2007-11-28 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CENTERVILLE - DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT General Comments Response GENERAL COMMENTS AGENCIES/INDMDUALS COMMENTING: MET COUNCIL 1. Comment Summary: Staff finds this EAW to be incomplete with respect to the transportation analysis because it does not analyze impacts to the regional system by addressing connections between CSAH 14 (an "A" minor arterial) and 1-35E and 1-35W. While the EAW includes a traffic analysis of local road impacts, it does not address the potential regional transportation system impacts. Response: The City's traffic consultant discussed this comment with Met Council staff and provided the following information: Main Street (CSAH 14) does not currently connect to 1-35W. About 2,400 vehicle trips per day are expected on Main Street (CSAH 14) east of the intersection with 20th Avenue. Using an assumption of 15 percent to the north, 15 percent to the east, and 70 percent to the south at the interchange with 1-35E would result in 360 trips, 360 trips, and 1,680 daily trips, respectively. These volumes represent less than four percent of the existing daily traffic on 1-3 5E in either direction and on Main Street (CSAH 14) to the east of the interchange. The expected increases during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours are anticipated to be similar in magnitude. The County has a preferred alternative selected for the 1-35E interchange with Main Street (CSAH 14), which includes improvements at the intersections. Construction is scheduled for 2009 based upon the Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan. The planned improvements should be able to accommodate projected traffic through 2030. The expected traffic from this proposed development does not represent a significant increase in traffic volumes that would necessitate changes to those planned improvements. Given the lack of connection to 1-35W, the minor increase in traffic on 1-35E, and the pending reconstruction of the 1-35E interchange with Main Street (CSAH 14), it was determined that the proposed development will have little to no impact on the regional system. Subsequently, the Met Council submitted a follow-up letter dated November 6, 2007 to the City stating: "On November 5 Council staff received additional information from the City's consultant regarding potential regional transportation system impacts. This information and analysis satisfactorily addresses the Council's previous concerns. With the new November 5 information Council finds the EAW complete and accurate for regional review purposes. The project raises no concerns in terms of regional systems and an Environmental Impact Statement does not appear warranted from a regional perspective. " Centerville Downtown Redevelopment Page 15