08-24-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 24, 2011 project, there was no mention of the park and ride facility. He again pointed out that the bridge project is not complete and there is no experience in how the new intersection will work. Bush felt the environmental impact on the area was terrible. He also questioned compliance with setback rules. Bush pointed out that the plans before the Council this evening are missing details, such as sidewalks and bike paths. Blesener noted that the Rice Street sidewalk is a part of the bridge reconstruction plan. He also pointed out that any new projects take into consideration pedestrian and bike traffic. Blesener noted that the park and ride proposal is not a surprise to the City given that it was proposed four or five years ago. At that time the proposal was for 400 spaces. Blesener indicated that both SEH and Ramsey County have reviewed the current park and ride proposal for 278 spaces and have indicated that it will work and the new intersection will accommodate the additional traffic. Rimstad pointed out that MN DOT will be providing some of the funding for the park and ride facility as one of their goals is to reduce congestion on Highway 36. A requirement for that funding is that the park and ride facility must be within MN DOT right -of -way. Rimstad also pointed out that the express buses will be able to utilize the Highway 36 bus shoulders in providing express service into downtown Minneapolis. The City Administrator asked the City Planner for additional clarification on the setback issue. The Planner indicated that zoning setbacks are designed to keep buildings away from the public right -of -way and adjacent property lines. This proposal is on the public right -of -way. The Planner noted that the proposed buildings as part of the park and ride proposal are set back enough to meet the City's expectations, and noted that the pavement is more than 10 feet from the property line, when the setback would be expected to be at least 5 feet. Yally Yu, Roseville resident, indicated that there are two Roseville townhome units that front on County Road B, and indicated there will be direct impact to these units from this project. Yu indicated that the townhome complex received detailed improvement plans as part of the bridge project, but indicated that those plans made no indication of a future park and ride. Yu indicated concern with several issues those being loss of trees and wildlife, the two large ditch areas that are being developed as part of the bridge project, and the resulting concrete barren land after both the bridge and park and ride projects are completed. Yu also expressed concern for the ability to get in and out of her driveway, noting the median that was installed in front of her townhome as a result of the bridge project. Blesener noted that the median was the result of the bridge project and not the park and ride project. He also noted that the 9