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2014-11-05 TC MinutesATTACHMENT #1 Richfield Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes November 5, 2014 7:00 p.m. | Richfield Municipal Center | Council Chambers Commission members in attendance: Martin Kirsch (Chair), Tim Carter, Gerry Charnitz, David Taylor, Ghislaine Ball, Gary Ness and Ted Weidenbach Commission members not in attendance: Ken Severson Liaisons in attendance: Sue Sandahl, Dan Edgerton, Sean Hayford Oleary Liaisons not in attendance: Chuck Standfuss City Staff Liaison: Jeff Pearson Other City Staff: Elizabeth Finnegan, Kristin Asher, Mike Eastling Others: Jack Broz & Craig Churchward (Avenue Design Partners), Maury Hooper (Hennepin County); ADDITIONAL-SEE SIGN IN SHEET (ATTACHED) I. Call meeting to Order Chair Kirsch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda Motion made by Weidenbach to approve the agenda, s/Carter. Motion carried. III. Approval of August 6, 2014 Meeting Minutes Motion made by Charnitz to approve the minutes, s/Weidenbach. Motion carried. IV. Visual Quality Guidelines Craig Churchward of Avenue Design Partners recapped the VQG process. Weidenbach noted that the document seemed very comprehensive and consisted of everything that the committee discussed at meetings. Motion made by Charnitz to recommend approval, s/Weidenbach. Motion carried unanimously. V. 66th Street Reconstruction Project • I-35W to Penn Ave. & Penn Ave. to Xerxes Ave. Segments o Jack Broz presented an overview of the layout concepts process including a “medium” impact design and north alignment shift and the staff recommended layouts. o Charnitz stated that the numbers are hard to see and would still prefer a northern alignment but agreed that it is not feasible. o Sandahl asked for clarification on the businesses and impacts from Oliver to Penn. It was explained there would be no full takes of businesses in this stretch in the Concept 4B layout. o Oleary expressed concern about the moderate impact layout for the block between Oliver and Penn. o Resident Jerri Haaven stated she’s a new homeowner near 66th and was happy with the concept shown at the last open house that shifted north. She feels it should be left the way it is. o Resident (unknown) stated she’s got time, money, life and memories invested into her home. She’s for the project but not at removing people from their homes. o Resident Gale Lund stated she thinks there is too much traffic on 66th for bike lanes and that she thought there would never be any there during the Bike Master Plan process. She thinks 66th should be one way with another street going the other way. o Resident David Gepner stated that this is a 50+ year decision for Richfield and it’s critical to accommodate all users in that long-term design. o Ness asked if there would be developable lots remaining and Pearson stated that there would be approximately 4 lots that would meet City minimums. ATTACHMENT #1 o Carter asked about the home buy out process. o Weidenbach stated that if bike lanes were not included on any section of 66th St that there should be parallel routes established. o Resident Kathryn Quam stated that the City should keep a sense of community with the project and not create additional non-conforming lots. o Resident Derick Larson (6612 Upton) stated that Richfield is a beautiful town and these are his neighbors. He asked if the safety stats used are available to the public. Maury Hooper replied that they are and can be distributed as desired. o Resident Kathy Amand stated that she already had property taken when 66th St was widened and that the segment between Penn and Xerxes should stay how it is. o Resident Tom Madsen stated that he makes the left turn on 66th St daily and sees the traffic impacts. He asked if the center turn lanes will minimize crashes. Hooper replied that they would. o Ness reiterated that safety is the #1 concern for the Commission. o Sandahl talked about previous projects around Richfield and the impacts from those. o Mike Eastling and Hooper explained the variance process for the segment west of Penn Avenue and how the proposed layout could fit within the right- of-way if that variance process was successful. o Motion made by Charnitz to recommend the following for presentation at an open house and to the Council for consideration of approval, s/Weidenbach, passed unanimously: I-35W to Oliver Ave – Concept 4B (south side ROW impacts) Oliver Ave to Penn Ave – “Medium Impact Layout” o Motion made by Ness to recommend the “Low Impact Layout” for the Penn Ave to Xerxes Ave segment with the request that the County apply for variances and examine the feasibility of a shared use bike facility on-street, s/Carter, passed unanimously. • Major Intersections o Jack Broz presented on the major intersections design (I-35W, Lyndale, Nicollet) and the benefits/impacts of each type. o Motion by Kirsch to bring roundabouts at the major intersections to the open house for comments, s/Ness, passed unanimously. • Medians discussion tabled to December. VI. Updates Crosstown Gateways 5-Year Reconstruction Plan Community Services Commission (Edgerton) Richfield Bike Advocates (Oleary) VII. Upcoming Events/Meeting(s) 66th St Open House: November 13, 2014 Next scheduled Commission Meeting: December 3, 2014 VIII. Adjournment Motion made by Ness to adjourn meeting, s/ Weidenbach. Adjourned at 9:50 pm.