5.6. PCSR 06-08-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK • TRANSIT SYSTEM: Northstar Commuter Rail Station The Northstar commuter rail is a plus for growth in the FAST area, but not a primary driver for change. As the system matures and ridership grows it is important the station meets the demands of the patrons. Adequate parking will be a necessity. While the current lot provides 70o spaces, additional space may be needed in the future. A parking deck or ramp structure should be considered for the station in consideration with mixed-use development before more surface parking spaces are added since little land exists for development immediately adjacent to the station. Providing adequate facilities for bike commuting are also suggested. Bike lockers allow a safe, secure location for commuters to store their bikes. A well integrated trail system will further promote bike commuting to the Northstar station. Community Circulator Bus With the potential for more increased reverse commute trains, the city of Elk River should examine the feasibility of a community circulator bus to work in concert with the Northstar schedule. The circulator would connect community employment centers, downtown and commercial centers to the Northstar station eliminating the need for the automobile for some commuters. A fully developed plan for the i7~5t Avenue FAST will impact the existing public infrastructure systems in the area. With the introduction of development and redevelopment in portions of the project area, improvements to the public systems will be necessary and advantageous to foster more intensive development. IMPACT ANALYSIS: ~... ~:. s-- ~ ~. ~= „„ :~r: x ;;r r mr;i, ~7~a~; be needed in the future to accommodate increased demand for the Northstar commuter rail. from development areas will need to be designed to mesh with the extension of Twin A circulator bus would connect other key activity centers in Elk River with the Northstar station Lakes Parkway to the south through the Gateway in order to facilitate traffic flow through the area. Roadway and Tra fj^ic Analysis As the master plan for the i7ist Avenue FAST indicates, the road network is critical to the long-term success of all uses within the plan, especially when access restrictions are implemented along Highway io~i69. It is anticipated that upgrades to the intersection at i7~s~ Avenue and Highway io~i69 addressing grading, sightlines and stacking will be needed as development occurs in the FAST. Additionally, internal roadway connections Infrastructure Initial analysis by City staff of the sewer and water indicates that upgrades to major infrastructure systems will be needed at some point during the development time line. Most impacts will come from realignment of sanitary sewer and water lines with roadway improvements. The overall capacity for sanitary sewer and water flows will need to be further studied as development proposals come forward. Additionally, _, further electrical network planning will need to occur in the project area. ~ ~ -~ 4•,~ 171St. QV2nlJ@ focused Area STudy 43 sii Bike lockers allow a secure location for commuters to store their bikes