Resolution 2014-71 Transmitting the City of Lake Elmo's Support of the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) To the RCRRA, WCRRA, and Metropolitan Council

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WHEREAS, the LPA includes the definition of the Gateway Corridor mode and a conceptual alignment which can be refined through further engineering efforts, and; WHEREAS, the LPA selection process does not replace or override the requirement to fully examine alternatives and determine the adverse impacts that must be avoided or mitigated under the federal and state environmental review process, and; WHEREAS, the comments submitted by agencies, the business sector, and the public during the Scoping phase, as well as the additional comments received from adjacent communities since the Scoping phase, will be addressed accordingly through the Draft EIS process, and; WHEREAS, the PAC and GCC each passed resolutions on July 24, 2014 recommending BRT Alternative A -B -C- D2 -E2 (see attached figure) as the proposed LPA for review at the August 7 PAC sponsored LPA public hearing and inclusion in the Metropolitan Council's Draft 2040 Transportation Policy Plan, and; WHEREAS, the Gateway Corridor PAC/GCC held a public hearing on August 7, 2014 as part of the LPA decision making process. A total of 35 comments were received through the proposed LPA review process, and; WHEREAS, the Cities will be working collaboratively and with support from the GCC to complete a market analysis and station area plans for the areas around the BRT Guideway stations as a part of the Draft EIS process, and; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Lake Elmo supports the LPA recommendation of the PAC and GCC and identifies the dedicated BRT alternative generally on the Hudson Road — Hudson Boulevard alignment that crosses to the south side of I-94 between approximately Lake Elmo Avenue and Manning Avenue is the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Gateway Corridor project (see attached figure). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Lake Elmo commits to undertaking and developing station area plans with the support of the GCC for the proposed BRT guideway station areas within its jurisdiction based on the results of a market analysis, community input, and Metropolitan Council guidelines and expectations for development density, level of activity, and design. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that through the Draft EIS process the PAC and the GCC will continue to evaluate and focus on transit service connections to the dedicated BRT system (A -B -C -D2 -E2), including an efficient feeder bus network, as well as the number and location of stations throughout the Gateway Corridor to maximize service, accessibility, and surrounding economic development opportunities, while minimizing impacts. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Lake Elmo commits to working with the Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, on behalf of the Gateway Corridor Commission, and the Metropolitan Council to address the comments submitted by agencies, adjacent communities, the business sector, and the public during the Scoping phase, as well as additional comments received during the development of the LPA, through the Draft EIS process, and the following areas of particular importance to the City of Lake Elmo. 1. The ownership and maintenance responsibilities of Hudson Boulevard were recently turned back to the City of Lake Elmo from MnDOT. If Hudson Boulevard is expanded to accommodate a BRT guideway or additional travel lanes for the exclusive use of buses it may increase the demands on the City to properly maintain the roadway. The City of Lake Elmo requests analysis of appropriate jurisdictional control over Hudson Boulevard and robust consideration of a possible tura back to Washington County. 2. Maintaining access for current land owners along Hudson Boulevard and planning for access for future development needs to be part of a functional ingress — egress policy. The City of Lake Elmo requests the development of an access management plan for Hudson Blvd. that is supported by property owners, the City of Lake Elmo and Washington County. 3. The City of Lake Elmo supports an easterly station in the proximity of the NW corner of Manning Avenue and I-94 to support economic development, including job creation, tax value, and traffic efficiency