DRAFT 171ST STUDY 04-27-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS OVERVIEW by transportation, land use, amenities and finance categories. Comments in BOLD resonated with the group as critical elements. Transportation: » Reconstruction o fthe ioi/i6g interchange as a comprehensive project will likely not happen within our planning horizon (zo-3o years) due to funding realities. Alternatively, "band-aid" transportation improvements necessitated by tra f fic and sa fety problems will be the norm. » New Highway io 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 f rom Highway io in the next several years to improve sa fety. It will likely limit those access points to to right-in/ right-out only. » Northstar rail is expected to open in November zoog. 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 f ford. » 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 office, industrial and residential uses. » Highway and train noise is a big issue for residential development - a land use bu f fer is needed between corridors and housing. » Housing demand is built on job creation. Job creation in the study area should be key f ocus. The commuter train could be an o f fice/industrial marketing bonus for the study area. » FHA financing o f residential development is dependent on noise levels. » Job-based commercial development market is currently declining. » Development objectives outlined in the three alternatives could not be realized without Highway to interchange. 1' z ,: _. ;~ '17130. W2f1l.1@ Focused Area STudy ~1