Planning Commission - 10/27/2014 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, OCT. 27, 2014 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
Council Chambers
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Jon Stoltz, Travis Wuttke, Steven Frank,
Ann Higgins, Mary Egan, Charles Weber, Andrew
Pieper
STAFF MEMBERS: Julie Klima, City Planner
Stu Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources
Rod Rue, City Engineer
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ROLL CALL
Chair Stoltz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Egan was absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Frank, seconded by Higgins, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0.
III. MINUTES
A. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON OCT. 13, 2014
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Frank, to approve the minutes. Motion carried 5-
0. Kirk and Wuttke abstained.
IV. INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
V. PUBLIC MEETINGS
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
VII. PLANNERS' REPORT
A. PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN
BY ROBERT ELLIS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Ellis said he is here tonight to answer any questions and get feedback from the
Commission. He stated this plan started in 2013; the city had reached out to
Hennepin County to see if this would be something they wanted to do and they
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
October 27, 2014
Page 2
agreed. Community Design Group was brought on board to be the consultant for
the project.
The process has consisted of community engagement including open houses and
listening sessions. Groups were formed of internal staff which met on a bi-
monthly basis to refine the information. There was also an online tool on the City
of Eden Prairie website for individuals to share information on the pedestrian and
bicycle plan. Existing conditions were also considered during creation of the plan
to identify barriers for bicycle and pedestrian users. Staff used the assistance of
the Police Department and the Park and Rec Department to identify and define
barriers.
Once all of this information came in it was then combined it to make
recommendations of sidewalks and trails. Staff reviewed neighborhood slow
streets and the recommendation is to remind people to be on the lookout for bikes
and pedestrians in crosswalks. The speed limit is 25 in these areas. Another
recommendation would be the on road bike lanes. Some roads identified are:
Dell Road, Valley View Road and Mitchell Road. The bicycling community was
surveyed and the top two items on their list is to have more miles of bike lanes
and more separation distance between bikes and cars.
The consultant came up with recommendations. The first one is to pave the
regional trail and to finish off and pave the trail on Valley View road. The
Golden Triangle area would have more trails and there would be improvements to
the mall area to allow easier access. It was also recommended to have a
connection from Flying Cloud Drive to the mall area. Also on Prairie Center
Drive, they recommended having trails on both sides of the road. There will also
be intersection improvements, such as the high school, Hwy 4 and 5, Mitchell and
Valley View Road, Oak Point, Flying Cloud Drive and Anderson lakes Parkway,
Preserve Boulevard and Prairie Center Drive. The railroad tracks by the high
school need to be recognized as a crossing and it is recommended to put an under
pass in the area.
In regards to the LRT stations, we agree with the entire bike and pedestrian plans
already in place for this area. We came up with a tool box and it is as follows:
1. Require bike racks
2. Having more way finding signs
3. Fix it stations
4. Intersections where there are barriers
5. Snow and ice removal
6. No traffic signs on sidewalks
7. Develop a highly visible loop around the City
8. Bike rodeos
9. School programs
10. Determine where to put in marked crosswalks
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Frank thanked Ellis for all of the work done with this presentation. He asked Ellis
if there was any way to restrict car access in certain areas of the City and just have
bike and pedestrian access. He used the Town Center as an example. Ellis said
the plan did not look into that aspect. Frank asked if the plan took into account
motorized things, such as wheel chairs, scooters or segways. Ellis said it did not
take into account those vehicles.
Frank asked, if during winter, would certain parts be cleared for accessibility.
Ellis said the City currently does this now with trails and walk ways however it
would be reviewed annually. School paths are always a priority. All of these
improvements will compete for Capital Improvement Funding. When roadways
and trails are being built, it will be a process and just because it is in the plan
today does not mean it will happen.
Higgins commented about signage and said if we are going to look at it as part of
the plan; it should be considered a vital part.
Pieper asked about the Capital Improvement Process and if it comes through the
Planning Commission or just the City Council. Klima said it does not come
through the Commission but rather just the City Council.
Pieper asked if the City owns all the land involved. Ellis said no,but they would
have to look at it on a case by case basis.
Wuttke asked Ellis if the 200 plus people who attended the open houses and
participated online were a significant sample of the population who shared their
input of this plan. Ellis said he thought it was a good representation because there
typically is not a lot of public input. Wuttke asked if auto roadways would be
taken away. Ellis said the auto roadways would not be taken away.
Wuttke asked if the public would be educated prior to anything happening. Ellis
said yes, there would be a process with the media and the City. Wuttke asked
what feedback he got from the non-bike community; specifically reaction to on-
street bikes. Ellis said he received negative feedback in regards to getting the
bikers off the roadways. Wuttke asked in the winter if there would be a safety
concern with the bikers in the road. Ellis said he expects conversations about this
and pointed out the bikers do have a right to be in the roadway. He also stated
bikers who do not follow the rules of the road create some conflict too. Ellis said
if the public does not want something, the City Council does hear those concerns.
Kirk said he likes the idea of painting a picture, a vision for the future. In talking
at the Council Workshop, they talked about what kind of city do we want and this
is a project which creates a vision.
Weber said he appreciates the extra time the Commission was given to review this
plan.
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October 27, 2014
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Frank asked if we need to put a contingency on the cost of the projects. Klima
said the motion does not need to include a time frame or cost.
Higgins said she lives southwest of the airport and there are fewer destinations in
that part of town, and wondered if there would be a review in the future for bike
and trail destinations in that area. Ellis said they would absolutely look into it.
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Frank, to recommend to the City Council the
approval of the draft Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan as presented. Motion carried
7-0.
VIII. MEMBERS' REPORT
No Members' report.
IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS
No continuing business.
X. NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Kirk, seconded by Frank, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
7-0.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.