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1 City Council Minutes April 26, 1995 Page 2 2 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FIRST DESIGN OF THE LARPENTEUR AVENUE CORRIDOR PLANS Administrator Hoyt reported that the Larpenteur Avenue corridor plan was ready to be presented by the Hoisington/Koegler planning firm. She explained that the street reconstruction project, planned for in 1997 and 1998 under the county's jurisdiction, would involve creating protected left turn lanes along the roadway, increasing the total width from approximately 71 feet to approximately 74 feet. There is also the possibility that an underpass will be put in by the University Golf Course for golfers and pedestrians. She explained that the Larpenteur Avenue project has been in the city's tax increment plan since 1988 and that tax increment funds would be available to fund some or all of the proposed corridor amenities that are not typically assessed to property owners. Prior to introducing Fred Hoisington and Michael Schroeder to present the plans, she said that the planning commission had reviewed the plans and had endorsed them in concept. Hoyt also said that the city staff had not suggested any changes in the concept that was proposed in order to provide the planners with the opportunity to describe their design. Mr. Hoisington informed the council that his firm has a first landscape plans for Larpenteur Avenue and at this time he would like to be sure that the council is comfortable with the overall concepts, if not the particular details. Hoisington explained that the objectives in the design were to develop an image for the corridor, create linkages across the street to prevent Larpenteur from becoming a barrier, to minimize potential adverse affects on adjacent uses, and to bring together the public and representatives from major corridor elements as active participants in the planning process. Michael Schroeder, the principal designer on the project, went through the extensive plans and described the proposed changes in terms of five "zones" on Larpenteur, with an emphasis on edges. These areas included: 1) the "oak district", Eustis to Larpenteur; 2) the agricultural district, Cleveland to Prior; 3) a mixed area from Prior to Fry,; 4) the commercial/business area, Fry to Arona; and 5) a residential district from Arona to Hamline. Among the proposed changes and additions in these areas were trees, lighting, colored concrete medians, city identification signs in key locations, and a "butler building" placed at the entrance to the state fair. Councilmember Gehrz asked about security issues as it pertains to landscaping. Schroeder explained that this was considered during the planning process. Additional lighting was included in areas that were particularly dense. Councilmember Hustad inquired about the feasibility of the city identification or "gateway" sign being made of glass. Schroeder replied that the sign is proposed to be made of glass because it reflects light better than acrylic or plexiglass and is actually a very strong material. It would be constructed in panels so that if a portion were to crack, the entire structure would not need to be replaced. Councilmember Gibson Talbot asked if a pedestrian crossway over Snelling and Larpenteur had been considered. Schroeder said that his plan is to bring together the edges of Snelling and Larpenteur to make the roadways seem smaller and more user friendly. It was Schroeder's opinion that a bridge at this intersection would be the wrong way to go.