the plans did reflect a lot of those discussions. 2. Plan Page A2 shows the conceptual site plan drawn as part of the Hay Dobbs station area study. As described in the Hay Dobbs Plan, transformation is the key idea behind the planning for the Shady Oak Station area. This 30 -year plan seeks to support the introduction of a variety of uses within the study area. Tree lined boulevards linking Excelsior Boulevard to the station will connect housing, retail and service related jobs. A large Park - and -Ride facility is envisioned near the station and new office uses are suggested south of the station as a buffer to the remaining light industrial uses. A strong residential community that is connected to trails and other amenities is suggested within walking distance to the station. Higher density is proposed near the station to capitalize City Council Study Session January 12, 2010 Page 4 on proximity to LRT. The plan also introduces uses that compliment rather than compete with the uses near downtown Hopkins and the Downtown Hopkins Station. The plan details were as follows: • 1800 new residential housing units • 47,546 square feet of new commercial development • 1,789,000 square feet of new mixed use development, including 1400 housing units • 848,175 square feet of new office space • 350 car park and ride b. City Issues 1. Next Steps The city staffs have discussed the challenges with this station and feel it is necessary to determine the infrastructure layout prior to additional private development interest or detailed design for the station. This exercise would provide a basic layout of systems for the area and estimate the dollars necessary for the construction. It will also clarify the needed public improvements from "betterments "' that have been discussed throughout the light rail process. The plan could help inform master planning of land use for the area. City staff members have already established an ad hoc work group. This group could continue to meet and check in with the respective councils. The first major update will be after the initial feasibility study. Staff could also ensure the public is kept informed through regular web site updates and potential open houses when appropriate. 2. Infrastructure Planning The major issue facing redevelopment of this area is the physical infrastructure components. Because redevelopment will occur over time, it is important to have a phased approach and understanding to the infrastructure construction. The major components would be roads, sewer /water, storm sewer, and bicycle /pedestrian connections. An important first step would be to evaluate, through an initial feasibility study, the following: • Existing infrastructure capacity • Range of costs for the improvements (primary for station area and secondary to accommodate development) • Verification of certain issues related to connectivity (i.e.17 Avenue and 5th Street) • Phasing of infrastructure "Betterments" is a term used to describe improvements that relate to the project but do no need to be in place for the train to operate and do not improve travel times. For example, if a community would like aesthetic improvements added to a station, that is a betterment and must be paid for with money outside the project. City Council Study Session January 12, 2010 Page 5 • Methodology of payment for the infrastructure 3. Public Financing for Improvements Minnetonka has been anticipating some public investment into the station areas as major infrastructure is planned. The city recently added light rail as part of its capital improvement program (unfunded) in the amount of $5,000,000 (for the two station areas). Hopkins has not identified LRT station improvements in the Capital Improvement Plan, primarily due to the uncertainty of the cost of infrastructure and "betterment' improvements that will be placed on the city. The City is hopeful that it can partner with the Metropolitan Council in providing incentives for development on the remnant parcels created by the acquisition of the Hopkins Tech Center property for access to the station platform. The Hennepin County Board established the Southwest LRT line corridor as a community works project at their December 8 th meeting. The community works designation is a comprehensive planning tool designed to assist in the coordination, planning, and effective use of multi - jurisdictional infrastructure and economic investments. With the help of city staff and others, county staff will present a scope of work within 90 days for this community works project. Discussion Questions • Do the members support the vision presented by the Hay Dobbs plan and the village planning process (Minnetonka)? • Are the councils comfortable with engaging in an initial feasibility study for infrastructure planning? Originated by: Elise Durbin, AICP, Minnetonka Community Development Supervisor Julie Wischnack, AICP, Minnetonka Community Development Director Tara Beard, AICP, Hopkins Community Development Coordinator Kersten Elverum, Hopkins Director of Planning and Development HAY DOBBS STATION AREA STUDY CONCEPUTAL SITE PLAN A2 Shady Oak Station January 12, 2010 Joint Study Session