02/12/1997 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Planning & Zoning Board February 12, 1997 Page 13 Mr. Uhde introduced Mr. Peter Coyle from the law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly and Lindgren, who has agreed to work with him and the Metropolitan Council for the MUSA expansion. Mr. Coyle stated that the developer understands that the traffic issue is the challenge and is prepared to help with the solution. The Metropolitan Council has indicated that they are amenable to a Comprehensive Plan amendment for this project because they do not anticipate that it will generate a significant increase of traffic relative to the problem that already exists. In order for Behms and the Town Center to further develop, a traffic signal must be installed. The application for a MUSA amendment must come from the City. The developer is prepared to offer prefunding for the signalization of the northbound ramp, which amounts to approximately $125,000. In return, Mr. Uhde is requesting that staff work out a method for him to recapture a portion of the prefunding. He is prepared to take this risk because of the timing issues identified, subject to a good faith effort on the part of the City to establish a mechanism by which he can recapture this funding through future development. Chair Schaps asked if the developer is comfortable that a signal for the northbound ramp is all that is needed for Metropolitan Council approval of the MUSA expansion. Mr. Coyle stated that the Metropolitan Council wants to see the City address this problem. This MUSA expansion will extend utilities into an area that will be beneficial both to Behms and to the City. Mr. Dunn asked if the developer expects to pay a proportional share of the traffic signal and not expect to recapture the entire cost. Mr. Coyle stated that the generation of traffic trips can be calculated for each project to contribute a percentage of the cost. Mr. Dunn asked if this would benefit the City's effort to develop Town Center. Mr. Wessel answered, yes. Mr. Brixius added that the Comprehensive Plan Task Force recently reviewed the Land Use Plan and issues regarding a town /village development. Even without the development of Behms, the transportation plan requires signalization at that interchange for the Town Center development. Mr. Herr asked if a frontage road will be incorporated for future development of the Town Center. Mr. Ahrens stated that he would see the signal installation as a temporary measure until there is a major improvement with the bridge replaced and a permanent installation. The proposed improvement would raise the intersection level of service operation to a rank of B, which is a safe level of operation.