HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2014-74 - Approve Physical Design Component of Preliminary Design of SW Light Rail Project - 07/14/2014 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-74
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PHYSICAL DESIGN COMPONENT OF THE
PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
WITHIN THE CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
WHEREAS, The Governor designated the Metropolitan Council ("Council") as the
responsible authority for the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project ("Project"), which makes it
responsible for the planning, designing, acquiring, constructing and equipping the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project is now in the preliminary design phase; and
WHEREAS, the design at this phase is approximately 15 percent complete; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994 allows cities and counties along a
proposed light rail route to provide input to the Council on the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2014, the Council submitted the physical design component of
the preliminary design plan (`Plans") to the governing body of each statutory and home rule
charter city, county and town in which the route is proposed to be located; and
WHEREAS, public hearings are then required, which the City of Eden Prairie held on
June 17, 2014; and
WHEREAS, within 45 days of a joint hearing held by the Council and the Hennepin
County Regional Rail Authority ("HCRRA"), which was held on May 29, 2014, the City of Eden
Prairie must review and approve or disapprove the Plans for the route to be located in the City of
Eden Prairie; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994 provides that "a local unit of
government that disapproves the plans shall describe specific amendments to the plans that, if
adopted, would cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval;" and
WHEREAS, approval or disapproval by the City of Eden Prairie is part of the statutory
preliminary design process; and
WHEREAS, City staff has reviewed the Plans and developed a report pertaining to these
Plans and has made its recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Eden Prairie will work with the Council throughout the design
and construction process; and
WHEREAS, a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared to
evaluate among other matters the potential impacts of the alignment between the proposed
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Southwest Station and Mitchell Station along Technology Drive and the City will have an
opportunity to comment on the analysis once it is published for public comment; and
WHEREAS, the Council and its staff continue to work with SouthWest Transit (SWT)
on the development of an agreement pertaining to understandings, goals, and potential future
agreements between the Council and SWT relating to the co-location of the Council's proposed
Southwest Light Rail Transit Project with SWT's existing operations at SouthWest Station
located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
WHEREAS, the City of Eden Prairie desires that the Council and its staff continue to
work with the City of Eden Prairie staff to evaluate terms identified below as Locally Requested
Capital Investment ("LRCIs") recognizing that the implementation of this investment will
require the identification of funding during the advanced design of the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDEN PRAIRIE, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS, DETERMINES, AND ORDERS
AS FOLLOWS:
I. The City of Eden Prairie provides its municipal approval of the Plans pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994 consistent with the above.
2. The City of Eden Prairie staff are directed to submit the City of Eden Prairie's
approval to the Metropolitan Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City identifies the following issues as outstanding and
declares that this consent is granted based on the City's full faith and trust in the Metropolitan
Council's commitment to arrive at resolution satisfactory to the City on the following issues
which are not included or have not been satisfactorily addressed in the preliminary design plan
submission:
L Locate the 160 space parking facility in close proximity to Town Center Station
which will be provided by beginning of revenue service.
2. Minimize disruption to businesses, residents, SouthWest Transit services,
vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic during construction through innovative
practices.
3. Provide strong communication with the public during design and construction that
is visual, timely, reliable, and easily understood.
4. Seek guidance and input from the City of Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation, Arts and
Natural Resources Commission on the incorporation of public art into the project.
5. Complete the agreement between the Council and SouthWest Transit pertaining to
understandings, goals, and potential future agreements relating to the co-location
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of the Council's proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit Project with SWT's
existing operations at Southwest Station located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that Council and its staff continue to work with the City of
Eden Prairie staff to evaluate as the following "LRCIs" recognizing that the implementation of
this investment will require the identification of project funding during the advanced design of
the project:
1. Town Center Station being constructed as a side running platform.
2. Design and construction of a north-south road from Town Center Station to
Singletree Lane.
3. Construction of a trail from Prairie Center Drive and the Highway 212 off ramp to
the SouthWest Station.
4. Grading and installation of a trail adjacent to the tracks from City West Station
south towards Shady Oak Road.
5. Enhance and improve the park like setting along Technology Drive and Prairie
Center Drive.
6. Modification of the grade separated crossing of Valley View Road such that it
minimizes LRT travel time through the elimination of sharp curves.
7. Rounded, fluted and tubular catenary poles throughout Eden Prairie.
8. Direct fixation or embedded track at appropriate locations in Eden Prairie.
9. Alternative materials for fencing, bridge railings and similar appurtenances at
appropriate locations in Eden Prairie along with agreements for long term
maintenance.
ADOPTED by the City Council on July 14, 2014.
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ATTEST:
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Ka leen Porta, City Clerk
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