HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-21-1994 SpecialMINUTES
COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
MARCH 21, 1994
A study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
5:35 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard,
on March 21, 1994.
PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Edson, Lymangood, and Helliwell.
Councilmember Anderson arrived at 5:40 p.m. Councilmember
Granath arrived at 5:50 p.m.
ABSENT: Councilmember Morrison
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director
Moore, Park Director Blank, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance
Director Hahn, City Engineer Faulkner, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
COUNTY ROAD 9 PROJECT
Public Works Director Moore presented information on the County Road 9 project
proposed by Hennepin County. He explained that no special assessments are
proposed with the project, and either the County or City staff plan to conduct a
public information meeting to get public comments on the proposed project. In
other similar projects, the City Council has also held a public hearing to receive
comment. The County is looking for input on the project so they can move
forward with construction in 1995.
He stated that 20 year planning was done for the project using traffic projections
through 2015. They estimate there will be about 43,000 vehicles per day on
County Road 9 at I-494, which is about double the current traffic level. This
project has been included in the County's CIP for the last two years.
Councilmember Helliwell asked if changes are proposed to the I-494 bridge at
County Road 9 and whether turn lanes will be added.
Director Moore responded that no design changes are proposed to the I-494
bridge.
Councilmember Anderson asked if sidewalks are proposed.
Minutes - Study Session
March 21, 1994
Page 2
Director Moore stated a trail is indicated on the plan on the south side of County
Road 9.
Councilmember Anderson stated that residents are concerned that this project will
result in a situation like Schmidt Lake Road where there is no way for pedestrians
to cross a major roadway to get to a trail. He is very concerned that no sidewalk
is proposed across the I-494 bridge.
Director Moore stated the City has a trail system on Fernbrook Lane. It is
anticipated that pedestrians would feed in an east -west direction to Fernbrook
Lane where they could cross at the intersection of County Road 9 with a traffic
light.
Park Director Blank stated pedestrians could cross County Road 9 at Vicksburg
Lane, Annapolis Lane, and Fernbrook Lane.
Councilmember Anderson stated he would like an analysis of the cost of including
a trail on the I-494 bridge and on both sides of County Road 9. He stated this is a
great concern to pedestrians and bikers, and the Vicksburg and County Road 9
area traffic will grow as additional development occurs.
Director Moore responded that trails are typically running about $14 per running
foot, but the right-of-way acquisition costs may be significant and are not included
in that amount.
Councilmember Helliwell agreed that trails need to be seriously studied for this
project. She believes the County Road 9 project is much different than County
Road 10 where trails are only on one side. She stated that typically people living
on the north side of County Road 10 travel northerly into Maple Grove, and
people living on the south side travel southerly into Plymouth. Most pedestrians
and bikers do not have to cross County Road 10.
Director Moore described the right-of-way necessary for the project as currently
proposed. He stated that five residential properties on the north side will need to
be acquired.
Councilmember Anderson requested that the County Road 9 project be included in
the Ward 1 Town Meeting.
Manager Johnson stated the staff intends to conduct public informational meetings,
and a public hearing to receive public input will be needed.
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March 21, 1994
Page 3
Councilmember Lymangood asked if the public hearing could be held by the
Planning Commission. He noted that the Planning Commission conducts the
public hearing on the Capital Improvement Program of which this project is a part.
Manager Johnson stated it could be delegated, but this is really not a land use
issue. He recommended it would be better to have meaningful public input at an
information meeting and then forwarded to the Council for public hearing. He
stated the Planning Commission reviews the proposed Capital Improvement
Program to ensure it is consistent with the land use guide plan. The County Road
9 hearing would be broader in scope.
Director Moore stated this project is further along than other projects in the
Capital Improvement Program. He stated that no formal public hearing is required
on this project as there would be if special assessments were proposed, but some
method will be needed to gain input from the public. He stated the hearing or
information meeting would not have to be done at a regular Council meeting.
Councilmember Helliwell believed that a public information meeting would be a
better method of receiving public input because the Planning Commission would
not be able to respond to design questions from residents. She asked how the cost
for the right-of-way acquisition is allocated.
Director Moore explained that the County acquires the right-of-way and the City
shares in half the cost. He stated the costs will likely be substantial.
Councilmember Helliwell asked if the County Road project could be completed in
one construction season.
Steve Theis, Hennepin County Design Engineer, responded that only if
construction started in early spring would it be possible to complete the project in
one year.
Councilmember Lymangood asked about traffic signals and storm water standards
for the project.
Director Moore stated that traffic signals are proposed at Annapolis and
Fernbrook. Storm water treatment will be provided to the same standard as
developments.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Theis stated that the Minnesota
Lane/County Road 9 intersection currently does not meet the traffic warrants for a
stop light.
Minutes - Study Session
March 21, 1994
Page 4
Councilmember Anderson asked how the City can ensure that consideration is
given to installing sidewalks on the north side.
Director Moore stated that trail information will likely be gained through the
public process, and the City could request that a sidewalk on the north side be
evaluated.
Mr. Theis stated that he views a sidewalk on the north side of County Road 9 as
strictly a City issue. He believes there will be some impacts, particularly through
needed right-of-way.
Councilmember Lymangood stated that most of the single family homes needing
pedestrian access are to the north of County Road 9. The residents to the south of
County Road 9 can cross at Fernbrook Lane and Annapolis Lane. He suggested
that consideration should be given to a trail on the north rather than the south side.
Manager Johnson stated the staff could conduct a public information meeting on
the proposed project, with the City Council invited to attend if they desired. The
City Council will be asked to deliver the City's comments on design criteria to
Hennepin County following the information meeting.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that residents should be allowed to speak to this
issue at a regular Council meeting.
Mayor Tierney asked which property owners would be notified of the public
information meeting.
Director Moore stated that typically only the abutting property owners are
notified. The first meeting is proposed in about a month.
Councilmember Anderson stated he would like additional property owners to be
included in the public information meeting notification. He stated this project will
greatly impact residents living within blocks of County Road 9.
After further discussion, the Council directed that residents within about a block
on each side of County Road 9 be notified of the public information meeting, along
with notification to homeowner associations in the area.
Councilmember Helliwell asked if the I-494 bridge could be considered for
construction in 1995, along with the County Road 9 project.
Mr. Theis stated the bridge construction would be done by the Minnesota
Department of Transportation. If we tried to include the bridge construction along
with this project, it could delay the project for a long time.
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March 21, 1994
Page 5
Councilmember Lymangood asked if any trees on the median strips are proposed.
Manager Johnson stated that is a design feature that could be considered, but it
would be a very difficult growing space.
CAPITAL BIPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Director Moore briefly described the projects contained in the proposed 5 -year
Capital Improvement Program.
Mayor Tierney asked if Ranchview Lane reconstruction near Birchview School is
included.
Director Moore stated Ranchview Lane is proposed as part of the 1995
Reconstruction Program
Councilmember Helliwell asked why a bridge over railroad on Peony Lane is
proposed at this time.
Director Moore stated a future grade separation crossing will be needed, but it is
proposed now because of the proposed School District 284 high school.
The Council discussed several projects which are proposed to be constructed in
segments over several years. They requested that staff consider finishing complete
projects to avoid unnecessary disruption to residents over a period of years.
Director Moore stated staff can consider that. It is partly a function of funding,
condition of the roadway, and logical dividing points by intersections.
It was noted that no construction is proposed for 26th Avenue until 1996
Director Moore explained that reconstruction was proposed in 1993 and the
project was delayed until the trail system is established, as the result of
neighborhood meetings
Councilmember Edson stated he would like the Council to firmly schedule the
project. It causes frustration for residents when the Council discusses a project,
then drops it for two years, then proposes it again. He suggested that the Council
decide what street width is appropriate for 26th Avenue, and schedule it for
construction.
Councilmember Helliwell agreed that the issue should be resolved and the project
scheduled for construction so residents know what to expect.
Minutes - Study Session
March 21, 1994
Page 6
Manager Johnson stated the project could be fit into the 1994 schedule.
Councilmember Edson stated that it may be appropriate to construct Zachary in
two segments north and south of County Road 9; however, the portion between
County Road 9 and County Road 10 should be constructed in one segment.
In response to a question by Councilmember Granath, Director Moore stated no
sanitary sewer improvements are proposed outside of the existing Metropolitan
Urban Service Area (MUSA). He stated a portion of the sewer line would be
located outside of the MUSA to serve the proposed new high school property, but
existing area on the site would be removed from the current MUSA, therefore not
increasing the serviced acreage within the MUSA.
Councilmember Lymangood stated that residents in the area of the proposed
Xenium Lane improvements from 38th Avenue to Northwest Blvd. are very
opposed to the street opening onto Northwest Blvd.
Manager Johnson stated staff is doing traffic projections to determine when the
connection may be needed.
Mayor Tierney stated concerns that the Ferndale Lane improvements are needed
and the 40 mph speed limit is unsafe.
Director Moore explained that Plymouth is waiting to proceed with the
improvement of Ferndale Lane until Orono and Wayzata find funding for the
project. Plymouth and Orono are eligible to receive state aid funds for this
roadway because each is over 5,000 population. Wayzata does not receive any
state aid funds. Wayzata and Orono have discussed amending their city limit lines
in order to get the roadway into Orono and eligible for state aid funds.
Councilmember Lymangood suggested that Mayor Tierney write to the mayors of
Orono and Wayzata expressing the City of Plymouth's concerns about Ferndale
Lane and interest in reconstruction.
Councilmember Edson noted that a lot of improvements are currently proposed
that involve a lot of money. As soon as possible, the Council needs dollars
attached to each project.
Manager Johnson stated that the funding sources for each project will be discussed
at the next study session on the CIP.
Councilmember Anderson requested that the next meeting also include a summary
description of the large projects, as well as the need. He stated he has been
Minutes - Study Session
March 21, 1994
Page 7
contacted by residents who are concerned about increased traffic from the
proposed West Medicine Lake Park.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
City Clerk