2012-07-24_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Vanderwall suggested that a location further east, near the Rosedale Mall transit hub may prove more beneficial. Member Stenlund opined that another ramp or parking facility (on the other side of County Road B) would be needed once the Rosedale parking was no longer available. Member Stenlund noted the need to include the School Districts in the discussions to ensure any future pathway system adequately got children to and from schools. Chair Vanderwall noted the difficulties in addressing school needs without a County Road B-2 pathway, since that alone affected four (4) different public and two (2)private schools in the community. Chair Vanderwall noted the great benefit to Brimhall School from the Fairview Pathways. Ms. Bloom noted that a County Road B-2 pathway had been identified by the Parks Master Plan Implementation group as their priority for 2013-2016, for a section from Lexington Avenue to Rice Street. Mr. Schwartz noted that, to-date, most of the planning discussions had been internal; however, some park connections needed to be included as part of the discussion as well. At the request of Chair Vanderwall, Mr. Schwartz confirmed that the MN Supreme Court had chosen to not take up the appeal for the Port Authority bond issue, which should allow more determined planning on proposed projects to proceed. At the request of Member DeBenedet, Mr. Schwartz and Ms. Bloom noted that the Parks Master Plan process had been coordinated using the original 2008 Pathway Master Plan allowing for coordination of the two; in addition to the other information received during the Parks Master Plan process itself. Ms. Bloom advised that this was represented on Attachment D in tonight's meeting packet, identifying four (4)priority projects under discussion by the Parks Pathway and Natural Resource Committee. Ms. Bloom noted that she had met with their group numerous times as they developed their priorities; with $2 million of the total $19 million bonds designated for the Parks Implementation Program specifically for pathways. Discussion included the condition and lack of funding for roads prior to being acceptable to the City for turnback potential from Ramsey County; current traffic with the closed access on County Road B to Highway 280, but the limitations for pedestrian and/or bicycle facilities along this 3/4 mile strip even with traffic counts lowered by approximately 1/3. Member DeBenedet opined that, an alternative from his perspective for a bicycle lane from County Road B to the northern city limits would be on Victoria from County Road C, noting the considerable pedestrian safety concerns and excessive vehicle speed along that stretch. Page 4 of 16