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Minutes 02-07-07Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, February 7, 2007 7:00 p.m. Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes Commission members in attendance: Barbara Kritzman (Chair); Bob Elliott (Vice-Chair); Bob Shotwell; Council Member Sue Sandahl; Maureen Scaglia; Pat Sorensen; Steve Lindgren; Jay Hermann; Jackie Heinen; and, Martin Kirsch. Others in attendance: William Svoboda; Larry Wozniczka; Metro Council Environmental Services staff: Bill Cook and Tim Amstutz; John Glatzmaier of CH2M HILL and City Staff: Kristin Asher and Tom Foley. Excused absences: Sara Nutter and Gary Ness. B. Kritzman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed new Commission members. Agenda was amended to include one action item (7a) and to select a date for their annual report to City Council (10). Motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Lindgren, second by Sorensen. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve December 6, 2006 meeting minutes was made by Elliott, second by Lindgren. Motion passed unanimously. Metro Interceptor Sewer Project Bill Cook of Metro Council Environmental Services gave a presentation on the proposed 36”-diameter interceptor sewer to be built along 75th Street west of 35W and 76th Street east of 35W. The line will turn north at 11th Avenue and end at Cedar Avenue and Diagonal Boulevard. An alternate route would be to continue east from 11th Avenue on 72nd Street. A public involvement process was proposed to inform residents. 66th Street and Portland Avenue Roundabout K. Asher discussed a design revision for the roundabout project that would acquire the Cornerstone property just east of the T & T Automotive parcel. The remnant of the Cornerstone property would be given to T & T as part of a land settlement. She explained the advantages of improved access and safety on 66th Street of the proposed change. An Open House held on Feb. 1, 2007 produced a design solution that would allow a driveway access to T & T off of Oakland Avenue, while preventing commercial traffic to head south on Oakland. City staff proposed a choker just south of T & T’s driveway on Oakland Ave. that would allow northbound traffic access to 66th Street. Southbound traffic would only access the T & T site and one residence at 6601 Oakland Avenue. Motion to recommend the proposed design revision was made by Kirsch, second by Elliott, passed with one vote opposed by Hermann. The basis for the recommendation is for improved safety and traffic operations in the area. 66th Street and Richfield Parkway Roundabout T. Foley discussed three options for providing access to 17th Avenue south of 66th Street to the proposed new roundabout at 66th Street and Richfield Parkway. At a January 25, 2007 Open House residents opposed any access to 17th Avenue from the roundabout. Motion by Elliott, second by Kirsch recommending no access to 17th Avenue from the new roundabout. Motion passed unanimously. A review of public comments raised the issue of landscaping and fencing to screen residences along 17th Avenue. A motion was made by Elliott, second by Scaglia recommending landscaping on the proposed berm with shrubs and not fencing to screen homes on 17th Avenue from the new road. The motion passed unanimously. Lyndale Avenue 6300 Block K. Asher presented the possible redesign of the 6300 Block of Lyndale Avenue as part of a storm sewer project that is scheduled in cooperation with the 35W/Highway 62 Project. She outlined possible road design options that provide on-street parking, on-street biking and/or increased landscaping along Lyndale Avenue. Mn/DOT informed the City that a 16-week Mn/DOT review of the plans would require limited time to design the project for 2007 construction. The project is needed to allow the 35W/Highway 62 Project to remain on schedule. A motion was made by Elliott, second by Sorensen directing City staff to prepare design options for the Commission to review (including a center island for pedestrian safety, aesthetics) and to include a public input as part of the process. Staff is also directed to find out why the project is so urgent and to obtain design alternatives from Hoisington Koegler, the consultants on the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The motion passed unanimously. Edina’s York Development T. Foley reported that Edina denied the variance requests of the developer. Consequently, the developer has revised his plan to build a two-story commercial building on the York Avenue side, and a four-story, 85-unit elderly housing apartment building on the Xerxes Avenue side of his property. 494 Transit Study S. Sandahl reported that State Representative Ann Lenczewski is interested in having a 494 transit study done. The Commission asked that it be put on next month’s agenda and staff is to gather information on the issue. The topic of 494 transit will also be included in the Comprehensive Plan update. Upcoming Meetings Open House on the City;’s Comprehensive Plan to be held on February 15, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Church Community Room. Open House on 6300 Lyndale Avnue Design Options, March 1, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers Other Business Commission selected April 10, 2006 to give their annual report to the City Council. Topics for Next Meeting 6300 Lyndale Avenue Cross Section 76th Street Cross Section Richfield Parkway Cross Section 494 Transit Study Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Elliott, second by Kritzman, and passed. Meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.