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1-30-12 (Joint Meeting)AGENDA Joint Meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, Environmental Commission and Open Space and Recreation Commission Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Road Council Chambers Monday, January 30, 2012 6:30 pm Pages 1. Bottineau Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Comment 2-8 Formulation Exercise Special Council/Manager Meeting Golden Valley City Hall 7800 Golden Valley Road Council Conference Room Monday, January 30, 2012 6:30 pm or immediately following Joint Meeting 1. Proposed 2012 Legislative Priorities 9-19 2. Honors/Recognitions 20 Council/Manager meetings have an informal, discussion -style format and are designed for the Council to obtain background information, consider policy alternatives, and provide general directions to staff. No formal actions are taken at these meetings. The public is invited to attend Council/Manager meetings and listen to the discussion; public participation is allowed by invitation of the City Council. I'liis document fs available in alternate formats upon a 72 -hour request Please call 763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968) to nuke a request. Examples of alternate formats may include large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. Golden Vall,y Memorandum Planning 763-593-8095 1763-593-8109 (fax) Executive Summary Golden Valley Joint Meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, Environmental Commission and Open Space and Recreation Commission January 30, 2012 Agenda Item 1. Bottineau Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Comment Formulation Exercise Prepared By Joe Hogeboom, City Planner Summary A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is currently being done to study the possible impacts associated with the proposed Bottineau Transitway alignment. A primary part of the DEIS analysis is the "scoping process." The scoping process is the method used to determine what content should be a part of the DEIS and further study. As part of the DEIS scoping process, Hennepin County is collecting comments from impacted government agencies along the corridor as well as from the general public. For this process, all comments are due to Hennepin County on or before February 17, 2012. The County would like a resolution from the City Council stating whether or not it supports further study of the Bottineau Transitway D-1 Alternative. The resolution may go on to provide more specific comments or direction to the County. To aid in developing comments, the City Council has requested that the Planning Commission, Environmental Commission and Open Space and Recreation Commission provide input on the Bottineau Transitway. More information about the Transitway, including possible alignments, can be found in the "Scoping Booklet", located online at www.boftineautransitway.org. At the meeting, staff will present a short video that highlights the Bottineau Transitway project and next steps, walk Council Members and Commissioners through the Scoping Booklet and guide a discussion that will aid in developing formal comments on the Bottineau Transitway DEIS. Attachments Memo from the Public Works Department dated January 23, 2012 (6 pages) Qtv 11eyU01r vl'� . I:.. �' n Date: January 26, 2012 To: Tom Burt, City Manager vi a Memorandum Public Works 763.593.8030 1763.593.3988 (fax) Through: Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works Jeff Oliver, PE, City Engineer From: Mark Ray, PE, Engineer Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist Subject: Bottineau Transitway - Initial Staff Comments The Bottineau Transitway is a proposed high frequency transit service that could include bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail transit (LRT) to serve the northwest area of the Twin Cities. Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) has requested that communities potentially impacted by the proposed Bottineau Transiiway submit comments as part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) scoping process. The scoping process allows communities to provide input on preferred alignment and station location, and identify local issues that require further study. Alignments LRT Alignments involving the City of Golden Valley include the D1 (BNSF Railway -Olson Memorial Highway) which travels through the northeast portion of Golden Valley, and the D2 (West Broadway -Penn Avenue) which travels through North Minneapolis, bypassing Golden Valley. If selected, the D2 alignment has very little, if any, effect on Golden Valley. BRT HCRRA indicated that the D1 alignment would be the preferred route, should BRT be chosen for the transitway. Station Location If the D1 alignment through Golden Valley is selected to be evaluated in the DEIS, one station location must be chosen. The potential station locations for the D1 are Golden Valley Road near Wirth Parkway and Plymouth Avenue near Wirth Parkway. Both potential stations are located in the City of Golden Valley and require the acquisition of property owned by the City of Minneapolis (Wirth Regional Park managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board). HCRRA studies show that the Golden Valley Road station would serve mostly Golden Valley residents and businesses and the Plymouth Avenue station would serve mostly Minneapolis residents, businesses, and Wirth Park facilities. Businesses served in Golden Valley include regional destinations (Courage Center, Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology) and local destinations (Church of St. Margaret Mary, Unity Christ Church). No matter where the transit station is sited, the neighborhood impacts of the freight rail and transitway would be unchanged. While a station located at Plymouth Avenue would likely have less effect on Golden Valley neighborhoods and community resources, the Golden Valley Road station would provide more direct benefit to Golden Valley residents and businesses. In addition, the Golden Valley Road location is on an existing bus line with potential feeder bus connections, and has planned regional trail connections, giving it a significant advantage over the Plymouth Avenue location. Following are staffs recommendation along with initial comments regarding the potential impacts and benefits of the Bottineau Transitway project. Staff Recommendation Staff acknowledges that a bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail transit (LRT) facility located in Golden Valley would have a significant impact on the community. After preliminary review of the project scoping information, it appears that a transitway line and station would bring forth opportunities for multi -modal transportation and redevelopment that may otherwise not exist in this area of Golden Valley. Based upon the information available at this time, staff believes that the D1 alignment (through Golden Valley) with a station location at Golden Valley Road be evaluated in the DEIS. The comments below reflect this recommendation. Comment on Project Impacts At this stage in the scoping process, HCRRA desires feedback on the potential project impacts to be addressed in the DEIS. Following are staff comments on key issues identified by HCRRA and the City. Noise and Vibration The proposed D1 alignment through Golden Valley will pass through a residential neighborhood and a regional park. The potential noise and vibration impacts from the transitway and the freight track are a significant concern. If a transit station is located at Golden Valley Road, there may be additional noise and disruption that has not yet been studied or anticipated. Staff understands that BRT and LRT may yield different noise and vibration levels in surrounding neighborhoods. These effects should be studied in greater detail. N ii Visual and Aesthetics With high frequency transit service, the potential transitway and transit station will have a visual impact on surrounding properties. Most notably will be the addition of lights and lighting that does not exist with the current freight rail. The effects of lighting should be studied and the screening of adjacent neighborhoods and park areas should be considered as part of this project. Neighborhood and Community Resources The proposed transitway and transit station would likely require an increase in community resources such as police, fire, public works maintenance, and traffic management. In addition, neighborhood groups may be affected. A benefit of the project is that the residential neighborhoods do not appear to be permanently fragmented, divided, or disconnected. Safety and Security Both of the proposed transit stations are located in the City of Golden Valley. Since the proposed transit system is managed by the Metropolitan Council, it is anticipated that Metro Transit Police will be the primary law enforcement agency at the station. Parks and Public Land The existing rail line runs along the edge of Theodore Wirth Regional Park, Mary Hills Nature Area, and Glenview Terrace Park. These parks and the experience of park users are extremely important to the community. It is anticipated that any impacts to the parks will be mitigated to the satisfaction of the park owner. Golden Valley requests that it be involved in any planning or decision that affects its parks. Historic and Cultural Resources As the proposed project would impact fringe areas of large parks and natural areas, and Bassett Creek, the area would need to be studied for the presence of historic and cultural resources. Transportation There are two proposed locations for a station in Golden Valley. Based on the analysis of the area served by either location, the Golden Valley Road station would provide better access to Golden Valley residents. Existing bus service and existing and planned pedestrian facilities also make this station location attractive. Providing and maintaining good access, via multiple modes of transportation, is essential in realizing the full benefits of a transit station in Golden Valley. In order to fit into the community, additional transportation improvements and enhancements may be needed. Other transportation considerations include: 1. Construction Impacts - During construction, there may be additional wear and tear on the surrounding transportation network, it is expected that construction - related impacts would be addressed as part of the project. 3 ;I 2. Parking - In the event that transit riders park on the surrounding streets to access the new transitway, a traffic management plan should be considered to outline the procedure for communication between agencies to respond concerns. Currently, there are no plans for a park and ride facility as part of this project. However, this should be considered if a station is planned for Golden Valley Road. Surrounding businesses have voiced concerns about their existing parking conditions. The integration of public and private parking improvements coupled with redevelopment should be further studied. 3. Traffic - The trip generation from the proposed station or a future park and ride facility may result in the need to modify, enhance, or expand the nearby transportation system. It is expected that HCRRA would partner with the appropriate road authority to address and mitigate any traffic concerns. 4. Trails and Sidewalks - Sidewalks currently serve both proposed station locations. The existing sidewalk system may need to be upgraded or expanded to meet accessibility design requirements and the needs of the community. It is expected that this would be done as part of any site access evaluation and implementation. The City of Golden Valley owns and maintains concrete sidewalks on both sides of Golden Valley Road (CSAR 66) at the intersection of the proposed transitway. In addition, Three Rivers Park District has identified the Golden Valley Road corridor for the proposed Bassett Creek Regional Trail which would connect French Regional Park and the Medicine Lake Regional Trail to Wirth Regional Park and the trails along the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. This network of trails and sidewalks would complement LRT or BRT to improve the multimodal transportation in the area. The City owns and maintains an asphalt trail near the BNSF railway in the Mary Hills Nature Area. This trail provides an important north -south connection from Golden Valley Road north to Robbinsdale via Sochacki Park. It is anticipated that a new transitway may impact this trail and staff requests that it be actively involved with any reconstruction or realignment of this trail. The costs to reconstruct Golden Valley Road and the existing multi -modal facilities discussed above, in addition to any facilities deemed necessary to fully meet the anticipated needs, must be considered in evaluation of the potential station location. Water Resources. Wetlands, and Habitat 1. Flood Storage - Any impacts to the floodway or floodplain must be mitigated in accordance with the laws and policies of the regulating agencies. Staff recognizes that mitigation within the existing railroad corridor will be challenging, and it encourages HCRRA to work closely with the Bassett Creek Watershed 4 �`J Management Commission (BCWMC) and its member cities to identify potential flood storage areas outside of the railroad rights-of-way. 2. Wetlands - Wetland impacts will need to be mitigated in accordance with the laws and policies of the regulating agencies. The City of Golden Valley is the local government unit responsible for administration of the Wetland Conservation Act. HCRRA is encouraged to work with its local partners to identify potential mitigation solutions outside the railroad right-of-way, if needed. 3. Stormwater Management - The transitway project will need permits or approvals from all agencies regulating stormwater, including but not limited to the City, BCWMC, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. At a minimum, best management practices addressing erosion and sediment control will need to be implemented during construction. It is possible that rate control and stormwater treatment that reduces pollutants and runoff will be required, especially with the development of a transit station, park and ride facility, or other impervious surface. 4. Endangered Species - Care should be taken to avoid impacts to the habitat and travel ways of endangered, threatened, or special concern species. Utilities 1. City -owned - The City of Golden Valley owns watermain, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer facilities in the area of the proposed route. Some of these facilities cross under the existing BNSF railway. Record drawings and other information are available in the City's engineering office. The City requests that it be consulted on all design and construction considerations, and field decisions involving City -owned utilities. 2. Other Public Utilities - The City of Minneapolis owns a 48 -inch watermain which passes under the BNSF railway north of Golden Valley Road; and Metropolitan Council Environmental Services owns a large sanitary sewer interceptor which parallels the BNSF railway in Wirth Park. The City requests that it be consulted along with the custodial agency if any changes are proposed or issues arise as a result of the proposed project. 3. Xcel Energy - HCRRA's project consultant estimated that as many as 15 Xcel Energy transmission line towers may need to be relocated as a result of the proposed transitway. The City's Right -of -Way Management Ordinance currently requires that any proposed reconstruction, relocation, or replacement of overhead utility lines over 300 feet be buried underground. This code requirement may apply to this situation. 0 Soil Conditions Many areas of Golden Valley have substandard soils which are unsuitable for construction without proper correction or engineering. A good portion of the transitway corridor through Golden Valley is located within floodplain, lowland, or wetland areas. In addition, staff has witnessed the excavation of areas in Golden Valley that were filled with construction debris or hazardous materials in the past. Staff recommends a careful and detailed analysis of the soils as part of the project. F