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

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 11, 2011 Duray asked about the use of the facility by bikers. Sicora indicated that it is anticipated that bikers will utilize the facility, and noted that they would access the site via the same access point being used by buses and cars. Fischer asked about snow removal. Sicora described the on -site snow storage areas being provided. He also indicated that they are working with the Watershed in the hopes of obtaining grant money to install porous pavement for walkway areas. Joe Peters, Little Canada resident did not feel that 7 buses and 280 vehicles would be a significant impact on the area. He noted that buses would be arriving and leaving in 20 minute increments. Pechmann did not feel morning traffic would be an issue, indicated that the in the afternoon when a bus arrives and lets off 40 to 80 people, there will be a mass exodus of vehicles from the lot at that time. Pechmann also noted that this will be the same time when a number of vehicles will be leaving St. Jude Medical and there will be traffic from the park and ride crossing County Road B to Cub. Duray indicated that he was on the Rice Street Corridor review committee with the County which looked at a lot of different scenarios for improvement of Rice Street. One point of consideration was the layout of the intersection of County Road B and Rice Street. Duray pointed out that the bridge improvement has not yet been completed and it is not yet known how traffic will work in the new configuration. Duray expressed concern that now more traffic is already being put on this intersection. Duray stated that he was reluctant to recommended approval of the park and ride project at this point, but acknowledged that the parking and ride provides some good for some people. Knudsen stated that the bridge project is resulting in a lot of improvement for this area, but agreed it would be preferable to see how the intersection and area will work prior to the park and ride facility being constructed. Knudsen stated that there is clearly a need for the park and ride, however, and he would support the project. Knudsen stated he would have preferred to have seen more information on the environmental issues and traffic impacts, as well as what other locations Metro Transit is looking at. Hall recommended approval of the conditional use permit to allow a public regulated park and ride facility at the northeast corner of Rice Street and County Road B as proposed by Metro Transit subject to compliance with all recommendations of the City Planner, City Engineer and the Watershed District -9-