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Home My WebLink About10.a. MIRTS Positional Statement � CITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION � CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 7, 1997 AGENDA: MIRTS POSITIONAL STATEMENT AGENDA SECTION: NEW BUSINESS PREPARED BY: THOMAS D. BURT, CITY ADMIIVISTRATOR AGENDA NO: iTE�ll � � � ATTACHMENTS: RESOLUTION, MEMO APPROVED BY: , Staff is requesting the City Council to consider taking an official position on the Minnesota Intermodal Railroad Terminal Feasibility Study(MIRTS). The proposed resolution before you reflects the direction given by the City Council at the September 22, 1997 Committee of the Whole. Once adopted, copies will be sent to State Representatives, Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council. RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOTION to adopt a resolution regarding the Minnesota Intermodal Railroad Terminal Feasibility Study. COUNCIL ACTION: �, CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY,MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 1997- A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINNESOTA INTERMODAL RAILROAD TERMINAL WHEREAS,the Minnesota Intermodal Railroad Terminal Study(MIRTS) was formed in 1993 to evaluate the need for a new or expanded intermodal railroad terminal facility in the Twin Cities; and WHEREAS, a feasibility study report was completed by MIRTS that identified two sites in Rosemount that met six criteria and five requirements for being feasible for operations and access; and WHEREAS,the Metropolitan Council approved two actions on February 27, 1997, including 1) its facilitation of partnerships to construct an intermodal terminal facility in Rosemount by the year 2000; and 2) its coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the effected governmental units to study by year-end 1998 investment priorities and funding strategies for rail crossing and intersection improvements; and WHEREAS,the City of Rosemount desires to inform the Metropolitan Council of its views concerning MIRTS. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Rosemount hereby makes the following conclusions: 1. The terminal is expected to greatly increase truck traffic within Rosemount with assumed local impacts ranging from noise levels to further congestion. 2. The status of existing CSAH 42 and future CSAH 46 is uncertain in relationship to functional classification and their use for terminal truck traffic. 3. The terminal is expected to greatly increase train traffic within Rosemount with assumed local impacts ranging from noise levels to traffic delays. 4. Although a relocated train track may provide benefits by decreasing traffic across CSAH 42 and other streets, it may adversely impact the current design of the Rosemount Business Park area south of CSAH 42. 5. The terminal is expected to use significant land acreage without the benefits of higher commercial/industrial property taxes. Most peripheral land uses are also expected to I include very low building-to-land ratios. Furthermore, no evidence has been provided by ' MIRTS that a local host community fee will be imposed in lieu of property taxes. � RESOLUTION 1997 - II� 6. The Rosemount Comprehensive guide plan designates the proposed sites for the terminal ', as a cornbination of Agriculture, Conservancy and Institutional. An amendment will �I need to be addressed in the upcoming 1998 amendment process to identify these sites as I most appropriate for an industrial land use. �� 7., Although the eastern portion of Rosemount,commonly referred to as Pine Bend, includes significant industrial uses, the city's residents want Rosemount to retain a rural character that includes substantial agricultural and open space land uses. 8. No support has yet been expressed by the property owners of the two existing sites, namely Koch Industries and the University of Minnesota. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby requests that the above mentioned impacts from a proposed intermodal terminal be addressed jointly with the City of Rosemount and that the lead contact person be identified for purposes of future communication. ADOPTED this 7th day of October, 1997. Cathy Busho, Mayor ATTEST: Susan M. Walsh, City Clerk Motion by: Seconded by: Voted in favor: Voted against: Member absent: 2 � � . ./ CITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SiTi�1MARY FOR DISCUSSION COMti1ITTEE OF THE WHOLE - DATE: SEPTE�IBER 22, 1997 AGENDA ITEI�I: NIIRTS AGE�IDA NO. PREPARED BY: THOMAS D. BURT, CITY ADMIPIISTR.ATOR �� 1� � � ATTACHMENTS: MIRTS FEASIBILITY STUDY, DRAFT RESOLUTIONS Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on�IIRTS. There is momentum buildina�� InDOT and the Nfetropolitan Council to see MIRTS become a reality. It is important that the City Council take art'official position on MIRTS as it will provide the direction to staff on�vhat position to take in future meetings. MIRTS will have a significant impact on Rosemount with increased truck traffic, train traffic and drastically change the image of the city.The desired location for the�fIRTS facility is south of County Road�2 on the University property.The site chosen on the U of M land is the old arsenal. Where it would be a positive to have that specific site cleaned up,the impact it will have on the University's plans for agricultural research may also be adversely affected. The idea of MIRTS is a good idea from a regional economic and planning view,however, careful consideration on siting this facility must be considered.Presently Dakota County has an under designed east west highway system that is not efficient. Lack of expressways and MIRTS addin� additional heavy truck traffic to these inefficient road�vays will only increase problems on County Road=�2 and future County Road 46. Future taxes will increase to improve these road�vays, and as we know, federal and state funds are disappearing for road construction. The greatest benefit to Rosemount is that the diagonal track that travels east west from 145`'' Street to Koch could be eliminated. This does not eliminate the at grade crossin�on County Road 42, as the north south track that heads to Eagan will remain. y MIRTS promises to bring related businesses and new economic growth; this must also be carefully looked at, The types of business most commonly located near these facilities are trucking terminaIs, large asphalt parking lots with small 20,000 to 50,000 square foot buildings not brinjin� in much tax base for the amount af land needed. 'The relationship to MIRTS and where these buildings will be located is also an issue. If the university does not sell the land and only leases the land, there is no tax base. The idea of lift charges hasbeen discussed but there are no guarantees. The MIRTS facility on the University site will also effect the Port Authority's business park. The new track alignment will come very close to the southern edge of the business park.A change of design will be needed to avoid at grade crossings in the business park. The retocation also adds an additional at grade crossing on Biscayne Avenue. This will require Rosemount residents' taxes to increase to cover the cost of constructing at grade crossines and future maintenance cost associated with the crossings. The MIRTS facility will also bring more than rivice the amount of trains through the city. The increased traffic will impact existing housing and proposed housing developments near Chippendale Avenue. As I prepare this memo it is clear that the overall impact of MIRTS leans towards the negative side. Attached are draft resolutions,one for and one against MIRTS. Council needs to weigh the pros and cons and further advise those working on the project. We will also send letters to State representatives, NlnDot, Met.Council and the University president. RECOMMENDED ACTION NOTES: �