Agenda - Council - 02/27/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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This planning step is more than simply drawing lines on a map. In order to add value to the process and begin implementing the Highway 10 Access Planning Study, additional accuracy is needed. The difference in accuracy could mean the difference between partial acquisition and full acquisition of property. Based on previous corridor planning studies, the difference between partial acquisitions and full acquisitions is several million dollars. The City still does not have sufficient information to communicate accurate right-of-way needs without this step. Stakeholder Impacts There has been a high level of real and perceived uncertainty surrounding the vision for the corridor that has created increasingly high levels of frustration within the corridor. Due to previous planning efforts, certain land use controls were established (Official Map) that indicated need for full acquisition of parcels. The need for additional right-of-way for the new plan is greatly reduced. However, in order to remove areas from the Official Map that are no longer needed (without removing areas that are still needed), this planning step is required. This step should ease the ability for improvements and real estate transactions for those parcels not directly impacted by future Highway 10 improvements. This provides an overlap to the City Council's Strategic Initiative to Clean Up the Image of Highway 10. It is hypothesized by observation and stakeholder feedback that many Property Owners are hesitant to significantly reinvest in properties without certainty on the future of Highway 10. Right of Way Acquisition The City has long utilized the Right -of -Way Aquisition Loan Fund (RALF) program to secure property for future Highway 10 improvements. Most recently, this program was utilized to purchase 6401 Highway 10 NW, the former Sunfish Lake Express Gas Station. However, the City will no longer be able to access these funds until this planning step is completed. The City also cannot receive MnDOT Approved Layout without this step. Funding Without the deliverables above, especially clarity to the vision, the City will likely be unsuccessful in several funding requests, especially regarding grade -separated interchanges. Public Engagement and Communication The Work Order includes several opportunities to supplement City Staff in the area of engagement and communication. The Work Order contemplates a series of workshops at various scales. Please see the attached proposal for a more detailed listing. Additionally, the Work Order includes assistance in website and newsletter content to better communicate with the community. Approximately $50,000 could be removed from the Work Order by reducing the amount of public meetings and communication. However, Staff does not recommend this approach due to the complex nature and a perceived need to better communicate the vision of Highway 10 to the community. Staff still encounters a large cross-section of the community that is unaware of the existence of the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. Additionally, this is a significant theme of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Proven Success The general approach has a proven track record for success for the corridor. The City of Anoka completed a similar process over the past several years with Bolton and Menk. As a result, the City of Anoka has secured over $30 Million for Highway 10 projects in Anoka. Highway 10 Steering Committee