5.8. SR 06-21-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CONCEPT EVALUATION • developers, transportation experts from MN DOT and the Northstar Rail Authority, as well as areas of expertise in public finance, market potential and energy. All panel members had no vested interest in the study area and allowed for a critical outside perspective on the three concept alternatives. The comments below were made by panel participants and are organized by transportation, land use, amenities and finance categories. Comments in BOLD resonated with the group as critical elements. Transportation: » Reconstruction o f the got/~6g interchange as a comprehensive project will likely not happen within our planning horizon (zo-3o years) due to f unding realities. Alternatively, "band-aid" transportation improvements necessitated by tra f fic and safety problems will be the norm. » New Highway ~o interchange accessing the site is possible and would be looked at favorably by MN/DOT in order to clean up sa fety and tra ffic problems caused by current intersections. An interchange could happen independently o f other highway improvements. » MN/DOT will likely close additional median crossings accessing the study area from Highway ~o in the next several years to improve sa f ety. It will likely limit those access points toright-in/ right-out only. • » Northstar rail is expected to open in November zoo9. The Elk River train station is projected to have goo riders/day. Northstar in formation is at www.mn-GetonBoard.com » Northstar Rail is planning one morning and one evening reverse-commute train per weekday. Ridership demand may pressure more. » Studies suggest that % o f employees/residents in the walking zone o f an LRT station will use transit. Commuter rail capture rates will be less than LRT. » When choosing whereto live, many people "drive" to the point they can a fiord. » There is some talk o f legislatively limiting or surcharging "vehicle miles traveled". This could create a market incentive for transit-oriented, compact development. land Use: » Early in its evolution, the commuter rail station will have only a minor impact on large scale retail development in the study area but will drive relatively small amounts o f convenience retail near the station. The commuter rail station is seen as a plus for o f jice, industrial and residential uses. » Highway and train noise is a big issue for residential development - a land use buffer is needed between corridors and housing. » Housing demand is built on job creation. Job creation in the study area should be key focus. The commuter train could be an o Bice/industrial marketing bonus f or the study area. ;' m `'.~?:~, » FHA financing o f residential development is dependent on noise levels. 171St. QV2flU2 Focused Area STudy I