11-30-2009 CCMMembers Absent, EDA Commissioner Tveite
Staff Present: City Administrator Lori Johnson, Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart,
Planner Chris Leeseberg, Director of Economic Development Catherine
Mehelich, and Public Works Director Terry Maurer
Also Present. Bruce Chamberlain and Bryan Harjes of Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc.
~. Call Meeting To order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the City Council was called to order
at 6:32 p.m, by Mayor Klinzing,
Pursuance to due call and notice thereof, the mewing of the Economic Development
Authority was called to oxder at 6:32 p.m. by President Dwyer.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Planning Commissio~a was called
to order at 6:32 p.m. by Chair Scott.
2. Focused Area Stud Phase ~~
Mayor Klinzing started the ~neeti~.g by stating that the Council has not reviewed the plans
yet as the Council just received the four options and is reviewing them at the same time as
the property owners :~ the study area. Mr. Barnhart provided some background information
_ __ on the Focused Area Study. He further stated that there will be another opportunity for
public comment at an upcoming open house. It is not expected that the City Council, EDA,
or Planning Commission will pick a plan at this meeting but rather they will select pieces of
each that they find most desirable.
Bruce Chamberlain, Hoisingtan Z~oegler Group, Inc. ~HI~Gi~ began by stating the intent is
to get as much discussion as possible on the four options. Mr. Chamberlain and Bryan
Harjes, HGI~i, went through a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the four concept
alternatives and the pros and cons of each.
The Mayor brought the presentation back to the elected and appointed officials for
discussion. The Mayor started by indicating that we need to be firm in our request for
realignment of Highway ~o as we discuss the possibility of shifting the road to the east,
Councilmember westgaard indicated that he did not like concept three as there was no
connectivity. He preferred concept four because it kept separate residential and commercial
Special City Council, EDA, and Planning Minutes
Novem.be~ 30, 2009
Page Z
traff c and the realignment to the east. He also stated that option four takes into
consideration existing residential.
Counciln~ember Moon questioned the need fox a railroad overpass in option one and stated
that if there is realignment it should be done as soon as possible so it could buildup around
the intersection. option two he felt contained too much commercial, He further stated
option three is anon-starter. He questioned if there is too much residential in option faux
and suggested that it would be best to work the pedestrian bridge and overpass together.
EDA Commissioner Touchette stated he is focusing on option two as the best plan. He
stated option three isn't viable and option four has too much residential. He indicated that
the plan needs to look 30 years down the road.
Councilmember Zerwas stated there were transportation issues in option three and that he
preferred option four as he prefers a connection outside the residential area. He further
stated that the plan will change in 3o years, that it is important to include a railroad crossing
in option two and that he supports the realignfnent of Highway 1D.
EDA Commissioner Dwyer questioned whether there was sufficient right-off way for
Highway 1o to make some of the improvements. Mr. Chamberlain said that there was, Mr.
Dwyer further stated that he felt a hybrid of options two and four is his choice. He wants to
see traffic circulation to the north and likes option four because it preserves the residential
along the river.
Mayor I~linzing reiterated that you want a plan that doesn't impact the residential area with
traffic.
Planning Commissioner I~evin Scott stated that he feels option two has a more efficient
traffic pattern and option four has land use that is more palatable. He likes a combination of
the traffic pattern in two with the land use in option four.
Planning Commissioner Paul Bell expressed concern with train traffic at the intersection to
get out of the Northstar lot and that a future overpass at 173rd makes sense and to eliminate
the pedestrian overpass by putting it on 173rd.
Councilmernber Motin questioned whether the options were viable. Mr. Chamberlain
indicated that market trends change and that all options are viable if you look long-term and
that cost implications of each option need to be reviewed.
Mayor I~linzing opened the meeting to the public for comment.
'alter Cleath,17~41 Yale Street NW, representing the Mississippi Ridge Townho:me
Association -stated that the Association supports option four.
Mayor Klinzing stated that option four needs more commercial,
Steve R.ohlf, representing Ells River Fard,17~1s Highway 10 -stated concerns with an
overpass at 173rd and a trail through the wetlands. He provided a handout similar to option
three and asked the Council to consider his option.
Special City Council, EDA, and Planning Minutes
November 30, 2D09
Page 3
Dwight ~irke~de,11230173ra Avenue - stated he lives on the river and has a problem with
the trail because of flooding and the steep bluff. He suggested moving the trail to the top of
the bluff.
Dawn .A~derson,16783 Yale Street Nw -stated that she is a resident of Mississippi
Heights and asked that the Council not forget that these are their homes they are tallying
about and to take that into consideration as they review the options.
Rick Furth, Broadway Bar and Pizza,l G754 Highway 10 -suggested that the interchange
should be located at 167" Avenue on all options.
Tim Gerber,17~~9 Highway 10 - stated that the first obligation should be to existing
businesses and current residents.
Staff announced that the next meeting will be December 14, 2D09, and the public will have
another opportunity to review the plan and provide comment at that meeting.
3. Ads ourntnent
There being no further business, President Dwyer, Chair Scott, and Mayor Klinzing
adjourned the meetings of the Ells River Economic Development Authority, Planning
C mmission, and City Council, at 8:21 p.m.
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Tina Allard, City Clerk
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Stepha 1~linzing, May