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112995 CC WS Min . CITY OF SHOREWOOD WORK SESSION WEDNESDA Y, NOVEMBER 29, 1995 MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 1. CONVENE WORK SESSION MEETING Mayor Bean called the meeting to order at 10:04 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Mayor Bean; Councilmembers Benson, Malam, and Stover; Planning Director Nielsen, and City Engineer Brown. 2. REPORT ON HIGHWAY 7 CORRIDOR STUDY . Planning Director Nielsen presented the MNDot / Consultant preliminary recommendations of the Highway 7 Corridor Study from S.T.H. 41 west to Hutchinson. Due to lack of funds, it will not be possible for this segment to be widened to a four lane divided highway in the near future. The goal ofthe study is to make changes which will improve flow, eliminate hazardous areas (such as access points), and try to establish an ideal spacing between intersections and access points on Highway 7. These improvements will include widening the highway to the extent possible, achieving right and left turn lanes, and creating a ten foot paved shoulder. Nielsen reported MNDot has been authorized to apply for a grant to fund the additional four feet of paved shoulder beyond the six feet which were planned for. The ten foot shoulder would provide a borderline adequate area for bicycles to use as well. . MNDot / Consultant is currently proposing no changes to Highway 41. The Lake Linden Drive access will be closed entirely (this had already been determined in the Comprehensive Plan). The Wood Drive access would be closed. The Pleasant Avenue access would be closed and a four-way intersection would be created at an extension of Wiltsey Lane and Sandpiper Trail (Chanhassen). Chanhassen would then close North Manor Road and there would be one aligned intersection to handle the traffic in that area. The access at Seamans Drive would be closed and Yellowstone Trail would be extended to Eureka Road, which is a collector street. The Wagner and Freeman Park accesses would be closed and consolidated with Osha and Shorewood Oaks Drive. There was also discussion to align Church Road with Minnewashta Parkway and possibly install a stoplight. The Planning Commission, in their discussion thus far, has expressed the four lane highway is the best solution in terms of safety. Commissioner Pisula, however, feels that this will increase the capacity of Highway 7 and encourage development to the west. This is also a concern of the Metropolitan Council. Financial constraints prohibit the construction of a four-lane highway at this time, but the Planning Department suggests improvements made now should be geared toward that ultimate design. The Planning Department alternatives are as follows. They are in favor of the ten foot shoulder along Highway 7 as it will be considerably safer. The alignment of Highway 41 and Highway 7 should be corrected. This intersection is skewed and dangerous. The Lake Linden access closure has already been planned. This needs to become a part of the ClP. The Wood Drive closure was not recommended by staff but appears an area for further study. Most residents do not use this intersection as it is not controlled and there is no opportunity for a right turn lane. There have been consistent complaints of cut through traffic from Co. Rd. 19 to Highway 7. ~e access at Pleasant Avenue may require further study. The MNDot / Consultant recommendatIon would require condemnation and improvements to Wiltsey Lane. An alternative may be to close the access completely. The access at Seamans Park Drive would be closed and Yellowstone Trail ( - . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD - WORK SESSION MINUTES November 29, 1995 - PAGE 2 extended over to Eureka Road with a possible stoplight at Eureka Road. The Freeman Park entrance could be extended east to Eureka Road. The Osha access would be consolidated with the park entrance and the Wagner access would be eliminated. Nielsen reported the Park Commission supports this improvement. There was Council suggestion to continue this access to Shorewood Oaks Drive Nielsen . reported the study is considering the placement of two passing lanes on Highway 7 between St. Bonifacius and Hutchinson. The intent is to open up traffic. The requirements for passing lanes are a minimum of one mile distance, as straight as possible and the least amount of vertical curvature. There was Council consensus to support the proposals for improvements submitted by staff for improvements to Highway 7. Nielsen explained the proposed changes for the Excelsior bridge area. West bound traffic into Excelsior will exit on a right off ramp and east bound traffic will exit off a new right on ramp. These are significant improvements and are consistent with the 1987 Corridor Study. Nielsen suggested a letter be forwarded to the City of Excelsior noting the City of Shorewood's approval and commending them for their planning efforts. Nielsen explained the options for the Water Street access. There was Council consensus that the right-in, right-out and neck down in the median were positive changes. However, the Council felt it appropriate to consult the City of Excelsior and consider their suggestions before any definite recommendations were made. 3. ADJOURNMENT Benson moved, Malam seconded to adjourn the Work Session meeting at 11: 15 p.m. Motion passed 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Lorri L. Kopishcke Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial ATTEST: '-) K~f~~~{i-e~ ROBERT B. BEAN, MAYOR JA