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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 08-12-2005CITY OF PLYM Dummy COUNCIL INFO -- August _August 12, 2005 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Calls to amend the agenda for the August 23 Special Council Meeting ............................... Page 2 Planning Commission August 17 meeting agenda................................................................ Page 4 Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) August 18 meeting agenda ........................... Page 6 August, September, and October Official City Meeting Calendars ...................................... Page 7 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ........................................ Page 13 FOR INFORMATION ... News Articles, Releases, Publications, etc. Star Tribune Plymouth—related articles from the Wednesday "West Edition": Report on median cable barriers to be installed on Hwy 169 and I-494 ................ Page 14 Ben Steverman's column with tips on mobile phone etiquette while commuting on buses, with comments from Public Services Manager PatQvale................................................................................................................. Page 16 Staff Reports Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Population Report ...................................... Page 18 Correspondence Letter to Transportation Commission Carol Molnau commenting on the draft Metro District Transportation System Plan ......................................................................... Page 19 August 4, 2005 I hereby amend the call and agenda for the Special City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, 7 p.m., to include the following topic: County Road 101 project. .2.,� PLYMOUTH Adding Quality to Life 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER WWW .d.plymouth. mm us August 9, 2005 I hereby amend the call and agenda for the Special City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, 7 p.m., to include the following topic: Consider process and appointment to Planning Commission. Judy A. Johns n, or 3 PLYMOUTH Adairg Qualitt/ to Life E3NR E�o.Rt E�FtiNEF 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD o PLYMOUTH; MINNESOTA 55447-1482 o TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 %nnnnei Ii n11-1— Itk .,, . .. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2005 WHERE: BLACK BOX THEATER Plymouth Creek Center 1480034 th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the August 3, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. B. Inspec, Inc. Approve site plan amendment for a bituminous drive with adjacent concrete sidewalk at Oakwood Elementary School located at 17340 County Road 6. (2005064) C. Edward Farr Architects. Approve site plan amendment for Liberty Property Trust for a parking area expansion for property located at 4600 and 4700 Nathan Lane North. (2005096) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Faegre & Benson LLP. Planned unit development amendment to allow various site plan inconsistencies from the original PUD approval for Parkers Lake Apartments for property located at 15100 -18th Avenue North. (2004019) B. Lifestyle Properties. Rezoning from C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial), FRD (Future Restricted Development), and RMF -2 (Multiple Family 2) to RMF -3 (Multiple Family 3) and RMF -4 (Multiple Family 4) for the portion of the property south of the creek. The applicant has also requested a preliminary plat, conditional use permit, interim use permit and variance for 13 apartment -style buildings to be called "The Villas of Bass Lake Creek" on property located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Nathan Lane and Bass Lake Rd. (County Road 10). (2005033) (Continued from July 20, 2005.) C. Calhoun Development. Preliminary plat for four single family lots for property located at 1010 Harbor Lane North. (2005078) D. Dove Capital I, LLC. Comprehensive Plan amendment to reguide from C (Commercial) to MXD (Mixed Use), and a pre -application sketch review for a development proposal that would include 57,549 square feet of retail and office use, and 76 multi -family dwelling units for land located south of Highway 55 and east of Cottonwood Lane. (2005079) E. City of Plymouth. Lighting Zone Map amendment from Lighting Zone 2 to Lighting Zone 3 for Beautiful Savior Church located at 5005 Northwest Boulevard. (2005082) F. McGough Development. Site plan amendment, conditional use permit and variance for a parking lot expansion at the City Center Professional Building located at 15700 37th Avenue North. (2005083) 7. NEW BUSINESS A. City of Plymouth. Interim ordinance to consider guiding of properties on Cottonwood Lane south of Highway 55. (2005080) 8. ADJOURNMENT AGENDA MEETING PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Plymouth Towne Square 1550037 th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from July 21, 2005 and August 4, 2005 B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Report C. Approve CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report D. 2005 Plymouth Towne Square Resident Survery 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CDBG Citizen Participation Plan and Reallocation of funds 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Vicksburg Crossing. Amended Purchase Agreement and Easement Agreement with CSM 5. ADJOURNMENT m OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS August 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 5:30 PM 7:00 PM NATIONAL NIGHT PLANNING OUT COMMISSION, Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7:00 PM7:00 PM CHARTER REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING, PlymauthCreekCenbr, COUNCIL tourer MYel ConWence z MEETING, Black Reem Box Theater, Plymouth Creek F7 OD PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE Center EDC), Plymouth Creek Center Cleearoom A 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY(HRA), COMMISSION, Plymouth Town Square Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 100 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Plymouth Creel( Center, T:So PM REGUTAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Bleck m. TMe1x, Pynwulh Crwk Lenler Meeting Room i SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING REGULAR MEETING):CO RD t e1 CONSTRUCTION LAYOUT; CONSIDER PROCESS 8 APPTS TO PLANNING COMMISSION; BUDGET STUDY SESSION, Ply n h Creek Curter MWim Room 3, N— N—I 28 29 30 31 Jul 2005 Sep 2005 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 modified on 8/12/2005 7 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS September 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday ? Saturday 1 2 J Aug 2005 Oct 2005 7:00 PM HUMAN S M T W T F S S M T W T F S RIGHTS COMMISSION, Plymouth Creek Center 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Conference Room 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 LABOR DAY - City Offices Closed 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: BUDGET STUDY SESSION; Conf. Rm. 2, Plymouth Creek Center lower level 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek 7:00 PM PARK b RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSIDN (FRAC) cl...room, PtymoulhCr..k C.M.r (this m..Bno ody) Center 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: BUDGET STUDY SESSION, Conf. Rm. 2, Plymouth Cr..k C,nt.r beer bwl 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Plymouth Creek Center, lower level Conference Room 8:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Black 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Plymouth Creek Center Classroom A 6:30 PM -8:30 PM COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OPEN HOUSE, Plymouth Creek Center, Plymouth Room Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Plymouth Town Square 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 6:30 PM -8:30 PM COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OPEN HOUSE, Plymouth Creek Center, Plymouth Room 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Black Box Theater, 9:00 AM -3:30 PM PLYMOUTH CLEAN-UP DAY, Public Works Plymouth Creek Maintenance Center Facility Autumn Art Fair and Plymouth on Parade 25 26 27 28 29 30 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Plymouth Creek Center, lower level Conference Room 2 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH BUSINESS COUNCIL, Sheraton Minneapolis West 12201 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center modified on 8/12/2005 q OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS October 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Sep 2005 Nov 2005 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1:00 PM 1 2 3 4 5 PLYMOUTH ON 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 PARADE 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ROSH HASHANAH 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Plymouth Creek center BEGINS AT COMMISSION, Conference Room 2 SUNSET Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 T:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL ouALm coMMmEE (Eoc). PynewAl, Crrk CeMx 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY YOM KIPPUR BEGINS AT 7:00 PM PARK6 RECREATION ADVISORY �eA COUNCILSUNSET COMMISSION(PRAC), COUNCIL. PlPnoulh Tree PMYOUTH ADVISflk MEETING, Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center Classroom A 1--1COnleReomT Plymouth Creek Center COLUMBUS WY (OBSERVED), PuEkc Wodo gvhbn cord 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), COMMISSION, Plymouth Town Square Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 7:00 PM -9:00 PM CoMPREHENSNE PLAN OPEN HOUSE, Plymouth 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY 7:DO PM -9:00 PM COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OPEN HOUSE, Plymouth Creek Center, Plymouth COUNCIL Creek Center, Plymouth Room MEETING, Black Room 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, PymouDt Creek Cont" I.— level Conference Box Theater, pl mouth Creek y Center 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1 ON TRANSIT (PACT), Plymo M Creek Center Room 2 30 31 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS - set clocks back 1 hour modified on 8/12/2005 �I Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items August 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Recognize two firefighter retirees and administer oath of office to two new firefighters • Consider award of bid for construction of Transit Station 73 (3125) (Tabled from August 9) • Approve easement agreement for property located at 34th Avenue and Plymouth Boulevard. United States Postal Service. (2004147) • Approve rezoning, site plan, conditional use permit, and variances to allow a 12,678 -square foot office/retail building and a 4,200 -square foot auto -service building for property located at the southwest corner of Old Rockford Road and Peony Lane. Acacia Real Estate Partners LLC. (2005066) • Approve site plan amendment for Liberty Property Trust for a parking area expansion for property located at 4600 and 4700 Nathan Lane North. Edward Farr Architects. (2005096) August 23, Special, following completion of the regular meeting • Review layout for reconstruction of County Road 101 between 12th Avenue and 30th Place North (5102) • Discuss proposed 2006 budget and tax levies • Consider Planning Commission appointment September 6, Special, 7:00 p.m., Conference Room 2, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Budget study session September 8, Special, 7:00 p.m., Conference Room 2, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Budget study session • Set future study sessions September 13, Regular, 8:00 p.m., Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Public Hearing on 2005 Delinquent Water, Sewer, Recycling, Surface Water Fee, and Street Lighting Service Charges • Adopt 2006 preliminary budgets and tax levies, and establish dates for Truth in Taxation hearings • Approve franchise agreement with Centerpoint Energy • Announcement of Plymouth on Parade and Autumn Art Fair on September 24 • Consider layout for reconstruction of County Road 101 between 12th Avenue and 30th Place North (5102) September 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Presentation of Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association Award of Excellence for Sponsorships and Partnerships I3 Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. startribune.com close window Last update: August 8, 2005 at 5:56 PM A median that means business Ben Steverman Star Tribune Published August 10, 2005 Though the Legislature never voted to provide the funding, median cable barriers will be built down the middle of Hwy. 169 and Interstate Hwy. 494 after all. The barriers, which can stop vehicles from crossing the median and crashing into oncoming traffic, had the support of Plymouth police, city officials and legislators from the northwest suburbs. But the Legislature didn't find the money to build the barriers in Plymouth, where only a strip of grass now separates north- and southbound traffic. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced it will proceed with building the barriers anyway. It will devote $1.65 million to building them in the Plymouth area and in two other metro -area locations. The money will come from $6.5 million set aside for safety measures on roads around the state. The barriers consist of three cables held tight between metal posts. They will be installed on 3.5 miles of Hwy. 169 from Medicine Lake Road to Bass Lake Road and 4.4 miles on I-494 from Hwy. 55 to County Road 10. They also will be installed on portions of I-94 in Brooklyn Center and I -35W in Burnsville. "I'm thrilled," said Plymouth Police Chief Michael Goldstein, who has had to responded to many crossover crashes on Hwy. 169 and I-494. He lobbied for the cable barriers for more than a year. "Here, for a relatively minimal cost, we're doing something that is prudent, appropriate and absolutely beneficial to all who use those two roadways," Goldstein said. Construction could start later this year or early next year. Saving lives Cable barriers are already in place along an 11 -mile stretch of I-94 in Maple Grove and points northwest, and MnDOT was impressed with how those barriers have performed, said Bernie Arseneau, director of MnDOT's Office of Traffic Security and Operations. "Personally, I believe we've saved more than one life on 94," Arseneau said. He has proof: Traffic cameras have captured images of drivers losing control at high speeds and crashing into the barrier. Without the barrier, they almost certainly would have struck oncoming traffic. At high speeds, there just isn't enough time for a driver to react to an oncoming car or truck crossing the narrow median, Arseneau said. MnDOT plans to add some sort of barriers -- whether cable or the more expensive concrete barriers -- to many highways in the metro area over the next few years. But it has started with the roads that need barriers most, Arseneau said. From 1993 to 2003, there were 17 serious crossover crashes on I-494 and Hwy. 169 north of I-394. Legislators, including state Sens. David Gaither, R -Plymouth, and Ann Rest, DFL -New Hope, cited the statistics in lobbying the Legislature for money for the barriers. The Senate voted to devote $1 million to the cable barriers, but the House did not go along with that plan. Arsineau said MnDOT staff did not like that the Senate was designating where the barriers should go. Those decisions should be based on analysis of traffic data, he said. One disadvantage of the cables is that they're hit frequently by drivers who otherwise might have been able to regain control of their vehicles before going into oncoming traffic. Because the cable barriers, unlike concrete barriers, must be repaired when they are struck, the maintenance costs can be high. "But the saving of lives and prevention of serious injuries outweighs that," Arseneau said. Contact the writer at 612-673-7168 or bsteverfnanAstartribune.com. Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. startribune.com close window Last update: August 8, 2005 at 3:12 PM On the bus? Silence the phone Published August 10, 2005 Riders on west suburban commuter buses are complaining about fellow passengers' loud cell phone conversations and annoying ringtones. "The big reason people ride the bus is to relax or read," said Pat Qvale, administrator of Plymouth Metrolink, the city bus service. "The phones are literally taking away from that." After bus riders brought complaints to the city, Plymouth decided to do something about it. New signs on all buses ask passengers to follow "proper cell phone etiquette." Try to keep quiet both your voice and your phone's ringtone, the sign says, and "be aware of the space you're sharing." SouthWest Metro Transit, the bus service for Chaska, Chanhassen and Eden Prairie, put up similar signs. Despite the annoyance, it's not yet time to ban cell phones entirely, Qvale said. That would inconvenience too many riders. The main complaints seem to be about long, loud conversations about work or personal matters. Staff will ride on buses to see whether riders are being more polite with their phones, she said. Water watchers Since 2000, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board has given away about $170,000 for efforts to reduce pollution and improve the waterways in the district. Schools, community organizations and neighborhood associations have won money from the Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Fund. Applications are due by the end of the month for another round of grants from the fund, which honors the late Cynthia Krieg, a former district consultant. In the past, money has been awarded to efforts to restore wetlands, clean up trash around lakes and reduce pollution by creating ways for more storm water to soak into the ground rather than flowing into waterways through storm sewers. For more information, go to www.minnehahacreek.org or call 952-471-0590. Water watchers, Pt. H The five -member Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board oversees the waterways that flow into Nine Mile creek and eventually into the Minnesota River. That covers about 50 square miles in parts of Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Edina and Bloomington. The terms of two members of that board expire this fall, so Hennepin County is accepting applications from residents of the watershed who would like to volunteer for the board. The two incumbent (6 members, Robert Kojetin and Corrine Lynch, are asking to be reappointed. Applications are due Sept. 7, and the Hennepin County Board would conduct interviews and make decisions about a week later. To get an application, call 612-348-3257, email latoya.wilson a co.hennepin.mn.us or go to www.hennepin.us. For more on the district, go to www.ninemilecreek.org. Contact the writer at 612-673-7168 or bstevermanAstartribune.com. C Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. R. DATE: August 8, 2005 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Man ger FROM: Anne Hurlburt, ommunity Development Director SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report Hennepin County Community Corrections staff has submitted their monthly report on average daily population for the month of July, 2005. The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility was 555, less than the occupancy limit of 601 set by the Conditional Use Permit. The chart below shows the average monthly population since we began receiving reports in June of 1998. 700 .IA 500 c Uo 400 a) c�a 300 `m a 200 100 yj HCACF Monthly Population Report Co O O O O O — r N N M M 'IT '41' M O o) o) O O O O O O O O O O O C U C U C U C U C U C U C U C 7 a) 7 a) a) 7 a) 7 a) a) 7 a) 7 Month/Yea r ❑ CUP Limit ■A\erage Count t I CITY OF August 12, 2005 PLYMOUN Carol Molnau, Commissioner Minnesota Department of Transportation 395 John Ireland Boulevard St. Paul, MN 55155-1899 DRAFT Subject: City of Plymouth Comments on Draft Metro District Transportation System Plan Dear Commissioner Molnau: The City of Plymouth appreciates the opportunity to comment on Mn/DOT's draft Metro District Transportation System Plan (TSP). The plan clearly documents the desperate need we have as a state for additional funding for transportation. Without additional funding and the corresponding transportation improvements it would support, we envision a wide range of increasing negative impacts in this metropolitan area on residential development, goods movement and the overall regional economy. Moreover, we firmly believe that these regional impacts would have ripple effects statewide. In addition to our overall concerns, the City has a number of specific concerns about the draft plan and distribution of funding for transportation -related needs. The City of Plymouth has the following comments on the draft: I-494 Corridor The only project in Plymouth that would receive funding in the "Fiscally Constrained Investment Plan" is an additional lane in each direction of I-494 from I-94 to TH 55. The draft TSP shows this project as needed between 2008-2015 but planned between 2015 and 2023; in other words, outside of the 10 -year work plan. The last TSP indicated this project was in the "short term" time frame for investment. In the draft TSP, it is identified as "medium term." When the Metropolitan Council updated its Transportation Policy Plan last year, the timing of improvements to I-494 was unclear, but the Plan implied that the timing would be advanced as soon as funding permits if additional funds became available. I-494 is the main street to numerous cities, including Plymouth. The six cities of Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Bloomington and Richfield have worked through the I-494 Corridor Commission for more than a decade to secure improvements C q PLYMOUTH adding Quality to Life 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER www. c i . p I y mo uth . m n . u s Commissioner Carol Molnau August 12, 2005 Page 2 of 3 to this facility which is vital to businesses up and down the corridor. Clearly, losing ground on the needed improvement through Plymouth does not support continued economic vitality in the corridor. Trunk Highway 55 Plymouth commends Mn/DOT for recognizing that there are needs on TH 55. However, the addition of an "overpass" at the Xenium/Northwest Blvd. (CSAH 61) intersection would not be consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and would severely compromise access to the commercial, industrial and other properties in that part of the City. The Highway 55 Corridor Coalition, of which Plymouth and Hennepin County are members, is currently working on a corridor study of TH 55 from I-494 to Annandale. That study will provide some information regarding the future needs at the Xenium/Northwest Blvd intersection that should be considered before determining whether an overpass, a grade -separated interchange, or some other design is the ultimate improvement needed at that location. The City also commends the recognition that additional lanes are needed on TH 55. However, there may also be the need for additional lanes west of Arrowhead Drive, which are not included in the TSP. Again, the corridor study will provide important information as to the future needs on TH 55. The Coalition will use the outcome of the study to advocate for additional federal funds. Plymouth clearly sees the benefit of having the project listed in the TSP, as some local match for any federal funds would be required, even though there is no time frame or dollar amount listed. We further note that the TSP cites several high crash intersections in the TH 55 corridor. We urge Mn/DOT to use the results of the corridor study to make investment decisions about these intersections in this critical corridor. OWNIN Plymouth commends Mn/DOT for adding US 169 to the plan. There is a demonstrated need for improvement to this facility. However, it appears unlikely that funding would become available within the time frame of the TSP unless significant new resources are found. US 169 is yet another excellent example of the fact that there are major, unmet critical needs in the regional transportation system that are eroding mobility and hampering the economic growth of the area. Transit The TSP assumes that transit ridership will double between now and 2030 consistent with the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Policy Plan. However, in order for this to happen, the State must invest in transit. The draft TSP shows a very small percentage of e!r Commissioner Carol Molnau August 12, 2005 Page 3 of 3 the total proposed transportation investments going to transit projects. While Plymouth recognizes that we are an automobile -oriented society, we must strive to achieve a better balance between investments that benefit the car and those that benefit transit. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft. Unfortunately, it paints a bleak picture for our region. We believe that we must all work toward increasing investment in our transportation system or we will continue to see a decrease in our overall quality of life in this region and the state as a whole. We sincerely hope that Mn/DOT will carefully consider our comments prior to adopting a plan that will affect all of us and continue to work to give high visibility to the vast gap between our needs and our resources to address those needs. Sincerely, Judy A. Johnson, Mayor City of Plymouth cc: Governor Tim Palenty State Senator David Gaither State Senator Gen Olson State Senator Anne Rest State Representative Ron Abrams State Representative Jeff Johnson State Representative Sandra Peterson State Representative Steve Smith Hennepin County Commissioner Penny Steele Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein Patrick Hughes, Metro District Engineer Paul Czech, Mn/DOT Planning Director J 'd o r M ..r, N N O 00 O ., o �, 4-4 o o C7 C) o to .�� cCd a " U o •b a °' abi -d 3 0 ° O U on b N y to •� cd Ute- C i'� Cd Cd cd �� on cd � C, �'d M �b O .dd o o o r M Cd o toa� �'o o o `C4.4°' U O + acp - o i b OU b a vCd rA 0 •2 o O V -- En, O C% ti -- o v, N •s; cd Cd ��a �� ba 14 N z y O y°6� t" .D ."" =N � N y co y O V rAA Gd i•n 0 i.. bA a O % V '� G� + a)W •.r ..raa�o� yy O U 4� Cl w cj +-� c. 1 + on .Q Ha cd °� 3 .. aH3ba °�5u �,�r w�� v, i Q" ��' b -- v� • rn �.a O � 0 �.0Cd o +C� b U o ° �n.fn o a a� Cd � • • • • • W � ani f�. � �q U 0 w • Q 0 U U� 0 a vi o b•� `ori � Hy U s� � � y to C� O R •ter N U pn "C O �r' O Ci v� PCC Q U p :° Ed U p a? a0 U cd Cd O OCd � co ;Q0 P� U a .y v O b Cy c� „� 0 cd Cd °o' �• U5 U U U U o �� c Q o� b �� oQCd Cl) rn A w A U U UCD 06 a; Q