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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 05-03-2012CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO May 3, 2012 EVENTS/MEETINGS Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) Agenda 05/09/12.............................................................. Page 1 Park & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Agenda 05/10/12 ................................................. Page 2 May, June and July 2012 Official City Meeting Calendars................................................................. Page 3 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 6 MCWD Chelsea Woods/Mews Stream Restoration neighborhood site meeting 05/01/12 .................. Page 7 MCWD Public Hearing RE: purchase of 0.14 acres, 05/10/12............................................................ Page 8 CORRESPONDENCE Letter to Property Owners RE: Home Occupation License for Martin Janowak (2012025) ............... Page 9 Letter from MN Dept. of Transportation RE: status of I-494 congestion relief project .................... Page 12 Letter from WSB RE: Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane extension analysis ............................................. Page 14 Letter from Board of Water & Soil Resources RE: spot check of Administration of WCA ............. Page 42 Letter from MN Pollution Control Agency RE: petroleum storage tank release investigation.......... Page 46 Letter from SCS RE: HOME Program grant................................................................................... Page 48 Letter to Property Owners RE: variance request by David Schneider (2012027) ............................. Page 49 Three Rivers Park District 2010 Vision Plan.................................................................................... Page 50 New security screening at suburban Hennepin courts intercepts dozens of items, Star Tribune ...... Page 54 Checking In? Plymouth may want to see ID, Star Tribune............................................................... Page 55 Weather — Extreme Trends, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District ................................................... Page 57 Rep. Jennifer Loon reviewing fiscal disparities tax program, Eden Prairie News ............................ Page 59 Writing Effective "Findings of Fact", Minnesota Cities................................................................... Page 61 It's quiet at the MN Valley Refuge, Star Tribune.............................................................................. Page 62 MINUTES Approved Minutes, Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) 03/22/12 ................................. Page 66 Approved Minutes, Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Special Meeting 04/10/12...... Page 75 Approved Minutes, Planning Commission 04/18/12........................................................................ Page 77 Notes from meeting with Three River Park District 04/17/12.......................................................... Page 80 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA May 9, 2012 WHERE: COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Environmental Quality Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Committee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 2. 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. 3. 7:15 P.M APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC members may add items to the agenda for discussion purposes or staff direction only. The EQC will not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 4. 7:20 P.M. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Floating Island Presentation (Derek Peterson) 5. 7:40 P.M. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve April 11, 2012, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes (Asche) 6. 7:30 P.M. GENERAL BUSINESS A. Shingle Creek Watershed 3rd Generation Plan (Polzin) B. EQC Sponsored Project (Asche) C. MPCA GreenStep Program (Asche) 7. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 8. FUTURE MEETINGS — June 13, 2012 9. 8:30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 rp)City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY DATE Et TIME: Thursday, May 10, 2012 LOCATION: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. OPEN FORUM: 4. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS (NON -ACTION ITEMS): 4a. Volunteer Program Presentation- Jackie Maas 4b. Playground Renovation Plan Presentation - Dan Heitke 4c. Yard Waste Site Operations Presentation - Paul Buck 4e. Update on the Emerald Ash Borer - Paul Buck 5. COMMISSION/STAFF UPDATE (NON ACTION ITEMS): 5a. Distribute Annual Report (hard copy) 5b. Land Acquisition Presentation - Neighborhood Park 5c. Plymouth Dog Park 5d. Up -coming Community/Special Events 6. NEW BUSINESS (ACTION ITEMS): 6a. Trail Projects - Table top discussion, review Et prioritization (hard copy provided at meeting) 7. ADJOURNMENT NEXT REGULAR MEETING - June 14, 2012 at the Plymouth Creek Center Page 2 r�Plymouth Adding Quality to Life May 2012 Page 3 1 5:00 PM 2 7:00 PM 3 7:00 PM 4 5 SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING COMMISSION COMMITTEE Development Tour MEETING MEETING With Planning Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room Commission Meet at City Hall 6 7 8 7:00 PM 9 7:00 PM 10 7:00 PM 11 12 8:00 AM -1:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK Et REC Plymouth MEETING QUALITY ADVISORY Fire Department Council Chambers COMMITTEE COMMISSION Annual Waffle (EQC) MEETING (PRAC) MEETING Breakfast Council Chambers Council Chambers Fire Station 3 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:30 AM -2:00 PA COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING DROP OFF DAY Council Chambers Plymouth Maintenance Facility 20 21 22 23 7:00 PM 24 7:00 PM 25 26 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room MEETING COMMITTEE ON Council Chambers TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake Room 27 28 29 30 31 MEMORIAL DAY Observed CITY OFFICES CLOSED Page 3 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life June 2012 Modified on 05103112 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL PARK ft REC MEETING QUALITY ADVISORY Council Chambers COMMITTEE COMMISSION (EQC) MEETING (PRAC) MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 7:00 PM 8:OOAM 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH 7:00 PM MUSIC IN REGULAR COUNCIL ADVISORY HRA MEETING PLYMOUTH MEETING COMMITTEE ON Medicine Lake Room 5K FUN RUN Council Chambers TRANSIT (PACT) Hilde Performance STUDY SESSION Center Medicine Lake Room Modified on 05103112 Page 4 r�Plymouth Adding Quality to Life July 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5:00 PM MUSIC IN INDEPENDENCE PLYMOUTH DAY Hilde Performance Center CITY OFFICES CLOSED CANCELLED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 8 9 10 7:00 PM 11 12 13 14 REGULAR 7:00 PM COUNCIL MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE Council Chambers (EQC) MEETING Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 7:00 PM 19 20 21 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 22 23 24 7:00 PM 25 7:00 PM 26 7:00 PM 27 28 REGULAR PLYMOUTH HRA MEETING COUNCIL MEETING ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) STUDY SESSION Medicine Lake Room 29 30 31 Modified on 05103/12 Page 5 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items May 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Fire Department Annual Report June 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce 5k Run on June 30 and Music in Plymouth on July 3 June 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce 5k Run on June 30 and Music in Plymouth on July 3 July 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Appoint election judges for State Primary Election • Announce "Night to Unite" on August 7 July 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers August 14, Regular, 8:00 p.m., Council Chambers August 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers September 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve 2013 proposed budgets, preliminary tax levies and budget hearing date September 25, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Announce Plymouth on Parade on September 29 October 9, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Appoint additional election judges for the General Election October 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers November 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Canvass 2012 General Election results November 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers December 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Page 6 Affik MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DiSTRlCT 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard Deephaven, MN 55391 Chelsea Mews/Woods Stream Restoration Project :y>t 0'-J 162'2538? Cw7 $0.322 u� r) i'�`•:T r''� r4 i _!7117['111 LL Vi Doran Cote, Public Works Director City 0f Ply .. �":: 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, NIN 55447 For More Information Contact: Renae Clark, Project Manager Phone, (952) 641-4520 E -Mail: rclark@minnehahacrQek:brgi,f„l.,i,i ,li,,,i.,Jill„1{„i,,,i.0,i„I,i. ,.i,!! Neighborhood Site Meeting Tuesday, May 1, 4:30 p.m. 18th Avenue Stream Crossing Construction Schedule April 30 - Work begins (Tree removal, grading, rock replacement, seeding, planting) June 1 - Work substantially complete Contact Renae-Clark--i Project -Manager (952) 641-4510 rclark@minnehahacreek.org MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT Chelsea Woods/Mews Stream Restoration Construction to begin April 30 In partnership with the City of Plymouth, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District will begin construction April 30 to restore an eroded stream channel at the location of 18th Avenue between Yuma Lane and Zanzibar Lane. As previously communicated in public informational meetings: • Approximately 38 trees will be removed near the channel banks • Channel slopes will be shaped and stabilized using bioengineering and boulders • Rocks will line the channel bottom to reduce the velocity of water • Shrubs and trees will be planted Minnesota Native Landscapes has been contracted to perform the work to restore the stream channel. Page 7 MINNEHAHA CREEK j The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is committed to a leadership role in protecting, improving and managing the surface waters and affiliated groundwater resources within the District, including their relationships to the ecosystems of which they are an integral part. We achieve our mission through regulation, capital projects, education, cooperative endeavors, and other programs based on sound science, innovative thinking, an informed and engaged constituency, and the cost effective use of public funds. QUALITY OF WATER April 27, 2012 Manager Laurie Ahrens City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Ahrens, WATERSHED DISTRICT QUALITY OF LIFE " J �.�. APR 2 b On Thursday, May 10, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) Board of Managers will hold a public hearing concerning the purchase of approximately 0.14 acres located at 1308 Lake St. NE., Hopkins. The cost of the acquisition is $185,000 to be financed by Hennepin County bond proceeds with repayment through the MCWD's watershed tax levy. Approximately 4.19% of the ad valorem costs will be allocated to Carver County and 95.81% of the ad valorem costs will be allocated to Hennepin County. This acquisition is part of the MCWD's Land Conservation and Restoration Program, which works with other local units of government, private business and residents to protect water quality and ecological resources within the MCWD. The hearing will be held at the MCWD Lower Level Meeting Room, 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, MN 55391. If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please call James Wisker at 952.641.4509. Sincerely, James Wisker Director of Planning, Projects & Land Conservation 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, MN 55391 0 Office: (952) 471-0590 • Fax: (952) 471-0682 • www.minneha-tt�e ek.org rp)City of Plymouth uz -. Adding Quality to Life April 27, 2012 SUBJECT: HOME OCCUPATION LICENSE FOR MARTIN JANOWAK TO ALLOW A MASSAGE THERAPY/LIFE BALANCE COACHING BUSINESS OUT OF THE HOME (2012025) Dear Property Owner; This letter is written to inform you that Martin Janowak, under file 2012025, is requesting a home occupation license to operate a massage therapy/life balance coaching business out of the home located at 6125 Ives Lane North. A letter requesting the license is attached. A home occupation license may be approved administratively. If you would like to comment on this proposal, please fill out the attached project description page and return it to the city in the enclosed self-addressed envelope no later than May 11, 2012. While a formal public hearing is not required, city regulations require that property owners be notified of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. Information related to the application as submitted by the petitioner is available for review at City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays, except holidays. If you have any questions you may call Senior Planner Marie Darling (763) 5095457. Sincerely, 9M14�-k W Barbara G. Thomson, AICP Planning Manager 0APLA"0TICESSMinor Variances_I1TOP12012=2025 Janowak HOL nolicc.docx 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota qiy p� RlaPle Gry Vp 61.1 Ave 55W-1482 Tel: 0 • www.ci.ptyffi`o—u—tFmn.us Page 9 Written Description of the Proposed Use and How the Use Would Conform RMS Wellness LLC provides CranioSacral Therapy and Life Balance Coaching services. Craniosacral Therapy is a form of bodywork and thus requires a Massage Therapy License issued by the City of Plymouth. Once the Home Occupation Permit is approved Martin J. Janowak/RMS Wellness LLC will submit an application for a Massage Therapy Certificate License. Martin J. Janowak currently has a full time (40f hour a week) job as a licensed Professional Engineer and works as a Senior Electrical Engineer at Ulteig in Minneapolis. The RMS Wellness LLC business and associated skill set is a planned career change that is spanning two decades. Martin started massage therapy training in September 2006 and graduated with a 600 -hour certificate in Massage Therapy in May 2007. He has continued his education by attending workshops and seminars. He also teacher assists Upledger Institute workshops. The original goal was to fully transition into the new career this year, 2012. However, his wife had 2 children, one being born in 2007 and the other being born in 2009 and a new goal had to be set. The family decision was that one parent stay home and raise the kids. Mr. Janowak recently moved to Plymouth, MN. The past year has been spent getting settled. The new goal is to develop and maintain a small clientele until his kids enter school and his wife, Diane returns to work. Mr. Janowak would like to develop and host clients in the evening and weekends. The weekday clients could start as early as 1 p.m. and will end prior to the 10 p.m. deadline. The weekend clients would start after 7 a.m. and end prior to 10 p.m. The General Provisions will now be addressed individually. 1. RMS Wellness will not produce light, glare, noise, odor, or vibration. RMS Wellness uses dim lighting, soft music, and normal talking voices when providing its services. 2. RMS Wellness will not create electrical interference. RMS Wellness uses a standard off- the-shelf computer and PC speakers to generate the soft music. The heating blanket is also a standard off-the-shelf product. 3. Home occupation is incidental and secondary to the residential use. The premises will not be changed at all. 4_ There will be no internal or external alterations. There will be no construction for the purposes of RMS Wellness. 5. RMS Wellness LLC will meet all applicable fire and building codes. 6. There will be no sign anywhere. 7. RMS Wellness LLC will comply with the provisions of the city nuisance ordinance. 8. RMS Wellness LLC will not perform massage services between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. 9. RMS Wellness LLC does not sell commodities. 10. RMS Wellness LLC uses about 4% of the total floor space. The studio is located in the basement. The basement is mostly finished. Please refer to attached floor plans. 1 i _ RMS Wellness LLC does not own, rent, or lease commercial vehicles. RMS Wellness LLC does not need to store any large equipment. It only stores a few bottles of massage gel in a cabinet inside the studio. 12. RMS Wellness LLC does not require external storage. 13. RMS Wellness LLC services will be conducted entirely within th The "Specific Requirements" will now be addressed individually. 1. Martin J. Janowak, property fee owner and applicant, will be the only person providing massage therapy or life balance coaching services from this location. 2. RMS Wellness is a massage therapy business. 3. RMS Wellness does not require equipment not found in a home. 4. RMS Wellness will only need a maximum of two street parking spots and only on days where one client is arriving and one client is departing. Therefore two spots are only necessary for about 5 to 10 minutes. There is a bump out to the driveway that clients can use as necessary so as to not park on the street. 5. RMS Wellness will not have more than 10 appointments per day. Page 11 ��ti1iESpTq ° Zo Minnesota Department of Transportation p Q pf�pN°1 395 John Ireland Boulevard Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155-1899 April 30, 2012 Senator Terri Bonoff 133 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1206 Dear Senator Bonoff: This letter contains an update you requested on the status of the 1-494 congestion relief project from Trunk Highway 55 to 1-94. Thanks to your leadership and that of Rep. Anderson, it looks like we have general agreement with stakeholders, including the city of Plymouth, on a path to providing congestion relief for commuters in this corridor. Hopefully, this agreement is evidence of a general understanding of the need to pursue innovative solutions for urban congestion. Moving forward with a complete evaluation of a managed lane approach for congestion relief in this corridor is a critical step to addressing the long standing and growing congestion problem. Managed lane strategies provide the best opportunity for affordable solutions to peak period congestion and should position this improvement for funding much sooner than more conventional and more expensive investment proposals. The process for moving forward is: MnDOT will undertake a study of adding a managed lane for long term peak period congestion relief. This managed lane approach could include electronic overhead signs, advisory lane speed limits, limits to lane availability, and a dynamically priced MnPASS lane. This concept would be developed with stakeholder input and funding for construction of this improvement, likely more than $50M, will be sought for this approach. MnDOT recently received a letter from the city of Plymouth requesting MnDOT to undertake this study. With current funding available for studies, Metro hopes to have this study underway sometime next year. MnDOT is also currently evaluating what could be done in the short term to establish temporary use of the right shoulders during peak traffic periods as an interim solution for congestion relief. The availability of the shoulders would be designated by roadside signs indicating hours when the shoulders would be open to traffic. Part of the evaluation will include working with FHWA to resolve concerns with this concept, but early indications are that they will support it. Only a small amount of funding has been identified for this project to date, so additional funding will need to be secured. Additional layout development and plan preparation will need to be done, but the project could be ready for construction in 2014. Page 12 An equal opportunity employer You have asked about expanding the scope of the construction that will begin on that stretch this summer to include work to allow use of the right shoulders, but unfortunately that is not possible. The work to be done is primarily a thin resurfacing and the construction plans would have to undergo extensive revisions, delaying the project and probably making it too expensive to undertake this construction season. Thank you again for your help in moving the dialogue concerning investments in this corridor to this position. Please let me know if you have questions or would like additional information. Sincerely, Thomas K. Sorel Commissioner c: Scott McBride, Metro District Engineer Representative Sarah Anderson Kelli Slavik, Mayor of Plymouth Page 13 A WSB S &Assoc Engineering ■ Planning ■ Environmental ■ Construction 701 Xenia Avenue South Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Tel: 763-541-4800 Fax: 763-541-1700 Memorandum To: Doran Cote, PE Public Works Director, City of Plymouth From: Jupe Hale, PE Date: May 1, 2012 Re: Analysis of Proposed Typical Section Peony LaneI Lawndale Lane Extension City of Plymouth Project No. 10015 Summary and Conclusion At the direction of City staff, WSB & Associates analyzed the proposed typical section of the Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, including the potential for adding on -street bicycle facilities to the section. Vehicle factors considered as part of the analysis were capacity, safety and design consistency. Bicycle factors considered were safety, connectivity/consistency and benefit. It is our conclusion that a four -lane divided section without on -street bicycle facilities is the most appropriate section for the Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane extension. It is important to note that the conclusion regarding on -street bicycle lanes pertains to the ultimate configuration of the roadway. Should interim construction not provide an off-street bicycle facility, the potential for sizing the roadway shoulder for bicycle use should be considered. Background WSB and the City are currently in the process of finalizing the preliminary design (alternative alignment selection) and Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the extension of Peony Lane from Schmidt Lake Road north to the City boundary with Maple Grove, where it is the Lawndale Lane alignment. The City Comprehensive Plan shows the roadway as a future A - minor arterial, which corresponds to a posted speed of 35-45 mph. Previous study for the corridor indicated a 45 mph design speed and four -lane divided section with a multi -use trail along the east side and a sidewalk along the west side. Figure 1 shows the originally -proposed section graphically. Figure 1 Minneapolis ■ St. Cloud Equal Opportunity Employer p G K:W2484-U W4ii7mwllk�cslMEt�'1��19aMi�.� tV MEMORANDUM Typical Section Analysis Peony LanelEawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 2 At the initiation of the study, City Council directed staff to analyze the inclusion of on -street bicycle facilities, in accordance with the incremental approach described in the City Transportation Plan Section C.1, "On -Street Bike Lanes for Commuters". In addition, City staff and WSB felt that a full analysis of the typical section was warranted with respect to the necessity and expense of a four -lane divided section. Vehicle Capacity The forecast volume in the City Transportation Plan for this segment of roadway is 10,400 vpd. However, the most recent Hennepin County Transportation System Plan shows the proposed roadway becoming a segment of a County regional connection between US 12 and I-94. In addition, while existing volumes in the area suggest that 10,400 may be accurate, the current lack of a convenient north -south connection and the significant quantity of undeveloped land suggest that existing volumes may not convey an accurate picture of future volumes. For planning purposes, 10,400 vpd is a reasonable forecast, but with potential to be somewhat larger. Planning -level roadway capacities within the City are shown in Table 6A-4, excerpted from the 2008 City of Plymouth Transportation Plan (row numbers added to aid discussion). The definition of capacity as shown in the table is the daily volume of traffic that can be served at an acceptable level of service. Based on the planned land use in the area and the nature of the connecting roadways, the Peony Lane / Lawndale Lane Extension will be an urban section, and it is classified as an A -minor arterial. Therefore, the possibilities for the typical section are limited to the rows numbered 1-4 in the table. I 2 3 4 TABLE 6A-4 PLANNING -LEVEL ROADWAY CAPACITIES BY FACILITY TYPE The forecast volume for the Peony Lane / Lawndale Lane Extension is slightly more than a two- lane urban roadway can accommodate. The remaining possibilities (numbers 2-4), can more than adequately serve the forecast volumes for this corridor. Therefore, from a capacity standpoint, the three -lane section, the four -lane undivided section and the four -lane divided section can all accommodate the forecast volumes at an acceptable level of service. K:1020so-oomAdmiii\D c % �['l§g` oll.&5c Two-lane undivided urban 8,000-10,000 10,000 Two-lane undivided rural 14,000-15,000 15,000 Three -lane urban (two-lane divided with turn lanes) 14,000-17,000 17,000 Four -lane undivided urban 18,000-22,000 22,000 Five -lane urban ({aur -lane divided with turn lanes) 28,000-32,000 32,000 Four -lane divided rural 35,000-38,000 38,000 Four-Iane freeway 60,000-80,000 80,000 Six-Iane freeway 90,000-120,000 120,000 The forecast volume for the Peony Lane / Lawndale Lane Extension is slightly more than a two- lane urban roadway can accommodate. The remaining possibilities (numbers 2-4), can more than adequately serve the forecast volumes for this corridor. Therefore, from a capacity standpoint, the three -lane section, the four -lane undivided section and the four -lane divided section can all accommodate the forecast volumes at an acceptable level of service. K:1020so-oomAdmiii\D c % �['l§g` oll.&5c '0 MEMORANDUM Typical Section Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 3 Vehicle Safety The safety characteristics of the three cross-sections that have sufficient capacity are quite different. The crash rates, severity rates and fatality rates for each cross-section type are summarized in Table 1. Table 1 Safety Characteristics of Alternative Cross -Sections Cross Section Crash Rate' Severity Rate''2 Fatality Rate''Z Three -Lane 2.8 4.0 0.0 Four -lane Undivided 5.1 7.0 1.0 Four -lane Divided 3.9 5.4 0.8 'Rates shown are per million vehicle miles 2 Severity and Fatality Rates weight the crash rate to reflect severity. These rates reflect not only frequency of crashes, but level ofseverity in a general sense. From a safety standpoint, the three -lane cross-section has the best safety statistics, followed by the four -lane divided cross-section. The four -lane undivided section has much higher crash rates, severity rates and fatality rates than either the three -lane or the four -lane divided section. The key element that the three -lane and four -lane divided section have in common is that they provide right -and left turn lanes to get the turning traffic out of the through traffic lanes. We recommend that turn lanes be provided at the public intersections on Peony Lane, and that private access points be restricted to right -in and right -out. A hybrid possibility exists for the corridor, generally described as a four -lane undivided section, with periodic widening for striped turn lanes at side street accesses. However, assuming that side street access will be at approximately quarter -mile spacing, the side streets will be approximately 1320 feet apart from each other. In order to accommodate lane shifting, turn lane transitions, and turn lane storage lengths, total length needed to add turn lanes on both sides of a side street access would be approximately 1000 feet, leaving approximately 300 feet of four -lane undivided between accesses. In addition, the largely undivided nature of the hybrid approach does not allow for restriction of private access points. x:wzasa-aamn�tur_u��r�gi�e�-� MEMORANDUM: Typical Section Analysis Peony Lcane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 4 Design Consistency Generally -accepted roadway design practice is to provide consistency within a corridor whenever possible. A road is intuitively safer if the driver is not concerned with unexpected lane merges and shifts, as they are more able to focus on the surrounding environment. Ideally, the typical section of the Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension would be consistent with the roads it connects to on either end. Figure 2 depicts the existing lane configurations along the CSAH 101/Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane/Dunkirk Lane/Maple Grove Parkway corridor, from TH 12 in Wayzata to I-94 in Maple Grove. Along the length of the corridor, the section varies between four -lane divided and four -lane undivided. There are no segments of three -lane section, and there is one section currently striped as a two-lane road, but constructed to a four -lane undivided width. In addition, the immediately connecting sections are different: four -lane divided at the south, and (future) four -lane undivided on the north. It is clear that a three -lane section would be inconsistent with the rest of the corridor. But neither the overall corridor nor the immediate connection points give a strong indication for a divided or undivided sections. Bicycle Safety Generally, principal arterials and A -minor arterials are not identified as preferred locations for on -street bicycle lanes, due to the higher design speeds and intended higher vehicle capacities of these roadways. The design speed of 45 mph for the Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension confirms this general approach. Bicycle Connectivity and Consistency While an incremental approach to on -street bicycle facilities is appropriate in the context of budgetary constraints and convenience of construction, an important factor to consider is whether they make sense in the broader context of a bicycle system and future plans. As stated previously, the City has no formal plan for future on -street facilities, preferring to analyze each potential construction project for Four Lane Divided ammmman Four Lane Undivided "19291mr-an Future Four Lane Undivided (Currrently Striped as Two -Lane) Figure 2 K:wzuao-oamadmawo�� D��xu�.� MEMORANDUM: Typical Section Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 i May 1, 2012 Page S potential to include them. At the south connection point, there are no existing on -street bicycle facilities for the entire corridor, all the way down to US 12 in Wayzata. Significant portions of the corridor are recently constructed, and there are a number of bridges and retaining wall sections along the corridor that will restrict the ability to add width to accommodate bicycle lanes. And last, south of TH 55, the CSAH 101 corridor is a Hennepin County designated bikeway utilizing off-street facilities for bicycles. Discussions with the City of Maple Grove yielded similar results: they have no formal plan, but generally do not consider on -street facilities for principal and A -minor arterials. In addition, they have recently constructed much of the Lawndale Lane corridor immediately north of the connection point, and have opted to accommodate bicycles on off-street facilities on one or both sides of the roadway. Benefit of On -Street Bicycle Facilities The Northwest Greenway plan indicates that a portion of the trail will parallel this extension between Schmidt Lake Road and County Road 47, and it is anticipated that the proposed multi- use trail on the east side will act as this segment. Since the multi -use trail is intended for pedestrians and other non -bicycle users as well, it cannot be reasonably replaced with on -street bicycle facilities. Therefore, the benefit of having both and on -street facility and an off-street facility does not justify additional project cost. Conclusion Thefour-lane divided section is the most logical section for the Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension. The estimated traffic volumes suggest the need for a three -lane or four -lane section, but considering the nature of the connecting roadways on either end, a four -lane section is consistent. Safety statistics clearly demonstrate the increased accident rates of an undivided four -lane section versus divided, and a hybrid section {undivided with turn lanes added at access points} requires a significant amount of space to develop the turn lanes. In the end, a hybrid section will closely resemble a four -lane divided section, except with lane shifting and an inability to limit driveway access to right in/right out. Bicycle facilities are recommended to be off-street. The clear decision to utilize off-street facilities on the connecting roadways to the north and south, the proposed 45 mph design speed, and the proposed multi -use trail along the east side as part of the Northwest Greenway are the primary reasons for this recommendation. [LW20fi0-WI11Admin4�n�c5AfL•R4l�iQpLCIi7 A Memorandum To: Doran Cote, PE r r7 v, Public Works Director, City of Plymouth E From: Jupe Hale, PE Jack Corkle, PTP, AICP Date: May 1, 2012 Re: Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane /Lawndale Lane Extension City of Plymouth Project No. 10015 Introduction The City of Plymouth retained WSB & Associates to complete an environmental assessment worksheet, preliminary design and final design for the extension of Peony Lane from Schmidt Lake Road to the City's northern limits, where it connects to the existing Lawndale Lane corridor. The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize and document the analysis of four potential alignment alternatives. Project Overview His The City of Plymouth has been planning for the eventual development of the northwestern portion of the City for a number of years. The City's comprehensive plan has evaluated a number of land use scenarios and transportation improvements for this area. One of the key transportation improvements identified for the area was the northerly extension of Peony Lane to Lawndale Lane. As the rest of the community has mostly developed, it is time for the City to move forward with infrastructure improvements to serve the planned land uses for the area. A number of alternatives for the extension of Peony Lane have been developed throughout the years. Starting in 1995, the City began looking at five different alternatives. Following the study, the City reconstructed the portion of Peony Lane between TH 55 and just north of Schmidt Lake Road as a four -lane divided roadway with a bridge crossing the Canadian Pacific Page 1 Page 19 ww,,- WSB Infrastructure a Engineering ■ Planning ■ Construction 701 Xenia Avenue South & Associates, h,e. Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Tel: 763-541-4800 Fax: 763-541-1700 Memorandum To: Doran Cote, PE r r7 v, Public Works Director, City of Plymouth E From: Jupe Hale, PE Jack Corkle, PTP, AICP Date: May 1, 2012 Re: Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane /Lawndale Lane Extension City of Plymouth Project No. 10015 Introduction The City of Plymouth retained WSB & Associates to complete an environmental assessment worksheet, preliminary design and final design for the extension of Peony Lane from Schmidt Lake Road to the City's northern limits, where it connects to the existing Lawndale Lane corridor. The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize and document the analysis of four potential alignment alternatives. Project Overview His The City of Plymouth has been planning for the eventual development of the northwestern portion of the City for a number of years. The City's comprehensive plan has evaluated a number of land use scenarios and transportation improvements for this area. One of the key transportation improvements identified for the area was the northerly extension of Peony Lane to Lawndale Lane. As the rest of the community has mostly developed, it is time for the City to move forward with infrastructure improvements to serve the planned land uses for the area. A number of alternatives for the extension of Peony Lane have been developed throughout the years. Starting in 1995, the City began looking at five different alternatives. Following the study, the City reconstructed the portion of Peony Lane between TH 55 and just north of Schmidt Lake Road as a four -lane divided roadway with a bridge crossing the Canadian Pacific Page 1 Page 19 MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 2 Railroad. The project stopped just north of Schmidt Lake Road because there was not demand for the rest of the roadway at that time. Within the last 10 years, however, there has been growth near Schmidt Lake Road and near Lawndale Lane in the City of Maple Grove. The Maple Grove development is important because it is where the Peony/Lawndale Lane extension will connect. The City of Maple Grove has improved its portion of Lawndale Lane north of 63rd Avenue to a four -lane roadway width. Maple Grove will make improvements to the area south of 63rd Avenue once the City of Plymouth selects an alignment for its portion of Peony/Lawndale Lane. In 2010, the City of Plymouth began the process of reevaluating the potential extension alignments for Peony Lane north of Schmidt Lake Road. The timing for the extension has become more important, as this is the last large portion of the City that remains available for development. The study developed four potential alignments for the Peony Lane extension, including one identified by residents. The analysis, completed in 2011 and documented in Technical Memorandum dated March 15, 2011, suggested that Alignments 1 and 3 (discussed in Section 3) would both serve the City's long-term transportation and land use needs. The study also recommended that all four alignments should be further studied for more detailed environmental and transportation impacts. Today, the City is completing the additional analysis and environmental documentation. Schedule The current study and environmental documentation process began in February 2012, and is expected to be completed in August 2012 with an approved Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAV). The City also intends to complete final design for an interim roadway connection, anticipated to culminate in approved plans and specifications by the end of 2012. The current City Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) shows a 2014 construction year for the interim connection, with right-of-way acquisition anticipated to possibly occur as early as 2013. Funding Funding for the project is unknown at this time, and is listed as "Other" in the CIP. This allows for the City to potentially utilize a number of options to fund the project. One option would include using municipal state aid dollars (MSAS). MSAS funds come from the state and are used on roadways identified by the City as part of their state. aid network. Another option could include funding from Hennepin County. This option would be contingent upon Hennepin County taking jurisdiction of Peony/Lawndale Lane, and would likely include the City assuming jurisdiction over existing CSAH 101 north of TH 55 as well as CR 47. Another option could involve assessments to property owners; however the CIP does not indicate funding via assessments at this time. AIignment AIternatives As noted in the Project Overview, four alignments were reviewed. These alignments are shown in Figure 1, and are the same alignments that were developed as part of the 2010 study. All four alternatives assume a 45 mph design, an ultimate four -lane divided section, and a 120 -foot right of way footprint. Accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists (trail for ultimate build) were Page 2 Page 20 MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 3 assumed to be off-road for all four alternatives, as determined in the 2011 Technical Memorandum. A separate memorandum will document the ultimate roadway cross section (number of travel lanes, turn lanes, shoulders, trail, boulevard, etc.). Alignment 1: Alignment 1 is 1.54 miles long, and was originally developed with the concept of avoiding both significant wetland and floodplain impacts while preserving as much of the City - owned open space parcel as possible. It is shown in blue in Figure 1. Alignment 1 extends north of 54th Avenue on a corridor that is just west of the turn onto 54th Avenue. It continues northward for approximately 0.68 miles where it turns to the east/northeast. It continues in this direction until it curves slightly to connect into existing Lawndale Lane. Alignment 2: Alignment 2, shown in red, is the most westerly alignment. Alignment 2 is 1.54 miles long, and was proposed on the premise of minimizing the wetland, floodplain and open space impacts to the greatest extent possible. Alignment 2 extends north of 54th Avenue on a corridor that is just west of the turn onto 54th Avenue. It continues northward for approximately 0.85 miles, where it turns to the east/northeast. Just south of County Road 47 (Hackamore Rd) the alignment begins to straighten out. It intersects CR 47 at a skew just north of existing Lawndale Lane and then transitions onto Lawndale Lane. Alignment 3: Alignment 3 is 1.52 miles long, and is shown in purple. This is a slight modification to Alternative 1, with the idea of avoiding a total acquisition/relocation and reducing the remnant private parcels by slightly increasing the impact to the open space parcel. Alignment 3 extends north of 54th Avenue at about where 54th Avenue curves off of Peony Lane. It continues northward for approximately 0.58 miles where it turns to the east/northeast. It continues in this direction until it curves slightly to connect into existing Lawndale Lane. Alignment 4: Alignment 4, 1.47 miles long and shown in goldenrod, is the most easterly alignment. It was developed at the request of residents in order to more closely follow the existing Metropolitan Council trunk sewer line easement and the future Northwest Greeenway north of 54th Avenue, and minimize impacts to the private parcels. It holds a more northerly line from Peony Lane, then turns northeast more immediately before achieving the Lawndale Lane alignment, where it turns northward again. Page 3 Page 21 Peony Lane 1 Lawndale Lane Extension City of Plymouth, Minnesota Figure 1 Alternative AlWpppents MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony LanelLawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 4 Alternative Analysis Overview The alignments were evaluated against criteria in four areas: transportation, land use, environmental and preliminary costs. The details of the analysis in each area are discussed in the subsequent sections. The results are summarized for comparative purposes in Table 1, which is included near the end of the Memorandum in the Conclusions section. Transportation Factors Four different factors were used to evaluate the alignments in terms of transportation function. The factors included the length of the route and its associated travel time, access spacing, intersection geometries and multimodal connections. A. Travel Time Roadway length influences how long it takes drivers to get from one location to another. Roadways with a number of curves and shifts in alignment will take longer to drive than roadways that are straighter. Longer travel times may discourage people from taking the preferred route and may encourage them to go through a local neighborhood instead. This can negatively impact quality of life and safety for residents. To see if there were any significant differences between the alignments, travel times were calculated. Travel times assume a posted speed of 45 miles per hour. ■ Alignment 1: 1.54 miles of road with a travel time of 2.05 minutes ■ Alignment 2: 1.54 miles of road with a travel time of 2.05 minutes ■ Alignment 3: 1.52 miles of road with a travel time of 2.03 minutes ■ Alignment 4: 1.47 miles of road with a travel time of 1.96 minutes As shown above, the routes have similar travel times. The differences in route length are not anticipated to result in any diversions or cut -through traffic once development has taken place. B. Access The amount of access on a corridor influences both mobility and safety. Generally, corridors with more access have less mobility and are more likely to have higher crash rates. As a minor arterial, Peony Lane has to balance mobility and safety concerns with other demands on the corridor such as access. Public Streets The City has established quarter mile spacing for public street intersections and desires to limit direct driveway access to the extent possible. Figures 2-1 through 2-4 show existing public street and private driveway access locations relative to each alternative. In terms of existing public street access, all of the alignments would allow access at 54th Avenue and at CR 74 (Hackamore Road). Both of these access locations are consistent with the quarter mile spacing and would allow for adequately -spaced additional public street access locations in the future. Page 4 Page 23 WSB 1 City Owned Property (Open Space) Potential Historic Property nt S� a,: Parcel s1s '� '.+ •PondingArea 11 Wayzata i ¢ '? Easement F li��l Schib F { � k 1 Public :1 3111, :4 10 Approximate Future Street Access (D Private Driveway Access z , City Owned Open SpaceLL TE NPORARY' EAS£iffNT �{ r P t}i - .f:.f PROPOSED R/w r ~ .L_ 111 ' 1 � �POND L. - �1- '�+�s` • „ ' d; 'I .�°�r- �� _i� V 01 P - --- - —,— — — . POND -- .._.._..... r --''f.� TEMPORARY EASEMENT 1 : •z V IP ` PROPOSED R/11 CCi 9 �:.. ,. City Owned City Owned. 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YY_ VL7 -, ;l --♦ R. f ... .� AA {{ 1 s„ .lir -•.-:( 1 ! - - - � - k - " Ij City Owned Property (Open Space) Potential Historic Property Parcel Remnant ' PatioProposed Ponding k Wa zata Ikk Temporary i. 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FRapos° ! t ,(�, 1 � ctior� T F,FpORARY..✓ A ° RIO 1 - - EASEMENT _ �- nn j 4 3 POND s — �'�•'I rlTl e0 f1� ,3 ',Y'1. — .. -i- -., D_ - t' , .�. `�e .� a. _�'. ,+s ;, _ , if - ... - : -: � § - „ :: �ys, . 10-, •... „- - :,.: ..�,, ... ..• : ._ .- .,r: i✓ - -'4 'i•" - ' S`t Y m f .., <, t -s. ,9, .,s F -a:t. ,5T•L,. .. ,�. < -j , - R g p . !s R r� t • , .. _ r ter: ;:.. ,.., ,: ,i . I s, .=r, • - - , � [. �-, ; �`. :ti• �.. - .fir. t.F-. ��p -[ `$.- _ �;i.- s yr � ��' t � 1 ii x4 4 CONCEP SUBJECT TO C_}`:3 _ 4. f\ } a�,r s ,: :.'a... ,...- :r 'f - d 30 -.f,4 }.: 600 ft Peony Lane 1 Lawndale Lane Extensic aliIa9 VAIiiliP..TilkkW 1UrtVMeL LEGEND City Owned Properly (Open Space) 0 Potential Historic Properly ® Parcel Remnant Proposed Ponding Area nE �—�— iemporary Easement gh Q Public Street Access Approximate Future Street Access f. ' ,b- O Pnv ate Driveway Access r: TEMPORARY EASEMENT s. PROPOSED R/w"" POND i `, .. - - - r ",��'.,r,•"_- p 't fPONo e: .� >�. _7r, _ •, —,. —__ -- s , r 41 t City Owned A -5 � � .. '�.•. rail COw Oen .S ace 't' - i y• reed p P O en Space I •a. - - PROPOSED R/W� PONQ` rz A D �� R locAQn � 3 M EAspnaa;Y� �f 1n ! EMEN - _ �___ — —�� --- —. .—--,..—. PON \ � Y D a � 1 ' .. t '{i .- r; ...,. :. ::.. f C....x. >. _ :... f: ...-'- i. J. :t ., r .-.. -:.4 1 ..t' � •.�" -- -., :"' IIC.\f •1 1 F .YS, - -',..: ,- ,.: - r'`' •, � .i�.. -: -':mac D 'i i .i , • _ 4 4 x - -. .::.. e: �, �§:: �: ... � _.. .._ .. -': — - ..:,.- , - .. .. .,T. 't -.H= „s. � X74 r. ,. r,< 66 _ , rr' � �`€ e' ..� _ ,i .. sx3 ` f.: �X IVW. ,.-.: s� a � r=. *�`':. ..�, - - - - • - i„ nl?-hMN, �5 - - -}•°,• 'tit( _ � T -- .,A: ^ 9G'SFi is • k, 1 0`1 Tp� . ..].. .. =o. .:.. .. -fid>: .. .-,• .: '. r- '.y,,r?., _ w. _t r s e - _ 1.\ � .,'� 1� ..� �. �. s,. .. �"7.'--_c�a:«•. 1v' �,k: Y'�1: .5,. A'?n� .:� - 4 i Y, �i • - i t {� T' y F* t {: • _ -� - ,'1 : r 15 -a•��"" _'¢rt .."".:^` -'.a .1 g :s. rsr §' 30S�.-ft-: ..600 f+ ... ._._. _...,.. y .>;: tri• ,. .- - .. • ,: � � - - � '}. _ ',r@�� S t 1 I , p ■ Ir1[:§Mr. 11 MEm*'4 Wik'III Nlymouth, Minnesota Pronerty Imnacts Aflammnnt � MEMORUNDW- ,4lternatives.4nalysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 � May 1, 2012 Page S Private Driveways In terms of private driveways, there are four driveways serving residential uses on the paved portion of Lawndale Lane north of CR 47. South of CR 47, on the unpaved portion of Lawndale Lane, there are nine driveways. The driveways are inconsistent with City goals of limiting private driveway access. None of the alignments remove the private driveway access north of CR 47. The only option to address the driveway access north of CR 47 would be to construct a frontage road along the east side of Lawndale Lane. The homes north of CR 47 are set back far enough away from Lawndale Lane that a frontage road could fit. A single access point could be provided for all of these homes at the very north end of the project limits. This option would be feasible with any of the alternatives. It would require coordination with the City of Maple Grove and it would result in additional right of way acquisition and construction costs. The benefits of constructing a frontage road in this location are not likely to outweigh the costs at this time. South of CR 47, options are more limited. As the designs are currently proposed, there is no room for a frontage road between the homes and Alignments 1, 3 and 4. As a result, the existing driveways would remain in place until such time as redevelopment occurs. Alternately, Alignments 1, 3 and 4 could be shifted slightly to the west to allow for construction of a frontage road. Shifting the alignment to the west south of CR 47 would also require the intersection with CR 47 to shift west and a portion of Lawndale Lane north of CR 47 to shift west. This, in turn, would require lengthening of driveways, purchasing additional right of way and increasing construction costs. Alignment 2 is far enough away from the driveways south of CR 47 that a frontage road is required to be constructed and connected to the new Peony Lane, as shown in Figure 2-2. Under this alignment, all nine of the driveways south of CR 47 would have their direct access removed from the Peony Lane corridor. Alignment 2 provides the best opportunity to remove driveway access from the corridor with the project. However, given the potential for redevelopment in the area, it is likely that at least some of the driveways south of CR 47 could be removed from the corridor in the future. Removal of these driveways would benefit Alignments 1, 3 and 4. Driveway Circuity The existing parcels with driveways currently in the project area need to be served by the proposed alignment. Alignments 1, 3 and 4 would provide easy access for existing driveways and would require limited circuity for drivers trying to get to properties along the east side of the roadway. Alignment 2 requires the construction of a frontage road to get the driveways from existing Lawndale Lane south of CR 47 to the new Peony Lane alignment, as depicted in Figure 2-2. To be consistent with public street spacing, the frontage road should be connected to Peony Lane a quarter of a mile south of CR 47. This connection would require some property owners to backtrack over a half a mile to get to their destinations. Alignment 2 is less desirable than Alignments 1, 3 and 4 for driveway circuity. Page 5 Page 28 -� 0-4 MEMORANDUM.• Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 6 C. Intersection Geometries Intersections that have a 90 degree approach angle (two roadways intersecting perpendicularly) are more desirable than intersections that are constructed at a skew. Skewed intersections, especially if there are topographical differences at the approaches, make it difficult for motorists approaching the intersection to see other motorists in the area. This situation is more likely to result in a crash. This situation is especially true if the intersection is not signalized. As shown in Figures 2-1 through 2-4, Alignments 1, 3 and 4 have a 90 degree approach at the proposed Peony Lane and CR 47. Alignment 2 is skewed; it has a 70 degree approach. Alignments 1, 3 and 4 are preferred to Alignment 2 in this regard. D. Multimodal Provisions Provisions for a variety of transportation users are desired. Pedestrians and bicyclists are users of the transportation network and are included in all of the alignments. Accommodations include construction of a trail and/or bike lane. In addition, opportunities to incorporate of transit facilities within the corridor are neither aided nor hindered with alternative versus another. Land Use A number of land use factors were considered as part of this analysis. Impacts associated with right of way, open space and historic resources were noted. In addition, because the City has invested a significant amount of time and resources in planning for future land uses as part of its comprehensive plan, the analysis looked at the ability of an alignment to serve long-term land use needs. This analysis took into consideration amount of developable land and the size and shape of remnant pieces. Alignments were also compared in terms of their impacts to regional utility lines. These areas are discussed in the sections below. A. Right of Way and Temporary Easements Private Property Because the Peony Lane extension is on a new alignment and the City does not own all of the property necessary to construct the roadway, property will need to be acquired. When feasible, agencies generally attempt to limit the amount of right of way needed and try to minimize the number of property owners that are impacted. Additionally, agencies attempt to minimize the number of properties that require the relocation of the property owner. To better understand the impacts associated with right of way acquisition, the alternatives were evaluated based on the number of privately held parcels impacted (City -owned land is discussed later) and the number of total acquisitions needed to construct the alignment. A similar analysis was completed for temporary easements. Alignment 1: Total takes: 2; Right of way: 8 parcels; Temporary easements: 16 parcels Page 6 Page 29 MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 A May 1, 2012 Page 7 Alignment 2: Total takes: 1; Right of way: 10 parcels; Temporary easements: 13 parcels Alignment 3: Total takes: 1; Right of way: 6 parcels; Temporary easements: 17 parcels Alignment 4: Total takes: 1; Right of way: 4 parcels; Temporary easements: 15 parcels These impacts are depicted in detail on Figures 2-1 through 2-4. In terms of right of way from privately -held properties, Alignment 2 impacts the most parcels and Alignment 4 impacts the fewest. All alignments will require living structure removal and therefore total acquisition of the property on the northwest corner of Lawndale Lane and CR 47. However, Alignment 1 will result in removal of an additional home and thus a second total acquisition. B. City -Owned Property Impacts As shown in Figures 2-1 through 2-4, the City of Plymouth owns a significant amount of property in the project area. Much of this land has been identified as open space in the City's comprehensive plan. Generally, agencies avoid impacts to identified park and/or open space sites. However, in this case, there is strong logic for coordinating roadway improvements with the land owned by the City. Concepts have been developed for portions of the land in the study area for more active uses that would require parking to access future park facilities and the proposed Northwest Greenway. A roadway that serves the planned City facilities (even if it uses land that these facilities may be located on) is not inconsistent with the long- term plans for the land identified as open space. Alternatives that are harmonious with future park development also provide an opportunity to save money on right of way acquisition by using land that is already under City ownership. All of the potential alignments impact the City -owned parcels. ■ Alignment 1: 2.8 acres ■ Alignment 2: 2.0 acres ■ Alignment 3: 8.3 acres ■ Alignment 4: 10.0 acres Impacts for Alignments 1 and 2 are similar. They have the fewest impacts to City -owned property. They also have more challenges in providing an access to serve the future park land north of 54th Avenue, based on where the alignment abuts park property that would be suitable for an entrance (area without wetland impacts). Alignment 3 impacts 7.8 acres of City -owned land and provides a couple of locations that could serve as an entrance to the land north of 54th Avenue. Alignment 4 impacts a little over 10 acres and provides some opportunity for access to the parcel of land north of 54th Avenue. C. Ogen Space/Future Park Usability In 2007, the City of Plymouth purchased land to create a trailhead for its proposed Northwest Greenway and other recreational purposes. The property was purchased with the Page 7 Page 30 MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale bane Extension, City Project 10015 May I, 2012 Page 8 understanding that a future Peony Lane connection would be needed and that the undeveloped land could be impacted by the roadway. Although impacts to the open space were anticipated, it was not known at the time of the purchase how the property would be impacted. In addition, the City did not know how usable the remaining parcel of land would be once the roadway alignment cut through the property. Figures 2-1 through 2-4 show the land designated as Open Space in the City's comprehensive plan. As shown in the figures, the southern portion of open space is similarly impacted by all of the potential alignments. The existing roadway bisects this property and requires two ponds for future roadway expansion regardless of the alignment selected. There are, however, differences between the alignments north of 54th Avenue. Alignment 1 clips the westernmost portion of the property as it begins to bend towards Lawndale Lane. A majority of the open space land is still available for future park development. Additionally, all of the impacts are on one side of the alignment so there are no odd remnant pieces along the corridor. Access to the piece of land north of 54th Avenue is somewhat limited with this alignment. = Alignment 2 has very little impact to the northern portion of the property. However, there is not good access to the site north of 54th Avenue without purchasing additional property. Alignment 3 cuts the property north of 54th Avenue in a diagonal as it bends towards Lawndale Lane. It also requires placing a pond on the property. The pond may be suited for the more western side, with the more eastern side remaining for park development. Alignment 4 impacts the property in a diagonal as it bends towards Lawndale Lane. It also requires ponds to be located on the open space property. This alignment makes using the open space land challenging. The Northwest Greenway has been identified for the east side of the corridor. This situation would require people to park on the west side of the corridor, cross the roadway and then access the greenway on the east side. Essentially, the future park uses get split by the proposed alignment. D. Historic Resources The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) identifies resources that have the potential to tell part of the state's history. SHPO reviews projects initiated by local governments to determine if historic or potentially historic properties are impacted by the proposed project. Agencies initiating projects where historic or potentially historic properties are located are required to understand and document the resource. Agencies may also be required to avoid or minimize impacts to the historic resource (if other alternatives exist) as part of the federal permitting process required for wetland impacts. To better understand historic resources within the project area, SHPO was contacted. SHPO identified two potential resources within the project area, These resources are shown in Figures 2-1 through 2-4. The first Page 8 Page 31 .�, Vvr MEMORANDUM. Alternatives Analysis Peony LaneAawndnle Lane Extension, City Project IOOIS t May 1, 2012 Page 9 site is located adjacent to the City -owned property north of 54th Avenue. The second site is located on the west side of Lawndale Lane just north of CR 47. ■ Alternative 1. impacts both sites ■ Alternative 2: impacts one site ■ Alternative 3: impacts one site or both sites (additional information is needed to make final determination) ■ Alternative 4: impacts one site Additional analysis will be completed to determine impacts to the properties. E. Comprehensive Plan Consistency --- Ability to Serve Future Land Use The City has spent a number of years planning for this part of the community. Property owners in the project area are aware of these plans and are preparing for the eventual changes in land use that will occur. Alignments that limit the City's ability to implement its long- term plans and which limit property owners and their opportunities to develop property are not as desirable. Figures 2-1 through 2-4 show the four alignments and their impacts to the different parcels in the project area. Alignments 1 and 3 have similar impacts in terms of the ability to advance land use according to future plans. Both alternatives have limited impacts to the larger parcels, yet are close enough to these areas to provide a useful transportation connection. Alignment 3 leaves more land available for future growth due to its location on City -owned property. As a result, it was rated better in terms of its ability to serve planned land use. Alignment 2 bisects two of the larger parcels in the project area. This creates odd -shaped parcels which are more difficult to develop. This alternative also creates a few odd remnant parcels that would not be usable as part of a larger land use package. These parcels are located west of the park property, north of 56th Avenue. ■ Alignment 4 is located farthest to the east. It will be difficult for future land uses to connect into this alignment, especially in areas located near the City -owned open space/future park area. F. Regional Facility Impacts The Metropolitan Council has a major sewer line (MCES Interceptor) that runs through the project area. Alternatives that cross the line multiple times are less desirable than alternatives that minimize crossing due to design and cost consideration issues. ■ Alternatives 1, 2 and 3 have fewer crossings than Alternative 4 Page 9 Page 32 MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lalvndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 10 Environmental Elm Creek is a major resource in the study area along with its associated wetlands and floodplain. All of the alignments will impact the creek, wetlands and floodplain within the project area; no alignment can avoid these resources altogether. In addition to these impacts, there is also a native plant area within the project limits that will be impacted by whichever alignment is chosen. The sections below identify the impacts associated with each resource. A. Elm Creek Crossings and Tributary Diversion As indicated above, Elm Creek is an important resource in the project area. All of the alignments require crossing the creek at its current location just north of Wayzata High School. In addition, two of the alignments require diverting a tributary to the creek further to the north by the City -owned property. Alignment 3 requires 200 feet of diversion and Alignment 4 requires approximately 400 feet of diversion, as shown in Figures 3-1 through 3-4. Alignment 1 requires the partial filling of an open water body that is man-made. All of the alignments will require a box culvert under the road to maintain water flow to the creek and wetlands in the area. Any of the alignments are allowable under environmental review. B. Wetlands There are several wetlands within the project area. All of the alternatives have some wetland impacts. Wetland impacts by alignment are depicted in Figures 3-1 through 3-4 and listed below. ■ Alignment 1: 3.2 acres of wetland impact ■ Alignment 2: 2.9 acres of wetland impact ■ Alignment 3: 3.6 acres of wetland impact ■ Alignment 4: 7.0 acres of wetland impact Alignment 4 has the greatest impacts with Alignment 2 having the fewest. Alignments 1 and 3 have similar impacts. C. Floodplain Portions of the project area are within the 100 -year floodplain of Elm Creek. All of the alignments will have some impact to the floodplain. Floodplain impacts by alignment are listed below. ■ Alignment 1: 2.8 acres of floodplain impact ■ Alignment 2: 2.8 acres of floodplain impact ■ Alignment 3: 3.9 acres of floodplain impact ■ Alignment 4: 8.1 acres of floodplain impact Similar to the wetland analysis, Alignment 4 has the greatest impacts to the floodplain. Alignment 3 has the second most impact, and Alignments 1 and 2 have the least. Figures 3- 1 through 3-4 show floodplain impacts. Page 10 Page 33 jeony Lane 1 Lawndale Lane Extensic 0%,4,., „,f 1711, fs %o%, A. L% R A:&%&.„.,,.4.„ *IiIiiTaiI :1■IiiIiT:ToAk-W�l : 5kii :: �jeom Lane 1 Lawndale Lane Extensic Plvmouth, Minnesota Environmental Imnar-tq Alinmmm Peony Lane 1 Lawndale Lane Extensic Peony Lane 1 Lawndale Lane Extensia `+:4... ,.-f nix Nw-w,^. 14-4ti n A: aft V%0%A-%,.4.0% GD1111agrf; !l I N id, ;— � 17 z MEMORANDUM.• Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 11 D. Threatened and Endangered Species In addition to the wetland and floodplain resources in the project area, this study evaluated the potential to impact threatened and endangered species. It was determined that no threatened and endangered species were located within one mile of the potential alignments. Outside the one -mile buffer, habitat for the Blanding's Turtle was identified. Special notices will be prepared for construction making contractors aware of potential turtles in the vicinity. These notices will be necessary regardless of the alignment chosen. E. Native Plant Community While there were no identified impacts to threatened and endangered species within the project area, there are three native plant communities in the area (Maple -Basswood Forest, Lowland Hardwood Forest, and Oak Forest) identified by both the Minnesota County Biological Survey and the Regionally Significant Ecological Area database. All three of these plant communities are located in the wooded area immediately west of Peony Lane and north of Wayzata High School. Of these native plant communities, only the Lowland Hardwood Forest will be impacted by the proposed project. Due to the construction of detention ponds for the school site, there is very little treed area that would be impacted by the project. Because all of the alignment alternatives are the same in this area, there is no difference in impacts. Approximate impact for all of the alignments is 0.4 acres. Figures 3- 1 through 3-4 show the location of the native plant community. Costs Two separate costs were calculated for the potential alignments - one for roadway and utility construction, and one for right-of-way. The costs have been calculated on a planning -level basis and will be more refined once more knowledge is gained. The intent is to identify critical features that may separate (in terms of magnitude) the alignments from one another. A. Right of Way and Temporary Easements Right of way costs were calculated using a per square foot cost on parcels requiring only partial acquisition. An identical rate of $2.50 per square foot was used for all parcels. Costs for temporary easements were calculated at 9 percent of right of way costs, assuming a one- year time period. For properties where the entire parcel was impacted as a result of the alignment, a total property cost was used instead of a per square foot calculation. The following assumptions were used in determining costs: N $2.50 per square foot of right of way impact. ■ $0.23 per square foot for temporary easement impact. ■ 1.5 times the assessed property value for total takes. ■ Remnant parcels severed from the primary parcel that may need to be purchased beyond the roadway right-of-way were included in cost calculations. ■ Costs were not included for City -owned property. ■ Costs for Alignment 2 include right-of-way needed for a frontage road as well as park access road. Page 11 Page 38 MEMORANDUM. Alternatives Analysis Peony Lane/Lawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 12 Alternative Alignment Costs ■ Alignment 1: $2,903,400 ■ Alignment 2: $4,256,200 ■ Alignment 3: $1,988,400 ■ Alignment 4: $1,308,200 B. Construction Construction costs were calculated using an alignment -specific cost for the roadway, and include costs for storm water ponds and wetland mitigation (assumes construction of on-site mitigation at a 2:1 ratio). Construction costs for Alignment 2 include a frontage road to access existing driveways near CR 47. A 10 percent contingency was added to preliminary construction costs. Construction costs shown below and in Table 1 do not include engineering, administration and legal expenses. ■ Alignment 1: $8,971,900 • Alignment 2: $9,144,900 ■ Alignment 3: $8,991,400 • Alignment 4: $10,678,800 Conclusions The summary matrix (Table 1) shown on the following page combines and compares the impacts associated with transportation, land use, the natural environment and costs for each alignment. As previously described, there are positives and negatives associated with every alignment. However, Alignments 2 and 4 have significant negative impacts, particularly relative to the other alignments, that suggest they should be eliminated from further consideration. Alternatives 1 and 3 emerge as the alignments that best meet the variety of needs of the corridor. Although Alignment 2 has the fewest natural resource impacts, it is the only alignment that creates a known safety issue by intersecting CR 47 at a 70 -degree skew. In addition, Alignment 2 requires additional right -of --way and roadway construction in order to build a frontage road to serve parcels located south of CR 47 along Lawndale Lane, which results not only in higher property impacts and cost, but in a more circuitous access for the property owners. And last, Alignment 2 impacts the most private properties and bisects one of the largest developable properties in the study area, resulting in increased difficulty for future development and creation of unusable remnant pieces. For these reasons, Alternative 2 should be eliminated from consideration. Alignment 4, the easternmost alignment, should also be eliminated for several reasons. First, it has the most impacts to natural resources in the project area. This alignment has the most impacts to wetlands and floodplain surrounding Elm Creek. Resource agencies reviewing environmental impacts associated with the various alignments will note that there are alternatives that have significantly less impacts on natural resources and still meet the needs associated with the roadway extension and future land use considerations. Second, Alignment 4 has higher Page 12 Page 39 ad MEMORANDUM Alternatives Analysis Peony LanelLawndale Lane Extension, City Project 10015 May 1, 2012 Page 13 construction costs associated with filling in wetlands and impacting poor soils. Third, Alignment 4 has some impacts on the ability to serve future land uses. Although it impacts the fewest parcels and leaves less unusable remnant, the future access is problematic in that adequate spacing forces one access to be within the City -owned park parcel, and one to be within a delineated wetland. When access is considered, it is actually more difficult to serve future growth in areas west of the alignment with this alternative compared to Alignments 1 and 3. Last, Alignment 4 also has the most crossings of the MCES interceptor line, which will likely result in some areas of reconstructed sewer pipe due to excessive change in grade , as well as susceptibility to higher maintenance costs over the long term. Alignments 1 and 3 are more desirable than Alignments 2 and 4. They have similar impacts for a number of evaluation factors; however, Alignment 3 best meets the City's needs because: it has fewer impacts (right of way acquisition and temporary easements) to private property; it requires fewer relocations; it is slightly better for future land use opportunities and it is less expensive due to lower right of way costs. Although Alignment 3 has more impacts to wetlands and floodplains than Alignment 1, the differences between the two alternatives are not substantial. Page 13 Page 40 Table 1: Peony Lane Alternatives Analysis Impact/Issue Alignment 1 Alignment 2 Alignment 3 Alignment 4 Transportation Travel Time 2.05 minutes 2.05 minutes 2.03 minutes 1.96 minutes Access — Public Streets (quarter mile spacing) Meets goal Meets goal Meets goal Meets goal Access — Private Driveways (number of driveways) 13 4 13 13 Access — Driveway Circuity Good Poor Good Good Intersection Geometrics — CR 47 90 degree angle, good geometrics 70 degree angle, poor geometrics 90 degree angle, good geometrics 90 degree angle, good geometrics Multimodal Provisions Provided Provided Provided Provided Land Use Number of privately owned impacted parcels (right of way) 8 10 6 4 Number of privately owned impacted parcels (temporary easement) 16 13 17 15 Parcels with structures — require relocation 2 1 1 1 City -owned property impacted (acres) 2.8 2.1 8.3 10.0 Open space/future park— usability Good Fair Fair Poor Comprehensive plan consistency—ability to serve future land use Fair Poor Good Good Historic resources 2 properties impacted 1 property impacted 1 property, maybe 2 1 property impacted Regional facility impacts (MCES line) Same number of crossings Same number of crossings Same number of crossings Additional crossings Environmental Elm Creek diversion Filling of man-made water body None 200 feet 400 feet Wetlands (ac) 3.2 2.9 3.6 7.0 100 -year floodplain impacts (ac) 2.8 2.8 3.9 8.1 Threatened and endangered species None None None None Native plant communities 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Preliminary Costs Right of way costs lii $2,903,400 $4,256,200 $1,988,400 $1,308,200 Construction costs Iz) $8,971,900 $9,144,900 $8,991,400 $10,678,800 Total costs $11,875,300 $13,401,100 $10,980,800 $11,987,00 (1) Right of way costs are based on a $2.50 per square foot value. Remnant parcels are included as permanent taking. Total takings used the assessed value of the entire parcel and multiplied it by a factor of 1.5. (2) A 10 percent contingency was added to preliminary construction costs. Construction costs do not include: engineering, administration and legal expenses. Wetland mitigation costs are included. Page 14 Page 41 April 24, 2012 Doran Cote City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr•. Cote: This letter summarizes the results of the Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) "spot check" of the City of Plymouth's Administration of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). Purpose of Spot Checks BWSR conducts spot checks as part of our oversight responsibilities for administration of the Wetland Conseivation Act (WCA). The spot checks provide a relatively fast and efficient way to evaluate WCA administration by local governments as compared to a full audit. These spot checks are not intended to criticize or admonish local government units. They are intended to identify oversights and errors in the administration of WCA, and most importantly to offer advice and guidance for improving WCA administration in the future. Methods Our spot check of Plymouth involved a meeting on 2/23112 with the City staff Derek Asche. The first part of the spot check included a question and answer session on general WCA administration. Topics such as the process that the City utilizes for applications and decisions, TEP involvement, and staff roles were reviewed. The second part involved reviewing specific project files that involved WCA decisions and determinations. Results The results of the spot check are based on reviews of specific files that we were provided and answers provided by the City's staff. If any of the reported results are ir3 error, the City may provide us with the information we either missed or were not given access to and we would then modify this report accordingly. The following is a bullet -point list of general information related to the City of Plymouth's administration of WCA: • City adopted WCA in 1993 have resolution • The City needs a resolution to delegate authority for staff decisions. • LGU's record retention is good, everything is kept indefinitely on the City's intranet. • Staff makes decisions on exemptions, boundary/type and no -loss applications, all other (ir'1171i1Ji r"7r!!J" pillfid, Fe'gmv Fr#1 !1:-hirSAII A'ni, I_I/11f frrlrt 701 Iblinnesoo Avenue 1601 A4irtuesom Drive 394 S. lake Avenue 10(4 Frostier Trail 1400 E. Lynn Street 261 lriehway 0 S- 23(1) Silver Creek 520 Lafayette Road N. Suite 234 Brainerd, MN 56401 Room 403 Fergus Fulls. 41N 56537 Sox 247 New Ulm, 411s 56073 Road 'r'.L. Saint Paul, VIN 55155 Bemidji, MN 56NJI phone (218) 828-2383 Dnluds, MN 551102 phone (218) 736-1,1,15 Marshall, 43N 56258 phone (507) 359-h974 Rochester, 1v1N 5)5406 pli me 1651) 296-3767, phone 5)218) 755.4235 fax (-l8) 828.6034 01011C (218) 723-4752 rax (219) 7 36-72 19 phone (307) 537.60(1(] fax (507) 359-6018 Phone (507) 281-7797 fax 16511 297-5615 fax (2181755-1201 fax Q N) 7231794 fax (507) 537-6368 fax (5471255.7144 %Val): .l,T:Y, (800) 027-3529 An ey€ral opptrrtunily el€Ipiuyer Or'ranic€I € I rl:c,'[led p.,Rage 42 decisions go to the City Council. • The SWCD is usually involved, there may not be a TEP for all applications. • Derek Asche is the City's representative, he regularly attends WCA administrative and is a certified wetland delineator. • All exemption/no-loss, boundary/type determinations are formally noticed with the TEP. • The TEP looks at all monitoring reports. • The City approves surety release and City Council approves the bill • The local appeal process is that all appeals on staff decisions go to the City Council. • The City also requires that all delineations submitted to the City be completed by a certified wetland delineator. Specific file reviews (underlined items are deficiencies identified in the file): Wetland delineations/determinations: • Brady O'Brian • Received report 9-26-11. Date approved 10-21-11. • Complete report was in the file. • Notice of Application properly sent out. • No TEP meeting held to review delineation. • The notice of decision was properly sent out. • Decision was made within timeline. to There is location map and map of approved delineation within notice. • Craig MacBean • Received report 1-19-12. Not approved yet • Complete report was in the file. • Notice of Application properly sent out. • Reviewed only by LGU. • Delineation still under review. • LGU received no comments from TEP, notice of decision will be sent out soon. 1)'clt: svnss,biGcr.st.tle.tl7n.us i-ry: (800) 027-3529 An equal opportunity employer ®Printed (in rre)-dW ppage 43 Exemption/No-lass Determinations: • Wayzata Evangelical to Received report 7-19-11. Approved 8-12-11. • No delineation necessary. • Complete report was in the file. • Application was properly noticed. • No TEP meeting was held. • Decision was made within the required timeline. • Notice of Decision was properly noticed. f'+r'rrtn�ji Pr7r/irt17d 01e111th F•rr{+re Ft1A M1i,tr:sj1,r1l Neer lArr lio"he.4 •e ahri f,uii 701 4linuesnta Avenue 1011 Minnesota Drive 194 S. take Avenue 1004 Frontier Trail [4(10 C. Lynn Street "til Iliellteay 15 S- 2301) Silver Creek 320 Lafapeue Road N. Suite 234 Brainerd. MN 56401 R(Kirn 403 Fergus Frills. h#N 56537 Box 267 New Ulm, Mlv 56073 Road :r'-1=- Saint Paul. MN 55155 Bemidji, MN 56601 phon¢ (218) 828-2383 Duluth, MM 55802 phone (218) 736-5445 MarShan, MN 56258 Phnne (5071 :159-6074 Rnellemer, 4iN 559(16 p[tone (651) 296-3767 phone (215) 755-4235 fax (218) 829.6036 Plaine (218) 723-;752 Fax (219) 736.71.15 phone (.507) 537,6060 fax 1507) 359-6018 Plane (5071281-7797 fax (651) 297-5615 fax (218) 7554201 Fax ('1 18) 7234794 fax (507) 537-6368 fax (507) 2K<-7144 1)'clt: svnss,biGcr.st.tle.tl7n.us i-ry: (800) 027-3529 An equal opportunity employer ®Printed (in rre)-dW ppage 43 • Valley Forge • Received report 1-14-11. Approved 1-14-11. • No delineation necessary. • No application on file. • Notice of Decision was properly noticed, this was used also as the application. • TEP comments were considered. • Used appeal window as the comment period. Replacement Plan Determinations: • Peony Lane North • Received application 8-24-09, approved 10-13-09. • Complete application in file; • Delineation reviewed and approved 9-20-09. • Properly noticed to TEP. • There was TEP meeting and recommendations documented in file; • The notice of decision was properly noticed. • Decision made within the proper timeframe. • The location map and map of delineation within notice, i • Wood Crest • Received application 5-28-08, approved 7-22-08. • Complete application in file; • Delineation reviewed and approved 5-9-08. • Proper notice of application sent to TEP. • No TEP meeting held and but recommendations were documented in file, • No notice of decision was sent out. • Decision was made within the proper timeframe. Wetland Monitoring Determinations • Wood Crest • There is no documentation of declaration of restrictions and covenants in file. • There are as-builts within file. • No TEP involvement to date. • Three years of monitoring, not completed yet. • Acrylic Design • There is documentation of declaration of restrictions and covenants in file. • There are as-builts within file. • Monitoring report is complete. • TEP has been involved to date. • Sign off is projected to be in 2012. Web: ++++++.hlitr,st.t[C.ittl].11S TTY; (800) 627-3439 An equal opportunil} enlploper ® Prinlcd on recycled p fa ge 44 (=nuircrxf l71llfdir rq,pm; Fill%: ATit):<1t,r// All'if, Mier Rodh',+lt'i' ti trirf l itld 'e0€ 4iinnesnta :l4cnue 16i]i hl hmesola Ilrive 394 5. f ake Arcnu € t>1M Frim€ter Trait 1400 G. Lynn Street 201 19igltwag 15 S- 23Q1) Silver C'rcek 520 Laraveue Road N. Suite 234 Brainerd. MN 5640€ Room 403 Fergus Falls. MN 56537 Box 267 New Ulm, MN 56073 Road N.C. Saint Paul, MN 55155 Bemidji, €4iN 56601 phone (218) 828-2393 Aoluth. l+1N 55802 phanc (?181716-5445 Marshall, NIN 56258 phone (547) :559-6074 Rochester, h1,N 5590h 11mgc (651) 29f?.3767 Phone (2181755-4235 rax (218) 8?8.6036 phone (218) 721-4752 fax (1-18) 736.7315 phom (507) 537,60 fax (KI7) 359-6018 Phune (5071281-7797 fax 1651) 297-5615 fax (218) 755-1201 fax t218) 723-1794 fax (507) 537-6368 fax (5071285.7144 Web: ++++++.hlitr,st.t[C.ittl].11S TTY; (800) 627-3439 An equal opportunil} enlploper ® Prinlcd on recycled p fa ge 44 Recommendations for Improvement 1. The City needs to pass a resolution delegating staff to make decisions on applications. 2. The City needs to continue that proper noticing of applications and decisions are sent to the TEP. 3. The City needs to follow up with recording Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants on the replacement sites in the City Summary Overall, the City appears to be handling WCA administration in a diligent and appropriate manner. BWSR thanks you for your cooperation in this spot check and looks forward to working with you in the future to effectively implement the WCA. Please contact me (612-201-9806) if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, It," 0-4 --- Lynda Peterson Wetland Specialist MN Board of Water & Soil Resources Saint Paul, MN Cc: Stacey Lijewski, Hennepin Conservation District Jim Haertel, BWSR Metro Supervisor Derek Asche, City of Plymouth 1'+,'„ri lj: C�nrri,cRx� Pulrr�fr Fgsirrt Fall.,; A -1,1r,11,1/1 Mae, Ulr,r Paid AM Minw.Sn€a Avenue 16(11 Minnesota Drive 394 S. Lake Avenue ]� T rPnaier Trail 1400 E. Lynn S€reel 261 Highway 15 S- 2300 Silver Creek 520 Laliivene Road N. Suite 7.34 Brainerd. ;try 5(x101 Room 403 Fergus FnN, NiN 56537 Box 267 New Ulm, MIN 56073 Road N,E- Saint NO. NMN 55155 Bemidji, XIN 56601 phone 4.2181824-2383 Dululh. MN 55802 plimic (219) 73(5-5445 Nfarshall, MN 56258 phone (5071'459-x1074 Rtwliecter. MN 55906 pl one [bill 2` 6.3767 phone (218) 7554235 fax (2114) 528-6036 phone (2181723-4752 Fix (21$)736.7215 phone (507) 537.6060 Fix (507) 359-6018 Phone (5071231-7797 fax (6511'97-5615 fax (218175547-01 fax (2 18) 7234794 fax (507) 537-6368 fax (507) 285.7144 Web-- tP1L`14'.1?15'SC.S€E1[i-11711.11 TTY: (800) 627-3529 An equal apportu lily employer ®Pnn(vd on Tecycled pfAge 45 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North I St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4194 [ 651-296-6300 800-657-3864 1 651-282-5332 TTY I wwt%,.pca.state.mn.us I Equal Opportunity Employer April 24, 2012 Mr. James Eide 4420 Brockton Lane Plymouth, MN 55446 RE: Petroleum Storage Tank Release Investigation and Corrective Action Site: Eide Residence, 4420 Brockton Ln., Plymouth, Hennepin County 55446 Site ID#: LEAK 18732 Hear Mr. Eide: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Petroleum Remediation Program (PRP) has been informed that there has been a release of petroleum from a storage tank that you own and/or operate. PRP was developed to provide assistance.as you investigate, and if necessary, clean up your petroleum release. The MPCA appreciates your timely notification so this Site can be handled in an efficient manner. State laws require that persons legally responsible for storage tank releases notify the MPCA of the release, investigate the extent of the release, and take any necessary actions to clean up the release. A person is generally considered legally responsible for a petroleum tank release if the person owned or operated the tank either during or after the release, unless specifically exempted under law. See Minn. Stat. §115C.021(2010). If development of this property or the surrounding area is planned, State laws require that persons properly manage contaminated soil and/or water uncovered or disturbed even if they are not legally responsible for the storage tank release(s). Developers and other interested parties must also incorporate appropriate response actions to prevent the further spreading of contamination. To receive MPCA review and approval of proposed response actions, please contact the Petroleum Brownfields Program (PBP) at 651-296-6300 or at 1-800-657-3864, or visit their website at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/foyp8Oa. If petroleum contamination is encountered during development work, the Minnesota State Duty Officer should be notified immediately. The MPCA requests you take steps to investigate, and if necessary, clean up the release in accordance with MPCA guidance documents. The site investigation must fully define the extent and magnitude of the soil and/or groundwater contamination caused by the release. The MPCA recommends you hire a qualified environmental consulting firm to help you investigate and cleanup the contamination on your site. A qualified consulting firm should have experience in performing investigations of contaminated sites and in developing and implementing corrective actions., Please be aware that the MPCA does not.conduct the investigation or cleanup at your Site. The MPCA provides guidance and technical assistance during the project and reviews the reports submitted by your environmental consultant. However, the MPCA urges you to contact the MPCA project manager whenever you have a question or concern regarding your project. In 1987, the legislature established the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Fund (Petrofund) to reimburse responsible persons and volunteers (i.e., property owners not responsible for releases) who take corrective action for a portion of their costs. The Petrofund is administered by the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board (Petro Board), which is part of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Page 46 Mr. James Elide Page 2 April 30, 2012 For petroleum investigations, if you wish to have your costs considered for reimbursement, the environmental consultant you hire must be registered with the Petro Board. A list of registered contractors is available from the Petrofund staff. Please note that, under the Petro Board's rules (See Minn. R. ch. 2890), you must solicit a minimum of two written competitive consultant proposals on a form prescribed by the Petro Board to incur costs eligible for reimbursement and a minimum of two written competitive contractor bids must also be obtained for each contractor service. To learn more about the Petrofund reimbursement program contact Petrofund staff at 651-215-1775 or 1-800-638- 0418 (in greater Minnesota only) or review the information available at the following website at http://mn.gov/commerce/topics/Petrofund/. Please be aware that Petrofund reimbursement determinations are made by Petrofund staff at the Department of Commerce. The determinations are based on whether or not the work performed at a leak site was necessary for investigation and corrective action, which is determined by MPCA staff, and whether or not the costs for that work were reasonable, which is determined by Petrofund staff. Your insurance may cover this release. However, your insurance coverage maybe affected by how quickly you notify your provider. Therefore, you should review your insurance plan and contact your insurance carrier immediately after receiving this letter. Please provide notification to the MPCA by submitting the enclosed Leaksite Ownership Form to the MPCA project manager listed below. The Leaksite Ownership Form must be completed and submitted within 30 days of your receipt of this letter to indicate whether you intend to proceed with the requested investigation and/or corrective action. If you do not respond within this time frame, the MPCA will assume that you do not intend to comply. In this case, the MPCA Commissioner may issue an enforceable order that will require you, as responsible party, to take corrective action. Failure to cooperate with the MPCA in a timely manner may result in reduced reimbursement from the Petro Board, see Minn. R. Ch. 2890. If you do not cooperate, the MPCA has the option of taking the corrective actions on your behalf and recovering its costs. If you have questions concerning this letter or need additional information, please contact me at 651-231-6043 or e-mail kathryn.serier@state.mn.us. Please reference the above LEAK # in all correspondence. If you are calling long distance, you may reach the MPCA by calling 1-800-657-3864. Sincerely, Kathryn Serier Project Manager Petroleum Remediation Section Remediation Division KAS:Is Enclosures cc a ,_W a}�I CIQrI�; Rfyrnoutl Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth Dave Jaeger, Hennepin County Environmental Services Jeremy Hansen, Braun Intertec, Bloomington Page 47 Beth Falkenberg Executive Member -at -Large Each year Senior Community Services continues to advance its mission to Jim Crist develop, coordinate and provide services that help meet the needs of older Executive Commitee Past adults and support their caregivers, Through our programs we have seen President 1�P � g p g Board of Directors many lives changed for the better. Matt Bochnicek April 24, 2012 Executive Committee the independence and quality ofe oolder adults n p q � life dliPlymouth. Woody Love President Lisa Baird Dr. Chinyere (Ike) Njaka Deputy City Clerk 15t Vice President City of Plymouth Cheryl Fischer 3400 Plymouth Blvd. 2nd Vice President Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Dennis Kueng t. Secretary Dear Ms. Baird: Thad Standley Deb Taylor Treasurer On behalf of Senior Community Services, I want to thank you for the grant of Terri Urbaniak $5,670 to support H.O.M.E. Program and $13,050 to support Senior Executive Member -at -Large Outreach. Beth Falkenberg Executive Member -at -Large Each year Senior Community Services continues to advance its mission to Jim Crist develop, coordinate and provide services that help meet the needs of older Executive Commitee Past adults and support their caregivers, Through our programs we have seen President 1�P � g p g Board of Directors many lives changed for the better. Matt Bochnicek With the help of grants from cities such as yours, we will continue to enhance Sharon Burnham David Fisher the independence and quality ofe oolder adults n p q � life dliPlymouth. Rochelle Gill Marvin Johnson Laurie Lafontaine i f Thanks again or our generous support! g �' � Pp John Lawson Cathy Medich Sincerely Jeanette Metz Senator Gen Olson Keith 5tuessi Walter White t. Gene Winstead Deb Taylor Benjamin F. Withhan Chief Operating Officer Executive Director & CEO. Programs *Caregiver Support Services *Community Senior Centers *health Insurance Counseling *H.O.M.E. *Senior Outreach *Senior Partners Care Comrnunity Partner (�RiNTDSrrya.sF.�! -Member Eldercare Partners* Senior Community Services, 10709 Wayzata Boulevard, # 111, Minnetonka, MN 55305, 952-5AI-101$ http://www.seniorcommunity.org age a City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life May 4, 2012 SUBJECT: Variance requested by David Schneider, 5870 Kirkwood Lane (2012027) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by David Schneider, under File No. 2012027, for a variance to the side yard setback to allow construction of a new attached garage for property located at 5870 Kirkwood Lane. While a formal public hearing is not required, it is the city's policy to inform adjacent property owners of such requests. Hennepin County records indicate your property is located within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2012 in the Council Chambers of Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments regarding this request at that time. You may also submit comments in writing. All written comments will become part of the public record. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the community development information counter (lower level of City Hall), on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the city planning department at (763) 5095450. Sincerely, Barbara G. Thomson, AICP Planning Manager 2012027propnotice 3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us Page 49 .019 rMIATOM 901Ah 61M r_1 Three Rivers recently completed our Vision Plan. The Plan lays out a fresh direction, recognizing the importance of working collaboratively to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We want to work together with local communities, other agencies, business and the public to identify shared goals, and to provide the leadership, advocacy, innovation and actions necessary to meet the needs of the present while ensuring that the needs of future generations are well -met. Come join us as we embark on a new era. LEADERSHIP • ADVOCACY • INNOVATION • ACTION PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE Those who've laid the foundation of protecting and expanding green space and parklands throughout the Twin Cities were never ones to let events take their course and then react. Indeed, leaders like Horace Cleveland, Theodore Wirth, Charles Doell, Clifton French - the founders of the regional parks system, were known for their innovation, advocacy, and actions. Their leadership and foresight created the public's spectacular regional parks system and outstanding quality of life we enjoy today. Significant trends are emerging, offering challenges and opportunities for both the near and distant future. The time is upon us to take the harder road of shaping our future. What is needed is a bold vision and a commitment to the Leadership, Advocacy, Innovation and Action required to achieve that vision. THE VISION: Through leadership, advocacy, innovation and action, Three Rivers is a model of a sustainable regional system of parks and trails that meets the needs of the present while ensuring that the needs of future generations are well -met. l ACHIEVING THE VISION: Three Rivers embraces a Framework of Sustainability recognizing that Ecology, Society and Economics are " regionally interdependent. From this framework arises f Three Rivers' commitment to apply prudent financial stewardship across five actionable goals: Protect the region's water and natural resources Inspire people to recreate Connect people to nature ''' ''Create vibrant places Collaborate across boundaries Page 51 protecting the region's water and natural resources • Creating three new parkland classifications (Greenways, Blueways, Regional Natural Areas) within the Three Rivers system, and advocate for their establishment in the metropolitan regional parks system. • Promoting innovative natural resource management projects including, but not limited to, invasive research/control, strategic water protection and targeted education efforts. Inspiring people to recreate • Encouraging use of the regional parks by young adults, retirees, and urban -area residents. • Reaching out to the diverse population. • Completing the critical links in the existing regional trail network within the fully -developed cities. connecting people to nature • Exploring nature -based preschool immersion opportunities. • Adding more environmental education opportunities for school-age children. • Expanding mentoring and outdoor leadership training to better connect teens and young adults to nature. M creating vibrant places • Completing the regional trail network within Hennepin County. • Bringing regional recreation and education facilities to people within the fully developed cities of Hennepin County. collaborating across boundaries • Partnering with conservation -based organizations to promote the legacy of hunting and fishing. • Developing collaborative plans for regional resources including the Three Rivers -Mississippi, Minnesota and Crow, along with Lake Minnetonka, Medicine Lake, and Minnehaha Creek. • Gaining recognition for the regional trail network as a key component of an integrated multi -modal transportation system. • Collaborating with community and business leaders to craft a comprehensive vision and plan for the Twin Cities in the year 2100. Page 52 �Y 4 M creating vibrant places • Completing the regional trail network within Hennepin County. • Bringing regional recreation and education facilities to people within the fully developed cities of Hennepin County. collaborating across boundaries • Partnering with conservation -based organizations to promote the legacy of hunting and fishing. • Developing collaborative plans for regional resources including the Three Rivers -Mississippi, Minnesota and Crow, along with Lake Minnetonka, Medicine Lake, and Minnehaha Creek. • Gaining recognition for the regional trail network as a key component of an integrated multi -modal transportation system. • Collaborating with community and business leaders to craft a comprehensive vision and plan for the Twin Cities in the year 2100. Page 52 x ];........ ... w Cro-Hassan Park Reserve Lake Rebecca Park Reserve Lake Sarah . Memorial Gale Woods Farm r,1^10 Lake Min neto I I t Regional Park Carver - Park Reserve ;�rSSlSS fpp Elm Creek Park Reserve 4 aA6.. . Fish Lake-� ` Regional Park Baker Park Reserve 5 / NOR TV, {U P Park District Properties Park District Regional Trail System Regional Trail to be Developed State, Federal or other Regional TrailsfParkS Park Entrance Golf Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park 94 ""North Mississippi iRe ional Park ►++ *► Eagle.Lake 694 rRegional Par .■�. M Silverwood •100 1 mark lifton E. French'• R ional.Rark%, .. 94 35w, 394, 1fiBt MINNEAPOLIS 00 '35V { Al)Brypnt Lake Reg:gnal Park i� - 62 Hyland Lake Park Reserve 51; The Landing-,� Minnesota �tlot River Heritage Park 13 i�N, r Mueph 1 y IM1 Cleary Lake Hanrehan Regional Park,j Park Reserve Three Rivers' Mission Promoting environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources -based park system. Three Rivers Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth MN, 55441 763.559.9000 • Three RiversParks.org Page 53 New security screening at suburban Hennepin courts intercepts dozens of items Dozens of prohibited and potentially dangerous items were confiscated in the first week of weapons screening at Hennepin County District Court locations in Brooklyn Center, Edina and Minnetonka, officials said. The electronic screenings were put in place on April 23 at the Brookdale, Southdale and Ridgedale facilities on an interim basis at the urging of the Sheriffs Office. The 70 or so items taken during about 3,000 screenings last week included knives, box cutters, scissors and Mace. County commissioners, prompted by concerns voiced by a district judge and a recent shooting in a North Shore courthouse, decided to impose interim screening measures for suburban courts before settling on a permanent solution next year. County officials estimate the cost of equipment installation at the three service centers to be $234,000. Staffing and maintenance bring the cost of the temporary fixes to $600,000. The county currently spends $1.6 million on weapons screening in Minneapolis at the Juvenile Justice Center, the jail, the Family Justice Center and Hennepin County Government Center, where it has been in place since the mid-1990s. Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482, Star Tribune Page 54 Checking in? Plymouth may want to see ID • Article by: TOM MEERSMAN , Star Tribune • Updated: April 28, 2012 - 5:18 PM City would be first in area to ask that of all adult hotel guests. Concerned about prostitution and other crime, the city of Plymouth is debating whether to require hotel guests to provide photo IDs when they register in any of the community's six hotels. The city has been working on an ordinance since January and recently postponed a decision until its May 8 meeting. State law requires guests 18 or older who stay overnight to give hotel registration clerks their name, date of birth, home address, and the make, model and license plate number of the vehicle they arrived in. But Plymouth police say that thefts, assaults and prostitution have been a problem in the hotels, and they proposed that the city require all guests 18 or older -- not just the person paying the bill -- to show photo IDs at check-in. "All we're doing is expanding the statutes very slightly," Police Chief Mike Goldstein said. Crime rates have not increased in the hotels, Goldstein said, but police want to have "another tool in our tool kit" when they encounter problems. "That would give us a better case in court if we were to pursue some sort of criminal charges against the occupants of one of the rooms," he said. Another part of the proposal would make it a misdemeanor for guests to provide false information when they register. Leading the way Plymouth Mayor Kelli Slavik likes the idea, and said that a picture ID will enhance public safety because it gives hotel managers and police the ability to confirm the identity of a customer. "If we can find a way to keep these criminals from staying in Plymouth, we'll certainly look at the means to do that," she said. Slavik said that Plymouth is apparently the first local community to advance the idea. "Other cities are looking to Plymouth to see what we do before they decide to enact an ordinance similar to this," she said. The proposal was scheduled for a vote earlier this month, but Council Member Judy Johnson said she wanted more time to hear reaction from city hotels. "The whole council is very pro-business and the intentions are good, but I can foresee some problems for the hotels," she said in an interview. "For a couple checking in, it's not a big deal. But other guests arrive at hotels too, sometimes on large tour buses." Mike Serr, general manager of Crowne Plaza Hotel, the largest in the city, said the photo ID requirement is not the industry standard. It would be burdensome and inconvenient, he said, and Page 55 would create lengthy check-in lines that might drive customers in the highly competitive hotel industry to other cities. "We're in the hospitality business, and if 99.9 percent of my customers aren't somebody I have to worry about, why am I penalizing them for the 0.1 percent that might be here for prostitution?" he said. Coping with groups With 243 guest rooms and 40 meeting rooms, the hotel accommodates groups of all sizes, Serr said. Senior citizens on a tour bus who are preregistered and receive their room keys upon arrival before they even get off the bus. Family weddings where the father of the bride may have 10 rooms on his credit card and the guests are all arriving at different times. Local firms that hold business meetings at company expense and rent all the rooms in a block. Check-in for all of them would be more complicated and time-consuming, Serr said, if every person had to show photo IDs at the time they registered. The industry is moving in the opposite direction, he said, trying to make registration as quick as possible and even experimenting with self check-in kiosks. The Crowne Plaza, like many other hotels, Serr said, already asks the person paying the bill to present a photo ID to be sure that the name and other information matches that on the credit card. However, Capt. Craig Lindman, also on the police force, said that most other hotels in the city support the changes and that he'll be talking directly with their managers in the next week to explain the latest revised ordinance more fully. An earlier version required that the IDs be government - issued and that hotel clerks write down the numbers of passports or driver's licenses and keep them for a year. Those conditions were dropped because of hotel concerns about increasing the risk of identity theft. Slavik said the photo ID requirement will not be burdensome. Some have objected to long registration lines for athletic teams that stay in hotels, she said, but the ordinance would not apply for those younger than 18. "It's just an overall public safety issue where the police department thought they could make some improvements," she said. Serr said he knows all of the city's other hotel managers, and prostitution is not a problem that he's heard about. Even if it was, Serr said, the proposed ordinance would not prevent it. "If I'm a hotel guest here to do illegal activity, whether it's drugs or prostitution or whatever, chances are I'm not going to check in my hooker," he said. Tom Meersman • 612-673-7388 Page 56 WEATHER - EXTREME TRENDS The Minnehaha Creek Watershed Stormwater Adaptation Study Problem: Climate research, current weather patterns and projected trends show a significant increase in both the frequency and severity of rain events across Minnesota. Existing stormwater management systems designed to control runoff and protect property when it rains may no longer function as intended. The infrastructure in these systems may prove inadequate, resulting in increased flooding, damage to property, public safety concerns, and impacts to the quality of our lakes, streams and wetlands. Minnehaha Creek Watershed Lake Mlinnelstnks 'victoria M i n n a a p o I i a M -n eh�f ph "llGr9ak 0 25 '4Kk-... Objectives: The Minnehaha Creek Watershed Stormwater Adaptation Study will address some of these challenges for both growing and fully -developed communities. The study will: 1. Examine precipitation and land use trends within the watershed 2. Use that information to evaluate existing stormwater management systems U" MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT 3. Identify ways to adapt our systems — including costs — to changing precipitation patterns 4. Facilitate a community -led planning process to provide a framework for developing local stormwater adaptation plans For more information, please contact: Leslie Yetka • Education Manager • Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Ph: 952-641-4524 • Lyetka@minnehahacreek.org Telly Mamayek • Communications Director • Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Ph: 952-641-4508 • Tmamayek@minnehahacreek.org Page 57 Timeline Spring 2012 • Develop future precipitation and land use models • Host First Forum: Stakeholder Input and Adaptation Assessment Fall 2012 Complete analysis of stormwater management systems Develop cost -analysis for stormwater management system adaptation Host stakeholder work group meetings derived from the First Forum Winter 2013 • Host Second Forum: Stormwater Adaptation - Planning Host community workshops to share findings and strategies Summer 2013 • Host Third Forum: Regional Stormwater Adaptation Symposium Share research findings, adaptation strategies, resources, and next steps Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why should I or my organization participate in this study? A: Results of this study will provide updated information on how to adapt stormwater management systems to changing weather patterns, ensuring a community is ready for more frequent extreme weather events. This preparedness will protect public property, public safety and a community's financial and environmental resources. The study will also provide a cost analysis of various stormwater adaptation approaches, which will help guide a community's decision-making process. By participating in the process, you can help determine the scope and direction of this research, making sure it addresses local needs. Q: What will participation in this study cost me or my organization in terms of money and/or time? A: This project is grant funded. No financial contributions will be requested from participants or organizations. Every effort will be made to utilize participants' time in the most focused and productive manner possible. Generally, time commitments will not exceed those presented in the timeline, including forums and task force meetings. All time contributed to this project is on a voluntary basis. Q: Will this study result in the imposition of new policies or regulations that I or my organization will be held accountable for? A: This study will be informed from current climate science with recommendations based upon the interests and priorities of local communities within the watershed. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and other local governments may use information generated from this study as a framework for future planning and policy-making decisions. Policy changes, if any, will be addressed through existing public processes. Partners: Project partners include Syntectic International LLC, Antioch University New England, the University of Minnesota, and Stratus Consulting. Funding for this two-year study is provided through a grant from the Climate Program Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. AW ILDF MINNESOTA UNWHRSITY ANFI(CH _ UNIVERSITY NEW ENGLAND Page 58 Y f I E C T I C INTERNATIONAL STRATUS CONSULTING MINNEHAHA CREEK `9 WATERSHED DISTRICT gm a 4 hT Of G Minneapolis 4f L�kex Loon reviewing fiscal disparities program - Eden Prairie News : Politics Page 1 of 2 Loon reviewing fiscal disparities program By Patty Dexter pdexter@swpub.com I Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 1:00 pm 42B Rep. Jennifer Loon is continuing work she began in her first term to look at the fiscal disparities tax program for the metro area. Loon, along with 42A Rep. Kirk Stensrud and Sen. David Hann met jointly with the Eden Prairie News on April 11 to discuss their thoughts on various legislative topics. According to Loon, fiscal disparities is a special tax program that exists only in the metro area. It was enacted and took effect in the 1970s. The program measured the industrial and commercial tax base for each municipality starting at a certain time period. If a community was found to have an above-average commercial and industrial tax base, it had to donate some of those taxes to a pool, which was then redistributed to cities that didn't have as much commercial and industrial tax base. Loon said during her first term she worked on authoring a bill to mandate a study of the program. The study was released this year in February and the House Taxes Committee had a hearing on it in mid February. Since then she has been poring over the study and meeting with nonpartisan tax experts to discuss how to craft legislation to address it. Because a number of cities in the metro area are recipients of the fiscal disparities, she doesn't believe a repeal would prevail, she added. There are issues with the program such as no distinction being made between manufacturing and retail operations. Cities such as Bloomington, that donate to the pool, are almost penalized because of having more retail operations, Loon said. "Well the studies show very clearly that ... the cost to local government for having a retail store is higher. They don't pay for themselves because you've got additional policing," she said. Reviewing the program also affects Eden Prairie because it's the No. 2 donor city for fiscal disparities, Loon said. Stensrud said oftentimes legislators may have good intentions when they pass a bill to create a program, but they never get around to measuring the outcomes. He believes lawmakers need to legislate for outcomes. Hann said throwing money at something and good intentions aren't enough. Building in requirements to measure program outcomes is needed. "I think in this case it's a really good thing to try to get the Legislature to go back and look at this program, and ask some questions about it," he said. Page 59 http://www.edenprairienews. com/news/politics/loon-reviewing-fiscal-disparities-program/... 4/30/2012 Loon reviewing fiscal disparities program - Eden Prairie News : Politics Page 2 of 2 Rick Getschow, Eden Prairie city manager, said the city has been working closely with Loon on the review and has discussed the study and possible legislation with her. "The city's position has been, as the No. 2 contributor to the program, that we felt it was very important to study how the program is doing — if it's meeting its goals because Eden Prairie as a city is affected by the program in terms of providing our tax capacity to other cities in the metropolitan area," he said. Effects on taxpayers Sue Kotchevar, Eden Prairie chief financial officer, said the city contributed $15 million of its tax capacity to fiscal disparities for 2012. Just a small portion of that comes back to the city and most of it goes to other communities. If that tax capacity wasn't taken away there would be a larger tax base for the city to tax upon. Eden Prairie taxpayers then would have to pay less, because there would be more business property tax base to levy, Kotchevar said. According to Getschow, the city tax on a median valued home would be 9 percent less if the city didn't contribute to fiscal disparities. Keeping the dollars local The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce doesn't have an official position on fiscal disparities but it has sought a level playing field for businesses to fairly compete. With fiscal disparities, more dollars seem to leave Eden Prairie than stay, said Pat MulQueeny, chamber president. The economy and the communities have changed, but the program itself hasn't seen any dynamic changes, MulQueeny said. "Ultimately it's taken dollars away... to be put into other communities to help them. In that case that would be seen as a negative to the businesses in Eden Prairie. Again if you're going to collect those tax dollars, the preference would be to spend those locally rather than give them to other communities," he said. MulQueeny said the chamber is supportive of reviewing the program to see if there are ways to accomplish what lawmakers want to do without penalizing communities like Eden Prairie that have a stronger businesses front. Page 60 http :ll www. edenprairienews. com/news/p olities/loon-reviewing-fiscal-disparities-pro gram/... 413 012012 Writing Effective `findings of fact' orking with city land use regu- lations can be difficult for both cit}officials and residents. Cities must sonietintes make decisions that are controversial, and no uiatrer whir the result. someone will be unhappy.Trying to figure out the best result in the midst of heated discussions is never easy. But whatever the outcome, an important part of process is developing and adopting written "findings of fact" that explain the decision. Carefully and thoughtfully developing written findings can help solve a contentious probleni. It forces officials to focus their inquiry on the relevant considerations_ Anti it pro- duces a record that makes it easier for a court to uphold the decision if challenged. Meat are findings? "Findings of fact" refer to a city's written explanation of a land use decision. If a city is sued over a land use decision, courts uvill review the record for the reasons the city give for granting or denying the request. In the case of a denial of in applica- tion related to zoning, Miiuiesota's 60 -Day Rule requires the city to provide written reasons for a denial. Even vdien an application is approved, written firudings explaining the decision are advisable. Findings should provide a court with everything needed to uphold the decision. Creating findings of fact can be rela- tively straightforward if city follows sortie basic guidelines. Apply facts to lair. Findings of fact should explain to the reader how and .why the city reached its decision. The document should identify the relevant legal criteria such as statutory standards or code provisions, explain the relevant facts relating to the particular application, and then apply those facts to the legal criteria. Shorn your work. Like a niaih exam in school, it is as important to be com- plete and to "show your work." Showing By jcd Burkett Learn more at the 2012 Safety & Loss Control Workshops ISmail Cities Trackl www.Imc.org/2012LCW your work can be more important than reaching a particular result. Explaining the method or reasoning tollowed by the city in judging an appli- cation helps ensure that the city is on the right track. If a reader can tell hose you reached your result, without having to guess, you have shown your ~work, But if the reader is left guessing, then the cite may be on shake ground. Look rtp fire lant Before setting out to find facts, a little investigation is needed. A crucial early step is to identify the relevant legal standards. For example. applications for condi- tional use permits are subject to standards that should be spelled out in city ordi- nance. Detennine exactly what ordinance sruidards apply: Reference and quote the rtievant standards in your findings. Provide relevant facts. Findings of fact should state all of the relevant facts the city considered in making its deci- sion. A tact is relevant if it proves or disproves that the application meets the legal standards. For instance, if an applicant is seeking a conditional use permit where the effect of traffic on adjacent properties is an ordinance standard. then the city should look for facts related to traffic inipacts. It is important to address each and even - relevant legal standard by describing related facts. Stay on track. Sometimes issues arise that don't relate to the legal standards. If city officials start to diSCLISi and debate Elie facts of an application without lieu-- iting themselves to the relevant legal standards, a lot of time and energy can be wasted on issues that don't lead to a solution. Argunierits about irrelevant facts can easily lead the city astray. Don't include irrelevant facts in your findings. Don't parrot. Findings must ade- quately describe the reasoning for a decision. Ambiguous„ conclusory, or boilerplate language does not usually provide a sufficient explanation of the decision's rationale. Merely restating or "parroting" the legal standard is not enough. It is itiipor- tant to state the legal criteria, but you must also explain why the standard is or iw not met. Just because. One of the simplest tecluiiques to ensure findings sufficiently connect the decision to legal standard is to use the sword "because." Read each statement carefully before completing the finding.What you write after the word "because" in each finding must support the statenient that intro- duces the finding. A similar approach is to phrase the standard as a question, and then provide a detailed answer. Reach a conclusion. Remember, written findings should identify the relevant legal criteria such as statutory standards or code provisions, explain the relevant facts relating to the particular application, and then apply those facts to the legal criteria to reach a conclusion. Sonietimes more than one conclusion is possible. But if the city takes care to develop thoughtful findings of fact that relate to the relevant legal standards, then there should be no inystery as to tvhy the city reached the decision it did. -feel Burkett is loss control/laird rise attorney, ri,irlr the Lr•,�grrc of.1 Cities himirance Trust. Annie: (651) 281-1247. L -mail: Inirkettlaihtrc, oig. tvAKI ft-Az,iirt 1111' \IkNNLNt11A CrTIEI Page 61 1 3 'j a t' > Craig Mandel, a volunteer refuge naturalist, led a bird -watching group in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Carver. Photo: Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune No wonder there's a sign in the window screaming "YES WE'RE OPEN." Years after the federal government upgraded and opened a beautifully contoured piece of property in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge along the Minnesota River between Shakopee and Carver, officials admit they have a bit of a problem: Hardly anyone comes. "We're trying to increase awareness that we exist down here," said Leanne Langeberg, visitor services specialist. The absence of humanity is not a bad thing for the wildlife. And for those who do find it, and weren't really there to hang around with strangers anyway, it means a singularly serene experience of nature. But the refuge is speaking up, cautiously beginning a campaign to signal to the wider world that you're missing something if you haven't checked it out. Cautiously, because there are a lot of things you can't do there: No dogs off leashes, for instance, and no snowmobiles. Cautiously, too, because there are seasonal perils to deal with. Hunters fire loud weapons in the fall. Trails on the floodplain turn into river bottom during high water -- last year, that was the case for eight straight weeks. And in summer, you'd best bring bug repellent, because no one is bombing insects with chemicals. "Mosquitoes are welcome here," Langeberg admits. Not a drawing card for humans, to be sure. But the reward for those who do show up, Langeberg and others say, is a place with incredible views from high bluffs. A place with so many wild raspberries and mushrooms to gather that the staff orders you to keep it to a gallon per party. A place where people have been known to spot 10 eagles at one time when the rocky rapids are keeping the river too lively to freeze over and they gather near open water to watch for fish to swoop down and eat. "I've seen mink, river otters, possum, fox, and it's really one of the wonderful places for wildflowers," said Craig Mandel, who's there a lot leading mostly birding tours. "Otters in particular are great to see: a cool little animal, really busy, and one of the few animals that looks like they're having fun -- that does things there's no reason to do except for fun. They'll slide down a bank and go back up and do it again. And these are places really close to the visitor center. I've only seen them once, but you see their signs a lot. "And for me, it's a 35 -minute drive from my house [in Minnetonka]. I do all the state parks -- which are underutilized, too, by the way -- and a lot of them are six hours away. It's very rare to have a federal wildlife refuge this close to a metro area." The 'other' visitor center The refuge's "other" visitor center -- the main one is in Bloomington -- exists because of the expansion of Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport. Plans to add a runway led to serious Page 63 wrangling in the late 1990s because it would send screaming blasts of noise down into a federally protected wildlife area. The airport folks coughed up millions of dollars, and much of it went to buy up more land -- about 1,500 acres -- to extend the refuge upriver, as well as to install a quieter alternative visitor and education center in Carver County. For Scott County, visible from the new building and with lots of ties to it -- schoolchildren from Jordan use it a lot, for instance, and Langeberg herself commutes daily from New Prague -- it became potentially an important new recreational amenity. The county's population was exploding, but its parks system was still far from fully developed. But today, Langeberg says that while probably 100 folks a day make it to the Bloomington center, it's probably closer to five in Carver. The irony of that, said Al Loken of Duluth, a birder who often makes it to the different pieces of the refuge when he's in town visiting family, is that he at least finds the so-called Rapids Lake area in Carver far more impressive for its scenery than the territory the refuge holds in Bloomington. "Mind you," he added, "I'd take Duluth itself over either one, but whereas the Old Cedar Avenue bridge area [in Bloomington] is probably the best known, Rapids Lake is more impressive for its scenery." More than 100 varieties of birds nest on the different parts of the refuge, Mandel said. Not all of them are readily visible to the average person, but there are frequent walks led by experts with high- quality gear. "You have species living in floodplain forests, for instance -- the prothonotary warbler, the cerulean warbler, light blue and way high up in cottonwood trees -- hard to see sometimes, but with a spotting scope, and mine cost me $3,500, it takes you to a whole different level in terms of what you can see. "Ten species of sparrows nest there most years, and some are pretty unusual. A bird you might think of as 'brown' and uninteresting with the naked eye, if you get a really good closeup look, can be pretty amazing. Even a common song sparrow turns out to have nice little stripes and neck markings and colors on its back." Once a farm The site has a long human history: It was a family farm, whose aging historic home still sits empty, though what was once the stable area has been reduced to stone ruins. The family in the end wanted to safeguard the property from mining that could have wrecked its natural features, Langeberg said, and was happy to have the federal government step in as buyer. There are miles of trails laced about the property, most of them just dirt tracks, with minimal changes from what the land would have been for centuries. And no one cares if you wander off of them -- in fact, there are features to see if you do, including Rapids Lake itself and an area of rapids on the river. The goal, then, in terms of human use? Page 64 "We'd love to have some steady use throughout the day," Langeberg said. "Twenty-five or more would be a good number out here." David Peterson • 952-746-3285 Page 65 APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY March 22, 2012 PRESENT: Chairman Jeff Kulaszewicz, Commissioners Paul Caryotakis, Carl Runck and Bob Stein ABSENT: Commissioner Jim Willis STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes, HRA Specialist Kip Berglund and Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken OTHERS PRESENT: None 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kulaszewicz called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Housing Program Manager Barnes added Item 3.1). to the agenda. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from February 23 and March 13, 2012. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Report for February 2012. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing/Marketing Report for February 2012. D. Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Authorize HRA Executive Director Steve Juetten to sign Joint Powers Agreement on behalf of the HRA. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Caryotakis, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. First Time Homebuyer Loan Modification Request. Consider Loan Modification Request For The Existing Loan For Property Located At 5465 Orleans Lane North, #5. Housing Program Manager Barnes noted that an additional email had been received and added to the public record. HRA Specialist Berglund gave an overview of the staff report. Page 66 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 2 Commissioner Stein asked if it was known how far in debt they are. HRA Specialist Berglund responded that they currently owe roughly $147,000. He said the current assessed value on the home is $123,400. Commissioner Runck stated that Zillow website had that house listed at $100,000 right now. HRA Specialist Berglund added that Ms. Hervin does make mention in her correspondence that there is a home in the neighborhood that is currently for sale for $99,000. He said that staff doesn't disagree that her property has dropped in value. He said that when she purchased the home in March 2007, it was valued at $162,000 and she purchased it for $155,900. Commissioner Stein asked if this request is for zero interest and if the previous request the HRA approved a few months ago was also zero interest. HRA Specialist Berglund responded that the proposed payments of $200 per month would be at zero interest. Housing Program Manager Barnes added that a previous request to the HRA Board was also zero interest. Commissioner Stein asked if they had any other financial issues other than the house. HRA Specialist Berglund responded that from what staff saw in 2010, their financial situation was okay as far as the amount of money that's coming into the home. He said they have never really said that they had an issue financially; however, they did have some issues that staff recommended that they get some counseling services for credit issues, etc. He said that staff is of the opinion that they want to move into a larger home but that they do not necessarily need to move into a larger home. HRA Specialist Berglund confirmed for Commissioner Stein that they have two children in a two bedroom townhome. He added that another First Time Homebuyer recipient came to the Board this past year and that he had spoken to them today. He said they are in a very similar situation as they are in a two bedroom townhome with three children. He said that they currently are making that work because they understand the economic situation and they are going to try to ride it out at this point. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked staff to clarify the previous request and the direction given by the HRA. HRA Specialist Berglund replied that the previous client had been directed by the Board that at the point there was a purchase agreement in place, the Board would consider it. Commissioner Stein stated that there was one family that came to the Board and their request had been approved. HRA Specialist Berglund confirmed that the Board approved a modification a couple of months ago where the homeowner paid a 25% initial payment and then will make annual payments for up to ten years. Housing Program Manager Barnes reiterated that staff knows that the housing market has gone down and that our program participants have felt that, just as we have all felt it. He said nobody has ever told us that housing was going to be this phenomenal investment and yet, people believe that it will. He said it is an investment and it does have risks. He said that the situation of the request before the Board is not considered overcrowding under any of our federal programs or Page 67 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 3 any other program that we operate. He said it makes it very difficult for us if we have to start taking in monthly payments. He said that we are not set up for that as we don't have the software or systems in place. He said the city does take in a lot of payments on a monthly basis but they are on totally different platforms and are tracked different. He said it is not that it can't be done by our finance department but it just becomes one more thing out there that is different than our normal day-to-day business operations that they have to track and maintain. Commissioner Stein asked how many First Time Homebuyer loans there are. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that there are about 185 to 190 loans. He said that some are forgivable and some require repayment. He said this loan is required to be repaid at some point. He said that the loan will be due and payable if they were to sell their home, not have that home be their principal place of residence or at the end of 30 years. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked about nonrecourse loans. Housing Program Manager Barnes replied we have a nonrecourse loan that does not follow the person. Commissioner Caryotakis asked if they are in such a dire situation that they are basically moving from this property and back into a rental situation or are they looking to sell this property and buy another property. HRA Specialist Berglund responded that staff does not know for sure. He said their first approach in 2009 was that they wanted to sell this home and move into a larger home. He said in this proposal, they stated that they want to move in with family and to get a job, which potentially could be out of state. Commissioner Stein asked if this has been going on since 2009. HRA Specialist Berglund replied that they originally approached staff in 2009 and asked for full forgiveness of the loan. He said they were denied at staff level and staff suggested that they could approach the Board and they did not. He added that she purchased the property by herself and then got married. Commissioner Runck asked if the Board could get an updated look at their finances. He said that he looked online and they are both gainfully employed. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that staff could go back to them with the Board's request to look at their finances again. He said that they are not required to give staff that information at this point. Commissioner Caryotakis stated one of his concerns was if we could rely upon them to keep this place rented. He said if they can't cover a down payment and if they are restricted to new payments of $200 a month, do they have the means to keep this place rented and to handle the administrative responsibility. Housing Manager Barnes replied that staff had similar concerns. He said it is more difficult to find buyers and to sell a house when you are renting it out. He also indicated that staff had concerns that they will no longer provide $1,000 up front as part of the modification. Chairman Kulaszewicz stated that the first mortgage holder may not allow them to rent out their property either. He asked if the title to this property had our restrictive covenants with regards to Page 68 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 4 affordability so that if foreclosed, those terms would go to the new buyer. Housing Program Manager Barnes staid this property did not have the restrictive covenants. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Chairman Kulaszewicz, to deny the loan modification request for the existing loan for property located at 5465 Orleans Lane North, #5. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. Potential Redevelopment. Industrial Area Southeast Of Medicine Lake. Commissioner Stein gave an overview of this request. Commissioner Stein asked if it has to be designated as a blight area. Housing Program Manager Barnes confirmed affirmatively. He said that in order for this to qualify for a redevelopment district, we would have to do a blight study. He said we would have to hire an independent consultant to go out, look through all of the properties that would be included in the district and determine whether or not they meet that blight test. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked for some of the blight criteria in general. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded the overall cost to bring the building up to current codes has to exceed 15% of what a new building would cost to be built. He said the fact that they are older buildings may help in determining that the 15% is exceeded. Commissioner Runck asked that before we do a blight study, wouldn't we want to get the sniff test from other developers. He said that he knows another developer that he thinks would be really interested in doing this. He said they could do some "back of the envelope" math on the pro forma of what would work there to know what the gap would be. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that before we start getting too far out there, especially if we were going to have to approach the businesses, that the HRA may want to hold a joint meeting with the city council since the council is going to be so involved with this as well. Commissioner Runck stated that making an office use work is pretty tough unless you have an anchor tenant lined up. He said that in an area of that size, he doesn't think there is enough intensity to make it work as retail. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked about housing around assisted living. Commissioner Runck stated that there is certainly a demand for senior housing. He doesn't know about the demand at that site but there is going to be a need for it in the future at some point. Chairman Kulaszewicz stated that as far as housing went, that would seem to be a nice location for that. Commissioner Runck said that with the lakeside park, that would seem to be logical. Commissioner Stein stated that in the past, council has talked about greater than three to five story buildings so this could be higher density than what staff is even allowing for. Commissioner Runck stated that the reason most of the new apartment buildings being built in the twin cities are not high rise is because the rents are not high enough to justify the concrete Page 69 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 5 construction for height. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that we used our current guiding and zoning to determine options. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated to keep road and traffic improvements in mind. He said if all housing, we believe that there is enough capacity already there so there would be very little improvements needed. He said going to anything office or retail would probably trigger some major improvements, upwards of over $5 million. He said the majority of that is dealing with the Highway 169 ramps. Commissioner Runck asked if that was because they're outdated. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that they will not work for those volumes of traffic and intensified uses, particularly during peak traffic times. Commissioner Stein stated that he didn't think anyone ever considered this site to be all office and retail. Commissioner Caryotakis asked with this kind of redevelopment, is it voluntary for the property owners to decide to cooperate. Housing Program Manager Barnes confirmed affirmatively. He said that at an earlier discussion there was no interest in eminent domain. Commissioner Caryotakis asked if we would have to be able to cover the costs of having them move. Chairman Kulaszewicz stated if they even wanted to. Commissioner Stein stated that the city council would provide a letter to the property owners that the city is interested in seeing redevelopment if it ever got that far. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that if the redevelopment was going to be done on this or any other site that the HRA or city could be a partner in the project and provide assistance based on what the lead developer requested and what the HRA and/or city felt was reasonable. Commissioner Runck stated that if the rents at that site could be high enough, that it might make sense to have a developer contribute more and less would be needed from the city and then maybe the numbers would make sense. He said that's the variable we need to figure out. Commissioner Stein stated that if a project occurred and they requested TIF that Ehlers would do a complete analysis of the project and determine how much TIF the project would need. Commissioner Runck asked if they would use current market information in their assumptions. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that they would use information from the current market and from the developer themselves. He said that if the developer is asking for the public subsidy, they have to meet the "but -for" test. He said they have to make the case that "but -for" public assistance or this project would not be financially feasible. Housing Program Manager Barnes suggested this item be tabled until next month's meeting so that Commissioner Willis has a chance to weigh in with thoughts. Commissioner Caryotakis stated that he thinks we would find pretty good interest in doing multifamily in this project and it's a good location. Commissioner Stein stated that up until two Page 70 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 6 to three years ago, multifamily was all that was being built in the city. He said now we are seeing more single family homes being built. He mentioned that Dominium Development was getting ready to submit an application to the city for an affordable housing project that would be multi -family. Housing Programs Manager Barnes indicated that Dominium has indicated they will ask the HRA for funds to help the project. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked if it would be a TIF district kind of thing. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that he didn't believe it would really warrant creating a TIF district. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Caryotakis, to continue discussion of the properties located in the industrial area southeast of Medicine Lake to the April 26, 2012 HRA meeting. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. C. Election of Officers. Commissioner Stein nominated Commissioner Kulaszewicz as Chairman. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Caryotakis, to approve Commissioner Kulaszewicz as Chairman. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. Commissioner Stein nominated Commissioner Caryotakis as Vice Chairman. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Chairman Kulaszewicz, to approve Commissioner Caryotakis as Vice Chairman. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. Chairman Kulaszewicz nominated Commissioner Runck as Secretary. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Chairman Kulaszewicz, to approve Commissioner Runck as Secretary. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved. D. Request for Special Meeting. Housing Program Manager Barnes requests a special meeting to approve the development agreement and related documents with Oppidan Development for Tax Increment Financing District 1-3. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated the Board adopted the modification to the tax increment financing plan for TIF 1-3 at the August 25, 2011 meeting. He said Oppidan believes they have all of their users identified at this point. He said that Shelter Corp (which is proposing the senior assisted living facility), McDonalds and The Davis Group will be the end users on the site. He said they have a purchase agreement with The Davis Group for a medical office building that will go on the eastern portion of the site. He said that Shelter Corp has submitted their building plans and they need to start taking action on the sale of the parcels and filing the final plat. He said Oppidan has requested a special meeting some time between April 5th and April 14th so they can close on April 15th Page 71 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 7 Chairman Kulaszewicz asked if they had wanted funding up front. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded the funding is just under $1.9 million and will be in the form of pay as you go. Commissioner Runck asked if this had all been approved by the Planning Commission. Housing Program Manager Barnes replied that the whole development has been approved as a PUD so they will have to come back for an amendment to the PUD for the medical office building. Chairman Kulaszewicz stated the developer did try to pay special attention to the neighbors adjacent to this site. Housing Program Manager Barnes added that they made some changes to work with the residents who will sit behind the senior building and McDonalds. MOTION by Chairman Kulaszewicz, without objection, to approve the request for a special meeting on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. to approve the development agreement and related documents with Oppidan Development for Tax Increment Financing District 1-3. MOTION approved. Commissioner Runck asked to discuss information provided by staff in their meeting packets. He referred to the city of Woodbury's program for interest -only deferred loans to help purchase foreclosed homes. He said this seems to be a practical program for folks to get houses. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that we have been very fortunate with foreclosures in our city. He said that right now we are sitting under 4%, with around 140 homes out there at some various stage of foreclosure according to the Hennepin County website. He said we are not out of the woods but it has been very stable. He said the Woodbury program is keyed to foreclosures. He said he didn't know if it was a huge issue that you would have a lot of interest in Plymouth. He said Woodbury is using their local tax dollars to run the program. He said that is something that the city has never done as our First Time Homebuyer program has always been federal CDBG funds. Commissioner Caryotakis stated that it's a challenging project. Chairman Kulaszewicz stated they seem to have created a pool of funds from property tax dollars that they loan out and receive interest payments back with the interest payments continuing to fund the program. He said it doesn't seem to be a bad idea and asked how much funds would be needed to start the program with. Commissioner Caryotakis asked how fast the funds would come back to you because the loans are going to be a very slow recycle. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated to also consider that the First Time Homebuyer program was not funded for the upcoming year so it will most likely run out of money. He said if this is something that the Board would like staff to look at, we could look at what other communities are doing. He said that when you use tax dollars, you get more flexibility in how you design that program because we are not tied to the federal regulations. He said there is about Page 72 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 8 $1.4 million in the unrestricted reserve account. He said there are other programs that could be looked at, such as, rehabilitation or energy improvement loan programs. Commissioner Stein asked how this would be different from the $25,000 First Time Homebuyer program. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded the only differences he sees in the Woodbury program is they restrict it to foreclosed properties, they serve a higher income limit and they are receiving interest back on it. He said they have a balloon payment at the end of 30 years just like our current program does and they can serve a broader range of potential buyers. Commissioner Stein asked if we have had more people call than we can serve and is the income limit restrictive. Housing Program Manager Barnes confirmed affirmatively. He said for every one we approve, we deny two based on income because they are over the limit. He said that there are not a lot that are denied but they are within $10,000 to $15,000 over the income limit so they would be under 100% of median income for our area. He said Woodbury used 115% of median income and they probably used that figure because a few of the programs offered through the State of Minnesota's Housing and Finance Agency go up to that limit. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked what our household median is. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that we are restricted by HUD but our median income is around $90,000. Chairman Kulaszewicz asked if the Woodbury program does anything to help preserve the property market value or is that already gone because it is a foreclosed property. Housing Program Manager Barnes replied that he is unsure if anyone has studied this yet. He said it may be better to look at a program that prevents foreclosures and, therefore, would help to preserve values. Chairman Kulaszewicz stated that a program that would help people from getting foreclosed on and maintaining the property value is something that would interest him but he didn't know how you would do that. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that there are a number of programs that operate right now if someone is four or five months behind they can get a loan to catch them up. He said the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operates that program and they work with housing council centers to run the programs. Commissioner Caryotakis stated that the major banks have been sued and part of that settlement is the banks are supposed to provide some kind of assistance for folks in foreclosure. He said what the qualifications are for those people and what kinds of assistance the banks are going to provide are unknown but it might be a situation where if someone would qualify and if they met certain criteria, having some kind of assistance might take them over the hurdle. Chairman Kulaszewicz added which may keep the house from being foreclosed and which may help you maintain your overall property values and give you more property taxes. Commissioner Stein asked if staff has received phone calls from people looking for foreclosure assistance. Housing Program Manager Barnes responded that we don't get a lot and when we do Page 73 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority March 22, 2012 Page 9 we refer them to CAPSH. He said their foreclosure prevention program is their fastest growing program that they have right now and they are serving a good number of people in Plymouth. Commissioner Stein stated that he didn't want to take a lot of staff time but if they think there is a program out there that would benefit the community that we are not providing and that wouldn't take tax dollars or would be a self funding program from our reserves, he would like to hear more about it. Housing Programs Manager Barnes said staff would research what other communities are providing and see if there is something that would be beneficial for Plymouth residents. Chairman Kulaszewicz made a recommendation to staff to look at a few programs to see if there is something out there that we could do to further assist our residents. Housing Program Manager Barnes stated that staff would look into programs like Woodbury's First Time Homebuyer program and some foreclosure programs and report back to the Board. 4. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chairman Kulaszewicz, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. MOTION approved. Page 74 APPROVED MINUTES PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING April 10, 2012 PRESENT: Chairman Jeff Kulaszewicz, Commissioners Paul Caryotakis and Carl Runck ABSENT: Commissioners Bob Stein and Jim Willis STAFF PRESENT: Housing Program Manager Jim Barnes and Executive Director Steve Juetten (arrived at 6:55pm) OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Tucci, Oppidan Inc. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kulaszewicz called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Oppidan Development. Review and approve development agreement with Oppidan for TIF District 1-3 for redevelopment of the Plymouth Shopping Center located on State Highway 55 just west of County Road 73.. Housing Program Manager Barnes informed the Board that one of the end users, Shelter Corp., had raised a couple of last minute issues with the Development Agreement. He indicated that the issues related to who was responsible for the public improvements being undertaken on the site and who they would be able to sell their facility to if they decided to sell in the future. Barnes then asked the Board to table the item to provide staff with time to attempt to resolve these issues with the HRA's attorney and Shelter Corp. Chair Kulaszewicz discussed his understanding of what the minimum assessment agreement is and why it is needed. Housing Program Manager Barnes confirmed that his understanding of the document was correct. Commissioner Runck asked if the Declaration of Restrictive Covenants was a standard document used by the City and HRA. Housing Program Manager stated that it was. Oppidan Inc. representative Paul Tucci gave the Board a status update on the project. Commissioner Runck asked if the City requires Oppidan to get competitive bids for the project. Housing Programs Manager Barnes stated we do not. Mr. Tucci told the Board that there costs are a lot higher than what is being covered by the TIF and that they did seek multiple bids for their project. Page 75 Approved Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority April 10, 2012 Page 2 Chair Kulaszewicz asked Mr. Tucci who are the Affiliated Entities with Oppidan that the project may be transferred to. Mr. Tucci indicated that they do have Affiliated Entities but it would not make any sense for them to transfer the project to another entity they control. He also stated that they do not have any intention of transferring the project. MOTION by Commissioner Caryotakis, seconded by Commissioner Kulaszewicz, to table the item and consider it at the April 26th HRA meeting. Vote. 3 Ayes. MOTION approved. 3. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chairman Kulaszewicz, without objection to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. MOTION approved. Page 76 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting April 18, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Dick Kobussen, Nathan Robinson, Gordon Petrash, Scott Nelson, Bryan Oakley and Marc Anderson STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, Senior Planner Marie Darling and Office Support Representative Janice Bergstrom 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the April 18, 2012 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 4, 2012 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, to approve the April 4, 2012 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. RYLAND HOMES (2012012) Chair Davis introduced the request by Ryland Homes for rezoning to RSF-3, preliminary plat and subdivision variance for "Arbor Grove 3rd Addition" for 14 single family lots. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Davis introduced the applicant, Michael Ramme, Ryland Homes. Mr. Ramme said they plan to develop this project in one phase and would begin grading later this summer. He said they would like to have a home constructed for the fall Parade of Homes and would begin selling homes in fall of 2012. Mr. Ramme said he assumed the final build out would occur by mid - Page 77 Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Page 2 2014. Mr. Ramme reviewed the home styles and said the price range would be in the $370,000 to mid -$400,000 range. Chair Davis asked how the roads from this site would interface with Arbor Grove 1 and 2 and the adjacent properties. Mr. Ramme introduced Dave Nash, who explained the roads do not connect, and the only connection is through the trail. He added the trail will connect to Zircon Lane. Mr. Nash said ghost plats are provided for the property to the north and south. Chair Davis asked about a connection to the hammerhead. Mr. Nash said there is a small parcel guided for lower density residential use on the north side. Commissioner Anderson discussed the ghost plat and asked if Ryland has any control on the properties north or south at this time or if the property owners had reviewed the ghost plat. Mr. Nash said they have no formal control of those properties at this time, and he didn't believe the property owners had seen the ghost plat. Commissioner Anderson asked if the city or the property owners would maintain the pond on Lot 1 Block 2. Senior Planner Darling said the city has taken over maintenance of ponds in the city. Commissioner Anderson asked if there is sufficient access for such maintenance. Mr. Nash said the access will be from the trail. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the request by Ryland Homes for rezoning to RSF-3, preliminary plat and subdivision variance for "Arbor Grove 3rd Addition" for 14 single family lots. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2012019) Chair Davis introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for a zoning ordinance amendment to include potbelly pigs in the definition of farm animals. Planning Manager Thomson gave an overview of the staff report. Page 78 Approved Planning Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Page 3 Commissioner Robinson asked if the language could be changed from "hogs" to "swine", as that would cover everything. He questioned whether a Vietnamese Teacup Pig would be covered with the proposed definition. Planning Manager Thomson said staff didn't look at "swine" as an option, but said the Teacup is a type of potbelly, so it would be covered. Chair Davis opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the item. Chair Davis said he would vote to approve this. MOTION by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the request by the City of Plymouth for a zoning ordinance amendment to include potbelly pigs in the definition of farm animals. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. Page 79 Notes of Meeting with Three River Park District April 17, 2012 Three Rivers Park District -- Board Chair Larry Blackstad, Board member Sara Wyatt, Superintendent Chris Gears, Chief of Planning Jonathan Vlaming City of Plymouth — Mayor Slavik, City Manager Laurie Ahrens, Public Works Director Doran Cote Three Rivers Park District has adopted a new Strategic Plan which emphasizes collaboration and relationships with other units of government. District representatives plan to periodically meet with city officials to share information and discuss issues. The Park District has more direct contact with Plymouth than perhaps any other city, due to the headquarters location and past joint projects. We enjoy a very positive relationship. The District is receiving demands to have more regional trails maintained in the winter throughout the district, and they are studying this policy and associated financial resources. The City described its winter trail maintenance practice. The French Regional Park Master Plan will be updated over the next two years, and city involvement will be requested. A dog park was previously proposed at French Park on property the City had deeded to Three Rivers. Three Rivers abandoned that plan on the specific site when concerns were discussed. Supt. Gears noted that a nearby erosion issue was also successfully resolved with open communication between the District and the City. Supt. Gears explained legislation relating to the distribution of Legacy Funds. Support will be needed in future years to ensure that the metro area receives a fair share of the funding. Manager Ahrens suggested that the Park District provide detailed information to cities and request support as a legislative priority for next session. Three Rivers has a coyote management policy, and they would like the cities of Plymouth and Maple Grove to adopt it for consistency. Post meeting — Park Director Diane Evans was unable to attend the meeting but notes there is an open issue which needs resolution. Eric Blank and Del Miller had many "hand -shake" agreements on land swaps between the City and Three Rivers in the past. City and Park District staff spent a lot of time in 2011 working on documentation and agreements to finalize and resolve the land swap issues. However, the issue remains unresolved. The City believed that the issue could be finalized as part of the Trillium Woods project, but agreement was not reached. The Park District has indicated that future items will be requested relating to the Bassett Creek Trail and the Medicine Lake Regional Trail. The City would like to resolve the issues now so that there are no delays in the future. It has not seemed to be a priority for the Park District. Diane and Chris are meeting to discuss. Page 80