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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2006 Page 6 2 Commissioner Stenglein thanked the Council and the task force for their personal time into this 3 project. He said the County is doing large things on Lowry Avenue as well. He said potentially 4 there will be a new bridge over the river. 6 Mr. Twinem stated this Resolution seeks preliminary layout approval from St. Anthony 7 Boulevard to 37a' Avenue NE. He noted he met about five times with the task force. The 8 preliminary design evolved through the meetings. The task force was comprised of 25 residents. 9 The plan we will present is a plan that takes into consideration all of the stakeholder ideas and as 10 well as a road that will swerve the community for 50 years. 11 12 Mr. Hubmer said a set of values was developed with the task force. There were a number of 13 categories that were important to the task force. The biggest priority was sidewalks on both 14 sides. Followed by utilities, then lighting along the corridor, and then preserving the Village 15 identity and character. The value that received the largest point total by far was sidewalks on 16 both sides. This lines up with the Village statement to create a walkable environment. He said 17 in one of the first meetings with task force they tried to identify the existing concerns today and 18 what will they be in the future. 19 20 Mr. Twinem said they gave the task force the assignment to look at other roads with similar 21 characteristics to Silver Lake Road. Out of this came design alternatives. Knowing this would 22 be a two -lane road, we recognized there would be a need to have shoulders. Shoulders need to 23 be 8 feet so it is safe. As the discussion evolved, more of the people living on the roadway, 24 chose to go for parking versus an 8 foot shoulder. There are areas at key intersections where we 25 have developed bump outs. They have been placed at intersections to shorten the path for people 26 to cross the street. This will also prevent passing on the right. He said they have heard 27 comments from the open house and on comment cards that some people do not like the impact 28 the sidewalk will have. There will be no green space between the curb and sidewalk. There will 29 be a space for utility equipment, snow storage, etc. The sidewalks do not create an additional 30 footprint in terms of the project. 31 32 Mr. Twinem explained as we move down the road from Hilldale to the north fire station 33 entrance, we have developed a lot of right turn lanes. The two lane approach at intersections is 34 safer. 35 36 He went over the project schedule. They will begin the final design in March. A cost sharing 37 agreement will be developed in the fall of 2006. Construction will begin in 2007. Some 38 easement permissions are needed for this project. There will be retaining walls as part of the 39 project to minimize property impact. He noted an initial assessment has been done. He stated 40 they will work closely with power companies to try to bury the lines. There may be a small cost 41 associated with this. 42 43 Mr. Twinem invited questions from the audience. 44 45 Elise Woodhall, 3500 Silver Lake Road, said she does not see the need for an extra turn lane 46 there. As this project is proposed, she will lose all the trees in her front yard. 47