pf_03104 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Ms. Debra Bloom . December 6, 1999 Page 2 in concept, the additional truck traffic. However, the concept needs to be modified somewhat to reflect the operations that will take place with trucks. Because exiting trucks will have to use the proposed east- west aisle to reach the westerly north-south aisle and the intersection which is signalized at County Road B, there will need to be a significant change in the radius of the intersections from that shown. Specifically, the radii in the northeast corner of the westerly intersection and in the southwest corner of the easterly intersection of the proposed east -west roadway will need to be substantially increased. Even by permitting trucks to travel over the centerline in completing their maneuver, the radius will have to be increased and some additional parking will be lost. The addition of the islands on the end of the parking aisles will be a significant improvement to circulation, not only for Cub traffic, but for all traffic in the Mall. However, it will remove 1 to 3 parking spaces in each aisle. Widening the easterly driveway to County Road B to a total width of 36 feet will also require removal of a few parking spaces. There will also be some loss of parking created by the widening of the westerly driveway to County Road B. Using the drawing supplied in the Benshoof report, it appears that there will be almost 60 parking spaces removed to provide the aisles as shown on the drawing. In addition, the change in the alignment of the aisle on the east side of the building will also remove some additional parking spaces. This is to accommodate the loading dock to be attached to the east side of the building. We agree that the concept will provide much improved truck access and even better circulation patterns on the east side of the Mall. It will require the removal of 60 parking spaces or more, but these are the lesser used spaces and the impact will probably be felt only during heavy craft shows, or during the holiday season. The Benshoof report also addresses some concerns regarding traffic circulation on the west side, particularly access back to Snelling A venue. The concept as shown in Figure 3 calls for realignment' of the entrance road to match the westerly aisle in the south parking lot. We agree with this and probably suggested it at meetings with Cub Foods a year ago. It addresses two existing problems not associated with Cub Foods - the intersection between Har Mar Mall and the Ground Round and the circulation in front of the theater entrance. The inbound stop sign for eastbound traffic just west of the Har Mar Mall building will improve some of the maneuvers for traffic attempting to go north to the westerly parking .lot. It will create some additional delays for traffic exiting the Ground Round area. The closure of the connection from the drive in front of the theater must be addressed to permit the U turn that traffic must then make. This will remove a few parking spaces. However, they can be made up by vehicles parking in front of the closed connection. This concept will also, as Benshoof noted, increase the parking supply on the west side of the building. However, a substantial amount of existing parking would also be removed. Using an aerial photograph for the existing and the Benshoof plan for the proposed, it appears that the net increase would be less than 10 spaces. Again, there would also have to be an increase in the radii, especially the northeast quadrant of the new intersection between the east-west road on the south side of the Cub Foods store and the westerly north-south road. This would require the removal of some additional parking spaces. If appears that the concept for traffic circulation as shown in the Benshoof report will handle many of the concerns previously addressed and only create a few potential problems. Some of the lane arrangements will have to be carefully designed and either channelizing islands or permanent pavement marking will need to be provided. .