02-01-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1,2010 APPROVED 46 3. Environmental Board Goals for 2010—Environmental Coordinator Asleson 47 introduced Environmental Board Vice Chair Barbara Bor who reviewed the goals set by 48 the Board for 2010. The goals are fully set forth in Resolution No. 10-12. 49 50 1. Birch Street Corridor Study—Community Development Director Grochala 51 explained that the city is working with Anoka County on studying and planning for the 52 Birch Street corridor. Anoka County commissioned SRF Consulting Group to complete 53 a study on the corridor that responds to concerns expressed by residents and will assist in 54 coordinating future land use and transportation planning decisions. The findings of that 55 study will be presented. 56 57 Brian Shorten and John Hagen, SRF Consulting,presented the findings of the study. 58 Also present was Jack Corkle of Anoka County. Mr. Shorten reviewed the objectives of 59 the study—to improve safety, improve mobility and to coordinate transportation 60 improvements and land use decisions. He reviewed the study approach,public 61 involvement in the study process,the safety element as well as improvement concepts and 62 evaluation. He added comments about how much of the corridor traffic is generated 63 locally(over 60%),the impact on traffic if County Road J is improved(1,000 cars 64 estimated)and the possibility of staging improvements (over a 30 year period). 65 66 Mr. Hagen continued the presentation by discussing guidelines developed based on group 67 recommendations—when signals should be installed(when safety needs require it) and 68 possible use of painted medians prior to permanent. He discussed the following that 69 would be planned improvements: a signal and turn lane at Ware Road and Birch Street; a 70 signal at West Shadow Lake Drive; and turn lane improvements at the school. He 71 showed the council a large map that included staging possibilities. He discussed right of 72 way issues, noting that people generally don't want any or at most minimal 73 encroachment, as well as discussion of the speed concerns. 74 75 The council confirmed that Spirit Hills mall businesses have been involved in the study. 76 A council member asked for discussion about using trees and other greenery instead of 77 concrete for medians. County Engineer Corkle responded that using greenery is a 78 possibility on the fringes but in the central median area, it can be a safety issue; 79 maintenance of greenery can also be an issue since it would fall to the city. The council 80 suggested that the median concept will require more discussion. 81 82 In finalizing the discussion,the council was told that the Plan will eventually be presented 83 for approval. The Anoka County engineer added that the Plan is already different in some 84 respects from the usual approach of doing larger projects all at once. She added that 85 safety on the roadway is of course the bottom line for the county. 86 87 2. 35W/County Road 14 Interchange Request(from 1-11-2010 council meeting)- 88 Community Development Director Grochala reported that Mr. James Landsberger, 7849 89 Main Street,presented a letter to the city council requesting improvements at the L, 90 intersection of 35W and Main Street. Mr. Grochala reviewed the history of an 2