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11-24-15 Traffic Cmt Minutes CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING SHOREWOOD CITY HALL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 7:00 P.M. MINUTES COMMITTEE MEMBERS: FACILITATOR: Susanne Aspley Sandy Finke Chuck Rickart, WSB Engineer Kathy Curry Ed Hasek Teresa Elsbernd Ken Huskins (teleconference) Chris Gehrke Jeff Coplan CITY STAFF Bob Gagne Angela Nelson Paul Hornby, City Engineer John Mohn David Cooley OTHERS PRESENT: Deb Siakel, City Councilmember 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 11-05-15 th Finke statedthe5 paragraph should read, “Elsbernd” hoped to identify…rather than “Finke”. Rickart stated Ken Huskins would like to change the minutes on page 3, to strike the sentence “Huskins stated he believed there will be access onto Country Club Road from the new development” and replace with “Huskins stated that the approved Mattamy concept design only has access shown to Smithtown Road and Yellowstone Trail.” And in the next sentence, strike “Adding” and replace with “Hasek stated adding”. And in the next paragraph change “Hasek” to “Huskins” stated making it a 1-way…” Huskins agreed the changes were his recommendations. Hasek believed it was him that made that the statement about 1-way traffic. Huskins stated he also recalled making the statement, but he was fine with the minutes reflecting either Hasek or Huskins, or both made the statement. Cooley stated he was not at the last meeting and had no recommended changes to the minutes. He did believe Smithtown has been totally eliminated from the priorities. He believed everyone should go back and state where they live and what their priorities are. Elsbernd stated we will add Smithtown Road to the list. Cooley stated we also need to take into account who will be living in the new development. Elsbernd suggested sticking with the minutes approval now. Further discussion took place, and it was agreed to add “Smithtown Road and County Road 19 and Smithtown and Country Club Road intersections” to the list on page 3 of the minutes. Gagne moved, Finke seconded to approve the minutes with the changes as recommended. Motion passed 11/1, with Huskins dissenting. 2. DISCUSSION Elsbernd noted she was asked to prepare the mission statement role of the traffic committee. She read the following that was distributed to the committee: “Role of Traffic Committee Made up of volunteer citizens of Shorewood, the role of the Traffic Committee is to act as an advisory committee to the Council to identify possible solutions to the existing and anticipated increased traffic situation particularly as it relates to the development at MCC. Our role is NOT to figure out the TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 4 PAGE 2 OF feasibility of or even how these suggestions might be implemented IF indeed they are acted upon by the Council. Our discussions should not be limited in any way. Mission To identify logical, safe and efficient ways to move traffic from the residential areas to the main thorough-fares, namely Hwy. 7 and southbound Hwy. 41 Chuck Rickart has also clarified a few points since the last meeting that I would like for you to be aware of prior to tomorrow. He informed Ken and me of the following two points of clarification: "As Paul Hornby indicated at the last meeting the primary task of the committee is to review traffic calming or traffic alternatives to specifically to the roads adjacent to the Minnetonka Country Club development including Smithtown Road, Country Club Road, Yellowstone Trail and Lake Linden Drive. Other priorities and budget outside of this area will be discussed with the Council at a retreat after st January 1." So, we will need to focus our discussions on these areas and not the Eureka intersection to Smithtown Rd., Freeman Park and the Cty. Rd. 19 and Pleasant Rd. concerns which were raised at the last meeting. “In addition, the committee will need to look at issues as if the (MCC) development was constructed, with the requirements of the concept plan approval (i.e. they have to add an access to have a cul-de-sac length that meets planning requirements on the west side). The concept plan for the development went through an extensive review process and it was approved by the City Council." So, there cannot be any new access points from the MCC development onto Country Club Rd. which was offered as a possible solution to the "cut-through" and speed concerns noted at our last meeting.” Elsbernd clarified that those suggestions are off the table for discussion at this time. Hasek noted that the ideas the committee provides to Council need to have solid thought behind them; noting the committee needs to be thinking though ideas logically and pragmatically. He further stated he believes the mission statement needs to include words such as those stated by Elsbernd, “to ideate and recommend after thoughtful discussion and consideration”, unless the committee determines a mission statement isn’t needed because the committee knows what it needs to do. Further discussion on the mission statement took place. Nelson suggested the committee knows what it needs to do to get the job done. She felt the committee was wasting a lot of time on these semantics. 2. Country Club Road – Safety/Operation/Pedestrians Hasek noted Mattamy has applied for changes to their concept plan. He believed the committee should have access to this. It was noted two additional lots were being added in the southwest corner. It was noted there will be a public hearing on December 1 for this change. Committee members discussed how this might impact traffic. Elsbernd asked for clarification of how this change will impact traffic. a. Previous Studies b. Smithtown Road TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 4 PAGE 3 OF Access points onto Smithtown Road were identified. Rickart was asked if there was a reason an up-to-date map has not been provided. Rickart stated the access points are not final until after the public hearing. Elsbernd stated there are two access points planned along Smithtown Road – one is at the current location, and another is further to the west. She indicated there is another access to the site from Yellowstone Trail. Gagne asked if the streets would be constructed in stages. Elsbernd stated this is a good question for the City Council and not for this group. Cooley discussed the need for safe traffic controls in this area. He discussed the need to relocate the sidewalk until a turn lane can be added. Gehrke suggested a possible stop sign location. Huskins stated he would like the group to recognize that this is a concept. He described and discussed a roundabout location. He stated it would alleviate back up traffic in the area of Country Club Road. He stated he could draw this out as a concept for review. He believed County Road 19 should remain exactly as it is planned. A committee member noted a roundabout is a good idea but not practical. The gas station would need to be removed to begin with. The County just redid the intersection. It was stated the problem is County Road 19 and Country Club Road are too close together. A stop light on Yellowstone and Country Club Road would deter cut through traffic. Rickart discussed the difficulty with the recommendations. Huskins discussed the possibility of making Country Club Road a one-way road. Elsbernd asked for additional comments about a roundabout. Curry believed it was a wonderful idea. Rickart stated a mini-roundabout is also an option. Hasek stated there are also two of them in Edina. Rickart stated those were the first built in the Twin Cities, and we learned what needed to be changed. Rickart was asked if a mini-roundabout would work in the Country Club Road location. Rickart replied it might work. Hasek believed it would be a more possible use at the end of Country Club Road. Committee members discussed educating motorists on the use of a roundabout. Rickart stated too many signs would not be effective. He discussed similar concepts discussed in other communities. Huskins asked if a similar use such as the airport uses would be an option. Rickart stated they use a “merging diamond” which would not be an option. Nelson asked if the roundabout that does not use 19 would cause backup problems. It was noted it would. The consensus was it was too close to the intersection to have a roundabout. Hasek asked Huskins if he had any engineering background. Huskins indicated he did not and was just a concerned citizen. Hasek suggested he work with the City Engineer on his concept plan. Rickart was asked to provide drawings of roundabouts for the next meeting. Huskins would also provide his drawings. Elsbernd noted a flyby elevation of County Road19 was suggested at a previous meeting. Hasek discussed his concerns about the cost of such a plan. He believed it would be multi millions of dollars. He proposed a full interchange. Nelson stated the Council indicated the interchange at County Road 19 is not a part of what the Council is asking the committee to discuss. She suggested we focus on what we can now. She asked what can be done to for a turn lane. Cooley clarified the turn lanes on Country Club Road and cost effective measures. Rickart stated any additional lanes would increase the capacity. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 4 PAGE 4 OF Committee members discussed how to make Country Club Road safe for cut through traffic. Hasek read excerpts from previous traffic studies which identified safety needs such as bump outs, speed bumps, and enforcement and education. Speed limit sign additions were suggested. He stated potential solutions were offered, and the only thing done was striping and driver feedback. He stated he wanted to see the road use as it is intended. He stated motorists should not try to pass garbage trucks. Cooley stated he believed the driver feedback sign is a good idea and is very worthwhile. Curry suggested drawings be provided of turn lane locations. Elsbernd asked for suggestions for other improvements. Cooley suggested the sidewalks go all the way down to Yellowstone. He believed the City has enough right-of-way to provide that. Rickart believed if getting pedestrians off of Country Club Road is the goal, then that would be a good idea to extend the sidewalk to Yellowstone. Committee members discussed bike trail locations. It was agreed there needed to be trails for walkers and bikers. Elsbernd asked for input on stop sign locations on Country Club Road. Committee members discussed locations. Rickart stated marked and signed bike lanes allow for a 25 mph roadway by state law. Elsbernd stated Country Club Road would need to be widened to allow for two bike lanes. Curry left the meeting at approximately 7:10 p.m. Cooley discussed bike lane locations with the ultimate goal of getting lower traffic speeds. Elsbernd summarized the discussion: roundabout proposals will be presented at the next meeting, members discussed the addition of stop signs and turn lanes on Smithtown and Country Club Road, and making Country Club Road safer and reducing speed were the items discussed. c. Yellowstone Trail Intersection 3. Next Meeting December 10 was selected as the possible date for the next meeting. Hasek suggested Huskins attend the next meeting in person. 4. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder