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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 04/27/2004 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES JOINT MEETING OF THE EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL & COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP/FORUM TUESDAY,APRIL 27, 2004 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM,HERITAGE ROOM II 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case, Jan Mosman, and Philip Young COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD: Ken Brooks, Larry Kacher, Vicki Koenig, Kathy Nelson,Peter Rocheford, Fred Seymour,Ray Stoelting, Jon Stoltz, William Sutherland CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Communications Manager Jack Sheehan, City Planner Michael Franzen, Traffic Engineer Randy Newton,Economic Development Manager David Lindahl, City Assessor Steve Sinell, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Heritage Room H I. GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA LAND USE Economic Development Manager David Lindahl noted that the City began exploring solutions to traffic problems in the Golden Triangle Area in 1999. In addition to ride- share programs, a traffic demand management plan, and plans for HOV slip ramps for Flying Cloud Drive and 212,the City decided to evaluate whether or not mixed-use development could help reduce traffic congestion and enhance transit use. Hennepin County agreed to pay for a mixed-use development/traffic mitigation study with grants from the Federal Transit Administration. Hoisington Koegler Group was chosen to conduct the study. Consultants from Hoisington Koegler Group presented findings of the Golden Triangle Land Use/Multi-Modal Transportation Evaluation to Council at this Workshop. This study began in February 2002 and was scheduled for completion in spring of 2003; however, completion was delayed until results of a County evaluation of a new LRT alignment through the GTA were in. The study is now complete and includes land use scenarios supported by future light rail. Council TVorkshop Minutes April 27 2004—p.2 The study includes three land use scenarios, one market-based concept and two transit village concepts,which were modified and expanded based on new rail locations, land use opportunities provided by light rail, and the possibility of developing a major transit station facility in the area. The consultants believe that if LRT is extended into the GTA, additional public resources may be available to help finance transit-oriented development. All of the concepts include a residential component as well as substantial land dedicated to regional commercial development,which could accommodate mid-to large-size retail not currently in the area. Major Conclusions of the Study are as follows: • The cost of redevelopment outweighs the benefits of vehicular traffic reductions. • The difference between traffic generated under the market-based concept and the transit village concept is relatively minimal. • Transit usage within the Golden Triangle is projected to remain relatively low even with implementation of the Transit Village alternatives. • Balancing traffic management and redevelopment objectives poses a complex challenge. ■ Substantial roadway improvements will be necessary in the Golden Triangle regardless of the land use pattern chosen. • The development pattern in the Golden Triangle will not change without intervention of the City. • Absent major redevelopment efforts, limited sites exist within the Golden Triangle that will be suitable for new housing. • The financing of public actions requires additional investigation. Recommended actions listed in the Study are as follows: • Adopt the plan as an advisory tool • Determine public purpose • Conduct an analysis of potential redevelopment sites based on private development initiatives • Take sustainable and incremental steps toward redevelopment • Remain flexible • Continue to include transit improvements as part of the vision for the Golden Triangle • Explore other traffic management solutions • Encourage redevelopment and reinvestment throughout the Golden Triangle Economic Development Director David Lindahl said staff will be asking Council to adopt the plan in the next 30 to 60 days. He noted that the Eden Prairie Center area cannot accommodate much more retail development, and staff believes the GTA would lend itself well to retail with some investment by the City. He said Ryan Companies is scheduled to attend the May 4 Council Workshop to present a concept plan. Council Morkshop Minutes April 27 2004—p.3 Councilmember Case said he loves the transit-based concept but worries about whether or not changes in the legislature might endanger transit funding. Consultant Mark Koegler said the redevelopment concepts presented can be built even without LRT. He said the study presumes, and he believes,there will always be some sort of transit in place in the GTA, though it is not absolutely necessary. Councilmember Mosman asked about rental occupancy rates in Eden Prairie. Lindahl noted that the rental market is currently softening, with 500 newly constructed units becoming available within the next six months. He noted that the plan presented tonight is a 15-20 year plan that will likely experience several economic cycles. Lindahl said he is confident there will be demand for housing in this market eventually. Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked the consultants what they have experienced with a plan like this succeeding in the long run. Koegler noted that this project is unique due to the many different components. He said the project would need to be done in pieces that make sense, and that each project will build on the ones before it. Planning Board Member Kathy Nelson said she would like to see LRT in the Golden Triangle,but that she would also suggest implementing a system of feeder buses that will take riders right to their doorsteps. Nelson also pointed out that some"big box"retailers are already considering going into other sites in Eden Prairie. Koegler said this should not pose a problem since this plan is a hybrid and there are opportunities for a"big box" or two as well as other types of development in the GTA. Planning Board Member Ken Brooks said that although he is a pessimist as far as transit is concerned, he thinks it should be a component of any GTA plan. He is glad the City is not just waiting for development to happen,but if the City adopts this plan he said they will really have to go out and market it. He thinks there are some national developers that may be very excited about the possibilities in this area. He is concerned that some property owners in the GTA may be overestimating the value of their land. City Planner Mike Franzen agreed that the City should take a leadership role in GTA redevelopment and that the area should be diversified. He said the City will need to be very careful about the first project to come into the area. He said it will be important to make sure the architecture is appropriate to encouraging a"walkable" area. Planning Board Member Bill Sutherland said there seems to be heavy emphasis on transit, and wonders if that is appropriate. He said it seems like a case of the"tail wagging the dog" since there is no guarantee that LRT will go into GTA. Councilmember Mosman said she hopes there will be an opportunity to include low- income housing with any residential component. Lindahl said the City does still have low income housing goals and will work with developers to include low income units in residential construction. Lindahl also noted that North American Properties is considering converting their newly constructed complex near Southwest Station into ownership condos rather than rental units, since this strategy seems to be working well elsewhere in the country. Planning Board Member Pete Rocheford said this makes sense Council Workshop Minutes April 27 2004—p. 4 since in Eden Prairie condos and town home values are steadily increasing and the resale market is good. Planning Board Member Ken Brooks said he thinks the Planning Board and Council should see the Ryan proposal before adopting the GTA land use plan. Lindahl pointed out that Ryan has been asked to submit a plan in accordance with the GTA study and they have indicated they will do so. Franzen said the Ryan plan is still very preliminary, in part because of what they consider to be a very high price on the Best Buy land. Council Chamber II. OPEN FORUM No one was scheduled to speak at Open Forum. III. OPEN PODIUM No one request to speak at Open Podium. IV. ADJOURNMENT