Agenda Packets - 2005/05/23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 5 Anoka County Letter from Kate Garwood, Multimodal Transportation Mgr, dated May 17, 2005: The County is aware that some of the following items of concern are not directly caused by the subject development; however, this development, and its current and future neighbors, will be impacted by some of these concerns. By raising these issues, it is our intention that potential negative impacts be acknowledged and “on the record” for the future for all parties to address in their mutual best interests. Comment: As a fine point, TDM strategies are handled not only by the local transit agencies, but by regional transit and TDM agencies, as well. While the language is not limiting as stated on page 7, the parties involved should not be surprised to be involved with these other groups. They will also provide resources to address the problem. Some of the resources may include carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, connections between this and other Medtronic facilities, access to the Northstar Commuter Rail, etc. The TDM plan for commuters should be coordinated with the TDM plan in place for trucks mentioned on page 21. This may only require a courtesy coordination, but it should be addressed nonetheless. Response: Comment Noted. Comment: We continue to be concerned about future developments and the impacts on this road system, even after the proposed improvements are completed. These include the Northeast area of Blaine, the Preserve at Rice Creek, the in-progress AUAR for NE Lino Lakes, and the Anoka-Blaine Airport. All o f these developments have a direct access to I- 35W. In addition, our municipal neighbors to the south have development plans at the TCAAP site in Arden Hills, the NW Quadrant in New Brighton, and the University property in Shoreview. These developments are, and will be, of impact to the road system. While approved projects may not have been included in the documentation provided for review of this AUAR, as alluded to on pages 26 and 27, the fact that these projects are in initial planning phases cannot be ignored. We would suggest that future failures of capacity on I-35W will, indeed, affect the study area intersections, as occurs today when there are incidents on the freeway. Parties and agencies involved in this corridor should continue to monitor these situations and make plans to address this growing congestion. Response: Comment noted. Comment: Exhibit 14, Proposed Transportation Exhibit prepared by Anoka County, is out of date. Documents prepared by Mn/DOT have the appropriate updates and should be substituted for this exhibit. Response: Comment noted. A copy of the MnDOT exhibit will be included with this letter.