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02-05-15 Bottineau LRT Planning Advisory Committee Minutes ��tyaf golden valle Y Bottineau LRT Planning Advisory Committee February 5, 2015 6:00 pm Golden Valley City Hall Council Conference Room Committee Members Present: Chair Rich Baker, Vice Chair Sean Fahey, Tonia Golanska, Nancy Huntley, Alison Pence, Gillian Rosenquist, Dan Steinberg, Cathy Waldhauser, Andrea Wiley City Staff Present: Physical Development Director Marc Nevinski, Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman, Associate Planner Emily Goellner I. Approval of Meeting Minutes from December 4, 2014 Chair Rich Baker called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm and the minutes of the December 4, 2014, meeting were approved unanimously. Fahey asked for additional details to be included in the minutes of future meetings. II. Update from Staff a. Recap of January 29 Open House Waldhauser indicated that her post at the open house, about station character, didn't receive much comment other than strong opposition from some. Nevinski stated that at his post, Golden Valley Road circulation, there were concerns about redundancies in trails and sidewalks, impacts on neighborhoods, and parking. Steinberg asked if there was a comment area for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Baker said that at his post at the Plymouth Avenue station, there were not many comments on character but many points of view about more disclosure. Fahey stated he would have liked to hear from more people about what the station areas should be like. Rosenquist said people who know the areas well should be encouraged to give feedback. Baker said he looked forward to seeing the summary of the comments. He stated that of the charges to the PAC to advise the City Council and to inform the public, the latter was more difficult to do. Huntley said she heard concerns regarding the potential loss of the fire station. Steinberg asked when the fire station study would be carried out. Zimmerman said it was being planned for this yea r. Wiley said she heard comments about safety at the Plymouth Avenue station platform. Golanska indicated that she felt Minneapolis opinions were not being shared as not many Minneapolis residents participated. Waldhauser and Baker agreed that this was a concern. b. Project meetings and topics Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman provided updates regarding the METRO Blue Line Extension project, including the first Issue Resolution Team (IRT) meetings that were taking place to begin to look at issues in Golden Valley and the desire of the Project Office to make a recommendation on the Golden Valley station location by April or May. Rosenquist asked if the choice would be made prior to the FEIS being released. Fahey asked if the Corridor Management Committee (CMC) would make the decision. Zimmerman said that the CMC would vote on a recommendation to send to the Metropolitan Council. He also reported there would be an Open House hosted by the Project Office on February 26 to discuss the options. Waldhauser asked if the group could offer advice based on the knowledge it has acquired. Zimmerman said yes, the Council was open to receiving input. III. PAC Input to City Council on Station Location Decision Baker outlined the process for evaluation the station locations, which involved creating Pro and Con lists for each of the three options: both stations, one station at Golden Valley Road, and one station at Plymouth Avenue. Two Station Option Pros Cons Each station serves a different function, different Greater construction impacts with two stations neighborhoods, and different needs More new infrastructure would be built that Parking in larger demand with two stations benefits our community in the long term Property values will increase in a larger area Building two stations will increase cost of project Further improvements in access to the light trail Great noise impacts with train stopping twice in and development opportunities the area Greater ridership numbers with two stations This option results in the maximum ecological impact possible Presence of additional police in the area Light rail travel time is increased with two stations Increased Theodore Wirth Park use More pressure is put on Theodore Wirth Park with two stations Surrounding Parks will be safer with more people Surrounding parks will be used by more people, using them (isolation can make them unsafe) which is not desirable to those using parks today Golden Valley Road Station Option Pros Cons Less environmental impact on Basset Creek Noise impacts to nearby Golden Valley residents with train stopping at GV Road Better access for Golden Valley residents Uncooperative Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Better access for Golden Valley businesses Light pollution impacts to nearby Golden Valley residents and park users Better bus service possible in Golden Valley More traffic and busses on Golden Valley Road Improved infrastructure at the station area— Possibi�ity of increased demand for on-street electricity, water, street improvements parking in surrounding neighborhoods Access for Courage Kenney residents, visitors, If station is a commuter destination, this and employees negatively impacts the surrounding residents Possibly less traffic impact on Golden Valley Increased safety concerns for nearby Road due to Courage Kenny visitors residents Roundabout at Golden Valley Road and With only this station,there is reduced Theodore Wirth Parkway a stronger access to light rail for North Minneapolis possibility with the building of this station residents Better connections to the parks to the north of the station could be provided (informed from station area planning) Faster travel time for LRT with one station instead of two Plymouth Station Option Pros Cons Better access to Wirth Park and its amenities Less accessible for many Golden Valley residents Park areas north of Golden Valley Road Few parking options at this station station would be quieter and less impacted than if Golden Valley Road station were built Potential gains with Minneapolis Park and Not a great commuter station due to lack of Recreation Board parking, which decreases ridership and revenue Fewer construction impacts on Golden Valley Public Safety jurisdiction issues need to be Road station, road, and surroundings worked through Less of an increase in traffic on Golden Valley Close to Penn Avenue station, which does Road than if that station were built not maximize potential ridership numbers as well as Golden Valley Road station could Faster travel time for LRT with one station Little to no access for Courage Kenny instead of two residents, visitors, and employees Worse access for Golden Valley residents Worse access for Golden Valley businesses Less benefits to Golden Valley residents while still experiencing all of the impacts of the light rail Waldhauser commented that it seemed easier to come up with pros for Golden Valley Road than for Plymouth Avenue. Fahey said that if two stations were built, the cons would double compared to one station. Steinberg asked if the charrette document was influencing the process. Zimmerman replied that it provided some ideas, but was not being relied upon. Baker indicated that he would like to get a feel from each PAC member where they stood on the options. He stated that his personal view was that he supported two stations as they each had an identity; Golden Valley Road served commuters and Plymouth Avenue served the park. He stated that because a greater part of the community opposes the Golden Valley Road station, that might sway him to support only the Plymouth Avenue station. Fahey said he had negative feelings towards both stations and the amount of traffic they would generate. He tended to favor the Golden Valley Road station because of the ease of access, though he had concerns about parking. He stated he would like to see the least impact to the parks possible. Rosenquist said she realized there were strong community feelings for and against the Golden Valley Road station. She didn't believe she had all of the information yet to make a decision, but that she thought the Plymouth Avenue station had less impact and/or benefit to Golden Valley. Pence said she supported the Golden Valley Road station, either alone or with the Plymouth Avenue station, since it would provide important access for the patients at the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. She did realize that an extra station would impact travel time. Golanska had many unanswered questions and wasn't sure the pros would outweigh the cons for any of the options. She was worried that the trains would destroy the park, even though she believes in the environmental aspects of LRT. Wiley said she prefers the Golden Valley Road station. If the City is going to bear the impacts, it needs to reap the benefits. Huntley said St. Margaret Mary does not want the Golden Valley Road station, and believes it would impact services, funerals, etc. She does not like the development pressure and is opposed to the LRT line altogether. Waldhauser stated she supports the Golden Valley Road station as a first option and both stations as a second option. She believes the Golden Valley Road station has more benefits to the larger community, there are concerns about added travel time with both stations, and that the environmental challenges are greater at the Plymouth Avenue station. Steinberg said he supported both stations and hoped that the line and stations would provide the City with new infrastructure. IV. Comments from Non-Members A number of residents were present at the meeting and made statements regarding the LRT line and the two station locations. These included: • LRT will change the GVR neighborhood and will not benefit the City unless the neighborhood changes through redevelopment. • Concerns about the GVR area becoming a "parking fot." • The line costs too much for such a limited benefit. • GVR station contingent on increased development and is a huge expense meant to get more people into the immediate neighborhood. • Residents want to talk to the Project Office about the station location decision. • The PAC should use its power to help influence the CMC vote. • LRT in general is good but this route is not. A Highway 55 route makes more sense. GVR station a better choice if forced to choose, but the concerns of immediate neighbors aren't being heard (parking is an example). • Golden Valley should be as determined as the Minneapolis Park Board to get its way. • Getting rid of the fire station makes no sense; more thought is needed. • How many LRT trains per day (224)? Who does the PAC represent (LRT or residents)? This is a quality of life issue for the neighborhood. • Support for LRT but not this route, though the GVR station would serve Courage Kenny the best. • Supports LRT and this line, like others nearby who are keeping quiet, and is speaking for future Golden Valley residents. • Would bike to stations if there was good sidewalk/trail/road access. • Added freight and oil trains a real concern. Lack of a fire station a concern if there was an accident. • LRT is great but not here—too much green and lack of parking Baker indicated the next meeting would likely be in April. V. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm.