Agenda - Council - 09/23/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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This AUAR was prepared to disclose and document the proposed City of Ramsey decision to protect certain lands for future highway use along TH 10 in a study area from approximately Puma Street NW to the Ramsey-Anoka City Boundary (see Exhibit 1: Ramsey TH 10 Corridor AUAR Study Area). This action does not involve new development, but is instead proposed to strategically identify lands for preferred use as future trunk highway right-of-way in Ramsey. Once completed, adopted zoning changes and ultimately official mapping will be the primary tools that will guide transportation and land use planning along the TH 10 corridor and will assist in right- of-way preservation activities, so as not to preclude future improvements to TH 10. Such tools will also improve the ability of local governments and Mn/DOT to access various funding sources to support land owners, leading to additional opportunities to collaboratively work with state and local partners to continue TH 10 improvements. In coordination with determining the impacts of designating lands for future highway use, the AUAR also identifies some of the anticipated longer-term issues and actions very generally, referencing possible strategies for further environmental documentation, transportation engineering, and the appropriate institutional and public involvement plan. While an AUAR is not required to make a zoning or official mapping decision, Ramsey has elected to use this process to publicly affirm its support of improvements along TH 10 and its proposal to designate certain lands for long-term use as highway right-of-way. Background and Need for Proposed Action TH 10 provides mobility and access to the residents of Ramsey and serves as a route for commuters, recreational travelers, and freight carriers. The City has a history of working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) on issues related to TH 10, including the completion of the TH 10 CMP in 2002 which recommended the conversion of the existing four-lane expressway to a six-lane freeway through Ramsey (see below for more discussion on the TH 10 CMP). The planned improvements to TH 10- including the freeway expansion-may not happen for several years. However, given the rate of growth and development currently occurring along TH 10 in Ramsey, it is hnportant to develop and implement an interim action plan to preserve and protect right-of-way on TH 10 and maintain the viability of future improvements. Coordinate with TH lO Corridor Improvements or Ne~qhborin,q Land Uses Various planning studies completed by local, regional, and state agencies have concluded that increasing growth along the TH 10 corridor warrant improvements to accommodate futures levels of anticipated demand. Below is a summary of studies and plans related to TH 10 through Ramsey. · TH 10 Corridor Management Plan-Mn/DOT completed the TH 10 CMP on a 48- mile section of TH 10 between Interstate 35W and Highway 24 under the Interregional Corridor Program. The study identified a number of long-range projects that will allow the roadway to meet the safety and mobility performance objectives defined by Mn/DOT, as well as ensure that the roadway will continue to support the state's economic vitality. The TH 10 CMP identified $114.7 million ($2001) of medium-term RAMSEY TH 10 CORRIDOR AUAR 3