1987-047 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 • expected to be 10,600. The traffic analysis used the 90th percentile (17,000) and median attendance levels. The analysis also assumed 3.0 persons per car and a peak arrival factor of 65 percent. Compared to similar facilities at four or five other locations around the country, the assumptions appear reasonable. The assumptions are also similiar to those independently derived for the Starwood project in Shakopee. Unfortunately, the entire analysis has been carried out for the year 1990, therefore it does not allow the Council to evaluate the long -term impact of the facilities on the metropolitan highway system. Council staff was given the opportunity to review the traffic study in draft form and advised the consultant some weeks ago of the Council's concern on this point. • • In addition, the traffic analysis includes a list of improvements that appear needed to serve the music center traffic. The analysis assumes the improvements would be made in time to serve the project in its first full year of operation, that is 1990. Mitigating measures are discussed separately for major events, but it appears that the traffic analysis assumed the improvements are required for average events. The proposed improvements impact a metropolitan facility. That impact is at the intersection of Lexington Av. and I -35W, where a widened Lexington Av. and widened off ramp from the south are needed to handle the music center traffic. Mn /DOT District 9 staff discussed a Lexington Av. improvement with the developers. Widening of Lexington Av. requires rebuilding of the bridge over I- 35W from a four -lane to a six -lane bridge. Mn /DOT indicated it will not pay for such a project and also that the normal environmental evaluation and design process will need to be followed before construction. Mn /DOT District 9 staff assumes this would not be completed by 1990. If the improvement is required and if the construction does not occur, the implication is that there could be back -ups onto I -35W from traffic trying to use the ramps at Lexington Av. It is not clear from the traffic analysis if this possibility has been studied or would constitute a serious impact on the mainline of I -35W. Since it is possible that a major event could occur on a weekend at the time when this segment of I -35W also receives heavy recreational travel, this issue is of concern. Water Quality Development of the Pheasant Ridge Music Center will increase the volume of runoff of degraded quality. It appears that this water will reach Golden Lake. In the Council's review of NCR Comten, Inc. project (March, 1986), located adjacent to the music center site, the Council recommended that Blaine and Rice Creek Watershed District assess the potential effects of development in this watershed on Golden Lake's water quality. At that time, the planning staff of the city of Blaine indicated that the city would soon be preparing a stormwater management plan which would include this area. Also, the Rice Creek Watershed District is currently preparing a district -wide management plan as required by state law (Laws of Minnesota 1982, Chapter 509). The city has since initiated work on a management plan. RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSIONS That the Council adopt this report and its conclusions as its comments on the Pheasant Ridge Music Center EAW.