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4646 Dakota Street SE
`�'INxESO'��' Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2013
PREPARED BY: LARRY POPPLER, CITY ENGINEER / INSPECTIONS DIRECTOR
PRESENTER: LARRY POPPLER
TOPIC: AGENDA ITEM-1 THE DOWNTOWN SOUTH TRAFFIC STUDY
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this work session is to share the history, purpose and
present status of this study with the City Council and discuss the next steps
for this study
Historv
Prior Lake's 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan recently updated by the City
Council prioritizes economic development as one of the city's most
important goals. This is particularly important in the downtown which is
relatively small and is divided by a county road which will eventually carry
27,000 vehicles per day. This means that traffic must flow smoothly into the
downtown via north and southbound TH13, east and westbound County
Road 21 and through local supporting roadways like Arcadia, Colorado,
Pleasant and Duluth.
In 2005 the City and County finalized a year and half long study which
selected the alignment of County State Aid Highway 21 through Prior Lake
from County State Aid Highway 82 to Revere Way. This study identified
several improvements necessary to maintain adequate access to the Prior
Lake downtown. Based on intersection spacing, downtown access, right of
way impact, TH 13 / CR 21 operation, and community involvement, a
concept was chosen. This option keeps County Road 21 at its current
location and included Main Avenue having right in/right out access only. A
full signalized access would be provided at Arcadia Avenue. Additionally a
3 /4 access would be provided at Pleasant Street from TH 13.
This configuration, approved by the City Council in 2005, has commonly
been called the "Baseline Option". Since south downtown is guided in the
City Comprehensive plan as "Town Center", the alignment for County Road
21 contemplated a"developer driven" connection of Duluth to the full
access intersection at Arcadia.
The closure of Main Avenue to through traffic came as unwelcome news to
most people in Prior Lake. Businesses wondered how motor vehicles would
gain access in either direction across County Road 21. Others wondered
how pedestrians would be able to cross County Road 21 as well. The
biggest question was how this change in circulation pattern would impact
the viability of the downtown over time.
The intersection at Main and County Road 21 has been deteriorating over
time as can already be seen at peak hours. As traffic volume grows,
eventually this intersection will fail. Accidents associated with these
intersections can also be anticipated.
On January 3� 2012 the City Council held a work session to discuss
County Road 21 in the downtown area. At the work session, the City
Council reviewed several long term alternatives for this area and directed
staff to initiate a study of our south downtown to lead a process to
determine the ideal street connections. The Council felt that in the interest
of long term planning and to increase the involvement of downtown
businesses and residents, that a study be undertaken now instead of being
initiated by a developer. This study will provide the framework for future
downtown development by defining proper street configurations so existing
and new residents and businesses can plan with some degree of certainty.
On April 2" 2012, the City Council approved a professional services
contract with Bolton & Menk for the completion of the downtown south
traffic study and on May 7 the Council provided direction on the study to
include the following goals.
1) Assemble the findings and recommendations from the previously
completed projects, plans, and studies into one plan for the
Downtown South Area.
2) Develop a plan for a future street network in the Downtown South
Area that is consistent with the CH 21 Plan, provides connectivity
and facilities for multiple modes (i.e. pedestrians, and bicyclists)
between Downtown and other destinations, provides access to
Downtown South businesses, and provides access for traffic
between Duluth Street and the intersection of CH 21 and Arcadia
Street.
3) Develop a street network for the Downtown South Area that reduces
right-of-way acquisition and considers the City's options for
implementation.
� On October 8, 2012, the City Council held a work session to go over the
options. Progress had been made as study options were reduced from 13
to 5. One of these options is the Baseline option. This includes the
proposed changes at the intersections of Hwy 13/CH 21, Hwy 13/Duluth
Avenue, Hwy 13/Pleasant Street, and CH 21/Main Avenue, as consistent
with previous studies, but does not include any plans within the Downtown
South area. Two additional options (9B & 9C) were added after comments
were received from the Citizens and Business Group. Each of the seven
alternatives are shown in the report.
An open house was held on November 27, 2012 and was well attended.
Comments from the public were taken are included within the Downtown
South report appendix.
On December 12 2012 the City Council discussed the Downtown South
Study. The City Council felt additional information was needed before a
decision could be made on the alignment. City Staff has prepared a table
showing the topics which may require additional study. The table is
attached to this report.
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Current Circumstances
A more detailed history will be provided. The items of concern from the
December 12 City Council meeting will also be discussed as well as the
review of a full access intersection at Franklin Trail and Highway 13.
Additional questions or concerns which can also be discussed.
The work session tonight will be divided in the following manner:
1. Review the results of the study. Given the size of the study for
electronic download purposes the Council has been provided with
paper copies of the 90 plus page document.
2. Review the table showing topics which may require additional study.
3. Review full access at Franklin Trail and Highway 13 including some
developer interest that the staff has become aware of. Attached is a
letter from Told Company. The City Council previously received a
letter from Loren Gross the owner of the parcel north if the
"Digger's" property.
ISSUES: The study process also encouraged considerable input and participation
from downtown business owners, residents and technicians familiar with
transportation matters. There is both support and opposition to the
concepts under consideration.
Each alternative including the baseline option has direct impacts to the
downtown area including both residents and business owners. Direct
impacts include:
• Safety and Mobility
• Connectivity and Accessibility
• Environmental
• Economics
• Compatibility with Existing Plans
South downtown is guided for "Transitional Town Center" according to the
2030 Comprehensive Plan. It is appropriate to review the long term street
network to ensure the successful transition of this area. The "Transitional
Town Center" designation may not be popular with some individuals within
the community. The recommended alignment shows that certain properties
need to be acquired or developed in the future to provide the appropriate
street network for south downtown.
Each of the options have been analyzed. Information is provided regarding
costs, traffic impact, impact to homes and businesses, as well as evaluation
criteria for each option. The evaluation criteria includes technical feasibility,
environmental compatibility, economic viability, and compatibility with
existing plans. The matrix was created to display and compare the
evaluation criteria. This matrix is attached in the study report.
Three Citizen and Business Group and several Technical Advisory
Committee meetings have taken place. The comments received from the
Citizen and Business Group are attached within the study report.
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Conclusion
After reviewing the costs, the technical information, comments from the Citizen
and Business Group, and public meetings, the Technical Advisory Committee
recommends option 9C. If a full access at Franklin Trail were approved, the
recommended option could change.
Option 9C provides the following advantages as identified in the report:
1. More direct access to downtown businesses.
2. Creates 3 /4 access at Highway 13 / Pleasant Street consistent with the
County Road 21 Corridor Study.
3. Opens Transitional Town Center area (Colorado to Pleasant)
4. Provides direct connectivity from Arcadia to Duluth and between the
signals
5. Reduces traffic on Duluth Avenue.
6. Adds pedestrian and bicycle connections to downtown.
7. Can be implemented incrementally.
8. Provides a plan to handle future growth.
9. Provides a future roadway network plan that provides Developer guidance.
10. Provides opportunity for future sewer alignment.
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