08-11-11 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 11, 2011 of 100 parking spaces at the St. Jude facility north of Highway 36 that was just recommended for approval by the Commission. Rimstad stated that they were not aware of the St. Jude parking lot addition and that project was not factored into their analysis for the Rice Street /County Road B intersection. Knudsen again asked about St. Jude's reaction to the park and ride facility and the earlier indicated that St. Jude was positive about the proposal. Rimstad stated that at the initial meeting St. Jude had a positive reaction to the project. Fischer pointed out that Metro Transit believes the park and ride facility will be at or near capacity. He noted that Metro Transit is maxing out the footprint available, in a sense putting the park and ride facility on a postage stamp. Fischer questioned whether this was the right time and the right place for this facility. Rimstad indicated that their models show that the facility will be adequate for the next 20 years. Knudsen noted the concerns expressed earlier about the Rosedale park and ride closing and the need to direct drivers to the County Road C facility. Pechmann pointed out that the facility is the maximum size for the amount of land available. He asked about considering of factors such as growth in population, ridership, etc. Pechmann asked if this park and ride facility will have enough capacity for the northeast suburbs or if another facility will be necessary. Rimstad stated that additional facilities will be needed, and Metro Transit is looking at a few potential sites. Murphy asked how Metro Transit knows where their customers are. Rimstad reported that their planning department surveys existing lots, taking samples of license numbers and utilizing the DMV data base to see where the population is corning from. Murphy asked if based on the analysis of the Rosedale park and ride, that this facility will be adequate for drivers coming from the Little Canada area and further east for the next 20 years. Rimstad reported that this location will serve drivers coming from the north and east. Drivers further west will utilize other facilities further west. Pechmann noted that other transit sites across the cities have retail attached. This facility will be just a parking lot. Pechmann acknowledged that this is likely due to the size of the parcel. One Roseville resident asked if the site would be utilized for express buses to the State Fair. Rimstad was not sure, but noted that the park and ride facility would operate Monday through Friday. -8-