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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-03 PACKET 08.B.•• 0611 r • .r•' rINTUNUAW1 C ommunity Develo 1/ m • r r • Consider approving a resolution stating the City's preference for the Langdon Village site as the Cottage Grove station location on the Red Rock Corridor. Adopt the resolution. BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE DATE REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ® PLANNING 10/25/10 ❑ ® ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE MINNESOTA TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator FROM: Howard Blin, Community Development Director DATE: October 28, 2010 RE: Red Rock Corridor Station Location 4UP =*. Adopt a resolution stating to the Red Rock Corridor Commission that the Langdon Village site be selected as the preferred site for a Cottage Grove station on the proposed Red Rock Corridor. The Red Rock Corridor is a proposed commuter rail line which would run from Hastings to St. Paul. A future phase of the corridor would extend commuter rail service to Minneapolis. A stop along the proposed line has been planned for Cottage Grove. Other stops are planned for Hastings, Newport, and Lower Afton Road. Planning for the corridor is being coordinated by the Red Rock Corridor Commission, which in- cludes representatives from the Washington County Regional Railroad Authority and comm- unities along the corridor. The Railroad Authority has been leading a study of station locations and hired the Hay Dobbs Group to conduct station area planning. The purpose of the study is to provide concept plans of the stations and to show how areas surrounding the stations could be developed in the future. F§JMRTC=* In Cottage Grove, future commuter trains would run on the Canadian Pacific tracks that pa- rallel TH 61. Two potential station locations have been considered: 1) The so-called Hamlet Park station located at the site of the current Metro Transit Park and Ride lot • West Point Douglas Road. 2) The Langdon Village area located east of Jamaica Avenue and south of West Point Douglas Road. Both potential locations have been studied, including the preparation of the attached concept plans for the stations and surrounding areas. A summary of the work to date on these sites, including various drawings, is attached. At this time, it is necessary to transmit to the Corridor Commission a preferred Cottage Grove location for a Red Rock Corridor station. Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Ryan Schroeder Red Rock Corridor Station Location October 28, 2010 Page 2 of 2 On October 25, the Planning Commission reviewed the options and recommended that the Langdon Village site be recommended. This recommendation is based on the following factors: • The Langdon site is larger and affords more development opportunities. • With the planned extension of West Point Douglas Road to link Jamaica Avenue and Innovation Road on the south side of Highway 61, access to the Landon area will be greatly improved, particularly from the south. This will allow access to the Langdon area that is superior to the access to the Hamlet Park site. • An objective analysis of several site criteria performed by the station area consultant found that the Langdon site scored slightly higher than the Hamlet Park site. • The station sites were present at a Red Rock Public Forum held in Cottage Grove on August 19, 2010. Approximately 40 Cottage Grove residents attended the forum. An electronic Audience Response System was used to poll forum attendees about their preference for a station and it found that Landon Village was preferred four-to-one over Hamlet Park. • The Cottage Grove Comprehensive Plan identifies Langdon as the site for a Red Rock Commuter Rail station. 111 - 0• I I = - Z Approve the attached resolution stating the preference of the City of Cottage Grove for the Langdon Village site as the Cottage Grove station location on the Red Rock Corridor and urging the Rock Corridor Commission to continue station area planning solely on the Landon Village site. A RESOLUTION CONVEYING THE PREFERENCE • THE LANGDON VILLAGE SITE FOR THE COTTAGE GROVE STATION ON THE RED ROCK CORRIDOR WHEREAS, the Red Rock Commuter Rail Corridor has been proposed to run between Hastings and St. Paul, with eventual extension to Minneapolis; and WHEREAS, a station on the Red Rock Corridor has been planned for Cottage Grove; and WHEREAS, since October 2009 the Red Rock Corridor Commission has been conducting a station area planning study of potential station locations along the corridor; and WHEREAS, within Cottage Grove two potential station locations have been studied: the Hamlet Park site and the Langdon Village site; and WHEREAS, this study has investigated the suitability of both locations for a commuter rail station, including: impact on local roadways; access to connecting roadways, transit, and pedestrian facilities; sufficiency of space for a station facility; adequacy for a suitable length for a train platform; impact on railroad operations; availability of parking; potential for transit-orientated development; and consistency with local planning and zoning. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that based on the following findings the Cottage Grove City Council conveys to the Red Rock Corridor Commission its preference for the Langdon Village site for the Cottage Grove station on the Red Rock Corridor: 31121=1 NNIFFINTIFOW, if 1112! woo - T71 �i I -I � ? � _11 N, r 1 111 � I � � � � I � 1 17=� With the planned extension • West Point Douglas Road to link Jamaica Avenue and Innovation Road on the south side of Highway 61, access to the Landon area will be greatly improved, particularly from the south. This will allow access to the Langdon area that is superior to the access to the Wwtilet P;2.rk site. An objective analysis of several site criteria performed by the station area consultant found that the Langdon site scored slightly higher than the Hamlet Park site. The station sites were present at a Red Rock Public Forum held in Cottage Grove on August 19, 2010. Approximately 40 Cottage Grove Resolution No. 2010-XXX Page 2 of 2 residents attended the forum. An electronic Audience Response System was used to poll forum attendees about their preference for a station and it found that Landon Village was preferred four-to-one over Hamlet Park. The Cottage Grove Comprehensive Plan identifies Langdon as the site for a Red Rock Commuter Rail station. Passed this 4th day of November, 2010. Myron Bailey, Mayor Attest: Caron M. Stransky, City Clerk M OM • I On I Blin reported that the Red Rock Corridor Commission is the midst of a Station Area Planning Study along that corridor and are looking at two potential station locations in Cottage Grove. Staff is asking for a recommendation from the Planning Commission on the station location for Cottage Grove. He summarized the staff report and provided background information on the process to date. He stated that the two proposed locations in Cottage Grove are the Hamlet Park location, which is the site of the current park and ride lot on West Point Douglas Road, and the Langdon Village Station. He displayed a presentation and described both sites and their potential uses. Staff is recommending the Langdon location because it has better access, a commuter rail station has been in the city's comprehensive plan at Langdon, and the property is not as constrained in size. The park and ride site has constraints on access due to the rail crossing at Belden Boulevard. He also stated that open houses were held and the majority of the 40 people attending preferred the Langdon location. Blin also noted that the wells in that area are contaminated with PFCs. Brittain stated that he would prefer the Langdon site. However, he expressed concern about the location of parking as shown as the proposed plan. Blin stated that the plan shows all structure parking and he pointed out proposed uses in the plan. Brittain asked if a parking structure or surface parking would be constructed first. Blin responded that the station would come first with surface parking that over time will evolve into structure parking. Rambacher stated that the City has talked about development in the Langdon area. He asked about bringing sewer and water to the area as part of one big project. Blin responded that Langdon as the site of this station predates the knowledge that the wells were contami- nated. Rambacher asked about the City developing the Langdon site prior to the Red Rock Corridor coming in. Blin stated that is a challenge for the design group and can development be done in a modular fashion. He stated that the City is not going to hold off for years to re- develop this area only to find there is no commuter rail. Willhite stated that she agrees with the proposed location of the station because of the curve in the tracks. Linse asked if the City could incur risk due to the contamination of the wells. Blin does not believe so as the contamination is in the groundwater and if this area is developed, city sewer and water would be put in. Linse stated his concern that rehab costs could make this location cost prohibitive. Excerpt from Unapproved Planning Commission Minutes Red Rock Corridor Station Area Planning October 25, 2010 Page 2 of 2 Blin reported that the city's Economic Development Authority is one • the largest land- owners in the Lan•d•n area. Messick summarized that the Commission supports the Langdon site due to its size and better access. He then stated that if the City has a dream of increasing retail and commercial development, it is not going to happen until residents of Cottage Grove work in the city. He would like the Planning Commission to be involved with anything specifically dealing with commercial or industrial development in the future. A v� 3 Z Lu y ^ m w = ° ® (D �p a ° o JNINNVId 'd :IISVVd DES "R _ a m ONINNVId b'3 V NOUViS WORM:) NDO'd 01 9 z t t �T, a _ ✓ d . N 'to luil I l is J F i s •� {£ f: ,4 t!9 , A a • 1 ,�, o S �„ � !r g� a a'Y...., .... Y , '� ® ga 61 C Ob E � •� {£ f: ,4 t!9 , A a • 1 ,�, o S �„ � !r g� a a'Y...., .... Y , '� ® 61 C Ob E � BJ C x O pp ® U > ® z UJ ® Q CL 0 0 c m d c = ® a � ," csa c U3 U � L1! zs ,- N =s ca CL m F t ca „- k a JNINNVId 2GISVW 3J-IS '8 ONINNVld V32 V NOLLVIS IdOORNOD )10021 (JId v\ / l y y oG�y ��/ Y ?/ \ t 0 i — \/ / \ 9 X y �\i / Y < x Wog ° / \ \ ( �q ONINNVId 'dgiSVW �ES V3V NOILVIS'dOGRIKO )DO'd GId 'Q E)NINNV]d OT CC 721 .= U -11 C LL � /� I 0 Z / I 0 � �\ \\ U � » H n- (P) I 0 Z / I 0 RED ROCK CORRIDOR STATION AREA PLANNING & SITE MASTER PLANNING Preliminary Station Area Concept Plans and Vision Prepared for the Red Rock Corridor Commission (RRCC), by Hay Dobbs, P.A. TA 10 i' A CO E FT P t A k! S 0 1 I'l A ND VISION '��� " al Re Prel Concept Plans The Red Rock Corridor is o 30-mi|e transitway, running along Highway 81 and interstate 94, that ori in Hustings and goes through the Union Depot in St. Paul and then terminates at the [)ovvncovvn Minneapolis Transportation Interchange. The Washington County Reg Ra Authority, in partnership with the Red Rock Corridor Commission, have reta a consultant team led by Hay Dobbs to prepare Station Area Plans, Site Master Plans, and Envi- ronmental The study will look at stations in the following four communities: • St. Paul "Newport °Cottage Grov °Hosdngs This draft technical report was prepared by Hay Dobbs and documents the preliminary stat area concept plans and vision for each of the station areas included in the study as of August 20 10. Based on information collected at initial meetings, along with study data and survey an preliminary con- cept plans for station desi and for surrounding development were prepared and shared with the Red Rock Corridor Project ManagementTeam (PMT) and Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) in June 2010 and then revised as needed and presented again in July 2010. The preliminary concept plans were also presented to the city councils in Newport, Cottage Grove, and Hastings and to the St. Paul planning commission. In August 20 10, a series of Public Meetings were held in each community to present the preliminary concept plans con- tained herein. Strategies, TOD Impacts, and how the Vision can be achieves TheVision for station area planning within each communi is to introduce or enhance transit and transit ame- nities vvhiiao||ovvngforphusedTronoitC>hented[}eveoprnent(TO[)'vvherenoarketcondidonsa\|ovxThegonJ is to balance the needs of the transit system and parking with development needs and the needs of the local community. It is also an opportunity to connect to and improve on existing system, including trails. For the Vision to be achieved, each City, each respective County — |ed by Washington County, the Red Rock Corr Commission, and other stakeholders such asMu[)OT, Metro Transit and others must work \o con- cert to coordinate and plan for public and private investment in each station area based on the concept plans and vision herein as weil as the finai project plans and recommendations. 2 RED�OC��0K�i�(�R STAT�{}N�REAPLA�N!'�� ^ ��TE �A�TER FL���i�S ~ E����[}WME#T�L�NALY��S Two potential sites were identified for Cottage Grove as part of the project: Hum|et Park and Lanr onN|lage. Although only one site will be recommended for the Final Concept Plan, both were explored for their opportu- nities and constraints during the Preliminary Concept Plan phase of the project and both are included in this technical report. Begining in March 2010, a site selection matrix was developed to help weigh a variety of considerations and to guide the selection of one site in Cottage Grove. /\variety of stakeholders weighed in on the advantages and disadvantages of each site including staff from the City of Cottage Grove, Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, and the PMT and CAC. Along with the matric, concept plans were developed for both sites. Both potential station sites were presented at the Cottage Grove Public Meeting held on August |9, 20|0. During this meeting, an Audience Response System (ARS) was used to poll meeting attendees about theiroref- erence for a preferred station site. * 8 1 % of respondents thought that one site had more opportunities than the other * Respondents preferred Langdon Village 4:1 over Hamlet Park A final selection/recommendation is anticipated before final concept plans are presented ot Public Meetings in January 2011. 14 E0'V|KO L LY5|S Hamlet Rark Station Are-f Hamlet Park Station Area Concept Plan and Vision The Cottage {rove- Hamlet Park Station is the northernmost of the o'.vo station areas being con- sidered in pottage 'Ottage Grove.The sice se ry es as a MetroThansit Park & Ride faciliry With a jc2pac- ky of over 500 cars.The site offers good Asibility from Highway 61, butcan only be accessed via the sod) Street or Jamaica Avenue exits approximately I :mile north or south of the site, respecdvely.Ad- ditionally, the site is some spatially constrained by Highway 61 and th e ral I road tracks th us c-reati Rg a 'long, thin,,. rectangular d evel op rre nc. site. e, A market znJnyslts has :indicated that these access andspacliJ constraints limit the apportunicIes for the introduc- rion of slignifica,nE retail dev6lopment- in this station ama..AddidomJ11y,without, the ability to introduce enough Mousing tocr-ca, tea "-cridcgI nuss"' that could constitute 2 neighborhood, housing its, not a viable op- tion for the site,The loca. don and Visibility however, suggest that p r-eferne d rises for the site, in ad di d on to a pLam k & 0 d e facil i ry, wou, I d b e officE-s howroom and office-warchouse uses.A new nemork ofroadwilrys, sidewalks and trails would be introduced to enhance access to the stad on, A. parking; ramp is anticipated to accommodate long term parking d eni md . Strategil - cally, this ramp would be Ideated to allow vlaws to and from the smatim platform. N A Hamlet Park Station Area Preliminary, Concept Plan - Option I (Office Uses) A." 4 1 N -At A tt z- RI 15 HA%NIET FFAAK IFTATM['4' A'R.E' - RED kOCK COPMIDOR Clam .et Park Station Area, Continued Hamlet Park Station Location The initial rail analysis located the 600' platform east of the main line track along the western edge of the existing Park & Ride facilty. O A-1 PROPOSED 600'PLATFORM E XISTING CP LEAD TRACKS TO A UTO FACILITY A 4 A � � -, �.� s' EXISTING PARK & RIDE/ PROPOSED STATION SITE 0 S, � STATION HOUSE LOCATION L A - TO SE DETERMIN E "A RED ROCK CORRIDOR STATION STUDY PROPOSED HAMLET PARK STATION D PAMMS JEWNr"RH017 1 IFATK I 6 --) J HAMLET PARK S' FE A Y 1 S 41 P E)NIN�d 'd]ISVW ILIS ' E)NINNVId VIdV NOI-LVIS'dO(IMOO )DO'd (12'd 9E A, M L E RP, R K S I AI] C) 9 A RD PC CK CCk f) SE 17 I PD ViSk"H r i,,l "p, Fl, I Hamlet �� =�~ ����r�, �' ° ^� �������� � ����� ��°�~������ ������� ������������ Observations and Analysis Summary - Opportunity to reposition area as something differ- ent than it is today, such as office showroom /vvare- nouse Parameters/Context: -Cottage Grove has two alternatives for the pro- posed otoz\un area; Hamlet Park, and Langdon. -The site io bounded bv the Ra tracks tothe west and West Point Douglas Road to the east. - Private property is located northwest (former bar now for lease) and southeast (currently vacant) of the site. - The nucleus of the site is the existing MetmTransit Park & Ride lot - HamketParkislocate west of the tracks and the site -The site is relatively flat - Long'term expectations for parking demand is850 stalls - City staff see site as less desirab for redeve ment than Langdon Site - Commuter Ra Platform needs to be sited and ac- cessed Identif - Limited opportuni for s redeve due tothe railroad tracks and roadways that create a relatively narrow site Traffic &Acces The Hamlet Park site iu currently a525-spacepark and ride located on the west side of Highway 61 south of the 80th Street interchange.The surface lot has two driveway accesses to Point Douglas Road. The bus stop is located internally and the park and ride usage in 54Y& according to the\Aashington County 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The City ofCottage Grove Comprehensive Plan noted that Keats Avenue |SA north of High- way 61 will experience substantial growth and a four- lane fad|ityvvi|| be required. Traffic volumes along the four miles stretch of roadway are projected to grow from the current 6 daily trips to 12,000 to 23.000 daily trips by year 2030. In addition, instal- lation of traffic signals will be required at the inter- sections at 70th Street, 80th Street, 90th Street, and the future Ravine Parkway. ' The Plan also noted that upgrades to Hadley Avenue between 90th and |8Och Streets will be necessary with continued development in the area. Hadley will be reconstructed to two-lane collector standards with turn lanes added at key intersections. Future roadway designs will also incorporate traffic calm- ing measures in the vicinity of Pine Hill Elementary School. The City of Cottage Grove has expressed interest in a"slip ramp" from the southbound Highway 61 exit ramp noVVPoint Douglas Road at the 80thStreet - Site is quite visible from Hwy 61 interchange. This improvement would provide com- muter bus service easier access to the Hamlet Park - New internal roadway infrastructure may be re- park and ride by avoiding the signalized intersections quired on Hadley Avenue. This iusignficant because the route to the site today loops under Hadley Avenue - Park& Ride site is pub!\ca|ly owned where one must cross the Railroad tracks. There are sometimes long delays here due tm freight trains blocking the intersection. 18 KGC� R0CK C0RR| R -HAML ET' PA R K � AKEA Rail This locat currently includes a park Q ride fac that is east of the CP track. The park lot is on the eastern side of the CP right-of-way and could also be used for commuter rail passengers. There is no other infrastructure in between the main track and parking lot, so pedestrian access is direct and simple. Development ofastation here would require primar- ily only a station facility and platform, Ownership Patterns / Land Use / Regulatory/ Policy The Park @ Ride is -currently pubUcal|v owned and property either side ofit are controlled bvsin ovvners.Thm City Comprehensive plan recommends Office Showroom uses flanking thePark&Ridetaci|- Cultural & Historical There are no areas of historic significance within the site nor the immediate vicinity. HAMLET��RKSTATl(�0AREA RED ROCK TE[HMi P��RT� PREL|M|N O0 A 0 NCEPT P1 AM3 Y|S|[)� Composite Analysis Sketch Two potential sites were identified for Cottage Grove as part of the project: Hamlet Park andLangdonViila Although only one site will be recommended for the Final Concept Plan, both were explored for their opportu- nities and constra during the Preliminary Concept Plan phase of the project and both are included in this technical report. Begining in March 2010, a site selection matrix was developed to help weigh a variety of considerations and to guide the selection of one site in Cottage Grove. Avar\ety of stakeholders weighed in on the advantages and disadvantages of each site including staff from the City of Cottage Grove, Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, and the PMT and CAC. Along with the matric, concept plans were developed for both sites. Both potential station sites were presented at the Cottage Grove Public Meeting held on August 19, 2010. During this meeting, an Audience Response System (ARS) was used to poll meeting attendees about their pref- erence fora preferred station site. °8\% of respondents thought that one site had more opportunities than the other * Respondents preferred LangdonVillage 4:1 over Hamlet Park A final selection/recommendation is anticipated before final concept plans are presented at Public Meetings in January 201 ZO 5T��\[�N AREAPL�N�\NG ~�|TFMASTER �L��N{W� ° E��{K[)�� EN TAL ����LY�|5 � Il Langdon Vi Station Area The Cottage Grove -Lxnp6onVi|lavu Station isthe southernmost of the two station areas being consid- ered inCottage Grova.The site currently contains a wide variety of disparate uses.The site offers good visibility from Highway 61 and is accessed from Jamai- ca Avanue./\future connection to Innovation Road is anticipated to provide better access to the area from the east. LangdonVi||nge demonstrates the potential to become u significant ''p)oce'`within Cottage Grove. The strategy for the site is to introduce a series of streets and blocks that are based on the originally platted |9ch century Landgun Village. This block pat- tern would create the framework for o transit village containing o variety ofnnixed-use. housing, retail and office uses. Public open space, including a landscaped linear park village square and a series of smaller greenspaces would provide the foreground for future development. Park & ride ramps are anticipated in the future and these are anticipated to be located within u block of the rail platform allowing for devel- opment directly adjacent zo the station. Automobile oriented uses are planned for the periphery ofthe site as utrunsidon from the surrounding context to the more pedestrian ohented transit village a1the core of the siteA continuous network ofsidewalks and trails will bo introduced to connect coexisting systems, enhance access, and support interrnoda| operations and connections. 4J' ,.., ` 67.r�r�� r'�-r—� m - n. LaDgd[}R\/illage Station Area Preliminary Concept Plan - Near Term /2020\ Langdon Village Station Area Preliminarl Concept Plan - Long Term (2040) 1 LA�D� V|LL�� T E�� 0 TNARE�' RED R[)�K [[JRR[[;[)R 2l N (� TE[H141 C &L REP[]Rl[ 7 R L!M1MARYSTA7\[>� C EPTPLAr)5ANDV|I(O0 T7 Vi ��� ° �� ° �� ���������� � ���������� Area ������������ The initial rail analysis looked a1 locating the 600 platform at two locations in the LangdonVillage area. The two options, shown here, were compared for their impact on rail operations and their relationship with o platform and Park & Ride facility. The south option, shown right is not ideal due to the curvature of the track and complications with meet ing the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities The north option, en\argedbe|ow,bthepreferred platform location and will be assumed for planning purposes. 22 KEDRU[k CC]RR! �OR LAN�[»ON VILLAGE STAT\{)NAREA 5TAT|OM AREA PLA�� ^ S'|TEMASTER PLANN|NG ' E@Y{F"�NME 1- �N/4LYS|� V A C"O N C f T P L S I' N 0 � 1� � F : PP, I !"1 N 1, R, STA 0 Ri Lan ' V� l � - age Stat A Cont Observations and Analysis Summary -The site is bounded by the Railroad tracks to the west and West Point Douglas Road tot east. Private property islocated directly north and south of the nucleus cf the site; a City Public Works facil- ity /city owned) is located o bit north of the site nucleus and may be potentially relocated - Current site is largely underdeveloped -The site is relatively flat - Long-term expectations for parking demand is850 uta\|x - City staff see site as more desirable for redevelop- ment than Hamlet Park Site - Some residential we contaminat has been iden- tified on several residential properties -There are some areas of historic significance within the station area -Area is currently moderately difficult to access by vehicles due to limited roadways serving the site - Commuter Rail Platform needs to be sited undxc- cesseo - 3M owns/occupies u\arge amount of property in the area, which may \\nnit development opportuni- ties Identifiers: - Opportunities for significant redeveopmentand repositioning of the area - Site is quite visible from Hwy 61 re- quired -Opportunbxtonepushionureaassorneth\ngdiffer- ent than it is today. such as office / reta / residential rnixed-use. The Langdon site is located on 96th Street west of Highway 6| south of the \amaca Avenue interchange k is near the Cotta Grove Public Works building. Washington County has programmed inte rchange improvements oz Highway 6| and Innovation Road for year 2O|2. This project indudeuoreaJignnoencof Innovation Road (CSAH 19) to extend west to align with |OUth Street, including aT-intersecdon with VV Point Douglas Road. See page 64 The City of Cottage Grove Comprehensive Plan noted that Keats Avenue kCSAH|9\ north of High- way 6\ will experience substantial growth and ufour- lane facility will be required.Trufficvo|unnes along the four miles stretch of roadway are projected to grow from the current 6 daily trips to 12 to 23,000 daily trips by year 2030. In addition, installa- tion of traffic signals will be required at the intersec- tions at 70th Street, 80th Street, 90th Street, and the future Ravine Parkway. The roundabout a1 Jamaica Ave provides axce|ent access tothe Lonn6onVlUuge site from Highway 61 and Jamaica Ave, this, combined with the lack oftrack crossings and associated delays that occur a180th Q' Hadley Ave, makes the vehicular access to this site better than at the existing Park& Ride at Hamlet Park. Rail Situated approx 1.7 miles south of the Ham- let Park locat this potential stat site has open. relatively flat !and that appears to be suitable for a rail station. There is no major infrastructure in the area that would necessitate any grade separated pas- senger crossings to access the main track from the east side of the CP right-of-way. However, this sta- tion is located on acurve in the railroad which is not an ideal situation for two reasons: I. The track curvature will result in the center of the railcars tobe further way from the platform than the ends of the car. This will complicate acces- sibdity of the cars in meeting the provisions of the Americans with disabilities Act A\DA\. For example, 24 f [)CK C(JRDD OR Lf',NGD00V|LLA GESTAT 0�J A REA 5TAT|[}N �KL� PL��N{Q� ' 8TE M�3T�R PLAy�N|N� ^ F�V|ROMMENT�LA���LY8� mini-high platforms (short raised portions of the plat- form) cannot be accommodated for loading of the cars on the curve without a separate bridge plate. 2. Because of the superelevation needed on rail- road curves, the train will be slightly `tilted' away from the platform. There are other possible ADS, solutions, and the su- perelevation may not be significant, so the curvature is not a fatal flaw but should be considered in the evaluation of locations, Option of locating the plat- form further to the north solves this problem. Cultural & Historical There several small structures of of historic signifi- cance within the site. Langdon village was a small settlement that preceded Minnesota statehood. LP" DON VILLAGE S"FAT101-4 AREA - RED ROCK CfDRRIDOR 25 F PIE � Pk3 VP� RUO"I': PPE.LHMH STAIIC'i'' P�` Composite Analysis Sketch