May 2, 2006 CCP - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO (April 20, 2006 for the Meeting of April 24, 2006) Subject Metro Transit Park/Ride —1-94 The new Director of Transportation Services at the Metropolitan Council has approached the City Administrator regarding a potential permanent park/ride facility in Lake Elmo to replace the temporary facility now operated by Metro Transit at Guardian Angels Church. The City Council briefly reviewed the Director's letter and attached map at its April 11 Workshop, and referred the matter to the Planning Commission for advice and recommendations. I believe the City Council is requesting the Planning Commission's comments as to: 1. Should the City support a Park/Ride facility in Lake Elmo — regardless of location; dad, if so,. 2. Which of the three locations suggested by Metro Transit would be preferred for such a facility. Ms. McCarthy has not, by her March 20 letter, provided specifics regarding the proposed facility. Most of what City staff knows of the proposal is based on information provided the City in 2004 related to a Metro Transit federal grant proposal to construct such a facility, as follows: 1. The facility would have a 500 car capacity. 2. The facility is designed to serve a dedicated bus route from Lake Elmo to Minneapolis — now operating out of Guardian Angels, 3. The buses utilizing this facility will be of special design utilizing alternative fuel to diesel. 4. The original federal grant application specified $4 million to construct the facility, and another $4 million to purchase the special buses. Ms. McCarthy has indicated in her letter that enhanced transit service to the Cimarron neighborhood from this new facility could be a. significant advantage to Lake Elmo residents. She also suggests that a Metro Transit Park/Ride site in Lake Elmo could also be utilized as a water tower site by the City. There is no question that a water tower site will be required south of le Street and remotely located from the Eagle Point Well #3. We requested advice from the City Engineer as to which of the 3 sites Ms. McCarthy has suggested would be suitable (from a topographic perspective) as a City water tower site.