06-15-2004 AgendaCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2004
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6700 PORTLAND AVENUE
7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
Call to order
Roll call
1. Public hearing as part of formal municipal consent .process for receiving public
comment regarding Minnesota Department of Transportation current layout of
Crosstown Commons section of Interstate 35W
Notes:
Staff Report No. 105
2. Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must
be made at least 96 hours in advance to the Administrative Services Director at 612-861-
9702.
~- STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #
REPORT #
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 15, 2004
1
105
Related to:
CITY COUNCIL GOAL(S) NO. 32
REPORT PREPARED BY:
AND/OR RICHFIELD 2020 GOAL(S) NO 39
KRISTIN ASxER, PROJECT ENGINEER
NAME, TITLE
COUNCIL PRESENTER:
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR
REVIEW:
.SIGNATURE
REVIEWED BY CITY
MANAGER:
ITEM FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Conduct public hearing on June 15, 2004 as part of the formal municipal consent process for
receiving public comment regarding the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (Mn/DOT)
current la out of the Crosstown Commons section of Interstate 35W.
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION:
By Motion: Accept June 15, 2004 Public Hearing scheduled for 7:00
.m. as a S ecial Council Meetin .
III. BACKGROUND ~
The Crosstown Commons section of I-35W has been the subject of discussion
since the late 1980s. Due to the hazardous nature of the roadway and weaving
involved in maneuvering this section, the Crosstown Commons is known as one of
the most unsafe areas in the entire metropolitan area.
The most recent layout, received on April 16, 2004, is the third design that has
advanced for municipal consent. The current layout has successfully eliminated all
weaving and in doing so has moved the westbound TH 62 access from Portland
Avenue to Lyndale Avenue. The plan shows three (3) lanes for SB I-35W, three (3)
0608PHCrosstown
t
lanes for both EB & WB TH 62, and five (5) lanes for NB I-35W into Minneapolis.
There is also the extension of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along I-35W
from I-494 to 46th Street to promote transit use.
The municipal consent process is used to allow municipalities an opportunity to
have formal input into the design. According to state law the City has a right to
review and approve the State's project layout. If a City does not approve of the
Mn/DOT layout, the State has a specific process they must follow in order to appeal
the decision. In most cases, the State will work with the municipality to come to an
agreement.
The Transportation Committee will hold an open house on June 15, 2004
immediately prior to the City Council conducting the public hearing the same night.
Following review of comments received at the public hearing, the Transportation
Committee and other city commissions will make recommendations on the
proposed design to the City Council.
III. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION
A. POLICY
• The City's Comprehensive Plan supports safety and capacity
improvements to freeways, specifically 35W and Highway 62
Crosstown.
B. CRITICAL ISSUES
• The design of the 35W/62 Crosstown Project will influence the future
development of Richfield for the next fifty years.
• The proposed design addresses such critical issues as: safety; traffic
capacity; transit; right of way impacts; changes in access; and, the
length of time for lane closures during construction..
C. FINANCIAL
• None.
D. LEGAL
• The public hearing complies with the state Municipal Consent law for
review of freeway layouts. Notice was placed in the Richfield Sun
Current and on the City's web site. Also, the City mailed notices to
residents and businesses located north of 66t" Street-between Penn
Avenue and Portland Avenue inviting them to attend the public hearing.
IV. ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION~S~
• None.
V. ATTACHMENTS
• Project area layouts will be displayed at the Open House and Public Hearing.
VI. PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING
• Residents, business owners, and Transportation Committee members.