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<br />Case # 2 <br /> <br />MEDIAN MITIGATION ASSISTANCE <br /> <br />By: Sean M. Sullivan, Economic Development Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The Ramsey EDA discussed the Sunfish Lake Boulevard construction project and the potential <br />impacts of the installation of the median. Staff was directed to work with area businesses to <br />identify actions that could be taken to help mitigate the pending impacts of the construction. In <br />addition to median mitigation, Staff was also directed to consult with engineering and to ask for <br />a 7 day monitoring period for traffic counts. Staff also was directed to locate previous studies <br />that have been done that outline how the construction impacts can be mitigated. Finding a <br />solution that is amiable to both the businesses and the City is the goal of the discussion. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The met with ownership of Sunfish Commons on February 1 st. The ownership group has met <br />with some of its tenants and has developed a signage plan that they think will help mitigate the <br />impact of the installation of the median. This plan is aggressive and tries to identify key entry <br />points and to make the potential customers aware of how to enter the development. A Staff <br />Memo (See attached) by the planning division addresses the request for signage through the use <br />of a City Council approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and there appears to be substantial <br />hurdles to gaining permanent signage within the highway right-of-ways. The level of <br />participation, feasibility and the EDA's position should be clarified. Staff spoke with <br />engineering about the feasibility of doing a 7 day study versus the 2 day proposed by <br />engineering. It was made clear to staff that the 2 day study was appropriate and that a person <br />would be at the site to monitor the traffic. To date no study has been located that studies the <br />impacts of a median installation and how to mitigate that issue. The EDA's role includes <br />balancing the City's and businesses best interests and it would appear that supporting a sign plan <br />for this vital node would be mutually beneficial. <br /> <br />Funding Source: EDA Levy / City General Fund <br /> <br />Staff Recommendation: <br /> <br />Recommendation that the EDA fmancially support the proposed sign plan at a _% level and <br />partner with Sunfish Commons. <br /> <br />EDA Action: <br /> <br />Based on Discussion. <br /> <br />EDA: 2.14.08 <br /> <br />9 <br />