Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-13Joint Development Authority Monday December 2, 2013 Arden Hills City Council Chambers Minutes 5:30 pm Present: Joint Development Authority: Chair David Sand, Commissioner Blake Huffman, Commissioner Brenda Holden, Commissioner David Grant, Commissioner Rafael Ortega (arrived at 5:55 pm) Also present: Patrick Klaers, Jill Hutmacher, (Arden Hills); Heather Worthington, (Ramsey County) Roll call taken. Approval of agenda. Motion by Commissioner Grant seconded by Commissioner Holden. Motion carried. Approval of November 4, 2013 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Holden seconded by Commissioner Huffman. Motion carried. Public Inquiries/Informational None Consent Agenda None Old Business None Public Hearing None New Business Bob Benke, Project Manager, 1-35W Corridor Coalition and Bill Goff, Senior Planner, Mn/DOT, presented the findings of the 1-35W Managed Lanes Study. Goff stated that the study began in late 2010. The project goals were to improve transit, transit ridership, and travel times along the 1-35W corridor. The corridor was divided into five segments for the purpose of the study. TCAAP is adjacent to segment four which runs from the 1-694 interchange to Highway 10. The study vision calls for interchange improvements at 1-694 and Highway 10 as well as managed lanes throughout the corridor. 1 Improvements between Highway 36 and Highway 10 are scheduled to be completed in Phase 1 which is programmed for 2013 — 2016 at a cost of $35.9 million. The total estimated cost of all improvements (in 2011 dollars) is $546 million. Commissioner Holden commented that Arden Hills residents have been very inconvenienced by construction over the past few years, and the end result of that construction was less access to the freeway system for Arden Hills. She hoped that would be taken into consideration as additional improvements to the freeway system are planned. Chair Sand inquired about the flyover ramp from 1-694 to 1-35W that he had seen in previous improvement scenarios. Goff responded that the flyover ramp was a very expensive solution. The Managed Lanes Study focused on potential improvements that would provide a high benefit at a low cost. Development Director's Report Jill Hutmacher reported on the success of the pilot project master planning workshop with SPACC at Land O'Lakes. Based on the success of the workshop and the positive feedback received, the City will work with SPACC to schedule additional on-site workshops at major employers in January and February. The Metropolitan Council has announced that it will evaluate a future extension of the Snelling Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line from Rosedale Mall to TCAAP via Snelling and Hamline Avenue. An open house to gather public feedback on the design options for the Highway 96 and County Road H intersections with 1-35W was held on November 19, 2013. Comments were received from Commissioners regarding bicycle and pedestrian access, access to TCAAP, pros and cons of roundabouts, and the construction impacts of the interchanges. The Arden Hills City Council will review the first draft of the Master Plan on December 16, 2013. The next TCAAP open house is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Administrative Director's Report Administrative Director Worthington stated Ramsey County is moving forward with projects to reconstruct the interchanges at 1-35W and Highway 96 and at 1-35W and County Road H. Design work has begun for both projects which are expected to be constructed in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Ramsey County will lead the projects. The Governor has indicated support for the $2.52 million legislative bonding request for the reconstruction of 1-694 and Rice Street. - Approval of the County's Quality Assurance Plan (QAPP) for below -grade remediation in the lease areas has been received. Work has commenced in those areas, and will continue throughout the winter and into spring. _- T -he -Spine -Road is being designed to handle County Road H traffic and enable access to Rice Creek Watershed. Commissioner Updates Commissioner Ortega requested the Board receive a checklist and measurements from the Metropolitan Council to be used to create a baseline for the level of jobs, density or development required for the extension of the Snelling Avenue BRT line to TCAAP . Commissioner Holden inquired about utilities serving the TCAAP site and whether they would be brought in from County Road H, County Highway 96, or County Road I. Development Director Hutmacher stated that will be addressed in the Master Plan. Commissioner Grant commented that the remediation is moving along well. Future Meeting Schedule The next meeting will be Monday, January 6, 2014, at Arden Hills City Hall. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Thompson, Secretary to JDA Approved David B. Sand, Chair 3