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1992-01-30 Council Plng Comm WorkshopPage No. 3214 January 30, 1992 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting City Council/Planning Commission Workshop Held Thursday, January 30, 1992 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting/workshop of the City Council and Planning Commission, was held at 7:30 o'clock P.M. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers Cummins, Blesener, Smith and Koch. The following Planning Commissioners present were: Duggan, Koll, Krebsbach, Dwyer, Friel and Tilsen. Staff members present were City Administrator Tom Lawell, Public Works Director Jim Danielson and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. DISCUSSION WITH MNDOT REGARDING T.H. 110/149 INTERSECTION City Administrator Lawell introduced MnDOT Representatives Mr. Bob Brown, Planner, and Mr. Adeel Lari, Right-of-Way Engineer. City Administrator Lawell explained that when Mr. Edward Paster purchased the Mendota Plaza he hired a traffic consultant to work with MnDot to develop a plan to improve the access to the center. He explained that this traffic engineer and MhDOT had developed a plan that would widen and add turn lanes to Dodd Road. Administrator Lawell stated that in 1990 Mr. Paster requested the City to investigate the possibility of constructing this plan as a public improvement project. He stated the City Council approved Mr. Paster's request and City staff has been working with MnDOT in trying to finalize a workable plan. Mr. Brown explained that there are now two alternative plans. He stated the first plan's objective is to improve access into the shopping by adding proper turn lanes. He explained that the turn lanes will be created to improve the channeling and storing of vehicles traveling on Dodd Road. In response to a question from Planning Chair Dwyer, Mr. Brown stated that with the new plan, south bound traffic will be unable to turn left into the Amoco gas station. He stated access to the gas station is proposed to be via Page No. 3215 January 30, 1992 the shopping center entrance. Mr. Brown further stated the traffic volumes on Dodd Road are stagnate. He stated the rate of growth in the area is at 2 to 3 percent annually. Mayor Mertensotto stated the City needs to review this plan to see if it is a cost effective plan. He stated improvements to this highway may not be worthwhile. Mr. Brown stated the intent of these upgrades is to improve access to the shopping center. Mayor Mertensotto stated part of the problem the shopping center may have in not being able to lease tenant space may be related to the accessibility problem of the shopping center. Commissioner Tilsen stated the perception of accessibility to the shopping center may improve if the traffic flow to the shopping center is improved. He stated people like convenience and that this plan improves that. Councilmember Blesener stated she believes people do not have a problem accessing the shopping center. The problem with the center is that it has poor visibility and that the market just isn't there. Councilmember Cummins stated his concern for the safety for people heading east off of Highway 110, turning right heading south onto Dodd Road and then to the shopping center. He stated by only having one lane leading into the shopping center, could cause a real safety problem. Commissioner Koll pointed out the existing problem of bus stoppings in this location. Mayor Mertensotto asked what the total cost of the project could be. Public Works Director Danielson responded that it could be $1 million and that MnDOTIs share of construction costs could be down to 25 percent of the project. Mr. Brown briefly explained the second proposed plan. He stated this plan would be beneficial to both the City and State in that Dodd Road could be rerouted along the new City Municipal State Aid (MSA) route. He explained the City would complete the work using MSA funds and then once the work is completed and paid for, turn the roadway over to MnDot. He explained this alternative would relieve the City of any future maintenance, construction or reconstruction costs associated with the new roadway, and help MnDOT by improving traffic flow on Highway 110. Mr. Brown explained the signals on Highway 110 would be removed thereby decreasing the impedance on Highway 110. He further explained there would be right in/right out Page No. 3215 January 30, 1992 accessibility off of Highway 110 heading both east and west. He explained traffic heading north and south on Dodd Road would be routed using the overpass constructed around the shopping center. In response to a question from Councilmember Smith, Mr. Brown stated access to 35E from the north (using Dodd Road) would be made more difficult. Commissioner Tilsen questioned if a "diamond" intersection at Highway 110 and Dodd Road could be constructed. He stated the City of Bloomington has these intersections, several of which were recently constructed. Mr. Adeel Lari, MnDOT, explained these types of intersections are very costly. He explained those particular intersections have been proposed since the 1950's at this location. Councilmember Blesener questioned if a loop could be created through the downtown Mendota Heights area. She stated the City is not interested in extending roads through the Friendly Hills area. Mr. Brown explained that safety is a real issue in proposing exit ramps. Planning Chair Dwyer stated this proposal seems to isolate the shopping center instead of improving accessibility. Commissioner Krebsbach stated accessibility to the shopping center does not seem to be an issue. She stated that traffic congestion just isn't the problem. The Council and Planning Commission briefly discussed how land would be acquired if the City chose to use the second alternate plan. Commissioner Tilsen expressed his concern for the lack of pedestrian trailway connecting the north and south sides of Mendota Heights. He inquired as to the capability of constructing pedestrian trailways in conjunction with the overpass plan. Mayor Mertensotto stated he would like to improve the access to the shopping center and that connecting the trail system (north to south) is important. In response to a question from Councilmember Smith, Mr. Lari explained it is assumed that only local residents use the shopping center. Commissioner Friel explained a lot of people use Highway 110 as the principal access road throughout the City. Mayor Mertensotto pointed out that by constructing this overpass it may create more traffic on the residential streets within the City. Mayor Mertensotto questioned if there are appraisers available to review the possibility of the City acquiring land. Mr. Lari responded they are available. He further Page No. 3216 January 30, 1992 explained the process of appraising the land could take roughly a month. Councilmember Blesener stated she would like to see the City's Planning Consultant review all potential alternatives involving the accessibility to the shopping center and the upgrade of Dodd Road. Councilmember Cummins stated the first priority of the City should be to improve the safety of the intersection in conjunction with the safety concern relating to the accessibility of the shopping center. Mayor Mertensotto directed staff to contact John Uban, of Dahlgren, Shardlow and Uban, to prepare a proposal, with a not to exceed dollar amount, researching traffic flows, availability of land and the connection of pedestrian trailways all relating to the downtown Mendota Heights area. He further directed Mr. Adeel Lari, MnDOT, to contact the State's appraisers to research the appraised value of the vacant Trunk Highway 149 right-of-way. There being no further business, the Council and Planning Commission adjourned the workshop session at 9:05 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary