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6. North Hwy 5 County Rd 17 to hwy 41 Joint Powers with State of MN 1 � 1 CITY OF CHANHASSEN ' 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 1 MEMORANDUM 1 TO: Mayor and City Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority 1 FROM: Don Ashworth, Executive Director 1 DATE: July 17, 1992 SUBJ: North Highway 5 Frontage Road Construction, County 17 to Highway 41, 1 Potential Joint Powers Agreement with State of Minnesota Approximately six months ago, the Urban Design Center for the University of Minnesota • presented their final report "Building Community Across the Corridor." This represented the cumulation of a one year study to set a plan for controlling growth and ensuring that we ' maintained a community recognizing the expanded four -lane character of Highway 5, and development pressures occurring as a result of the expanded MUSA area. Bill Morrish's report was applauded by the Planning Commission, City Council, HRA, and to date, the community. 1 The City Council has acted to select a citizen's committee to ensure that the study becomes a reality. Their work involvement will include establishing design criteria for the corridor, establishing areas to be preserved, and will conclude with specific ordinances and overlay zones 1 which will ensure that the development controls necessary are in place to effectuate Bill's vision. A key element, which is beyond the %reach of the citizen committee, is the construction of the 1 north frontage road paralleling Highway 5. Without the north frontage road, several key components of the plan and, therefore, the plan itself, fail. The southerly frontage roads are disjointed and far enough back from the highway to reasonably assume that they can be built as a requirement back on the developers of those properties. However, the north frontage road consists of a larger buffer area between the expanded Highway 5 and the proposed new north frontage road. It presents a vital link for the community for getting to and from the downtown area and out to Lake Ann, our new residential areas, and the Arboretum. The buffer area will include large expanses of treed areas including pedestrian/bikeway corridors. However, the same qualities that make the north frontage road a key element of the corridor itself are actually detriments to abutting property owners. Eckankar has to see the north frontage road as an intrusion on to their property, and will assuredly protest any special assessments. The frontage 1 road concept will take the existing residential homes along Highway 5, and probably the Swings 1 t4.1 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 HRA July 17, 1992 Page 2 Golf Course. Again, the property owners would not see this as a "benefit" to their property, and ' the typical financing is therefore not available. At our last meeting, the HRA agreed to pay the initial costs associated with the EA (Environmental Assessment) that would be necessary if federal/state dollars were to be used for the north frontage road project. The HRA limited the initial costs to approximately $10,000, and additionally limited profit that could be made by Barton - Aschman in the initial stage. The ' limitations were set recognizing that we currently do not have a commitment from MnDOT that they will pay the costs associated with the frontage road construction and/or that we would be eligible for the new federal transportation dollars. Since that date, staff and Barton- Aschman ' have met with representatives of MnDOT (see attached letter dated July 14, 1992). Significant progress has been made. It is staff's belief that, if so directed by the HRA, MnDOT would agree to the north frontage road project if we were to re- present the points in the attached letter as though it was our proposal to them. In other words, if we re -write the points in the attached letter as though they represented our commitments to the project, we believe that we would receive a confirming letter from MnDOT agreeing that they would add the frontage road project based on our commitments to the project. Staff is seeking HRA endorsement to make those commitments and to direct staff to place those into a letter to MnDOT. 1 Several key points need to be brought to the Council's/HRA's attention, i.e: Frontage Road Segment, County 17 to Audubon: Both state and federal representatives 1 are my concerned with this segment of the frontage road. Their concern recognizes that Lake Ann Park was purchased using federal dollars. The bureaucracy involved with attempting to condemn properties acquired using federal dollars is enormous. The ' inclusion of this segment would not only delay the overall frontage road construction, but would delay the main highway construction by a minimum of 3 -5 years. This statement ' sounds outlandish, but it unfortunately is very true. MnDOT would agree to design this segment of the roadway and to include it as an addendum to the overall contract. However, this segment would not be eligible for the new ISTEA dollars; and - Restricted Access, Park Drive: MnDOT is proposing that access be restricted at Park Drive to right - in/right -out. This would enable MnDOT to eliminate an additional signal as a part of the overall project, and would share that savings with the City; and Bridge Construction: MnDOT is also very leery as to modifying the existing Highway 5 project to include two bridges. Their primary concerns recognize the approximate $2 million in cost associated with each bridge, but also recognize the long term maintenance associated with the support systems for bridges and deck maintenance. They are ' additionally concerned that including the bridges into the project will change the existing EA for Highway 5, and again delay the construction of the main line roadway. In an effort to reach a compromise, they are willing to bend from their typical 12 x 12 ft. box 1 HRA ' July 17, 1992 Page 3 ' underpass standards (this design system currently being installed in Eden Prairie under Highway 5). The compromise that they are proposing is to install a 12 ft. x 34 ft. arch culvert which when coupled with a "head wall," will have the appearance of a "bridge" (see attached schematic). The creek in the area of the proposed grade school is relatively shallow, which will again help make the arch look like a bridge. 1 It appears as though MnDOT would be in agreement with all other design aspects as originally drawn by Bill Morrish, i.e. purchase of the additional lands necessary for the buffer area, tread landscaping, inclusion of a pedestrian and bike corridor, and the construction of the frontage road itself. As stated earlier in this report, staff would recommend that the HRA authorize staff to place each of the detailed points presented in Barton Aschman's letter of July 14 in a letter to MnDOT as commitments of the HRA/City if they would agree to those same conditions, and would include the north frontage road construction in the main line Highway 5 construction project. This same report is being presented in the City Council's next agenda packet asking the Council 1 to similarly make these commitments. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Barton - Aschman Associates, Inc. 111 Third Avenue South, Suite 350 Phone: (612) 332 -0421 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Fax: (612) 332 -6180 USA July 14, 1992 1 Mr. Don Ashworth City of Chanhassen I City Hall P.O. Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 1 Dear Mr. Ashworth: I On July 8, I met with Ron Erickson, Evan Green, Mike Spielman, and Cheri Olson of MnDOT's Golden Valley office to discuss MnDOT involvement with the TH 5 north frontage road and pedestrian crossing of TH 5 at Bluff Creek. During the course of this 1 meeting, the following comments and preliminary commitments were made: 1 • A detached north frontage road would provide traffic relief to TH 5 by removing local trips. I • A detached north frontage road would provide access to adjacent property, thereby reducing some of the cost which would normally occur when purchasing access control along with the necessary right -of -way. I • MnDOT would approve a detached north frontage road from Audubon Road to PP g TH 41. • MnDOT does not have additional local money to support the north frontage road. 1 Some monies may be available to support a pedestrian crossing of TH 5. • MnDOT would assist the city and Metropolitan Council in pursuing federal funds 1 for the construction of the north detached frontage road from Audubon Road to TH 41. 1 • The City of Chanhassen would have to pay for and prepare the necessary Environmental Assessment (FONSI); the design of the detached frontage road; I purchase the necessary right -of -way for the detached frontage road; and provide the Local share (20 percent) of construction costs for the frontage road (except as commented on later in this letter). b 1 1 Barton - Aschman Associates, Inc. • July 14, 1992 Page 2 1 • MnDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will not participate in sponsorship or cost of any frontage road between County Road 17 and Audubon Road (through Lake Ann Park). This entire improvement would be at city expense. However, as previously agreed, MnDOT will purchase the Notermann farm property and provide any excess land to the city to accommodate their park access road. If MnDOT or FHWA were to participate in this portion of the frontage road, it would necessitate redoing the completed Environmental Assessment for TH 5 and stopping the design process. This, in essence, would drop the TH 5 project from the current Highway Improvement Program. • If the Southwest Metropolitan Transit Commission supports a park -and -ride lot as shown in the Morrish plan near Galpin Boulevard, MnDOT would participate in 1 the right -of -way cost if it is right -of -way necessary for their mainline project and excess property remains after mainline construction. MnDOT will grade and surface this park - and -ride lot. 1 • MnDOT would realize some construction cost savings if the north detached frontage road were to be implemented, as they would not have to build the frontage roads currently indicated in their plan. MnDOT would be willing to consider contributing their local share of the construction cost of these previously planned frontage roads toward the detached north frontage road construction cost (a preliminary estimate would be 20 percent of the local 20 percent). • MnDOT would be supportive of relocating the proposed eight-foot pedestrian PP g P P g P trail currently planned adjacent to TH 5 farther to the north next to the detached frontage road. MnDOT would contribute their normal local share for this relocated trail. • With the detached frontage road leading to the park entrance off of Audubon Road and city access off of County Road 17, the city should consider deleting access to the park via Park Drive and TH 5. This currently is a dangerous intersection when heavy activity occurs in the park, and by diverting access back to County Road 17 to the east or Audubon Road to the west, the park will continue to be accessible to local users. 1 • MnDOT is prepared to participate in a pedestrian crossing of TH 5 at Bluff Creek. Unfortunately, due to the long -term commitment of bridge deck maintenance, they are not supportive of a full highway bridge crossing over the creek and trail. As an alternative, they suggest use of a MnDOT Arch (see Barton - Aschman Associates, Inc. July 14, 1992 ' Page 3 ' attached drawing). The MnDOT Arch calls for an arch type of culvert with a height of 12 feet and a width of 34 feet (plus or minus). Head walls could be provided on either side of the highway to give a bridge appearance, but there ' probably would be no median opening in the structure. In addition, the structure would have to span the highway at right angles to the roadway, thereby necessitating some earth work. MnDOT would do the design and may provide 50 ' percent of the local share. I would appreciate your giving me a call after reviewing the above information so that we can discuss the implications to the city. If MnDOTs proposals are acceptable to the city, I would recommend that the city send a letter to MnDOT paraphrasing the above and requesting that the city and MnDOT enter into a letter of understanding concerning the above. ' MnDOT is supportive of the detached north frontage road and feels it can be designed and built on a separate track from TH 5 as they see removing local trips from TH 5 as the major justification. Based on our meeting last week with the Metropolitan Council, I ' believe Carl Ohm agreed with this philosophy. However, it will be necessary to keep the Metropolitan Council involved as we progress, because ultimately they will have to agree to the use of federal monies (ISTEA -STP) for the detached north frontage road. 1 I look forward to hearing from you. 1 Sincerely yours, John C. M . P.E. ' Vice President JCM:dmv Attachment 1 .1 Barton- Aschman Associates, Inc. • 1 1 TABLE 1 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD COSTS* TO CHANHASSEN WITH MnDOT Assistance WITHOUT MnDOT Assistance EA (FONSI) $100 - $120 EAW $50 - $60 Design (6 %) $120 Design (6 %) $120 Construction* * $750 Construction* * $2,000 Construction Inspection -0- Construction Inspection (6 %) $120 Soils, Survey, Legal, etc. $100 Soils, Survey, Legal, etc. $100 TOTAL $1,070 - $1,090 TOTAL $2,390 - $2,400 * All costs in thousands. * * Construction cost provides for grading, base, surfacing, and storm sewer. City utilities such as water and sanitary sewer would be at additional cost. 1 Note: All right -of -way costs will be at city expense. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Barton - Aschman Associates, Inc. 1 1 TABLE 1 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD COSTS* TO CHANHASSEN WITH MnDOT Assistance WITHOUT MnDOT Assistance EA (FONSI) $100 - $120 EAW $50 - $60 1 Design (6 %) $120 Design (6 %) $120 Construction** $750 Construction** $2,000 ' Construction Inspection -0- Construction Inspection (6 %) $120 Soils, Survey, Legal, etc. $100 Soils, Survey, Legal, etc. $100 TOTAL $1,070 - $1,090 TOTAL $2,390 - $2,400 * All costs in thousands. * * Construction cost provides for grading, base, surfacing, and storm sewer. City utilities such as water and sanitary sewer would be at additional cost. Note: All right -of -way costs will be at city expense. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1