Agenda - Council - 05/13/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Our Mission: Toworktogethertoresponsilygrow ourconemunilyand toprozriIt quality,cost-effective, and of&cfentgovernmentseivices CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 05/13/2014 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Consideration of requesting the removal of concept plan 3-4-1 (Ramsey Boulevard Concepts #2 & #4) from the TH 10 Access Planning Study. 7. 5. Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to direct City staff to prepare and submit a letter on behalf of the City Council requesting the removal of the concept plan for Sub Area 3, Concept 4, Project 1 (3-4-1) from the TH 10 Access Planning Study. On the consolidated concepts on the Mn/DOT project webpage, the concern is with Ramsey Boulevard Concepts #2 & #4. Background: In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) retained the services of Bolton & Menk, Inc. to complete a TH 10 Access Planning Study for the corridor of TH 10 between the west edge of the City of Ramsey and the Rum River in the City if Anoka. The purpose of the study is to identify a series of small improvement projects that can be implemented in the near future to reduce congestion and improve safety for users of this corridor of TH 10. The long-range goal for this corridor of TH 10 continues to be conversion to a full freeway facility. However, due to the current lack of funding for higher cost transportation projects (a full freeway conversion for this corridor of TH 10 is estimated to cost in excess of $300M), MnDOT wanted to complete a study identifying smaller cost projects that can be completed incrementally in the near future while still working towards a full freeway conversion in the distant future. As part of the study process, Bolton & Menk has been developing a series of concept plans showing improvements along the corridor to remove as many private and public accesses as possible, and to reduce congestion at the various at -grade intersections along the corridor. One such concept plan that was recently developed, concept plan 3-4-1, shows a local overpass for both TH 10 and the railroad tracks west of Ramsey Boulevard along the existing Rhinestone Street alignment. On the south side of TH 10, the overpass is shown connecting to Riverdale Drive using a loop type ramp. The loop as shown would consume several acres of private property currently held by PSD, LLC, commonly referred to as the former Diamonds site (Lot 1, Block 1, The Diamonds and Outlot A, Tooth Acres). Following the public release of concept plan 3-4-1, PSD was immediately contacted by interested developers voicing their concerns regarding the impacts and uncertainties that concept plan 3-4-1 represents in relation to development of this property. PSD then issued a letter objecting to concept plan 3-4-1. PSD has since requested that the City also issue a letter objecting to concept plan 3-4-1. PSD's concerns were discussed with the Public Works Committee on April 15th. At that meeting it was discussed that PSD is working with a potential end user/developer for two (2) larger parcels south of Highway 10 at Traprock Street, one of which is the former Diamonds site. PSD has expressed concern with concept plan 3-4-1 as a potential conflict with future development scenarios. Although this comment has been submitted to the TH 10 Access Planning Study Group, City staff agreed to take this comment to the Public Works Committee for closer discussion as the Property Owner is apparently in active real estate negotiations that have an impact to these concepts. The consensus of the Public Works Committee was that any concepts developed as part of the TH 10 Access Planning Study should not impact the former Diamonds site. Notification: N/A Observations/Alternatives: Observations: There are several alternative concepts for the area of TH 10 and Ramsey Boulevard that provide reasonable access to/from area properties while avoiding significant impacts to private properties. Staff therefore believes it is not an unreasonable request to remove concept plan 3-4-1 from the study options since it does not provide any unique public benefit and instead significantly impacts the private property held by PSD, LLC. In addition, when this property is developed it will provide significant tax base for the City. As such, staff believes it would be in the best interests of the City to request that concept plan 3-4-1 be removed from the alternative concept plans developed as part of the TH 10 Access Planning Study. Alternatives: Alternative Action #1 - Motion directing staff to prepare and submit a letter on behalf of the City Council requesting the removal of concept plan 3-4-1 from the TH 10 Access Planning Study for reasons noted. Alternative Action #2 - Motion of other. Funding Source: No funding is needed to take action on this case. The letter would be drafted and submitted to MnDOT as part of staffs normal duties. Recommendation: