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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS 1. Comprehensive Plan Update E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y Planning Commission Work Session: March 19, 2018 AGENDA ITEM: Comprehensive Plan Update AGENDA SECTION: Work Session PREPARED BY: Kyle Klatt, Senior Planner Anthony Nemcek, Planner AGENDA NO. 1 ATTACHMENTS: Comprehensive Plan Comments from Adjoining Communities, Revised MRCCA Chapter, Transportation Chapter, Revised Land Use Plan and Tables, Updated Water System Map APPROVED BY: RECOMMENDED ACTION: No action required COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DISCUSSION To maintain the schedule for Comprehensive Plan submission to the Metropolitan Council in June, we are bringing some of the updated items, along with Plan comments to the Commission at Tuesday’s meeting. Staff’s goal is to hold the public hearing on May 14th, which is the second Tuesday of the month. Please put the date on your calendar. The first items provided are the comments received from all adjacent governmental agencies. We have received all “required” responses. The following agencies acknowledged receipt but had not comments: Apple Valley Coates Empire Township Hastings School District Hastings Inver Grove Heights Inver Grove Heights School District Lakeville MnDOT Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District Vermillion Township Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Washington County The other agency comments are attached with Staff response in some cases. Regarding requested changes from the DNR and NPS, staff has revised the MRCCA section, highlighting changes in red. Staff has responded within the document to comments from the REST and will also have a revised Transportation Chapter which should address most of the comments. In a few instances, we will make the changes requested; grammar, spelling, consistency in naming. The agencies with some comments include: Department of Natural Resources 2 Eagan Minnesota Valley Transit Authority National Park Service Nininger Township Rosemount Environmental and Sustainability Task Force The final item for the meeting is the revised land use plan and resulting land use table. The Land Use Plan depicts all the comprehensive plan amendments the City processed within the last six months. The Plan does have some slight revisions to the Newland Communities area of UMore where the City has better information than the previous amendment. RECOMMENDATION Staff is looking for input from the Commissioners concerning the updates listed above. Because the meeting is a work session, no action is required. Rosemount Environment and Sustainability Task Force Comments on the draft Comprehensive Plan March 28, 2019 The Task Force commends city staff on the incorporation of sustainability guiding principles, policy statements/ goals and initiatives throughout the plan. The Task Force also is very excited about the inclusion of a new Resiliency Chapter in the draft Comprehensive Plan. On behalf of the Task Force, below are comments on the draft plan for consideration: GENERAL COMMENT: • Define the “resiliency” shamrock in each chapter This will be moved to the Executive Summary CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Guiding Principle #1 seems like two separate statements and therefore, two different principles. Consider breaking it into two: 2. Guiding Principle #3: Change Highway to County Road 42 OK 3. Expand Guiding Principle #5 or consider adding a principal that speaks to the definition and reasoning for sustainability, such as “Preserve, protect and restore the natural environment with emphasis on the conservation of needed and useful natural resources for the present and future benefit of the community.” We will add this and split it into two principles CHAPTER 3: LAND USE PLAN 1. Page 3-5. Consider adding an additional initiative under 7.c., such as “The city will consider pursuing funding to conduct compliance inspections of subsurface sewage treatment systems.” This is a strategy best left for another document. A health and/or environmental concern could already exist related to failing septic systems. Dakota County hired a contractor to conduct compliance inspection of Randolph and used the data to support the plans for a sewage treatment plant. This is a comment and is understood by staff and Council. 2. Page 3-6:10 e. Consider adding an initiative to assist property owners of brownfield property to explore the EPA program for installation of renewable energy on contaminated property. [RE- Powering America’s Land Initiative] Availability of the EPA program will be conveyed to residents as the situation arises. 3. Page 3-44: Design Standards. Consider modifying language to specify that development includes sustainable natural resource use, such as: “For all new development, the City will continue to implement design standards to promote high quality development that will stand the test of time and encourage sustainability in land and natural resource uses throughout the City.’ This change will be made. 4. Page 3-53. 1b. Establish an Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee (EAC) to advise the City Council on environment, resiliency and natural resource issues. The Plan will convey support the work of the Rosemount Environment and Sustainability Task Force (REST). 5. Page 3-53: 3a. Consider changing “Clean Industry” to “Renewable Energy Industry” as clean industry does not have a recognized definition. Consider making the statement stronger changing the wording from “study” to “encourage” – this may have financial and larger policy implications. a. Study the development of the “Renewable Energy Industry” such as biofuel/biomass, solar, and wind energy production. ... in such a way that is consistent with the design standards and development goals of the City. CHAPTER 7: RESILIENCY PLAN 1. The Task Force commends the city for adding this chapter but did not review the various sustainability and resiliency current or recommended efforts identified in the University of MN on their Resilient Communities project, STAR Communities program, GreenStep Cities, and the Regional Council of Mayors, and Regional Indicators Initiatives. It is the Task Force’s understanding that the city has/will incorporated these into this chapter and/or elsewhere in the draft plan. 2. Consider moving this chapter to earlier in the plan where the concept of the clovers identifying resiliency-related actions can be explained early in the plan. The concept of the clovers will be moved to the executive summary section. 3. Page 7-3: Consider adding information (and perhaps a goal or strategy under Energy Efficiency and Conservation) about the city council adopting the Energy Action Plan and the city signed the MOU with Xcel Energy in July of 2018. If the goals are met, energy use will be reduced by 5% by 2020 and save Rosemount citizens and businesses a total of one million dollars annually on energy costs; or the equivalent of removing carbon emission from 4100 cars on the road. This information is on page 7-2. Staff will expand the text using example given. 4. Page 7-4: Stormwater. Consider adding additional sustainable and best management efforts such as, o Pursue the development of grant program for private land owner’s to install rain garden(s). o City staff will work to create and share educational programs that encourage community involvement; including adopt-a-drain programs, drain artwork events, and other plans that encourage behavioral changes. o Roadways should be built or restored as ecologically as possible and to reduce an unnecessary impact on wildlife and environment. These suggestions are detailed implementation strategies. Adoption of implementation strategies of this sort will be reviewed after Plan adoption and must be appropriately vetted for impacts on service delivery, financial commitment and Council priorities. 5. Page 7-5: Energy Efficiency and Conservation. Consider adding current/planned future efforts and best practices (leadership) in city operations, such as: o Work with property and business owners to educate them on renewable energy opportunities and energy reduction strategies. Goal is already in document will add business owners to the statement. o All newly constructed city-owned structures will meet LEED (or comparable) standards. Adoption of implementation strategies of this sort will be reviewed after Plan adoption and must be appropriately vetted for impacts on service delivery, financial commitment and Council priorities. 6. Page 7-5: Consider adding an initiative to “Conduct a resiliency vulnerability assessment for the community and use findings to develop a resiliency action plan.” Adoption of implementation strategies of this sort will be reviewed after Plan adoption and must be appropriately vetted for impacts on service delivery, financial commitment and Council priorities. 7. Page 7-6: Housing and Jobs. Consider adding: o Encourage the creation of a diverse range of jobs within the city, including the Renewable Energy sector and “Green” economy, creating a sustainable and resilient job market in line with city values. o Implement environmentally preferable purchasing across city operations to reduce negative environmental and human health impacts. Adoption of implementation strategies of this sort will be reviewed after Plan adoption and must be appropriately vetted for impacts on service delivery, financial commitment and Council priorities. CHAPTER 10: PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE SYSTEM 1. Possible grammar issue on page 19 last paragraph - should it be plural vs. single (e.g., areas vs area). The grammar on this section will be reviewed and corrected where needed. 2. Page 20: Improvements and Renovation to Existing Parks. Consider adding existing efforts such as: o A reference to the Carroll’s Woods and Schwarz Pond Park Site Inventory and Natural Resource Management Plan could be mentioned. - The information will be added to the plan. o The city will devote resources to identifying and eradicating invasive species on city owned property. - The City does tis now and will continue to do so, will mention in the plan. o The city will educate landowners about invasive species and management strategies. - The City does this now and will continue to do so, will mention in the plan. o The city will create pollinator habitat were appropriate on city owned open spaces and improve on maintenance practices to reduce negative impacts to pollinators. - The City does have pollinator habitat and will continue to add to our inventory. The City will work to limit negative impacts caused by maintenance. Will mention in the plan. o The city will educate residents on creating pollinator habitat. - The City does this now and will continue to do so. o The city has a splash pad water feature located in Central Park. The city had applied for grants to assist with installing a system to recirculate the water instead of dump it as is the current design. The city will continue to pursue grant funds to assist with recirculating the splash pad water. - The City Council previously directed staff to pursue grant funding for splash pad water recirculation so it is not a new implementation strategy. This can be mentioned in the plan. o A reference to the adopt-a-park program and the community garden plots in the parks. If added, consider elaborating. - This is a program that is run by the Parks and Recreation department. We can make mention of it in the plan. But it is not really a planning tool. o Rosemount has been part of Tree City USA since 1992 and grows trees to distribute free to residents on Arbor Day each year. - The City does not grow the trees that are given away. This is a program that is run by the Parks and Recreation department. We do not plan to mention of it in the plan. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Summary of Comments on KM_C554e-20190124030907 Page: 2 Number: 1 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:57:48 PM This alignment is already shown on the plan as a "Proposed Major Collector" in green dash marks. One minor update was made to show it as a major collector all the way up to CSAH 42. The previous city plan showed a connection of Akron straight south to CSAH 42. This is still being shown as well as the previously mentioned alignment. Number: 2 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:41:46 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 3 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:46:53 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 4 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:48:40 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 5 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:49:48 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 6 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:51:14 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 7 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 2:57:59 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 8 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:00:05 PM This is already showing as a 2-lane road Number: 9 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:00:42 PM Note taken. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Page: 3 Number: 1 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:01:19 PM The TAZ table will be included in the appendix. Number: 2 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:11:45 PM Note taken. Number: 3 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:27:12 PM Tier 2 Alignment is updated based on these comments. Number: 4 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:55:19 PM Updated based on county comments. Number: 5 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 3:55:39 PM This text was left in the document. Number: 6 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:20:10 PM Updated based on county comments. Rosemount 2040 Comp Guide Plan Review Comments Transportation 8-4, MAJOR TRENDS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS Specific transportation issues Rosemount faces include: x Growing congestion on regional and county routes such as Robert Trail South (TH 3), TH 52 and 160th Street West (County State Aid Highway 46) causing diversion of traffic to City roadways. Suggest adding further clarification for Robert Trail South as TH 3, similar to 160th Street West as County State Aid Highway 46, for consistency. Consistently reference as either Robert Trail South or South Robert Trail. Transportation 8-6, ROADWAY SYSTEM An efficient and well-planned roadway system will help the City of Rosemount meet future population growth and a growing economy. Rosemount currently has sufficient access to the regional transportation roadway system with TH 52, TH 55 and South Robert Trail (TH 3)… Suggest adding further clarification for South Robert Trail as TH 3 for consistency. Consistently reference as either Robert Trail South or South Robert Trail. Transportation 8-14, Table 6. Dakota County Roadway System Improvements McAndrews Road (CSAH 38) Expansion from 2 lanes to 3 lanes CSAH 31 Robert Trail South 2018 Consistently reference as either Robert Trail South or South Robert Trail. Transportation 8-16, ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS Roadways in Rosemount are made up of a variety of road types from two-lane undivided urban roads to four-lane rural expressways as identified in Figure 7. The eastern western portion of the City, where a greater proportion of the population resides,… Suggest revising as noted. Transportation 8-17, Figure 4. Planned and Programmed Improvement x TH 3, segment north of 145th Street, indicates no change (currently 2 traffic lanes). Figure 5, Existing Traffic Volumes, and current MnDOT counts indicate 12,900 ADT (11,900 ADT north of McAndrews Road), approaching capacity for a 2-lane roadway (Table 9, Transportation 8-20). Figure 6, Forecast 2040 Traffic Volumes, indicates 14,700 ADT north of 145th Street and 15,000 ADT north of McAndrews Road. Dakota County Principal Arterial Study will recommend classification of TH 3 as a principal arterial. Consider revising Figure 4 to indicate 3 or 4 traffic lanes on TH 3. h (T 1 2 3 4 5 6 Summary of Comments on Eagan_SRF Response.pdf Page: 1 Number: 1 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:24:41 PM Updated. Number: 2 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:27:38 PM Updated. Number: 3 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:27:43 PM Updated. Number: 4 Author: jpansch Subject: Inserted Text Date: 4/2/2019 4:30:11 PM THis Number: 5 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:28:37 PM Updated. Number: 6 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:30:36 PM Not updated. This is addressed in later text. Transportation 8-23, Congestion on the Regional Highway System The Metropolitan Freeway System Congestion Report is prepared annually by the Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) to documents segments … Suggest revising as noted. Transportation 8-23, Table 12. Roadways Over Capacity (2040) Robert Trail South 1.35 Canada Avenue West 150th Street West Transportation 8-24, Table 12. Roadways Over Capacity (2040) Robert Trail South 1.00 124th Street West Biscayne Avenue Transportation 8-24, Table 13. Roadways Approaching Capacity (2040) Robert Trail South 0.86 Connemara Trail Bonaire Path West Consistently reference as either Robert Trail South or South Robert Trail. Transportation 8-28, Table 15. Top 10 Intersection Crash Locations 2011-2015 (By Frequency of Crashes) Consistently reference as either Robert Trail S or So Robert Trail. Transportation 8-30, RECOMMENDED ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS Robert Trail South is forecasted to be over capacity by the year 2040. It isn’t a recommended lane expansion project because it is constrained by a lack of space and because an expansion would have a negative impact on the downtown environment. There is minimal right-of-way available near the roadway alignment. To help mitigate this, the City will be expanding Akron Avenue, giving drivers another option to drive from north to south. Dakota County Principal Arterial Study will recommend classification of TH 3 as a principal arterial. While expanding Akron Avenue is supported, it will not adequately mitigate north-south traffic for TH 3. Constraints are limited to the downtown area. Expansion should be appropriate consideration north of Connemara Trail. Other options to address downtown segment should remain for future consideration. Suggest revising highlighted text. Consistently reference as either Robert Trail South or South Robert Trail. Transportation 8-31, Figure 11. Recommended Roadway Capacity Improvements x TH 3, segment north of 145th Street, indicates no change (currently 2 traffic lanes). Figure 5, Existing Traffic Volumes, and current MnDOT counts indicate 12,900 ADT (11,900 ADT north of McAndrews Road), approaching capacity for a 2-lane roadway (Table 9, Transportation 8-20). Figure 6, Forecast 2040 Traffic Volumes, indicates 14,700 ADT north of 145th Street and 15,000 … R R R C R ti 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Page: 2 Number: 1 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:31:01 PM Updated Number: 2 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:31:11 PM Updated Number: 3 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:31:13 PM Updated Number: 4 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:31:15 PM Updated Number: 5 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:31:18 PM Updated Number: 6 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:31:34 PM Updated Number: 7 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:37:52 PM This text was update to help clarify city plans. Robert Trail South isn't shown as expanding in the city limits. ADT north of McAndrews Road. Dakota County Principal Arterial Study will recommend classification of TH 3 as a principal arterial. Consider revising Figure 11 to indicate 3 or 4-Lane Divided on TH 3. Transportation 8-43, Regional Bicycle Transportation Network There are four RBTN Tier 2 alignments within the City of Rosemount. 1. South Robert Trail Alignment: Located on the west side of the City going north and south. There currently isn’t an existing or planned bicycle or pedestrian facility on this roadway. 2. McAndrews Road Alignment: Connecting to the South Robert Trail alignment… Consistently reference as either Robert Trail South or South Robert Trail. Water Supply Chapter, Pg 14-15, 5.2.3 Resource Sustainability The City will pursue a 10-15% reduction in per capita water production, in cooperation with other Dakota County cities, to support aquifer supply sustainability, utilizing groundwater modeling as a tool to ensure aquifer sustainability. Consider adding text, as noted. Water Supply Chapter, Pg 16, 6.1.3 Water Supply Recommendations Pursue a 10-15% reduction in per capita water production to support aquifer supply sustainability. Consider adding the recommendation, as noted. Comprehensive Sewer Plan, Pg 20, 6.3.1 Existing City Sewersheds The northern portion of the Lan-O-Ken sewershed is currently planned as a transitional residential zone will likely and has the topography that would allow it to be conveyed north into Eagan’s sanitary sewer. The area has a potential average flowrate of 0.085 MGD and an estimated peak flow of 0.34 MGD. Assuming the a future connection to Eagan is placed at the 10 State Standards minimum pipe slope, a 8” trunk sewer line would be capable of serving the transitional residential area. Consider revising text, as noted. 1 2 Page: 3 Number: 1 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:38:39 PM Left as a two-lane roadway. Number: 2 Author: jpansch Subject: Sticky Note Date: 4/2/2019 4:38:51 PM Updated Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 2 – Community Context 2-8 TABLE 2.6: INCOME 1990 2000 2016 Per Capita Income $14,931 $23,116 $36,955 Median Household Income $41,992 $65,916 $92,393 Median Family Income $43,726 $68,929 N/A Percent of Individual below the Poverty Line 5.0% 3.3% 5.0% Source: U.S. Census Bureau and 2012-2016 American Community Survey EMPLOYMENT There are two ways to look at employment within Rosemount to help gain an understanding about the City workforce: people who are working at businesses within the City and those residents that commute outside the City to work at jobs on other places. According to the most recent American Community Survey, as of 2015 there were 7,822 persons working at businesses within the City. Focusing on Rosemount residents specifically, there were 11,916 of the City’s residents in the workforce, with 11,072 of those residents commuting outside the City to work, while 844 persons were employed by Rosemount businesses. In general, there are large numbers of people commuting in and out of Rosemount every day to get to work, while a relatively smaller number of people remain within the City, either working from home or at a local business. From a planning perspective, maintaining good access to the surrounding region is important both for workers living in Rosemount and the City’s businesses that rely on labor from other places. TABLE 2.7: WORK DESTINATIONS For those workers that are commuting out of Rosemount, the majority are generally heading to the north to the major employment centers around downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, regional destinations in Bloomington and Eden Prairie, or to the west and the suburban communities adjacent to Rosemount. A summary of the most significant destinations for Rosemount residents that work outside of the community is included in Table 2.7. Work Destination (Cities) Number Percentage All Rosemount Workers 11,916 100% Minneapolis 1,390 11.7% Eagan 1,294 10.9% St. Paul 1,131 9.5% Apple Valley 853 7.2% Rosemount 844 7.1% Bloomington 798 6.7% Burnsville 674 5.7% Lakeville 363 3.0% Eden Prairie 258 2.2% Inver Grove Heights 248 2.1% All Other Locations 4,063 34.1% Source: 2016 American Community Survey E M PLOYMENT1 Summary of Comments on Chapter 1 - Executive Summary FINAL.docx Page: 10 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/1/2018 10:41:23 AM -05'00' MVTA recommends adding a section to briefly discuss existing transit service and facilities within the City of Rosemount (as it relates to commuting patterns and work destinations). kwk Sticky Note Will incorporate this suggestion into the employment section. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3 – Land Use 3-1 CHAPTER 3: LAND USE LAND USE SUMMARY ROSEMOUNT LAND USE PLANNING Introductory Statements: Rosemount last completed a major update to its Comprehensive Plan in 2009. This plan was preceded by planning efforts to plan for continued growth and development within the City, especially for areas north of Bonaire Path and east of Akron Avenue. Since this plan was adopted, the City has seen significant residential growth in the Akron Avenue and County Road 42 area and northeast of downtown Rosemount. Prior to development of these areas, the City initiated major planning efforts for these growth areas (the 42-52 Plan and Akron Avenue Area AUAR), which served as a basis for a significant portion of the land use changes that were adopted as part of the 2030 Compressive Plan Update. New commercial development in the nine years since the last major plan revision has been focused on the downtown area or the commercial corridor south and southeast of the downtown. The City continues to plan for new commercial growth along the County Road 42 corridor at key intersections around South Robert Trail and Akron Avenue, with the expectation that new residential development in these areas will increase demand for goods and services on a local and regional level. Industrial land uses make up large amount of the City’s developed areas, with heavy industrial users such as Flint Hills Resources and CF Industries occupying large areas in the eastern portion of the City. The City’s current and updated land use plan continues to recognize these areas as important regional economic forces, but does not call for further expansion of heavy industrial uses into new areas. The City is planning for new business park and light industrial uses east of Akron Avenue to help serve as a transition between the heavy industrial users and planned commercial and residential areas. The economic downturn of the late 2000’s has had a significant impact on the pace and demand for new development over the past decade, which has altered the expected timing of development in certain areas within Rosemount. The City has seen a fairly consistent level of development over the past decade; however, mostly in the form of new single family housing while the available supply of developable land has steadily diminished over this time frame. Two new growth areas are expected to help accommodate new development, including the University of Minnesota’s UMore Park property and the larger underdeveloped southeast portion of the City. While most of the City’s growth between 2020 and 2040 is expected to occur east of Highway 52, the timing of such growth could be impacted if the University of Minnesota proceeds with development of its Rosemount land. CHAPTER 3 :L AND USE 1 Page: 13 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/1/2018 10:49:02 AM -05'00' While the Transportation Chapter includes a section for integrating transit into land use planning, the Land Use Chapter lacks elements related to transit. Consider adding language to establish the connection between land use and transit (i.e., population/employment density, walkability, etc.) kwk Sticky Note Will add new language to better define the link between transportation and land use. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3 – Land Use 3-37 Limited Secondary Zoning C4 – General Commercial Two Regional Commercial districts are provided within the Land Use Plan: an approximately 20 acre district bounded by South Robert Trail, Canada Circle, and the Union Pacific rail line; and an approximately 350 acre district surrounding the intersection of County Road 42 and US Highway 52. The 20 acre Regional Commercial district is intended for auto oriented businesses. This district provides an area for the auto orientated businesses currently located Downtown, or the contractor businesses located southwest of County Road 42 and South Robert Trail, can be relocated. The 350 acre Regional Commercial district is intended for businesses with a regional draw or with products that are sold annually or less often. Big box retail, theaters, or hotels are appropriate uses in this area, as well as an area for existing vehicle sales businesses in other parts of the City to relocate. Business Park (BP) Purpose The intent of the Business Park district is to develop businesses with a large number of employees, wages that support an entire family, and constructed of high quality buildings that provide both beauty and tax base to the community. Establishments within the business park are intended to have little or no outdoor storage, with the majority of the business activities occurring completely indoors. Location Criteria The size of each Business Park district is intended to be greater than 150 acres in size. The district should be located adjacent to heavily traveled arterial roads to provide both visibility and access to these major employment centers. Min. Requirements for Development Within the MUSA and with an improved access to a collector and/or arterial road to serve the district. The street network within the business park should be designed to accommodate truck and freight traffic while also providing sidewalks and pedestrian improvements for employees to use during breaks and lunch periods. Utilities Municipal water and sanitary sewer are encouraged. Private well and septic systems may be permitted as an interim system before municipal water and sanitary sewer are available provided an appropriate septic area is located and infrastructure is installed to connect to when utilities are at the development’s boundary. Typical Uses Office; retail and office warehouses; research laboratories; post-secondary education; distributors; and manufacturing. Intensity Appropriate Zoning BP – Business Park Limited Secondary Zoning C4 – General Commercial near intersections of major roads; LI – Light Industrial adjacent to industrial planned areas or in areas that will not impact primary views along major roads and that can be accommodated in areas internal to the business park. The street network within the business park should be designed to accommodate truck and freight traffic while also providing sidewalks and pedestrian improvements for employees to use during breaks and lunch periods. 1 Page: 49 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/1/2018 10:50:36 AM -05'00' Transit is an increasing need in business parks as employers are looking to expand their employee base. Consider adding language to support transit elements in the street network. kwk Sticky Note Will add transit to the list of accommodations within the street network. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3 – Land Use 3-42 SPECIAL PLANNING AREA CONSIDERATIONS As described in the beginning of this chapter, the City identified three planning areas for special consideration prior to commencing work on the updated land use plan. Some of the major planning considerations that came out of the public participation and City review process for these areas include the following: North Central Planning Area x The majority of the north central area will remain rural residential; however, as services are extended through developing areas to the south, the City will investigate opportunities to size infrastructure to provide service to the Transitional Residential areas east of South Robert Trail and to plan for unforeseen needs beyond the time frame of the 2040 Plan. x The City will continue to pursue opportunities for shared services with the adjoining jurisdictions of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights, especially for areas with the Transitional Residential area that may not be able to be served form existing sewer lines in Rosemount. x New residential development will be allowed that conforms to the City’s Rural Residential zoning standards or that is otherwise approved as a planned development that adheres to the guiding principles for this land use category (i.e. preserving natural areas and wetlands). Southeast Planning Area x This planning area contains a large portion of the City’s future growth areas, with future development expected to move generally southeast from the 52/42 intersection. x Larger portions of the southeast planning area are guided for agricultural land uses, and will serve as an urban reserve for Rosemount for growth after the timeframe of the 2040 Plan. x Ordered extension of services will be critical for this area to help ensure that the timing of future development in consistent with the City’s ability to finance and construct public infrastructure to serve the area. x The land use plan for southeastern Rosemount calls for a transitional area along County Road 42 to provide a buffer between the heavy industrial and waste management uses north of this road. The plan also provides opportunities for the creation of activity nodes at intersections along the corridor with a mixture of housing and commercial uses. x As development occurs, the City will be seeking ways to integrate new growth areas into the rest of the community. New trail and road connections will help provide links to the western part of Rosemount, while County Road 42 will continue to serve as the primary east/west connection linking this area to the rest of the City. x The City has identified interim uses that will be appropriate for the area to provide economic opportunities for land owners until public service area available. Interim uses will be reviewed to ensure compatibility with existing agricultural uses and future residential neighborhoods. New trail and road connections will help provide links to the western part of Rosemount, w 1 Page: 54 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/1/2018 10:51:03 AM -05'00' Transit is another way to provide links between new and existing developments. kwk 4/4/2019 10:31:07 AM Sticky Note Recent County transportation planning studies do not support transit improvements within eastern Rosemount due to the low densities of existing development. Staff is suggesting language that encourages discussions about transit opportunities along major corridors planned for higher density Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3 – Land Use 3-43 Downtown x Downtown will continue to serve as the center of the community, and provides a sense of place and identify for Rosemount that is not found in other suburban communities. x The City will pursue opportunities for revitalization and enhancement of downtown and the existing businesses and residences. x The City has recently updated the Downtown Framework, and will use this plan as a guide to help promote redevelopment of key sites within the downtown area. The market study completed in conjunction with the framework identifies opportunities for additional housing and mixed use projects for this area. x The City will consider walkability and access to transit when evaluating future development and redevelopment proposals in the downtown area. OTHER PLANNING ISSUES In order to help carry out the City’s overall vision and goals for the community, the City has identified several additional planning considerations for the future: Redevelopment Opportunities x As the supply of land available for development diminishes, the City will promote the development of underutilized sites and the redevelopment of existing buildings that have outlived their useful lives. x Many of the City’s existing neighborhoods and commercial areas were subdivided and constructed in the late 1970’s and into the 1980’s. As these area approach 40 years in age, the City will promote investment in these areas to ensure they will continue to provide housing and business opportunities well into the future. Specific Master Plans x The City of Rosemount encourages the use of master planning for newly developing areas to help ensure consistency of design and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. Transit Station Area Plans x The Transportation Plan (Chapter 8) discusses the two existing transit stops in Rosemount, one of which is located in the downtown while the other, a pilot project, is located on the Dakota County Technical College campus. The City’s land use plan calls for mixed use development and higher residential densities in both of these areas. x The land use plan identifies nodes at key intersections along County Road 42 that include a mix of commercial uses and higher density housing that could potentially serve as future transit station areas. The City will work with MVTA and Dakota County to identify future service extensions in the future that can take advantage of the appropriate transit sites in newly developing areas. two existing transit stops in Rosemount, The City’s land use plan calls for mixed use development and higher residential densities in both of these areas. 1 2 Page: 55 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 8:33:15 AM -05'00' MVTA's Route 420 is a flex route that provides service at any safe location along the route or within the flex boundary. Number: 2 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 8:34:28 AM -05'00' MVTA supports higher densities and mixed use development near transit stops and requests participation in discussions around future station area plans. kwk Sticky Note Will add statement concerning MVTA Route 420. Comment noted - as future discussions concerning transit stations occur the City will reach out to Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4 – Housing 4-8 Rosemount expects additional senior units to be constructed in the future as the baby boomers retire and current Rosemount residents age. CONDITION AND AGE OF HOUSING STOCK Due to the significant growth that has occurred over the last three decades, the majority of the housing stock within Rosemount is relatively new. A little less than 20% of Rosemount’s housing stock is over 35 years old, the age at which major maintenance efforts need to take place such as furnace or roof replacements. This percentage has been increasing in recent years, and the total number of homes over 35 years old is expected to double over the next 10 years. The City will need to monitor carefully the condition of the aging housing stock to ensure that it is maintained. The City works with Dakota County to identify homeowners who may be income eligible for low interest loans for house repairs and energy efficiency improvements. TABLE 4.10 – AGE OF HOUSING STOCK Number Percent 2010 – 2014 359 4.4% 2000 – 2009 3,073 37.4% 1990 – 1999 2,140 26.1% 1980 – 1989 1,110 13.5% 1970 – 1979 611 7.4% 1960 – 1969 567 6.9% Before 1960 354 4.3% *Source: 2016 ACS HOUSING NEED ANALYSIS Rosemount will continue to be a community predominately comprised of single-family detached homes consistent with its regional designation as part of the “Emerging Suburban Edge” within the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. Housing affordability continues to be a concern, especially for those households with incomes well below the median income. With an aging population, the City will also need to plan for ways to provide for “aging in place” to allow residents who wish to continue living in Rosemount to continue to do so as they get older and their housing needs change. As the City’s supply of land readily available for development declines, new growth areas are farther from existing services, including the UMore property and the agricultural land east of US Highway 52. Care must be taken to ensure there is enough land designated for non-residential uses to provide convenient services to new and future neighborhoods as the community continues to expand eastward. Some of the potential barriers for addressing these needs include the following: x Ensuring that there is enough land available to support the City’s housing needs will become more difficult as the supply of land near urban services is developed. Since the last Comprehensive Plan, Flint Hills has acquired land for buffer around its facility. It has been Some of the potential barriers for addressing these needs include the following:1 Page: 83 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 8:44:14 AM -05'00' The availability of transit is another potential barrier that should be addressed as it relates to housing affordability and aging populations. kwk Sticky Note Will add the availability of transit as another potential barrier to housing affordability and issue for aging populations. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4 – Housing 4-13 4. Provide a mixture of rental and home ownership opportunities to provide life cycle housing. A. Encourage the construction of a variety of single family home sizes and styles to increase home ownership opportunities. B. Encourage the development of owner occupied and rental medium density housing. C. Provide ownership opportunities for seniors with access to transit and public/institutional facilities. D. Provide rental opportunities for young adults and recent college graduates returning to Rosemount. E. Provide an opportunity for student housing near Dakota County Technical College. 5. Locate the different housing styles within the appropriate areas. A. Identify areas in the plan for multi-family housing to clearly communicate City’s plan for these areas and preserve land for higher density housing where it can be best integrated with the surrounding development. B. Disperse medium density residential throughout the community to avoid entire neighborhoods of densities greater than 4 units per acre. C. Disperse high density residential in appropriate areas throughout the community to provide mixed residential density neighborhoods and lifecycle housing opportunities. D. Differing housing opportunities should provide variation in housing style and price point for residents E. Locate high density residential with access to the collector and arterial street network. F. Locate high density residential in conjunction with Downtown and the commercial areas along County Road 42 to create mixed use neighborhoods and transit oriented districts. G. Provide opportunities for seniors to live near their children and families. 6. Provide workforce and affordable housing opportunities through cooperative effort with other agencies. A. Work with the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) and other state and federal agencies to provide workforce and affordable housing opportunities. B. Work with Habitat for Humanity and similar organizations, along with Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) and other state and federal agencies, to provide affordable housing opportunities and to redevelop and rehabilitate older homes in the City. Locate high density residential with access to the collector and arterial street network. 1 Page: 88 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 8:47:50 AM -05'00' Consider adding local transit service to this sentence. kwk Sticky Note Will update this sentence to include transit service. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 6 – Economic Competiveness 6-6 The City has been active in the redevelopment of other blocks with particular attention on the old St Joe’s church block. Acquisition was prompted by the need to dedicate land for a County library. The remainder of the site was parceled off for private development of The Rosemount Senior Living center along with the Steeple Center, a community space dedicated to seniors and the arts, and also used by a variety of community groups. The City also facilitated installation of the Downtown park and ride by providing a low-cost lease to MVTA and partnering to obtain federal funding for the facility. Many of the Downtown projects have been a collaborative effort both through financing and design with other public and private partners. Finally, the City has established the Downtown Code Improvement Program that provides grant funding for improvements to bring the existing Downtown buildings into compliance with the building code. Program eligibility is for any business or property owner whose building is listed within the Framework and who is making exterior and façade improvements to the building in accordance with the Downtown Rosemount Design Guidelines. To encourage the reinvestment in façade improvements, business and property owners who pay with their own funds for façade improvements can request public funds to pay for code improvements to their building. BUSINESS RECRUITMENT, ASSISTANCE, AND RETENTION To support small businesses and promote entrepreneurship in Rosemount, Open to Business is available to provide one-on-one business counseling to current and prospective business owners at no cost. Consultants provide assistance with business plan development and marketing strategies, among other things. Additionally, business owners can learn about other resources such as training programs, governmental services, and networking opportunities. This program is a collaborative effort between the Dakota County Community Development Agency and the City. The City also partners with the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce to connect with businesses and understand the needs and concerns of business leaders in the community. The City’s website provides online resources for new business owners and entrepreneurs. A “virtual incubator” directs business owners to other agencies that can assist with business financing, networking and other business advice. The City works closely with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Greater MSP to respond to requests for information by businesses that are looking to relocate, particularly those businesses that are looking for greenfield sites on which to construct new facilities. The City shares data regarding municipal services, site details, transportation, as well as any other specific information requested. For example, there is a Shovel Ready site within the Rosemount Business Park that is enrolled in the DEED Shovel Ready B USINESS RECRUITMENT , ASSISTANCE, AND RETENTION1 Page: 102 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/5/2018 2:50:12 PM Please consider including MVTA in the business development/plan review process. MVTA has recently expanded its efforts with business outreach and partnerships to address transportation needs. Staff is available to meet with businesses, provide travel training, or any general information on what transit services are currently available. kwk Sticky Note Comment noted. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 7 - Resilience 7-4 Comprehensive plan. As such, the Rosemount shamrock will be used to identify where the policies and goals within those sections overlap these goals. RESILIENCY GOALS INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT Climate change has the potential to have major impacts on infrastructure and natural resources in communities of all sizes. The biggest threats to these assets are increased frequency and intensity of rainstorms and heat waves, potentially leading to flooding and power outages, respectively. Roadways, being ground zero for automobile greenhouse gas emissions, can play a major role in both adding to and alleviating the impacts of climate change. Stormwater/Wastewater 1. Continue developing stormwater capacity requirements that accommodate more frequent and intense storms. 2. Incorporate planning for municipal services to all lots in areas currently served by private well and septic system. 3. Explore effluent reuse opportunities in partnership with the Metropolitan Council for future development, especially Business Park development. Road Infrastructure 1. Follow a complete streets approach and critically evaluate anticipated traffic volumes to avoid overbuilding roadways. 2. Investigate opportunities to reduce the use of salt and sand on city roads during winter months. Natural Resources 1. Preserve, protect and restore the natural environment with emphasis on the conservation of needed and useful natural resources for the present and future benefit of the community. 2. Utilize natural resource areas to provide an overall open space system that satisfies the needs of the community and its residents. 3. Create a livable community where future development respects and integrates the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the community while maintaining or enhancing the economic opportunities and community well-being. 4. Moderate City-wide water consumption to promote aquifer recharge. R ESILIENCY G OALS1 Page: 113 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/1/2018 10:54:08 AM -05'00' Both the STAR Communities and Minnesota GreenStep Cities programs have focuses on alternative transportation, including complete streets, mobility options, & transit-oriented development. However, the Resiliency chapter of this plan doesn't include any goals/policies related to the transit components of resiliency. MVTA recommends adding language about transit and it's contributions to a resilient community. kwk Sticky Note Will add a section to the Resiliency chapter concerning transit. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-3 x Prioritize maintenance for roadways based on surface conditions and other indicators of deterioration. x Maintenance assessments shall be considered when a facility requires reconstruction, and whether the removal or closure of the facility is a fiscally responsible alternative in certain instances. x Employ a variety of outreach tools to foster community engagement and eliminate barriers to public participation in transportation and land use planning, and ensure final plans reflect the values of Rosemount citizens. Safety and Security x Maximize the safety of the roadways for all users. x Use the appropriate access management guidelines to provide safe conditions on all road types. x Plan roadway projects with central consideration given to the roadway functional classification system. Access to Destinations x Optimize capacity, operational and safety characteristics of the overall network. x Selectively expand the roadway system in order to relieve pressure from roads near or over capacity. x Review network needs assessment on an on-going basis regarding potential deficiencies. x Use the analysis and prioritization principals from this Plan as the basis for this review. Assess these needs against available funding. Competitive Economy x Invest in transportation improvements that will attract and retain businesses and workers within Rosemount and pursue design alternatives that reflect the values of its citizens. x Strengthen connections between work and activity centers. x Provide and protect efficient connections from major freight facilities to the regional highway system. x Coordinate with regional governments, transit agencies, and rideshare programs to capture the environmental and social costs of commuting and incentivize alternatives to single- occupancy vehicle trips. Healthy Environment x Encourage multimodal use by improving the safety and accessibility of all facilities. x Work with Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and the Metropolitan Council to maximize transit use and to coordinate potential transit facilities. x Provide off-road and on-road bike and pedestrian facilities improving the safety for all users of the road. x Integrate trail system with regional trail system and make connections to neighboring communities. Access to Destinations1 Page: 121 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/5/2018 2:43:04 PM Page 8-2 mentions a multimodal transportation system as it relates to the Access to Destinations goal. However, there isn't a specific policy for this goal referring to transit or other modes of transportation. Consider adding a policy to reflect this. jpansch Sticky Note Added policy: Improve access to destinations through improvement in transit and other modes of Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-32 ACCESS MANAGEMENT Access management is an important aspect of providing a safe and efficient roadway network. Access management measures include: x Providing adequate spacing between access points and intersecting streets to separate and reduce conflicts x Limiting the number of driveway access points to reduce conflicts x Aligning access with other existing access points x Sharing access points, through internal connectivity between property owners x Encouraging indirect access rather than direct access to high volume arterial roads x Constructing parallel roads and frontage roads x Implementing sight distance guidelines to improve safety x Using channelization to manage and control turning movements x Meeting these requirements while also maintaining appropriate access to local businesses Access review is a major aspect of the City’s project review process. The goal is to maintain the safety and capacity of the City’s roadways while providing adequate land access. Mobility is the ability to get from one place to another. Most roadways serve accessibility and mobility functions to some degree based on their functional classification. The four levels of functional classification and their corresponding mobility and access traits are as follows: x Principal arterials have the highest mobility with no direct land access x Minor arterials have high mobility with limited land access x Collector streets have moderate mobility with some land access x Local streets have low mobility with minimal restrictions on land access The City will continue to support MnDOT’s and Dakota County’s Access Management guidelines on the roadway network in the City through the measures list above. MnDOT’s Highway Access Category System and Spacing Guidelines can be found at: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/accessmanagement/resources.html y yy The four levels of functional classification andg their corresponding mobility and access traits are as follows: x Principal arterials have the highest mobility with no direct land access x Minor arterials have high mobility with limited land access x Collector streets have moderate mobility with some land access x Local streets have low mobility with minimal restrictions on land access 1 Page: 150 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/5/2018 2:34:07 PM Limited access points can provide travel time and routing challenges for transit operators. In the suburbs, a bus can often get into a destination but needs a through street or reasonable turnaround to get out (and a turnaround is less efficient). jpansch Sticky Note New access management consideration: Consider all modes of transportation, including nearby transit Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-33 TRANSIT SYSTEM Transit is an important piece of the transportation system in a community. It provides another option for people to get to their destination without the use of a vehicle. Transit helps build a comprehensive, equitable, and environmentally friendly transportation system. Transit is a vital element in the transportation network as it: x Provides vulnerable populations access to services in the area, including those who cannot afford a personal vehicle, people who cannot drive, and senior citizens. x Provides opportunities for people who prefer an alternative to automobile travel. x Removes a portion of existing and future automobile traffic from the roadway, reducing travel time and congestion for everyone on the roadway. x Reduces air pollution for those living near the roadway and reduces greenhouse gas emissions helping mitigate climate change The City of Rosemount is committed to supporting and preserving existing transit services and facilities in the City and seeking ways to improve the transit system. Rosemount is a growing City and current and future residents will need a variety of transportation services available to meet their needs. As the population in the metro area continues to grow, demand will increase for new ways to get to destinations in Rosemount and in the surrounding areas including Minneapolis and St. Paul. Although the City does not have direct responsibility for the operation of services or the provision of facilities, the City can advocate for better service while promoting more transit supportive land use patterns as sections of the City redevelop. This chapter identifies the existing services, facilities, and programs within the City of Rosemount, suggests improvements, and discusses the City’s role in supporting the transit system. TRANSIT MARKET AREAS Rosemount is a growing suburb south of the Twin Cities with its population expected to grow almost 50% by 2040. Transit service and facilities will need to be put in place to meet this increase in demand. As indicated in Figure 12 much of the growth is occurring along the western side of the City where the Metropolitan Council has identified it as Market Area III. Land use plans should be integrated with these market areas to shape development near transit that supports a walkable and transit friendly environment. The majority of the City east of Market Area III is considered Market Area V and is planned to have less reliance on transit. Table 16 provides further descriptions and characteristics of the Market Areas established by the Metropolitan Council. pp pp The majority of the City east of Market Area III is considered Market yjyy Area V and is planned to have less reliance on transit. 1 Page: 151 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:38:25 AM -05'00' As noted in MVTA's 2015 System Statement comments, Transit Market Area descriptions in the TPP may not represent the full service needs of the City of Rosemount. MVTA is available to work with the City to determine the appropriate level of service for each area, regardless of its designation. jpansch Sticky Note Note taken. No change made to the plan. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-35 EXISTING TRANSIT SERVICES AND FACILITIES The City of Rosemount is currently served by three transit services: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), Metro Transit, and Dakota Area Resources and Transportation for Seniors (DARTS). MVTA is the only transit provider in the City that offers fixed-route transit services. DARTS and Metro Transit offer demand responsive services where regular route transit service is infrequent or unavailable and service for seniors and people with a disability or health condition. MTVA serves as the public transportation agency for Rosemount and surrounding municipalities in Dakota and Scott County, and operates the Metro Transit Red Line under contract to the Metropolitan Council. Fixed-Route Transit Service Fixed-route transit service includes both local and express bus services that operate on a regular schedule and follow consistent routes. Fixed-route transit service in Rosemount is provided primarily by MVTA, which serves as the public transportation agency for five suburbs in Dakota and Scott Counties. Table 17 describes the characteristics of the routes serving the City of Rosemount. Table 17. Fixed Route Service in Rosemount RRoute PProvider TType Cities Served Service Times Frequency 420 MVTA Local Rosemount, Apple Valley Weekdays, bi-directional 60 min 476 MVTA Express Bus Rosemount, Apple Valley, Minneapolis Peak only, weekdays, bi-directional 15-30 min 478 MVTA Express Bus Rosemount, Minneapolis Peak only, weekdays, bi-directional 15-30 min 484 MVTA Express Bus Rosemount, Saint Paul Peak only, weekdays, bi-directional 2 trips The western portion of Rosemount is served by four transit routes that move customers between Rosemount, Apple Valley, Downtown Minneapolis, and Downtown Saint Paul. Trips are concentrated throughout the peak times, Monday through Friday and there is no regular weekend service. Connection to the Red Line in Apple Valley and to Dakota County Technical College is via Route 420 and can be accessed throughout the day, Monday through Friday. Express Routes Express service operates during peak periods and is designed to connect commuters to job centers. In Rosemount, these routes pickup at the Rosemount Transit Station and at roadside bus stops and operate closed door to the downtown area. The route from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Rosemount picks up at designated bus stops in Downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. r five 60 min p d there is no regular weekend service. Metro Transit 1 2 3 4 Page: 153 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 11/5/2018 2:44:01 PM Consider revising statement. Metro Transit does not provide services in Rosemount. DARTS, Metro Mobility, and Transit Link all operate within Dakota County. Metro Mobility is technically operated by the Metropolitan Council within a 3/4 mile buffer of a fixed route and there is a qualification screening. DARTS, a nonprofit operated within the County, and Transit Link, while similar to Metro Mobility and operated by the Met Council, do not have qualifiers or the fixed route boundary. Please consider updating the section at the bottom of page 154 about demand response services as well. Number: 2 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:40:13 AM -05'00' MVTA serves seven cities (2 in Scott County and 5 in Dakota County). Number: 3 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:43:13 AM -05'00' 30-60 minutes. Number: 4 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:43:54 AM -05'00' MVTA is implementing weekend service on Route 420, effective 11/17/2018. d 018 1 Au jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-38 Transit Station and Park and Rides There are two transit stations in Rosemount. One is the park and ride facility located at 145th Street and Burnley Avenue. The 102-stall facility, across the street from City Hall, is the first permanent park and ride facility for the City. The facility is located in a walkable part of the City, close to a park and has sidewalks around it. The transit station is fully-enclosed and serves routes 420, 476, 478, and 484. The facility anchors service to the Cedar Avenue transit corridor and express routes to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. In 2017, the facility had a 77% utilization rate with 79 of the 102 spaces being used. This has increased from 65% in 2016. The second transit station is located at Dakota County Technical College supporting Route 420 which includes 5 trips to the school throughout the morning and afternoon and 6 trips departing the school throughout the day. Bus Stops or “Flag Stops” Bus stops provide passengers with a predictable place to wait for bus service. The only bus shelter in Rosemount is the Rosemount Transit Station. Throughout the rest of the City, there are a series of “Flag Stops” for passengers to use to board the bus. If your trip origin and destination are near a flag stop or time point shown on the map, passengers must go to that stop and wait for the bus. The schedule lists the departure times for several key stops. If a flag stop is between two time points, passengers use the time point for the stop as a guide. TRANSIT ADVANTAGES Transit Advantages is a term that describes physical features that provide a travel time advantage over automobiles using the same facility. Transit advantages improve the attractiveness of transit by allowing buses to move faster than automobiles making the same trip, effectively reducing the travel time for transit patrons relative to automobile users. There are no specific transit advantages within the City of Rosemount, but riders do get to take advantage of them on their bus routes. Downtown bus routes have improved service because of transit advantages. Routes to downtown Minneapolis get to take advantage of bus only shoulders and high occupancy vehicles lanes on TH 77 and I-35 while all downtown Rosemount bus routes take advantage of bus lanes in downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. There are also several ramp-meter bypasses that assist MVTA buses on TH 77 and I-35. TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT Travel Demand Management (TDM) services include programs that promote and support any alternative to commuting via single-occupant vehicle (SOV). TDM may include subsidized bus passes, flexible work hours and telecommuting. TDM could also include services to help employees with ride-matching, carpool, and vanpool. Metro Transit provides a regional TDM service through ROSEMOUNT TRANSIT STATION. PHOTO BY THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT Figure 13. Rosemount Transit Station The second transit station is located at Dakota County Technical College supporting Route 420ygppg which includes 5 trips to the school throughout the morning and afternoon and 6 trips departing thep school throughout the day. The only bus shelter inpp p g p Rosemount is the Rosemount Transit Station. T 1 2 Page: 156 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:49:49 AM -05'00' MVTA does not consider the stop at DCTC a "transit station". It is considered to be a bus stop. Number: 2 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:50:33 AM -05'00' There is also a bus stop shelter at DCTC. jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-41 Improved facilities x Rosemount Transit Station utilization is reaching capacity and additional Park-and-Ride facilities can be planned to support increased demand. x Safe and comfortable waiting conditions can help to increase ridership. Current flag stops can be transitioned to permanent bus stops with shelters and benches. Transit Studies Dakota County Eastern Transit Study Rosemount is working with Dakota County on the Dakota County Eastern Transit Study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate present and future needs for a variety of transit service and facilities in eastern Dakota County. Rosemount is a key member of the study because of the future development of the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education (UMore) property and transit needs of the community. Recommendations resulting from the study will concentrate on linking the residential, employment, and educational centers within eastern Dakota County to those in adjacent communities and the broader region. Robert Street Corridor Study The Robert Street Corridor is recognized as a regional transitway by the Metropolitan Council. In 2012, the Dakota and Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authorities began an alternatives study to understand transportation needs in the area and identify transit projects that could address them. The study initially considered transit improvements in areas between downtown St. Paul and Rosemount, including West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Eagan, Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights. The study led to two alternatives for further study and the development of commuter express bus service from Rosemount to St. Paul on TH 52. The two alternatives that are being studied further are not planned to travel through Rosemount. BICYCLING AND WALKING OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE The City of Rosemount seeks to build a community where choosing to bicycle or walk is a safe, convenient, and enjoyable transportation option for everyone. In 2010 the City launched a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan to help complete the bike and pedestrian network and achieve community goals around active living, accessible destinations, economic development, quality of life and environmental benefits. Implementation of the plan and its projects will occur as new development occurs in the community and when opportunities arise to complete planned improvements. The plan is a direct result of the comprehensive planning process and continues to guide pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the City. The City has also been collaborating with the Dakota County Active Living Group to promote active living and policy changes that would encourage physical activity. Transit Studies1 Page: 159 Number: 1 Author: abartling Subject: Highlight Date: 10/30/2018 10:57:50 AM -05'00' Consider adding a section for the Dakota County East-West Transit Study. jpansch Sticky Note Updated based on comments received. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-1 CHAPTER 11: MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR CRITICAL AREA INTRODUCTION This Mississippi River Critical Area Plan has been prepared to preserve and manage the environmental, scenic and economic values afforded the City of Rosemount by the Mississippi River. The City’s policy is to incorporate these values into the Comprehensive Plan. The Critical Area within the City of Rosemount is located east of Highway 52 and north of Highway 55. HISTORY AND OVERVIEW Designated by Governor’s Executive Order in the 1970’s, the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) is a land corridor along the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area governed by special land planning requirements and land development regulations. These regulations, which are implemented through local MRCCA plans and ordinances, protect and preserve the natural, scenic, recreational, and transportation resources of this section of the Mississippi River. The MRCCA comprises 72 miles of river and 54,000 acres of surrounding land in 30 local jurisdictions. Critical Area Act – Tier I The Critical Areas Act passed by the 1973 Minnesota Legislature provided a process for planning and managing an area of recreational and statewide public interest. A 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River and adjoining lands, which includes part of Rosemount, was designated a Critical Area by the Governor of Minnesota in 1976. This Critical Area was established to preserve and enhance the natural environment by providing guidelines for development along the River. Under provisions of this Act, the designation was made permanent by the Metropolitan Council in 1979. Local governments and state and regional agencies are required to implement their plans and regulations consistent with standards for the river corridor in Executive Order 79-19. The Critical Area requirements are referred to as Tier I standards. Rosemount adopted a Critical Area Plan and Ordinances to meet the Tier I requirements of the Mississippi River Critical Area in 1980. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) – Tier II In 1988, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) was created and became part of the National Park System (Public Law 100-696). The purpose of designating MNRRA as a critical area is five-fold: to protect and preserve the Mississippi River and adjacent lands that the legislature finds to be unique and valuable state and regional resources for the benefit of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the state, region, and nation; to prevent and mitigate irreversible damages to these state, regional, and natural resources;to preserve and enhance the natural, aesthetic, cultural, and historical values of the Mississippi River and adjacent lands for public use and benefit; to protect and preserve the Mississippi River as an essential element in the national, state, and regional transportation, sewer and water, and recreational systems; and to protect and preserve the biological and ecological functions of the Mississippi River corridor. Formatted: Font: Garamond, 12 pt Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-2 MNRRA was established with a number of goals that were adopted as part of the City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan update. In the mid 1990’s the Governor transferred administrative responsibility for the MRCCA from the Environmental Quality Board to the DNR, which was later tasked with preparing a report concerning the status of the MRCCA to respond to concerns around the adequacy of the program. The report was completed in 2008 and identified several approaches to accomplish the preservation and protection goals developed by the State Legislature. Rules Update 2009 - Present In 2009, the State Legislature amended MN Statutes 116G.15 and directed the DNR to establish rules for the MRCCA, and revised the legislation again in 2013 and directed the DNR to resume rulemaking at that time. The new rulemaking effort commenced in 2013, and after a public review process, prepared a final draft of the MRCCA rules in later 2014. Minnesota Rules, Chapter 6106, became effective on January 4, 2017 and describe the land planning and regulatory framework that protects the MRCCA’s resources. The rules replace Executive Order 79-19, which previously governed land use in the MRCCA. The rules require local governments to update their MRCCA plans (a chapter of the local comprehensive plan) and MRCCA ordinances for consistency with the rules. The MRCCA contains many significant natural and cultural resources, including: scenic views, water, navigational capabilities, geology and soils, vegetation, minerals, flora and fauna, cultural and historic resources and land and water-based recreational resources. The MRCCA is home to a full range of residential neighborhoods and parks, as well as river-related commerce, industry, and transportation. Though the river corridor has been extensively developed, many intact and remnant natural areas remain, including bluffs, islands, floodplains, wetlands, riparian zones, and native aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. The MRCCA also shares the same border as the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (MNRRA), a unit of the National Park Service. This Mississippi River Corridor Plan has been prepared to ensure that responsible development occurs in the MNRRA area and to recognize the Mississippi River as an integral part of the City. Working with adjacent communities and other organizations, Rosemount hopes to protect the scenic and natural resources and enhance the recreational opportunities within the Mississippi River Corridor. The City also supports the continued use of the River Corridor for industrial uses. Public Process City Staff engaged the public in the development of this section of the Comprehensive Plan by meeting with property owners who would be affected by the rules governing the development of land within the Critical Corridor Area, specifically in those who owned land within primary conservation areas. Property owners’ plans for future development on their land were discussed as well as how their goals can align with those of the City to ensure the long term health of the Mississippi Critical Corridor Area. Accomplishment of goals since last MRCCA Plan • Enhancements to Spring Lake Park Reserve public infrastructure. • Worked with existing businesses within the MRCCA to bring facilities closer to compliance with existing goals and policies. Formatted: Font: Not Bold Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-3 DISTRICTS MRCCA DISTRICTS Six districts are defined in the MRCCA rules. The districts are based on the natural and built character of different areas of the river corridor. Structure setbacks from the OHWL and bluffs, building height limits, and the amount of open space required for subdivisions/redevelopment vary by district. These are the only standards in the MRCCA rules that vary by district. All other standards apply uniformly throughout the corridor. Rural and Open Space District (CA-ROS) • Description: The rural and open space district (CA-ROS) is characterized by rural and low- density development patterns and land uses, and includes land that is riparian or visible from the river, as well as large, undeveloped tracts of high ecological and scenic value, floodplain, and undeveloped islands. Many primary conservation areas exist in the district. • Management Purpose: The CA-ROS district must be managed to sustain and restore the rural and natural character of the corridor and to protect and enhance habitat, parks and open space, public river corridor views, and scenic, natural, and historic areas. • Land Uses: Uses in this area included undeveloped bluffland, parks, and agriculture. These areas are otherwise guided as Agriculture in the City’s Land Use Plan. Separated From River District (CA-SR) • Description: The separated from river district (CA-SR) is characterized by its physical and visual distance from the Mississippi River. The district includes land separated from the river by distance, topography, development, or a transportation corridor. The land in this district is not readily visible from the Mississippi River. • Management Purpose: The CA-SR district provides flexibility in managing development without negatively affecting the key resources and features of the river corridor. Minimizing negative impacts to primary conservation areas and minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the Mississippi River are priorities in the district. • Land Uses: Current and future uses in this area are a combination of agriculture and industrial uses. This district is appropriate for heavier uses due to its location away from the river. Urban Mixed District (CA-UM) Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-4 • Description: The urban mixed district (CA-UM) includes large areas of highly urbanized mixed use that are a part of the urban fabric of the river corridor, including institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential areas and parks and open space. • Management Purpose: The CA-UM district must be managed in a manner that allows for future growth and potential transition of intensely developed areas that does not negatively affect public river corridor views and that protects bluffs and floodplains. Restoring and enhancing bluff and shoreline habitat, minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the river, and providing public access to and public views of the river are priorities in the district. • Land Uses: Current and future land uses are more industrial than commercial or residential in nature. These uses take advantage of their location along the river to access barge traffic. A proper understanding of impacts created by new development is especially important in this district. In addition to the MRCCA districts described above, three additional districts can be found in other communities along the Mississippi. Those are the River Neighborhoods district, the River Towns and Crossings district, and the Urban Core district. All three districts are found in communities where much more substantial development has occurred within the MRCCA. DISTRICT MAP Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-5 PRIMARY CONSERVATION AREAS GENERAL OVERVIEW Primary Conservation Areas (PCAs) are key resources and features that are given primary consideration for protection through the MRCCA plan and ordinance. These areas include shore impact zones, bluff impact zones, floodplains, wetlands, gorges, areas of confluence, natural drainage routes, unstable soils and bedrock, native plant communities, cultural and historic properties, significant existing vegetative stands, tree canopies, and other identified resources. Formatted: Space After: 0 pt Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-6 Shore Impact Zone The Shore Impact Zone is the land located between the ordinary high water level of public waters and a line parallel to it located at a setback of 50% of the required structural setback. The shore area along the Mississippi River and its backwaters is environmentally sensitive, and the Shore Impact Zone acts as a buffer between the water’s edge and development. Floodplains and Wetlands Areas in the MRCCA that are located within the 100-year floodplain are found along property being used for barge transport. Extensive wetlands in the MRCCA are located on islands and low-lying areas along the river. Formatted: Space After: 0 pt Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-7 Natural Drainage Ways Natural drainage ways collect and drain surface water along a linear path. Storm water runoff in the Mississippi River Corridor follows the natural drainage pattern to the river. There are no identified streams within the corridor, but water moves via coulees during periods of heavy rain and also as the Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-8 snow melts in the spring. Vegetation preservation by the current industrial users has prevented any drainage problems from developing. Bluffs and Bluff Impact Zones Bluffs are a topographical feature having a slope that rises at least 25 feet with a grade averaging 18% or greater measured over a horizontal distance of 25 feet. Two well-pronounced bluff lines are within the Critical Area. The upper bluff line follows Pine Bend Trail while the lower bluff is near Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-9 the river. The lower and upper bluffs join together in the northern portion of the Corridor to create an impressive topographical feature. The Bluff Impact Zone is the bluff and land within 20 feet of the top of the bluff (bluffline) and bottom of the bluff (tow). Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-10 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-11 Native Plant Communities and Significant Existing Vegetative Stands All of the remaining native plant communities within the City are located in the MRCCA at the river’s edge and at the convergence of the upper and lower bluffs. There are significant vegetative stands located within the MRCCA that have been disturbed or are not original, but are still important assets to the City of Rosemount. The eastern orientation of slopes in the corridor creates cooler, moister conditions due to the loss of afternoon sun. Shade and moisture tolerant plants, such as ferns and mosses, are found in the understory. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-12 Cultural and Historic Properties Although there are no sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places within the City of Rosemount, the Mississippi River corridor includes areas of historic and cultural importance to Native Americans and European settlers, the most notable being Kaposia Village located upstream from Rosemount, which once included 100 members of the Dakota Tribe and twenty lodges formed in 1838. Unstable Soils and Bedrock The Dakota County Soils Survey has identified two general soil associations within the MRCCA. 1. Nearly Level Soils on the Floodplains. This general area is on the floodplains of the Mississippi River. Much of it is frequently flooded and it is generally too wet to be cultivated. The area consists of mixed Alluvial land and some Sawmill soils. Colorado soils, Riverwash, and Pear Much are also present. These soils are found on the river islands and near the shoe along the eastern portion of the Critical Area. 2. Dark-colored Rolling to Nearly Level Soils on Outwash. The major soils in this association include a mix of the Dakota, Estherville, and Waukegan series. These soils are generally well-drained and more susceptible to drought, making them less suitable for Agricultural use. These soils compose the remainder of the Critical Area. Since the current industrial users maintain a significant amount of the sites in a natural state, there are no major drainage and/or erosion problems. The areas more susceptible to erosion issues are those with steeper slopes. These areas have well-established vegetation cover to reduce the risk of problems. PRIMARY CONSERVATION AREA POLICIES • Protect PCAs including shore impact areas, wetlands and floodplain areas, native plant communities, and bluff areas and areas subject to erosion. Minimize impact to PCAs from public and private development and land use activities (landscape maintenance, river use, walking/hiking, etc.). • Support mitigation of impacts to PCAs during the review of subdivisions/PUDs, variances, CUPs, and other permits. • Make restoration of removed Native Plant Communities and natural vegetation in riparian areas a high priority during development. • Support alternative design standards that protect the LGU’s identified PCAs, such as conservation design, transfer of development density, or other zoning and site design techniques that achieve better protections or restoration of primary conservation areas. • Make permanent protection measures (such as public acquisition, conservation easement, deed restrictions, etc.) that protect PCAs a high priority. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-13 PRIMARY CONSERVATION AREA IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS • Ensure that information on the location of PCAs is readily available to property owners to understand how PCA-relevant ordinance requirements, such as vegetation management and land alteration permits, apply to their property for project planning and permitting. • Establish procedures and criteria for processing applications with potential impacts to PCAs, including: O Identifying the information that must be submitted and how it will be evaluated. O Determining appropriate mitigation procedures/methods for variances and CUPs. O Establishing evaluation criteria for protecting PCAs when a development site contains multiple types of PCAs and the total area of PCAs exceed the required set aside percentages. O Developing administrative procedures for integrating DNR and local permitting of riprap, walls and other hard armoring. PUBLIC RIVER CORRIDOR VIEWS GENERAL OVERVIEW The Mississippi River corridor contains some of the most iconic and cherished scenic vistas in Minnesota and is one of the reasons the corridor was designated a critical area. Public river corridor views (PRCVs) are views toward the river from public places such as parkland, historic properties, and public overlooks. PRCVs also include views toward bluffs from the ordinary high water level of the opposite shore, as seen during summer months. The City has very few opportunities to view the river from public places. There is quite a distance to the river from public rights of way, and much of the land along the river is privately held. Additionally,While public views of the bluffs located within Spring Lake Park from the opposite shore are obstructed by Grey Cloud Island, it is important to take into consideration the impact of development on views of the bluffs by users of the Mississippi as well as points across the river that are higher than the shoreline. The City has identified a significant public view from a site in the western portion of Spring Lake Park Reserve. Because public views of the river are so limited in number, preserving this view is important. Shaar’s Bluff is visible from that location, and expansion of Spring Lake Park would help maintain the view from this point along the river. This PRCV is illustrated in the following photos and map. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-14 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-15 PUBLIC RIVER CORRIDOR VIEW POLICIES • Protect and minimize impacts to PRCVs from public and private development activities. • Protect and minimize impacts to PRCVs from public and private vegetation management activities. • Protect PRCVs located within the community and identified by other communities (adjacent or across the river). PUBLIC RIVER CORRIDOR VIEW IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS • Ensure that information on the location of PRCVs is readily available to property owners to understand how PRCV-relevant ordinance requirements, such as vegetation management and land alteration permits, apply to their property for project planning and permitting. • Establish procedures for processing applications with potential impacts to PRCVs, including: o identifying the information that must be submitted and how it will be evaluated, o developing visual analysis approach for CUPs for additional height in the RTC and UM districts (if applicable), as well as for proposed PUDs and variances, and o determining appropriate mitigation procedures/methods for variances and CUPs. • Actively communicate with other communities to protect views other communities have identified in Rosemount that are valuable, and vice versa. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-16 RESTORATION PRIORITIES Restoration measures are often needed to maintain resource integrity and water quality. Development and redevelopment activities represent opportunities to restore natural vegetation, prevent erosion and stabilize slopes. Most of the areas identified as vegetation restoration priorities are related to existing industrial uses and ponding within those sites. Banks and slopes are generally stable and in a natural state, so erosion has not been an issue within the MRCCA. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-17 RESTORATION POLICIES • Protect native and existing vegetation during the development process, and require restoration if any is removed by development. Priorities for restoration shall include stabilization of erodible soils, riparian buffers and bluffs or steep slopes visible from the river. • Seek opportunities to restore vegetation to protect and enhance PRCVs identified in this plan. • Seek opportunities to restore vegetation in restoration priority areas identified in this plan through the CUP, variance, vegetation permit and subdivision/PUD processes. • Sustain and enhance ecological functions (habitat value) during vegetation restorations. • Evaluate proposed development sites for erosion prevention and bank and slope stabilization issues and require restoration as part of the development process. MRCCA USES SURFACE WATER USES Much of the surface water uses in the community involve barge traffic on the main channel and, to a lesser degree, recreational boating. While there is barge traffic on the river, no barge fleeting areas are located within Rosemount. Spring Lake comprises a large percentage of the surface water within the MRCCA boundaries in Rosemount, and it is within this area that much of the fishing and waterfowl hunting take place. Because so much of the surface water within the City consists of backwaters, few conflicts exist among the different uses. WATER-ORIENTED USES With the exception of some agriculture and residential uses, the land uses within the MRCCA are industrial in nature. Both Flint Hills Resources and CF Industries include water-oriented uses in the form of barge terminals. These uses are important for the transportation of goods and materials to and from their associated facilities. Barge transport reduces the demands on roadways for the purposes of shipping. For the purposes of implementation, these uses will be provided for in the City ordinance. Policies for the Management of Water-oriented Uses • Acknowledge existing and future water-oriented uses and provide for their protection. • Minimize potential conflict of water-oriented uses with other land uses. OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES The Mississippi River is a tremendous resource that is underutilized for its recreational, scenic and environmental values. In addition to the county’s ongoing improvements at Spring Lake Park Reserve, the City supports additional trails connecting various points of interest. Map 3.3:Regional Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-18 Park System (pg. 3-19) identifies the location of future trails as well as the location of Spring Lake Park. In addition to the County-owned parkland, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources owns the islands in the Mississippi River and Spring Lake. Open spaces that are designated as permanent by some public or private action are encouraged by the City. Although no active plan or program is in place at the City for acquisition, opportunities will be evaluated in the future. Cooperation with existing property owners is key to achieve more common open spaces in the Corridor. Critical Area open space guidelines are addressed in the city’s park plan(s). Policies • Encourage creation, connection, and maintenance of open space, recreational facilities, including public access to the river; • Require land dedication to be located in the Mississippi River Corridor when a park dedication is required of development within the Mississippi River Corridor. If a developer provides cash in lieu of land, it should be used by the City to purchase open space or other public services that enhance the use or enjoyment of the Mississippi River Corridor; • Increase opportunities for Rosemount residents and others to use the Mississippi River Corridor as a recreational, cultural and historic resource; • Promote the use and enjoyment of Spring Lake Park for active and passive recreational uses; • Cooperate with adjacent communities, Dakota County, MnDOT and other jurisdictions to develop a park and trail system better connecting Rosemount to adjoining communities and other points of interest. TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES The proposed transportation and utility systems do not significantly differ from existing conditions. The City currently has no major infrastructure improvements planned for the MRCCA. Recreational facilities such as trails are discussed in the recreation element of the Land Use section. There are no existing or planned power generating facilities in the Critical Corridor Area, nor are there any electrical transmission facilities or pipelines. Roadways Three public roadways are located in the Critical Area: State Trunk Highway 55, Pine Bend Trail, and Fahey Avenue. Highway 55 is heavily utilized by commercial and passenger traffic and serves as a major route between the Twin Cities and Hastings. Pine Bend Trail and Fahey Avenue serve local needs. A map of these roadways can be found in Figure 1. Jurisdictional Classification of Chapter 8: Transportation. Within the City of Rosemount, Highway 55 is also part of The Great River Road - a national scenic and recreational highway that travels from the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-19 No short-term changes from the existing conditions are planned. A realignment of County Road 42 with State Highway 55 is identified in a draft County Highway 42 Corridor Study. If implemented, Highway 55 may be turned back to the City or County with a possible north/south realignment in the Critical Corridor as a frontage road directly east of Highway 52 (See Figure 3.8-F). Private roadways are permitted within the industrial area for service and emergency access, and materials transport. These will be constructed on an as-needed basis, subject to City Ordinances. Railways United Pacific (UP) Railroad operates a long spur extending south from Inver Grove Heights to various industrial users, all of which are operated on an irregular schedule. No major changes are anticipated to the rail system. Critical Area Transportation and Utility Policies • Minimize impacts to PCAs and PRCVs from solar and wind generation facilities, public transportation facilities and public utilities. • Route new utility crossings along existing utility corridors; • Place new and existing utilities underground whenever possible; • Locate future utility transmission lines within existing right-of-way; • Continue to support the utilization of the river for commercial and recreational needs; • Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR and other agencies to accommodate barge traffic and minimize conflict between commercial and recreational uses; and • Site, design, and construct future roadways, railways, utilities and other improvements that are consistent with the City’s Critical Area plan and ordinances, provide safe pedestrian crossings, enable reasonable use of land between the river and the transportation facility, and do not stimulate incompatible development. KEY ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES The City of Rosemount does not anticipate extensive development taking place within the Mississippi River Corridor during the next twenty years. The biggest opportunity will be the continued collaboration with Dakota County on completing the Mississippi River Regional Trail connection between the Spring Lake Park West Trail Head and the termination of the trail 2.7 miles to the west. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-20 POLICIES In addition to policies found throughout this section, the following policies shall also guide land use decisions and water management practices within the Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area: 1. Provide for the continued economic use and development of the Mississippi River Corridor where appropriate within theby guiding land use and development within the Urban Diversified District in a manner that will not prematurely require urban services, and will be consistent with resource protection and open space policies of this plan; 2. Work with owners to minimize the negative impact of existing uses and structures on the Critical Area; 3. Cooperate with the City of Inver Grove Heights, City of Hastings, Nininger Township, Ravenna Township, and State Historic Preservation Office to identify, preserve, enhance and promote significant historical and cultural sites within the Mississippi River Corridor; 4. Increase opportunities for Rosemount residents and others to use the Mississippi River Corridor as a recreational, cultural and historic resource; 5. Cooperate with adjacent communities, Dakota County, MnDOT and other jurisdictions to develop a park and trail system better connecting Rosemount to adjoining communities and other points of interest; 6. Enforce the adopted minimum development standards as part of the Mississippi River Corridor District to minimize site disturbance and regulate the maximum amount of impervious surface allowed on each lot, setback from bluffline, placement of roads and parking areas, alteration of natural slopes, buffering and screening, and enforcement procedures; 7. Minimize the impact on wildlife, vegetation, beaches and riverbanks of barge terminals, pipes, conveyors, and other physical barriers and improvements that connect barges to upland buildings; 8. Enforce the Water Resources Management Ordinance and Shoreland Management Ordinance to ensure that the river, wetlands, ponding areas, and natural drainage courses are managed, protected and restored; 9. Support Dakota County in efforts to protect natural resources, such as wildlife, plants, water quality and floodplain areas of Spring Lake Park; 10. Reduce the use of chemicals for fertilizer and pest control in agricultural and residential areas and on public lands, which would support sustainable land treatment activities and integrated pest management practices. 10. Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-21 IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS 1. Official Document Updates • Adopt the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Plan as an element of the Comprehensive Plan; • Amend the zoning map to reflect new MRCCA districts; • Amend the Critical Area Ordinance to reflect the new Mississippi River Corridor standardsexisting MRCCA ordinance overlay district compliant with the goals and policies of the MRCCA Plan and Minnesota Rules, part 6106.0070, Subp.5 – Content of Ordinances. • Incorporate specific design and placement conditions into local permits for solar and wind generation facilities and essential and transmission services that minimize impacts to PCAs and PRCVs. • Provide for water-oriented uses in the City Ordinance. • 2. MRCCA Ordinance Administration • Forward all development plans requiring discretionary action (i.e. variances, conditional use permits) to the DNR prior to taking action on each application. • • Develop a system for reviewing, tracking, and monitoring open space required as part of the subdivision process. 3. Education and Outreach • Distribute the Mississippi River Corridor Plan to other agencies and industries working in Rosemount; • Establish a vegetation permitting process that includes permit review procedures to ensure consideration of restoration priorities identified in this plan in permit issuance, as well as standard conditions requiring vegetation restoration for those priority areas. • Establish process for evaluating priorities for natural vegetation restoration, erosion prevention and bank and slope stabilization, or other restoration priorities identified in the plan in CUP, variances and subdivision/PUD processes. • Develop materials to educate and promote the economic importance, history, natural resources, and recreation opportunities in the Mississippi River Corridor. 4. Capital Improvements • Cooperate with MnDOT, Dakota County, Inver Grove Heights, and Nininger Township in the development of the identified trail connections, in the mitigation of impacts Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.75", No bullets or numbering Formatted Formatted: List Paragraph, Bulleted + Level: 1 + Aligned at: 0.5" + Indent at: 0.75" Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5" Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", Space After: 0 pt Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Appendix A – MRCCA A-22 during road construction or realignment, and the consideration of pedestrian access to the river and to trails; • Incorporate local capital improvements, including parks and open spaces, within the Mississippi River Corridor into the City’s overall Capital Improvement Program. The Capital Improvement Program will be updated every two years in accordance with the Metropolitan Land Planning Act. After the Capital Improvement Plan is completed, it will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies with jurisdiction over the Mississippi River Corridor. Capital improvement projects shall be consistent with Critical Area standards and guidelines and the policies for river protection and enhancement that are adopted in this plan. 5. Specific Planning Efforts, Projects, and Other Initiatives • Work with the DNR, NPS and Flint Hills Resources on strategies to protect woodlands as identified on Figure 3.8-F and to provide for scenic or public access; and • Work with the Dakota County Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Office to preserve and protect historic and/or cultural resources and landscapes (similar to the Kaposia Village site in South Saint Paul) in consultation with affiliated Native American and other groups. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation C HAPTER 8: TRANSPORTATION Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation Table of Contents Vision for the Transportation System ………………………………………………1 Goals and Policies ………………………………………………………………......2 Roadway System ……………………………………………………………………6 Jurisdictional Classification ……………………………………………............6 Functional Classification ……………………………………………………..8 Programmed & Planned Improvements …………………………………….13 Roadway Characteristics……………………………………………………..19 Existing & Anticipated Roadway Capacity…………………………………...19 Future Capacity Deficiencies………………………………………………...22 Safety Issues………………………………………………………………....26 Recommended Roadway Improvements…………………………………….29 Right-of-Way Preservation…………………………………………………..29 Access Management………………………………………………………....31 Transit System……………………………………………………………………...32 Bicycling & Walking………………………………………………………………..41 Freight System……………………………………………………………………..49 Aviation……………………………………………………………………………52 Funding Strategies………………………………………………………………….53 Planning for the Future…………………………………………………………….54 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-1 VISION FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM The purpose of the Transportation Plan is to provide a means to better connect and achieve the goals of the community. This plan will outline the policy and program guidance needed to make appropriate transportation related decisions when development occurs, state when elements of the transportation system need to be upgraded and help forecast when transportation problems may occur. The Transportation Plan demonstrates how the City of Rosemount will provide for a transportation system integrated into the fabric of the community that will serve the future needs of its residents and businesses. It will also support the City’s development plans and complement the portion of the metropolitan transportation system that lies within the City’s boundaries. Rosemount is located in Dakota County, Minnesota, 23 miles southeast of downtown Minneapolis and 20 miles southwest of downtown Saint Paul. The City is adjacent to the Mississippi River to the east and US 52 (TH 52) is the only U.S. Highway that is in the City. Population and the economy is expected to grow making it important for the City to maintain and improve the transportation system in the future. The City encompasses 35 square miles and is bordered by Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Empire Township, Coates, Vermillion Township, Nininger Township, Cottage Grove, and Inver Grove Heights. The City of Rosemount maintains public roadways used by public transit, as well as some of the trails and sidewalks within the City. Maintaining and improving this multimodal transportation system is important to the health, safety and well-being of the community and local business. REPORT ORGANIZATION The Transportation Plan is organized into the following sections: • Goals and Policies • Roadway System Plan • Transit System Plan • Bicycling and Walking Plan • Freight System Plan • Aviation System Plan • Implementation Plan Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-2 GOALS AND POLICIES SUMMARY OF REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION GOALS Guidance for the development of the Transportation Plan is provided by the Metropolitan Council’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP), which identifies six broad goals for the regional transportation system. The six goals are paraphrased below: 1. Transportation System Stewardship: Providing sustainable investments in the transportation system which are protected by strategically preserving, maintaining and operating system assets. 2. Safety and Security: Ensuring the regional transportation system is safe and secure for all users. 3. Access to Destinations: Allowing people and businesses to prosper by using a reliable, affordable and efficient multimodal transportation system that connects them to destinations throughout the region and beyond. 4. Competitive Economy: Ensuring the regional transportation system supports the economic competitiveness, vitality and prosperity of the region and State. 5. Healthy Environment: Confirming the regional transportation system advances equity and contributes to communities’ livability and sustainability while protecting the natural, cultural, and developed environments. 6. Leveraging Transportation Investment to Guide Land Use: Leveraging the region’s transportation investments to guide land use and development patterns that advance the regional vision of stewardship, prosperity, livability, equity and sustainability. ROSEMOUNT GOALS The role of the Metropolitan Council, reflected above, is to coordinate large-scale transportation planning efforts to benefit the metropolitan region. As a metropolitan community, Rosemount’s role is to respond to Metropolitan Council’s initiatives and coordinate with adjacent communities, while addressing its local responsibility to improve the quality of life for its citizens. To respond to the above themes, as well as to serve economic activities and improve the quality of life in Rosemount, the City has adopted the following transportation policies. Transportation System Stewardship • Protect investments in the transportation system through strategic preservation, maintenance and operation of system assets. • New roadway facilities should be constructed in conjunction with new developments and designed according to the intended function. • Existing roadways should be upgraded when warranted by demonstrated volume, safety, or functional needs. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-3 • Consider traffic control improvements where appropriate to accommodate roadway capacity and reduce delay. • Prioritize maintenance for roadways based on surface conditions and other indicators of deterioration. • Maintenance assessments shall be considered when a facility requires reconstruction, and whether the removal or closure of the facility is a fiscally responsible alternative in certain instances. • Employ a variety of outreach tools to foster community engagement and eliminate barriers to public participation in transportation and land use planning, and ensure final plans reflect the values of Rosemount citizens. Safety and Security • Maximize the safety of the roadways for all users. • Use the appropriate access management guidelines to provide safe conditions on all road types. • Plan roadway projects with central consideration given to the roadway functional classification system. Access to Destinations • Improve access to destinations through improvement in transit and other modes of transportation. • Optimize capacity, operational and safety characteristics of the overall network. • Selectively expand the roadway system in order to relieve pressure from roads near or over capacity. • Review network needs assessment on an on-going basis regarding potential deficiencies. • Use the analysis and prioritization principals from this Plan as the basis for this review. Assess these needs against available funding. Competitive Economy • Invest in transportation improvements that will attract and retain businesses and workers within Rosemount and pursue design alternatives that reflect the values of its citizens. • Strengthen connections between work and activity centers. • Provide and protect efficient connections from major freight facilities to the regional highway system. • Coordinate with regional governments, transit agencies, and rideshare programs to capture the environmental and social costs of commuting and incentivize alternatives to single- occupancy vehicle trips. Healthy Environment • Encourage multimodal use by improving the safety and accessibility of all facilities. • Work with Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and the Metropolitan Council to maximize transit use and to coordinate potential transit facilities. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-4 • Provide off-road and on-road bike and pedestrian facilities improving the safety for all users of the road. • Integrate trail system with regional trail system and make connections to neighboring communities. Leveraging Transportation Investment to Guide Land Use • Utilize sound land use planning to promote multimodal travel alternatives compared to single- occupant vehicles, with a focus on strategic job activity, and industrial and manufacturing concentrations located on congested highway corridors served by regional transit service. • Improvements shall be staged to reflect projected growth needs and land use changes. • Strengthen first-mile and last-mile connections between transit stations and transit-oriented development. • Develop community partnerships to address the opportunities and challenges related to creating walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly places. MAJOR TRENDS AND INFLUENCING FACTORS Several social, economic, environmental and technological trends will affect Rosemount, as well as the entire Twin Cities metropolitan area, over the next 20 years. These include population growth, changes in household size, increases in the cost of conventional fuels coupled with transition to alternative fuel sources, the emergence of the ride hailing and similar alternative modes and various environmental efforts and concerns. With increased population growth and limited new or expanded transportation facilities, congestion on the regional highway system is expected to increase. Specific transportation issues Rosemount faces include: • Growing congestion on regional and county routes such as Robert Trail South, TH 52 and 160th Street West (County State Aid Highway 46) causing diversion of traffic to City roadways. • Increasing development requiring funding for road maintenance and expansion. • Changing transportation needs due to an aging population. • Increasing competition for space among modes such as vehicles and bicycle and pedestrian interests. • Declining financial resources needed to maintain and improve the transportation systems as costs are expected to increase. EMERGING AND DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES In addition to the issues cited above, several emerging technologies are anticipated to impact Rosemount and the rest of the Twin Cities metropolitan area within the 20-year planning horizon of Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-5 this Transportation Plan update. Emerging technologies include electric vehicles, connected vehicles, automated vehicles, and continued development of ride hailing systems such as Uber and Lyft. As a growing community and an expanding economy, Rosemount should experience some degree of impacts from these technologies in the next 20 years. The following discussion examines some of the potential implications of these technologies. Ride Hailing The emergence of mobile application-based ride hailing systems, beginning with Uber in 2009, has added another layer to transportation planning. While this technology has produced many positive effects such as bridging the last-mile connection to transit, currently it is difficult to integrate ride hailing systems into transportation system plans as private companies tend to tightly guard ridership data. One working study by researchers at the University of California Davis shows that most ride hailing users are more affluent, more urban, and younger than non-users. Further, the study concludes that ride hailing does not appear to have significantly decreased rates of vehicle ownership or vehicle miles traveled, and that it has correlated with reductions in bus ridership and light rail usage. Ride hailing tends to concentrate in urban areas. The degree to which this service continues to expand to rural areas like Rosemount will dictate future planning efforts. Connected Vehicles and Autonomous Vehicles Connected Vehicles (CVs) refers to vehicles that communicate with one another and with other elements of intelligent transportation infrastructure. Autonomous, automated, or self-driving vehicles (AVs) describes a spectrum of vehicles that require varying degrees of human control. Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) refers to both technologies, which are automated vehicles connected to other vehicles and the transportation system. There is a wide range of forecasted adoption scenarios for CV and AV technology. Analysts from the automotive industry tend to provide more conservative forecasts, while analysts from the technology world tend to be less conservative, with some forecasting heavy adoption by as early as 2030. Before widespread adoption occurs, there will be an extended period during which the developing CV and AV platform must coexist with human-operated personal vehicles, as well as with public transit, pedestrian users and other modes. In Metropolitan Council’s 2040 TPP, it is noted that the implications of connected and automated vehicles need to be thoroughly examined. As with many new transportation technologies, automated and connected vehicles are likely to penetrate urban markets prior to expanding to rural areas, especially if they are initially developed through a ride-hailing platform. Highway Capacity Implications Many analysts predict that widespread adoption of connected and automated vehicles will increase road capacity initially. Connected and automated vehicles are anticipated to require narrower lane widths than are needed for non-connected and automated vehicles. Reduced vehicle headways are also anticipated. Each of these factors would decrease congestion, however deployment of CVs and AVs will also lead to an increase in the number of zero-occupancy trips. Furthermore, travelers will Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-6 likely adjust their behavior in response to the new technology, which could increase congestion and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Parking Implications An increased share of autonomous vehicles could impact parking, both the amount needed and its location. With more AVs and fewer drivers, the location of parking could shift to the periphery of activity centers. Correspondingly, Rosemount could see the need to expand parking in some areas and retrofit underutilized surface parking in others. Plans to significantly expand parking should be thoroughly reviewed, as communities which have issued large bonds to meet current and projected parking demand could be challenged to recoup investment costs if demand decreases. Impacts to Other Modes In response to increased prominence of CV and AV technology, the role of regional and local transit providers could be reduced or become more specialized. As CV and AV technology is deployed in the Twin Cities, Rosemount and other communities will be faced with policy considerations as they look to promote equity for all transportation users and continue to provide a balanced transportation system. Electric Vehicles In October 2017, General Motors announced plans to release 20 electric vehicle models by 2023. This reflects a fundamental shift in the automobile industry vision of the future. While the first generation of electric vehicles remained expensive compared to their conventional vehicle counterparts, automakers aim to bring down the purchase price and increase profits by expanding electrical vehicle output. A growing fleet of electric vehicles would have implications for planning at all levels of government. For example, electric vehicles will require charging stations, which should be considered at public and private facilities in Rosemount’s land use planning and zoning ordinance. The placement of these charging stations should complement existing infrastructure, encourage equitable resource development and enhance intermodal connections. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles would require significant changes to highway funding programs. Most highway revenue is generated through fuel taxes. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles would necessitate changes to State and local revenue sources. Unlike other technologies discussed in this section, the proliferation of electric vehicles is not expected to be geographically dependent. Demand for electric vehicles in Rosemount is expected to be similar as in other areas. ROADWAY SYSTEM An efficient and well-planned roadway system will help the City of Rosemount meet future population growth and a growing economy. Rosemount currently has sufficient access to the regional transportation roadway system with TH 52, TH 55 and Robert Trail South South Robert Trail passing through the City. This section of the Transportation Plan identifies issues with the existing roadway system and recommends a plan for future roadway system improvements. The roadway system plan addresses jurisdictional issues, the functional classification system, future traffic Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-7 volumes, congestion, safety, future roadway system issues and improvements and key transportation policies. The existing roadway system in the City of Rosemount is shown in Figure 1. Jurisdictional Classification Jurisdiction over Rosemount’s roadway system is shared among three levels of government: Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Dakota County, and Rosemount. MnDOT maintains the Interstate and Trunk Highway (TH) systems. Dakota County maintains the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) and County Road (CR) systems, and the remaining streets and roadways are the responsibility of Rosemount, including Municipal State Aid (MSA) streets. Often the municipal boundaries separating Rosemount from adjacent cities fall within a roadway right-of-way, partnership with those adjacent cities is required to coordinate maintaining and improving these roadways. Figure 1 displays the jurisdictional classification of each roadway within Rosemount. Table 1 displays the number of roadway miles associated with each jurisdictional class. The jurisdictional classification system is intended to maintain a balance of responsibility among the agencies and is organized around the principle that the highest volume limited access roadway, which carry regional trips, are primarily maintained by MnDOT. The intermediate volume roadways that carry medium length trips are maintained by Dakota County. Lastly, the local street system that provides access to individual properties is maintained by the City. Table 1. Existing (2018) Roadway Miles by Jurisdictional Classification Jurisdictional Classification Miles Percent of Total Miles State Roadways 17.5 10% County Roadways 27.9 15% Municipal Roadways 123.9 69% Township Roadways 2.2 1% Private Roadways 8.3 5% Total 180 100% Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-8 Figure 1. Jurisdictional Classification Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-9 Functional Classification The functional classification system defines both the function and role of a roadway within the hierarchy of an overall roadway system. This system is used to create a roadway network that collects and distributes traffic from neighborhoods and ultimately to the State or Interstate highway system. Functional classification planning works to manage mobility, access, and alignment of routes as shown in Figure 2. Functional classification also seeks to align designations that match current and future land uses with the roadway’s purpose. A roadway’s functional classification is based on several factors, including: • Trip characteristics: length of route, type and size of activity centers, and route continuity • Access to regional population centers, activity centers, and major traffic generators • Proportional balance of access, ease of approaching or entering a location • Proportional balance of mobility and ability to move without restrictions • Continuity between travel destinations • Relationship with neighboring land uses • Eligibility for State and Federal funding Within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, the Metropolitan Council has established detailed criteria for roadway functional classifications, which are summarized in Table 2. The existing functional classification of roadways in Rosemount is shown in Figure 3 and a breakdown by mileage is provided in Table 3. Table 2. Metropolitan Council Roadway Functional Classifications Criteria Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Local Street Figure 2. Access and Mobility Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-10 Place Connections Interconnects metro centers and regional business concentrations Interconnects major trip generators Interconnects neighborhoods and minor business concentrations Interconnects blocks within neighborhoods and land parcels within commercial areas Spacing Developed areas: 2-3 miles Developing areas: 3-6 miles Developed areas: ½-1 mile Developing areas: 1-2 miles Developed areas: ¼- ¾ mile Developing areas: ½-1 mile As needed to access land uses Roadway Connections To interstates, principal arterials and selected minor arterials To interstates, principal arterials, other minor arterials, collectors and some local streets To minor arterials, other collectors and local streets To collectors, other local streets and a few minor arterials Mobility Highest High Moderate Low Access No direct property access Limited property access Property access is common Unrestricted property access Percent of Mileage 5-10% 15-25% 5-10% 65-80% Percent of Vehicle Miles Traveled 40-65% 15-40% 5-10% 10-30% Intersections Grade-separated or high-capacity intersection controls Traffic signals and cross street stops All-way stops and some traffic signals As required for safe operation Parking None Restricted as necessary Restricted as necessary Permitted as necessary Large Trucks No restrictions No restrictions Restricted as necessary Permitted as necessary Typical Average Daily Traffic 15,000-200,000 5,000-30,000 3,000-15,000 Less than 3,000 Posted Speed Limits 45-65 mph 40-50 mph 30-45 mph Maximum 30 mph Right-of-Way Width 100-300 feet 60-150 feet 60-100 feet 50-80 feet Transit Accommodations Priority access for transit in peak periods Preferential treatment where needed Designed for use by regular route buses Normally used as bus routes only in non-residential areas S ource: Metropolitan Council, 2040 Transportation Policy Plan, 2015. T his table summarizes characteristics for existing roadways to be used in evaluating functional classification and should not be used as design guidelines. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-11 Table 3. Existing (2018) Roadway Miles by Functional Classifications Functional Classification Miles Percent of Total Miles Principal Arterial 27.9 16% A Minor Expander 9.6 5% A Minor Connector 2.4 1% Other Arterial 2.0 1% Collector Roadways 29.1 16% Local Roadways 108.8 61% Total 180 100% Principal Arterials Principal arterials are part of the Metropolitan Highway System and provide high-speed mobility between the Twin Cities and important locations outside the metropolitan area. They are also intended to connect the central business districts of the two central cities with each other and with other regional business concentrations in the metropolitan area. These roadways, which are typically spaced from three to six miles apart, are generally constructed as limited access freeways in the urban area but may also be constructed as multiple-lane divided highways. In Rosemount, there are three principal arterials: TH 52, TH 55 and 145th Street East – 150th Street West (CSAH 42). These facilities are envisioned to continue functioning as principal arterials for the planned future of Rosemount. Minor Arterials Minor arterials also emphasize mobility over land access, serving to connect cities with adjacent communities and the metropolitan highway system. Major business concentrations and other important traffic generators are usually located on minor arterial roadways. In urbanized areas, one- half to two-mile spacing of minor arterials is considered appropriate, depending upon development density. “A” Minor arterials are defined by the Metropolitan Council as roadways of regional importance as they serve to relieve, expand or complement the principal arterial system. Consistent with Metropolitan Council guidelines, “A” Minor arterials are categorized into four types and are described in further detail below: • Relievers – Roadways that provide direct relief for metropolitan highway traffic; • Expanders – Roadways that provide a way to make connections between urban areas outside the I-494/I-694 beltway. • Connectors – Roadways that provide safe connections to communities at the edge of the urbanized area and in rural areas. • Augmenters – Roadways that enhance principal arterials within the I-494/I-694 beltway. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-12 Figure 3. Existing Functional Classification Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-13 A well-planned and adequately designed system of principal and A-minor arterials will allow the City’s overall street system to function the way it is intended and will discourage through traffic from using residential streets. Volumes on principal and minor arterial roadways are expected to be higher than on collector or local roadways. Providing the capacity for these higher volumes will keep volumes on other City streets lower. Collectors Collectors, as the term implies, collect and distribute traffic from neighborhoods and commercial areas. These roadways provide a critical link between local streets, which are designed for property access, and minor arterials, which are designed for mobility. Collector streets have an equal emphasis on land access and mobility. It is this category of roadways that the City of Rosemount has the greatest responsibility for since principal and minor arterials tend to be under the jurisdiction of either MnDOT or Dakota County. Table 4 provides a differentiation between minor and major collectors. Table 4. Characteristics of Minor and Major Collectors Criteria Minor Collector Major Collector Length Short, less than 1.5 miles Longer, 1.5 miles to three miles Travel Shed Limited to immediate neighborhood Larger area links more than one neighborhood Speeds Low Speed (30-35 mph) Medium Speed (35-45 mph) Access Private access permissible Private access discouraged, access is generally provided to higher trip generators (i.e., shopping centers, office buildings) Parking Usually allowed Some restrictions depending on traffic volumes Land Use Typically serves residential areas Residential, commercial or high employment concentrations Mobility Less emphasis on mobility and greater value on access More balance between mobility and access Transit May accommodate fixed route transit but less likely to be used as a route Should be designed to accommodate fixed route transit Spacing Closer spacing, contained within homogeneous neighborhoods to distribute trips Greater spacing, traverse’s distinct neighborhoods and land use types Example Roadways Pine Bend Trail, Autumn Path, 140th Street East Bonaire Path West, Connemara Trail, Biscayne Avenue Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-14 Local Streets Local streets provide access to adjacent properties and neighborhoods. Local streets are generally low speed and designed to discourage through traffic. All roadways in the City that are not included under the previous functional classifications above fall under the local road designation. PROGRAMMED & PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS Figure 4 identifies programmed roadway improvements from the City of Rosemount 2018-2027 Transportation Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the Dakota County 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and MnDOT’s 10 Year Capital Highway Improvement Plan (CHIP). Programmed improvements have advanced through the project funding programming process and have funds committed to the improvement in a designated year; while planned projects have been formally studied and/or included in a transportation plan but typically no financial commitments to fund the improvement have been made. Regional System The Regional roadway system improvements identified are consistent with the adopted MnDOT Metro District 10-Year Capital Highway Investment Plan (CHIP) 2018-2027 and the 2040 Metropolitan Council Transportation Policy Plan (TPP). Table 5. Regional Roadway System Improvements Roadway Project Extents Timeframe TH 55 Construct Turn Lanes 145th Street East (CSAH 42) Fahey Avenue 2018 Dakota County The following roadway capacity and safety improvements are identified in the Dakota County 2018- 2022 Transportation Capital Improvement Plan. In addition, the City has allocated CIP funds as matching funds for the Dakota County project(s). Table 6. Dakota County Roadway System Improvements Roadway Project Extents Timeframe 145th Street East Expansion At TH 52 2018 145th Street East Preservation At TH 55 Intersection 2018 McAndrews Road (CSAH 38) Expansion from 2 lanes to 3 lanes CSAH 31 Robert Trail South 2018 160th Street West (CSAH 46) Preservation CR 48 TH 61 2018 145th Street East Intersection Improvements TH 55 2018 Akron Avenue (CR 73) Pavement Construction Bonaire Path Northern City Limit 2020 Diamond Path (CSAH 33) Roundabout 140th Street Connemara Trail 2022 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-15 Rosemount The following roadway capacity and safety improvements are identified in the Rosemount 2018- 2027 Transportation Capital Improvement Plan. Proposed minor and major collectors outlined in Figure 4 have not been planned or programmed yet but are important connections for future development. Table 7. City of Rosemount’s Roadway System Improvements Roadway Project Extents Timeframe Bonaire Path E Pavement Construction Akron Avenue Anderson Drive 2019 Biscayne Ave Expansion Boulder Trail 160th Street West 2020 2040 Travel Demand Forecasts The pattern and intensity of travel within any City is directly related to the distribution and magnitude of households, population and employment within that community, in neighboring communities and in the region. Land use, travel patterns, population and employment change over time and affect the efficiency and adequacy of the transportation network. Expected changes in the City’s land use pattern, households, population and employment will be the basis for estimating future travel demand within the City of Rosemount. Land Use The City of Rosemount has a community designation of emerging suburban edge located within the Metropolitan Council’s urban service area. As the metropolitan area moves forward with a greater focus on multimodal transportation, new development and redevelopment in Rosemount will be constrained by the existing and future transportation system. The Transportation Plan is designed to assist the City in developing a transportation system that supports land use and provides safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout the City and greater region. Forecasted Socio-Economic Data Using the Land Use Guide Plan and development objectives as guidance, and with the assistance of the Metropolitan Council, the City has estimated existing and future population, employment and households for sub-areas of the City called Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs). This information was required to complete the traffic forecasting procedures used to estimate future traffic volumes. Detailed TAZ information can be referenced in the appendix. Comment [JP1]: You could insert the exact name of the appendix if wanted “Appendix A”. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-16 Table 8. Socioeconomic Data Year Population Households Employment 2010 21,874 7,587 6,721 2020 25,900 9,300 9,900 2030 31,700 11,600 11,500 2040 38,000 14,000 13,100 Source: Metropolitan Council, 2018 Forecast 2040 Traffic Volumes Estimated 2040 traffic forecasts for the City of Rosemount were prepared using the future population, households and employment data outlined above. These forecasts are an essential analytical tool to determine the adequacy of the roadway system to handle future development, as anticipated by the City of Rosemount and the Metropolitan Council. In addition to the planned and programmed roadway projects identified in Figure 4, the traffic forecast model accounts for future planned improvements that are in the Metropolitan Council’s 2040 TPP for regional highways outside Rosemount. The existing traffic volumes are shown in Figure 5 and results of the 2040 traffic forecasts are shown in Figure 6. ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS Roadways in Rosemount are made up of a variety of road types from two-lane undivided urban roads to four-lane rural expressways as identified in Figure 7. The eastern western portion of the City, where a greater proportion of the population resides, is made up of many urban, undivided roadways which are designed for slower speeds and multiple modes of travel including transit, walking and bicycling. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-17 Figure 4. Planned and Programmed Improvement Comment [JP2]: New figure Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-18 Figure 5. Existing Traffic Volumes Formatted: Font: (Default) Garamond, 12 pt, Bold Formatted: Normal Formatted: Font: (Default) Garamond, 12 pt, Bold Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-19 Figure 6. Forecast 2040 Traffic Volumes Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-20 EXISTING & ANTICIPATED ROADWAY CAPACITY Congestion on the roadway system is judged to exist when the ratio of traffic volume to roadway capacity (v/c ratio) approaches or exceeds 1.0. The ratio of volume to capacity provides a measure of congestion along a stretch of roadway and can help determine where roadway improvements, access management, transit services, or demand management strategies need to be implemented. It does not, however, provide a basis for determining specific intersection improvement needs. Table 9 provides a method to evaluate roadway capacity. For each facility type, the typical planning- level annual average daily traffic (AADT) capacity ranges and maximum AADT volume ranges are listed. These volume ranges are based upon guidance from the Highway Capacity Manual, discussions with the Metropolitan Council and professional engineering judgment. A range is used since the maximum capacity of any roadway design (v/c = 1) is a theoretical measure that can be affected by its functional classification, traffic peaking characteristics, access spacing, speed, and other roadway characteristics. “Daily capacity” of a facility is defined by the top of each facility type’s volume range. This allows for capacity improvements that can be achieved by roadway performance enhancements. Table 9. Planning Level Roadway Capacities by Facility Type Facility Type Planning Level Daily Capacity Ranges (AADT) Under Capacity Approaching Capacity Over Capacity LOS A B C D E F 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.85 1.0 >1.0 Two-lane undivided urban 8,000 – 10,000 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,500 10,000 > 10,000 Two-lane undivided rural 14,000 – 15,000 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,750 15,000 > 15,000 Two-lane divided urban (Three-lane) 14,000 – 17,000 3,400 6,800 10,200 14,450 17,000 > 17,000 Four-lane undivided urban 18,000 – 22,000 4,400 8,800 13,200 18,700 22,000 > 22,000 Four-lane undivided rural 24,000 – 28,000 5,600 11,200 16,800 23,800 28,000 > 28,000 Four-lane divided urban (Five-lane) 28,000 – 32,000 6,400 12,800 19,200 27,200 32,000 > 32,000 Four-lane divided rural 35,000 – 38,000 7,600 15,200 22,800 32,300 38,000 > 38,000 Four-lane expressway rural 45,000 9,000 18,000 27,000 38,250 45,000 > 45,000 Four-lane freeway 60,000 – 80,000 16,000 32,000 48,000 68,000 80,000 > 80,000 Six-lane freeway 90,000 – 120,000 24,000 48,000 72,000 102,000 120,000 > 120,000 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-21 Figure 7. Existing (2018) Roadway Characteristics Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-22 Level of Service (LOS) Level of Service (LOS), as related to highways and local roadways, categorizes the different operating conditions that occur on a lane or roadway when accommodating various traffic volumes. It is a qualitative measure of the effect of traffic flow factors, such as speed and travel time, interruption, freedom to maneuver, driver comfort and convenience, and indirectly, safety and operating costs. It is expressed as levels of service “A” through “F.” Level “A” is a condition of free traffic flow where there is little or no restriction in speed or maneuverability caused by presence of other vehicles. Level “F” is a facility operating at a no or a low speed with many stoppages, with the highway acting as a storage area as indicated in Table 10. The following section describes LOS and further relates the correlation between LOS and planning- level roadway capacities, helping better understand the operations and capacity level on existing roadways. Table 10. Level of Service Definitions Level of Service (LOS) Traffic Flow Vehicle/Capacity Ratio Description A Free Flow Below Capacity 0.20 Low volumes and no delays B Stable Flow Below Capacity 0.40 Low volumes and speed dictated by travel conditions C Stable Flow Below Capacity 0.60 Speeds and maneuverability closely controlled due to higher volumes D Restricted Flow Near Capacity 0.85 Higher density traffic restricts maneuverability and volumes approaching capacity E Unstable Flow Approaching Capacity 1.0 Low speeds, considerable delays, and volumes at or slightly over capacity F Forced Flow Over Capacity >1.0 Very low speeds, volumes exceed capacity, and long delays with stop-and-go traffic Existing Capacity Deficiencies Using the methodology described above, existing capacity deficiencies were identified by comparing existing AADT volumes and roadway characteristics in Figure 7 to the thresholds noted in Table 9. Results of this analysis were mapped to identify roadways that currently exhibit capacity deficiencies. Roadway segments are defined as overcapacity if the volume-to-capacity ratio is at or above 1.0, which signifies that a segment of road has observed volumes which exceed its design capacity. Based on this analysis, the road segments that currently approach or exceed their design capacity are identified in Figure 8. Roadway segments are defined as near capacity if the volume-to-capacity ratio is at or above 0.85. Roadways approaching capacity are identified in Table 11. There are no existing roadways over a capacity of 1.0. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-23 Table 11. Roadways Approaching Capacity (2018) Roadway V/C Extents TH 55 0.91 Fahey Avenue City Limits (East) TH 55 0.85 Pine Bend Trail Doyle Path 160th Street West 0.85 Akron Avenue Angus Avenue Congestion on the Regional Highway System The Metropolitan Freeway System Congestion Report is prepared annually by the Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) to documents segments of the freeway system that experience recurring congestion. While the area included in this report is outside of the Rosemount City boundary, residents of the City are still impacted by congestion in the metro area during their commute to work or other destinations. According to the 2016 Metropolitan Freeway System Congestion Report there is congestion on I-35 and TH 77 during the AM and PM peak periods. During the AM peak period, I-35 has significant congestion northbound past the I-35E and I-35W split. Congestion continues north. TH 77 also has congestion in the AM peak, most significantly near I-35E. During the PM peak period, the report shows no recurring congestion near Rosemount with most of the congestion happening closer to Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I-494 westbound from I-35E to TH 52 has some congestion. There is no congestion reported on TH 52 during either the PM or AM periods. FUTURE CAPACITY DEFICIENCIES Future capacity deficiencies were identified by comparing future (2040) AADT volumes and roadway characteristics in Figure 7 to the thresholds noted in Table 9. Results of this analysis were mapped to identify roadways that are forecasted to exhibit capacity deficiencies. Based on this analysis, the road segments that currently approach or exceed their design capacity are identified in Figure 9. Roadway segments are defined as near capacity if the volume-to-capacity ratio is at or above 0.85 are identified in Table 13. Roadway segments over a volume to capacity ratio of 1.0 are summarized in Table 12. Table 12. Roadways Over Capacity (2040) Roadway V/C Extents TH 55 1.42 Fahey Avenue City Limits (East) Robert Trail South 1.35 Canada Avenue West 150th Street West Diamond Path 1.32 150th Street West Upper 148th Street West TH 55 1.25 145th Street West Fahey Avenue Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-24 TH 55 1.19 ½ Mile South of MN 55 Split Doyle Path Robert Trail South 1.00 124th Street West Biscayne Avenue Table 13. Roadways Approaching Capacity (2040) Roadway V/C Extents Akron Avenue 0.93 Bonaire Path East 124th Court West TH 52 0.91 TH 52 Split 140th Street East 145th Street West 0.89 Cobalt Avenue Cimarron Avenue West 160th Street West 0.87 Station Trail Angus Avenue Robert Trail South 0.86 Connemara Trail Bonaire Path West The methodology described above is a planning-level analysis that uses average daily traffic volumes and is not appropriate for all traffic conditions. For example, traffic conditions that do not fit the average daily traffic criteria (e.g., weekend travel, holiday travel, special events, etc.) are likely to produce different levels of congestion. Additionally, factors such as the amount of access and roadway geometrics may influence capacity. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-25 Figure 8. Existing (2018) V/C Ratio Deficiencies Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-26 Figure 9. Forecasted (2040) V/C Ratio Deficiencies Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-27 SAFETY ISSUES Roadway safety is a top priority of the future investment and design of roadways in Rosemount. MnDOT maintains a statewide database of crash records. These records identify the location, severity and circumstances associated with each crash. This dataset was reviewed to identify the number, location and severity of crashes on roadways, excluding Interstate highways, in the City of Rosemount for the years 2011-2015 (see Table 14). A majority of the crashes were located in the western portion of the City where much of the population resides. The intersections with the highest frequency of crashes are located in urban locations at busy intersections. Intersections with the four highest crash frequencies are on 150th Street (CSAH 42) and are signalized. 150th Street has a total of 6 of the top 10 highest crash locations. From 2011 – 2015, there were 3 fatalities and 15 incapacitating injuries on roadways in Rosemount. These fatalities were on high speed highways while the incapacitating injuries occurred on both highways and local roads as identified in Figure 10. These intersections were also evaluated using MnDOT’s crash rate methodology, shown in Table 15. Per MnDOT, a critical index of 1.00 or less indicates performance within statewide trends. Critical index above 1.00 indicates that the intersection operates outside of an expected range. Table 14. Crash Data Summary: 2011-2015 Year Fatal Personal Injury Crashes Property Damage Total Crashes Type A Incapacitating Injury Type B Non- Incapacitating Injury Type C Possible Injury 2011 0 4 13 50 155 222 2012 0 7 22 29 157 215 2013 0 1 14 35 148 198 2014 0 2 18 46 159 225 2015 3 1 12 49 153 218 Totals 3 15 79 209 772 1,078 As shown below, the majority of the crash hotspots are at signalized intersections. MnDOT’s Traffic Safety Fundamentals Handbook (2015) recommends the following strategies to reduce frequency and severity of intersection crashes: • Use of multiphase signal operation combined with left turn lanes • Provide a coordinated signal system along urban arterials • Use overhead indications – one per through lane mounted at the center of each lane • Provide dilemma zone protection and optimize clearance intervals Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-28 • Use advance warning flashers to supplement static signs where a signal may be unexpected • Pedestrian indications including the use of countdown timers Additionally, an intersection traffic control change such as a roundabout or grade separation can also be considered. Roundabouts usually have less crashes than a traditional intersection. However, more importantly, the types of crashes associated with roundabouts tend to be less severe. Grade separation at an intersection would provide the greatest reduction in intersection conflict points which would most likely reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. A more detailed intersection traffic study will need to be completed to determine the appropriate traffic control type. Table 15: Top 10 Intersection Crash Locations 2011-2015 (By Frequency of Crashes) Intersection Severity Traffic Control Critical Index All Crashes Critical Index Fatal & Type A Fatal Type A Type B Type C Property Damage 1. 150th Street W (CSAH 42) - Robert Trail S 0 0 5 8 49 Signal 1.89 0.00 2. 150th Street W - Chippendale Ave W 0 1 2 16 35 Signal 1.92 0.90 3. 150th Street W - Diamond Path 0 0 4 11 35 Signal 1.64 0.00 4. 150th Street W - Shannon Pkwy 0 0 1 11 34 Signal 1.48 0.00 5. Connemara Trail - Robert Trail S 0 1 4 13 27 Signal 2.01 0.99 6. 145th Street E -TH 55 0 1 2 10 24 Thru/Stop 2.45 0.65 7. 145th Street - Robert Trail S 0 0 3 11 19 Signal 1.13 0.00 8. TH 52 - TH 55 0 1 0 11 17 None 2.03 1.09 9. 150th Street W - Biscayne Ave 1 2 4 4 17 Thru/Stop 2.10 2.88 10. 150th Street W - 145th Street W 0 1 3 5 18 Thru/Stop 2.25 1.00 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-29 Figure 10. Most Recent (2011-2015) Crash Data Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-30 RECOMMENDED ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS Future roadway improvements designed to address system connectivity, continuity, congestion and safety issues are planned and recommended for the roadway system in the City of Rosemount. Recommended roadway improvements are shown in Figure 11 and are derived from the combination of system needs and the intended function of each roadway as it relates to the adjacent supporting land use. It should be noted that improvements discussed in this section do not include spot intersection improvements or trails. The determination of which projects will be built, and their proper sequencing, will be determined through each jurisdictions programming process that considers the estimated cost of each project, available financing and coordination with other projects. Robert Trail South is forecasted to be over capacity by the year 2040. Although the road may be expanded beyond the city border, it isn’t currently being planned for expansion within the City of Rosemount because of a lack of right-of-way space and because it would have a negative impact on downtown. It isn’t a recommended lane expansion project because it is constrained by a lack of space and because an expansion would have a negative impact on the downtown environment. There is minimal right-of-way available near the roadway alignment. To help mitigate thistraffic, the City will be expanding Akron Aavenue, giving drivers another option to drive from north to south. City of Rosemount Roadways The City will be a partner in all recommended roadway improvements on County and State highways. Dakota County Roadways These improvements are on the regional highway system and are primarily Dakota County’s responsibility. The timing of these projects is uncertain. • Akron Avenue (County Road 73): Realigned and improved to a 3-lane divided highway. • Diamond Path (CSAH 33) from 150th Street West (CSAH 42) to 145th Street West: Improve to a 3-lane divided roadway MnDOT These improvements are on the regional highway system and are primarily MnDOT's responsibility. The timing of these projects is uncertain. • TH 55 from the TH 55 / TH 52 split to the eastern City limits: Improve to a 4-lane divided roadway RIGHT-OF-WAY PRESERVATION Right-of-way (ROW) is a valuable public asset. Therefore, it needs to be protected and managed to respect the roadway’s intended function, while serving the greatest public good. Rosemount will need to reconstruct, widen and construct new roadway segments to meet future capacity and connectivity demands due to its current and anticipated growth. Such improvements will require that Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-31 adequate ROW be maintained or secured. The City will coordinate with MnDOT and Dakota County for ROW acquisition along county or state routes. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-32 Figure 11. Recommended Roadway Capacity Improvements Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-33 ACCESS MANAGEMENT Access management is an important aspect of providing a safe and efficient roadway network. Access management measures include: • Providing adequate spacing between access points and intersecting streets to separate and reduce conflicts • Limiting the number of driveway access points to reduce conflicts • Aligning access with other existing access points • Sharing access points, through internal connectivity between property owners • Encouraging indirect access rather than direct access to high volume arterial roads • Constructing parallel roads and frontage roads • Consider all modes of transportation, including nearby transit routes, when making access management decisions for all roads • Implementing sight distance guidelines to improve safety • Using channelization to manage and control turning movements • Meeting these requirements while also maintaining appropriate access to local businesses Access review is a major aspect of the City’s project review process. The goal is to maintain the safety and capacity of the City’s roadways while providing adequate land access. Mobility is the ability to get from one place to another. Most roadways serve accessibility and mobility functions to some degree based on their functional classification. The four levels of functional classification and their corresponding mobility and access traits are as follows: • Principal arterials have the highest mobility with no direct land access • Minor arterials have high mobility with limited land access • Collector streets have moderate mobility with some land access • Local streets have low mobility with minimal restrictions on land access The City will continue to support MnDOT’s and Dakota County’s Access Management guidelines on the roadway network in the City through the measures list above. MnDOT’s Highway Access Category System and Spacing Guidelines can be found at: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/accessmanagement/resources.html Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-34 TRANSIT SYSTEM Transit is an important piece of the transportation system in a community. It provides another option for people to get to their destination without the use of a vehicle. Transit helps build a comprehensive, equitable, and environmentally friendly transportation system. Transit is a vital element in the transportation network as it: • Provides vulnerable populations access to services in the area, including those who cannot afford a personal vehicle, people who cannot drive, and senior citizens. • Provides opportunities for people who prefer an alternative to automobile travel. • Removes a portion of existing and future automobile traffic from the roadway, reducing travel time and congestion for everyone on the roadway. • Reduces air pollution for those living near the roadway and reduces greenhouse gas emissions helping mitigate climate change The City of Rosemount is committed to supporting and preserving existing transit services and facilities in the City and seeking ways to improve the transit system. Rosemount is a growing City and current and future residents will need a variety of transportation services available to meet their needs. As the population in the metro area continues to grow, demand will increase for new ways to get to destinations in Rosemount and in the surrounding areas including Minneapolis and St. Paul. Although the City does not have direct responsibility for the operation of services or the provision of facilities, the City can advocate for better service while promoting more transit supportive land use patterns as sections of the City redevelop. This chapter identifies the existing services, facilities, and programs within the City of Rosemount, suggests improvements, and discusses the City’s role in supporting the transit system. TRANSIT MARKET AREAS Rosemount is a growing suburb south of the Twin Cities with its population expected to grow almost 50% by 2040. Transit service and facilities will need to be put in place to meet this increase in demand. As indicated in Figure 12 much of the growth is occurring along the western side of the City where the Metropolitan Council has identified it as Market Area III. Land use plans should be integrated with these market areas to shape development near transit that supports a walkable and transit friendly environment. The majority of the City east of Market Area III is considered Market Area V and is planned to have less reliance on transit. Table 16 provides further descriptions and characteristics of the Market Areas established by the Metropolitan Council. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-35 Table 16. Metropolitan Council Transit Market Service Areas Market Area Propensity to Use Transit Service Characteristics Typical Transit Service Presence in Rosemount I Highest potential for transit ridership Frequency: 15-30 min most modes Dense network of local routes with highest levels of service accommodating a wide variety of trip purposes. Limited stop service supplements local routes where appropriate. None Span: early to late, seven days a week Access: ½ mi between routes II Approximately 1/2 ridership potential of Market Area I Frequency: 15-60 min most modes Similar network structure to Market Area I with reduced level of service as demand warrants. Limited stop services are appropriate to connect major destinations. None Span: morning to night, seven days a week Access: one mile between routes III Approximately 1/2 ridership potential of Market Area II Frequency: 15-60 min most modes Primary emphasis is on commuter express bus service. Suburban local routes providing basic coverage. General public dial-a-ride complements fixed route in some cases. Primarily located west of Akron Avenue and south of McAndrews Road Span: peak times, occasional weekends Access: varies on development patterns IV Approximately 1/2 ridership potential of Market Area III Frequency: three trips per peak express bus Peak period express service is appropriate as local demand warrants. General public dial-a-ride services are appropriate. None Span: peak times Access: usually at large nodes, if at all V Lowest potential for transit ridership Frequency: 30 minutes, Commuter Rail Not well-suited for fixed- route service. Primary emphasis is on general public dial-a-ride services. The primary designation in Rosemount. Located east of Akron Avenue Span: n/a Access: n/a Emerging Market Overlay Varies, typically matches surrounding Market Area Varies Varies. Typically matches surrounding Market Area. None Source: Metropolitan Council, 2040 Transportation Policy Plan, 2015 Formatted: Subtitle Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-36 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-37 EXISTING TRANSIT SERVICES AND FACILITIES The City of Rosemount is currently served by three transit services: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), Metro Transit, and Dakota Area Resources and Transportation for Seniors (DARTS). MVTA is the only transit provider in the City that offers fixed-route transit services. DARTS, the Metropolitan Council, and Transit Link and Metro Transit offer demand responsive services where regular route transit service is infrequent or unavailable and service for seniors and people with a disability or health condition. MTVA serves as the public transportation agency for Rosemount and surrounding municipalities in Dakota and Scott County, and operates the Metro Transit Red Line under contract to the Metropolitan Council. Fixed-Route Transit Service Fixed-route transit service includes both local and express bus services that operate on a regular schedule and follow consistent routes. Fixed-route transit service in Rosemount is provided primarily by MVTA, which serves as the public transportation agency for five seven suburbs in Dakota and Scott Counties. Table 17 describes the characteristics of the routes serving the City of Rosemount. Table 17. Fixed Route Service in Rosemount Route Provider Type Cities Served Service Times Frequency 420 MVTA Local Rosemount, Apple Valley Weekdays, bi-directional 30-60 min 476 MVTA Express Bus Rosemount, Apple Valley, Minneapolis Peak only, weekdays, bi-directional 15-30 min 478 MVTA Express Bus Rosemount, Minneapolis Peak only, weekdays, bi-directional 15-30 min 484 MVTA Express Bus Rosemount, Saint Paul Peak only, weekdays, bi-directional 2 trips The western portion of Rosemount is served by four transit routes that move customers between Rosemount, Apple Valley, Downtown Minneapolis, and Downtown Saint Paul. Trips are concentrated throughout the peak times, Monday through Friday and weekend service is available on Route 420 and there is no regular weekend service. Connection to the Red Line in Apple Valley and to Dakota County Technical College is via Route 420 and can be accessed throughout the day, Monday through Friday. Express Routes Express service operates during peak periods and is designed to connect commuters to job centers. In Rosemount, these routes pickup at the Rosemount Transit Station and at roadside bus stops and Formatted: Normal Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-38 operate closed door to the downtown area. The route from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Rosemount picks up at designated bus stops in Downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Express Routes that service neighborhoods before going to job centers expect passengers to flag down the bus at stops or any safe corner along the route. These are known as “flag stops.” MVTA ROUTE 476 The express route 476 serves portions of Apple Valley and Rosemount and connects to downtown Minneapolis. The route has fixed stops at set times and minimal stops throughout Rosemount and Apple Valley. This route has both southbound and northbound service during the morning and evening rush hours. MVTA ROUTE 478 The express route 478 is direct service between Rosemount and downtown Minneapolis. The route has fixed stops at set times and minimal stops on to its connection with downtown Minneapolis. This route has both southbound and northbound service during the morning and evening rush hours. MVTA ROUTE 484 The express route 484 is direct service between Rosemount and downtown Saint Paul. The route has fixed stops at set times and minimal stops on to its connection with downtown Saint Paul. This route has both southbound and northbound service during the morning and evening rush hours. Local Routes MVTA ROUTE 420 The Flex route 420 is a flexible route serving portions of Apple Valley and Rosemount. The route is designed to allow passengers to board at fixed stops at set times, and to deviate off-route to serve individuals within the designated service area who are unable to get to the fixed stops. The Flex service area extends approximately 0.75 mile on each side of the designated route. This service connects to the Red Line in Apple Valley and runs every hour throughout the day. Starting on August 20th, 2018 service expanded to Dakota County Technical College to allow students and employees to take transit to the school. Route 420 includes 5 trips to the school throughout the morning and afternoon and 6 trips departing the school throughout the day with the last trip departing at 9:21 PM. Demand Responsive Transit Service In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Metropolitan Council provides specialized, demand-responsive service for persons with disabilities that prevent them from using the regular-route system. This service is provided in the same areas that regular-route service is provided. In Dakota County, the Metropolitan Council contracts for these services with DARTS. DARTS is a demand-responsive transit service serving Rosemount and other communities in Dakota County. DARTS is funded by Performance Based Funding (PBF) grants from the Metropolitan Council, revenue from contract services including the Metro Mobility ADA contract, County contributions, and donations. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-39 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-40 Figure 12. Transit Service and Facilities in the City of Rosemount Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-41 Transit Station and Park and Rides There are two transit stations in Rosemount. One is the park and ride facility located at 145th Street and Burnley Avenue. The 102-stall facility, across the street from City Hall, is the first permanent park and ride facility for the City. The facility is located in a walkable part of the City, close to a park and has sidewalks around it. The transit station is fully-enclosed and serves routes 420, 476, 478, and 484. The facility anchors service to the Cedar Avenue transit corridor and express routes to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. In 2017, the facility had a 77% utilization rate with 79 of the 102 spaces being used. This has increased from 65% in 2016. The second transit station is located at Dakota County Technical College supporting Route 420 which includes 5 trips to the school throughout the morning and afternoon and 6 trips departing the school throughout the day. Bus Stops or “Flag Stops” Bus stops provide passengers with a predictable place to wait for bus service. There are two bus stops only bus shelter in Rosemount located at is the Rosemount Transit Station and at the Dakota County Technical College. Route 420 includes 5 trips to the school throughout the morning and afternoon and 6 trips departing the school throughout the day.. Throughout the rest of the City, there are a series of “Flag Stops” for passengers to use to board the bus. If your trip origin and destination are near a flag stop or time point shown on the map, passengers must go to that stop and wait for the bus. The schedule lists the departure times for several key stops. If a flag stop is between two time points, passengers use the time point for the stop as a guide. TRANSIT ADVANTAGES Transit Advantages is a term that describes physical features that provide a travel time advantage over automobiles using the same facility. Transit advantages improve the attractiveness of transit by allowing buses to move faster than automobiles making the same trip, effectively reducing the travel time for transit patrons relative to automobile users. There are no specific transit advantages within the City of Rosemount, but riders do get to take advantage of them on their bus routes. Downtown bus routes have improved service because of transit advantages. Routes to downtown Minneapolis get to take advantage of bus only shoulders and high occupancy vehicles lanes on TH 77 and I-35 while all downtown Rosemount bus routes take advantage of bus lanes in downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. There are also several ramp-meter bypasses that assist MVTA buses on TH 77 and I-35. ROSEMOUNT TRANSIT STATION. PHOTO BY THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT Figure 13. Rosemount Transit Station Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-42 TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT Travel Demand Management (TDM) services include programs that promote and support any alternative to commuting via single-occupant vehicle (SOV). TDM may include subsidized bus passes, flexible work hours and telecommuting. TDM could also include services to help employees with ride-matching, carpool, and vanpool. Metro Transit provides a regional TDM service through its Metro Commuter Services group, and four local Transportation Management Organizations provide further support and services, including two downtown organizations. The City and employers in Rosemount may use these services and programs free of charge to benefit employee travel arrangements and budgets. FUTURE TRANSIT DEMAND Fixed route service in Rosemount helps residents get to destinations in a reliable and efficient manner. Park-and-Ride utilization is high in the south metro for routes using I-35, TH 77 and TH 52. According to the 2017 Metropolitan Council’s Park-and-Ride Plan, congestion on highways in the Twin Cities have risen from 20% in 2009 to nearly 25% in 2017. During this time, Park-and- Ride utilization has also increased from around 17,000 passengers to almost 20,000 passengers. These trends in the metro area indicate that capacity at the Rosemount Transit Station may not be enough to meet the demand for this reliable option to commute to work. Additional opportunities for park-and-ride facilities can help provide this service in the future. Future Transit Opportunities Rosemount, as with other suburban opt-out cities, has the advantage of direct input into local transit services and decisions via elected officials, and has the second advantage of the State’s second largest and professionally-managed suburban transit authority, MVTA. Other advantages are the presence of a high-quality county-based provider, DARTS, and Dakota County’s active planning and management of future transit facilities and programs. The City should continue to be supportive and fully engaged in these programs and organizations to ensure a high level of transit service in the City. Transit Improvements and Strategies Future Route Improvements MVTA maintains a list of service improvement projects (SIP), which represent transit service expansion priorities within the MVTA service area, including Rosemount. MVTA uses its SIP as one input into its Future Growth Concept Map (2018), a larger strategic planning document that provides a more comprehensive vision for service expansion in the near (0-5 years), mid (5-10 years), and long-term (10+ years). The Future Growth Concept Map categorizes service improvements into three categories: those for which grant funding has been sought; study recommendations and those identified in the MVTA SIP; and those originating from MVTA’s customer service database. Future transit growth concepts listed below are in the 2018 Future Growth Concept Map and impact future transit in Rosemount and are also identified in Figure 14. • 145th Street East between Dakota County Technical College and Hastings via Nininger Township (Long-term) Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-43 • Expand local service on Route 420 (service between Apple Valley and Rosemount) and evaluate demand for weekend service (Near-term) • Expand express service to Minneapolis on Route 478 (from Rosemount) [Near-term] • Expand express service to St. Paul on Route 484 (from Rosemount) and evaluate additional St. Paul express service (Near-term) Figure 14. MVTA Future Growth Concept Map Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-44 Future Transit Strategies As population increases, Rosemount can help to inform residents and employers of transit opportunities available to them and their employees. Accessible and convenient transit in Rosemount is something that all residents should be aware of and given the opportunity to use. Integrate land use planning • The City can look for opportunities to integrate service near future housing and employment developments along the eastern portion of the City. • Future land use planning can look to increase ridership through walkable neighborhoods near Park-and-Ride facilities. • Additional Park-and-Ride facilities could be built to accommodate future demand and walkable neighborhoods can be planned around these locations to support transit use. Improved facilities • Rosemount Transit Station utilization is reaching capacity and additional Park-and-Ride facilities can be planned to support increased demand. • Safe and comfortable waiting conditions can help to increase ridership. Current flag stops can be transitioned to permanent bus stops with shelters and benches. Transit Studies Dakota County Eastern Transit Study Rosemount is working with Dakota County on the Dakota County Eastern Transit Study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate present and future needs for a variety of transit service and facilities in eastern Dakota County. Rosemount is a key member of the study because of the future development of the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education (UMore) property and transit needs of the community. Recommendations resulting from the study will concentrate on linking the residential, employment, and educational centers within eastern Dakota County to those in adjacent communities and the broader region. Dakota County East-West Study The Dakota County East-West Transit Study was needed to meet needs for transit travel east to west across Dakota County. The purpose of this study was to develop connections to employment, improve mobility, and expand range of travel options for transit-dependent populations in and across the county. There were five corridors the study identified as warranting further consideration: • Wentworth Avenue (Dodd Road to Southview Boulevard) • MN-110 (Fort Snelling Station to Concord St) • Yankee Doodle Road (MN 13 to Lone Oak Road and Inver Hills Community College) Formatted: Font: 13 pt, Font color: Auto Formatted: Heading 4 Formatted: Font: 13 pt Formatted: Font: Garamond, 12 pt Formatted: List Paragraph, Space Before: 5 pt, After: 6 pt, Line spacing: Multiple 1.15 li, Bulleted + Level: 1 + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5" Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-45 • Cliff Road (Not in study area) • County Road 42 (MN 13 and Mystic Lake Drive to Vermillion Street and Dakota County Technical College) Robert Street Corridor Study The Robert Street Corridor is recognized as a regional transitway by the Metropolitan Council. In 2012, the Dakota and Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authorities began an alternatives study to understand transportation needs in the area and identify transit projects that could address them. The study initially considered transit improvements in areas between downtown St. Paul and Rosemount, including West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Eagan, Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights. The study led to two alternatives for further study and the development of commuter express bus service from Rosemount to St. Paul on TH 52. The two alternatives that are being studied further are not planned to travel through Rosemount. BICYCLING AND WALKING OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE The City of Rosemount seeks to build a community where choosing to bicycle or walk is a safe, convenient, and enjoyable transportation option for everyone. In 2010 the City launched a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan to help complete the bike and pedestrian network and achieve community goals around active living, accessible destinations, economic development, quality of life and environmental benefits. Implementation of the plan and its projects will occur as new development occurs in the community and when opportunities arise to complete planned improvements. The plan is a direct result of the comprehensive planning process and continues to guide pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the City. The City has also been collaborating with the Dakota County Active Living Group to promote active living and policy changes that would encourage physical activity. Pedestrian and system needs in Rosemount are organized around the following themes as identified by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan: • Safety – safer crossings, routes to schools and safe routes for seniors • Convenience – additional regional and City-wide connections • Enjoyment – enhance the experience, add wayfinding and increase awareness and education Walking and biking will help to support resident’s quality of life and promote Rosemount’s “Small Town Feel.” There are many intangible benefits with walking and biking. Youth, elderly, disabled Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-46 and those that cannot afford a car gain a sense of independence. Local business can improve by making a community more walkable and accessible by biking. A City that is committed to bicyclists and pedestrians, is often safer with a more vibrant and active community. These all come together to create a ‘Small Town Feel’ that is a source of community pride in Rosemount. LOCAL EXISTING CONDITIONS There are more than 50 miles of sidewalks, 34 miles of off-street trails, nearly 20 miles of on-road local, county, and state designated bike routes and approximately 600 designated bike parking stalls throughout the City of Rosemount as identified in Figure 15. The City builds pedestrian and bicycle facilities when it is cost effective and meets the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. Land use in the City and the surrounding area often forces people to use a car and limits the use of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Rosemount features a dense urban core that fits an environment that can take advantage of bicycling and walking. This urban core area is very different than the majority of the City which is mostly rural in nature. Another inhibiting factor is that many residents have to drive more than 10 miles to work, which is outside of easy access by walking or biking. The urban downtown area of Rosemount has potential to be a signature pedestrian and bicycling destination for the entire City. Infrastructure improvements can be made to support the community’s vision as a gathering place where walking and biking is encouraged. This can be a model for other areas in the City to follow that are growing and have an opportunity to implement bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the near future. Much of the City’s downtown area is connected by pedestrian and trails, however gaps within the area and across the remainder of the City are present. Some arterial and collector roadways within the City lack facilities for pedestrians or bikes, including appropriate lighting, places to rest, and landscaping that would encourage all transportation modes to use the facility. Regional Bicycle Transportation Network The City of Rosemount partners with Dakota County and the Metropolitan Council on improving and expanding regional bicycle trails in and around the City. The Metropolitan Council, in partnership with Dakota County created the Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN). The RBTN was developed as part of the to the Metropolitan Council 2014 Regional Bicycle System Study, which highlights important regional transportation connections for bicyclists. The RBTN serves as framework for designated regional corridors and alignments and defines critical bicycle transportation links to help municipalities guide their bikeway planning and development. The RBTN is subdivided into two tiers for regional planning and investment prioritization: • Tier 1 – Priority Regional Bicycle Transportation Corridors and Alignments These corridors and alignments have been determined to provide the best transportation connectivity to regional facilities and developed areas. They are given the highest priority for transportation funding. There are currently no RBTN Tier 1 corridors or alignments in the City of Rosemount. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-47 • Tier 2 – Regional Bicycle Transportation Network Corridors and Alignments These corridors and alignments are the second highest priority for funding. They provide connections to regional facilities in neighboring cities and serve to connect priority regional bicycle transportation corridors and alignments. There are four five RBTN Tier 2 alignments within the City of Rosemount. 1. Robert Trail South South Robert Trail Alignment: Located on the west side of the City going north and south. There currently isn’t an existing or planned bicycle or pedestrian facility on this roadway. 2. McAndrews Road Alignment: Connecting to the Robert Trail South South Robert Trail alignment is the McAndrews Road alignment from Apple Valley going east and west. There currently isn’t an existing or planned bicycle or pedestrian facility on this roadway. 3. 145th Street East Alignment: This alignment crosses the entire City of Rosemount going east to west along 145th Street East. There is an existing trail on the west part of this trail and a bikeable shoulder on the eastern portion of this alignment. 4. Mississippi Regional Trail Alignment: This alignment is located on the planned Mississippi Regional Trail near the Mississippi River on the eastern side of the City. 4.5. Rosemount Greenway Alignment: This alignment is located on the planned Rosemount Greenway from Robert Trail South to the Mississippi River Trail. There is one Tier 2 corridor located along the western portion going from north to south where City trails cover much of the area. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-48 Figure 15. Existing Trail System in Rosemount Formatted: Font: (Default) Garamond, 12 pt, Bold Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: -0.31" Formatted: Font: Garamond, Bold, Font color: Auto Comment [JP3]: New figure Formatted: Default Paragraph Font, Font: (Default) Garamond, 12 pt, Bold Formatted: Font: Garamond, Bold, Font color: Auto Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-49 Regional Trails Dakota County has planned for three regional trails and greenways to connect gaps throughout Rosemount. Once these trails are constructed, bicyclists will be able to cross the City from multiple directions and access communities surrounding Rosemount. Mississippi River Trail The proposed Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is located directly on a RBTN Tier 2 alignment on the eastern side of the City. Part of this trail is paved and already exists in Spring Lake Park Reserve but will be extended and connect to the existing MRT from Saint Paul to Hastings. The entire trail will be paved and is intended for non-motorized uses such as walking, bicycling and in-line skating. The regional trail construction will be completed in phased segments with an anticipated completion date of 2020. Rosemount Greenway The Rosemount Greenway will align from downtown Rosemount to the Mississippi River Greenway with connections to Spring Lake Regional Park Reserve, the Mississippi River, the Vermillion Highlands Greenway, Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Whitetail Woods Regional Park. The 13-mile route is almost entirely within the City of Rosemount. This greenway is on a Tier 2 alignment and connects with the proposed Vermillion Highlands Greenway which crosses the City from north to south. , with a small portion within Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. This greenway is located slightly north of the Tier 2 alignment and connects with the proposed Vermillion Highlands Greenway which crosses the City from north to south. Vermillion Highlands Greenway The Vermillion Highlands Greenway will connect Lebanon Hills Regional Park to Whitetail Woods Regional Park. The 11-mile greenway will travel through downtown Rosemount, the Dakota County Technical College campus and the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education (UMore) Park property. The greenway will connect with the Rosemount Greenway and the greenway hub at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. This greenway fulfills the RBTN Tier 2 alignment that goes from north to south through Rosemount east of Robert Trail South. Dakota County adopted The Greenway Guidebook in 2010 which helps local jurisdictions within Dakota County work independently towards the shared goal of a complete greenway system throughout the County. Cities in Dakota County have recognized demand for trails and have implemented greenway systems through their local Parks Agencies. Connections to Regional Employment Clusters The City of Rosemount has identified four regional employment clusters that are characterized by significant retail, professional services, commercial, and industrial development. The four regional employment clusters include: • 145th Street East between Chippendale Avenue and Shannon Parkway Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-50 • Robert Trail South South Robert Trail between 145th Street East and 145th Street West • Dakota County Technical College • Flint Hills Resources Providing connections to these regional employment clusters with trails and sidewalks will strengthen the trail network within Rosemount and provide residents and visitors an alternative to driving. Each employment cluster is located near major roads, blocking easy access to the trail network due to large intersections or impassable highways. Planning for trail connections to regional employment cluster locations is an important first step in ensuring that future development includes multimodal facility enhancements, such as off-road trails, independent pedestrian bridges, and ADA compliant roadway crossings. Currently, there are trail connections to the Rosemount Transit Station. As additional transit facilities are developed within Rosemount, the City will need to ensure adequate pedestrian and bicycle trail connections are available. Connections to Destinations & Regional Trails Local trails near downtown Rosemount connect residents to parks and activity centers. Previous work to develop a complete sidewalk and trail system within and near the downtown area has provided residents the opportunity to walk or bike to most locations in the downtown vicinity. Plans for regional trails should include connection to the current trail system near the downtown area to expand upon a community-wide network that would provide residents access from to the broader region. The Rosemount Greenway will be a key connecting trail corridor for the City. It is planned to link downtown with the Vermillion Highlands Regional Trail and the Mississippi River Trail as identified in Figure 16. This will connect downtown residents to regional parks and destinations as well as connecting bicyclists from outside of the City and residents from nearby communities to downtown Rosemount. Other destinations that should be connected to the regional trail system include the Rosemount High School near the planned Rosemount Greenway and the Civic Campus Connector off-street bike trail along Robert Street which connects the school to the local bicycle trails in Rosemount. Gaps in the Existing Trail System Rosemount has built a well-connected pedestrian and bicycle system in its downtown area; however, this system is not currently connected to the greater region. Improving the local trail system involves identifying gaps and planning to fill those gaps to enhance connections to key destinations within and outside City limits. Connections to key destinations for the local trail system include the following: • Connections to local parks and schools • Connections to regional parks and trails • Connections to regional employment clusters Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-51 • Connections to the Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN) There are several gaps within the City of Rosemount that need to be connected for the pedestrian and bicycle facilities to be fully utilized. Gaps identified in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2010) • Partner with Dakota County to build a grade separated crossing on County Road 42 • Bike lanes on Shannon Parkway from 160th Street to McAndrews Road • Bike Lanes on Connemara Trail • On-Road bikeway on Dodd Blvd from 145th Street to Diamond Path • Trail on east side of Chili Ave from 145th Street to Rosemount High School • Bike lanes on 145th Street from Diamond Path to County Road 42 • Bike lanes on Cameo Avenue from 143rd Street to 147th Street • Bike lanes on 147th Street, Cambrian Avenue and Burma Avenue Gaps identified in the Dakota County Pedestrian and Bicycle Study (2018) • 145th Street East from Robert Trail South South Robert Trail to Akron Avenue • McAndrews Road from the western City boundary to Robert Trail SouthSouth Robert Trail • Diamond Path on the western boundary of the City • Several grade separated crossings Gaps identified in the RBTN • Robert Trail South South Robert Trail Tier 2 Alignment from 145th Street East to the northern City boundary • McAndrews Road Tier 2 Alignment from the western City boundary to Robert Trail South • 145th Street East Alignment from Robert Trail South to Blaine Avenue • Rosemount Greenway • Mississippi River Greenway Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-52 Figure 16. Proposed Trail System in Rosemount Formatted: Font: (Default) Garamond, 12 pt, Bold, Font color: Auto, Pattern: Clear Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: -0.31" Formatted: Font: Garamond, Bold, Font color: Auto Comment [JP4]: New figure Formatted: Default Paragraph Font, Font: (Default) Garamond, 12 pt, Bold Formatted: Font: Garamond, Bold, Font color: Auto Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-53 PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SYSTEM NEEDS The City of Rosemount will need to invest in its pedestrian and bicycle network in order to provide new connections as well as increase levels of safety, convenience and overall enjoyment. Investments in bicycle and pedestrian network can be guided by the following objectives: 1. Make Walking and Biking Safer • The City of Rosemount can make walking and biking safer by making crossings safer. Crossings can be improved at: o Diamond Path at 145th Street o Diamond Path at 150th Street o Diamond Path at Connemara Trail o Shannon Parkway at 145th Street o Shannon Parkway at 150th Street o Shannon Parkway at McAndrews Road o South Robert TrailRobert Trail South (TH 3) at 150th Street o Railroad and Biscayne Avenue o Connemara Trail and Meadows Park 2. Make Safe Routes to Schools and Safe Routes for Senior Citizens a Priority • Build a pedestrian-bike plaza in front of Rosemount High School • Connect existing trails in Schwarz Pond Park and Rosemount High School • Improve pedestrian-bike access to the City’s Community Center 3. Make Biking and Walking more Convenient by Completing System Gaps 4. Make Biking and Walking more Enjoyable • Enhance the Experience o Quarterly walk-bike events • Improve Wayfinding o Create online and printed maps o Create trail heads o Build pedestrian scale lighting on Biscayne Avenue and Connemara Trail • Create Awareness and Build Education PROPOSED MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES Infrastructure maintenance is an important aspect of a well-functioning pedestrian and bicycle facility network. Without dedicated funding, the pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure within the City of Rosemount will be difficult to maintain, as well as potentially unreliable and inaccessible during winter months. The City of Rosemount is committed to maintaining their trails and sidewalks at all times to reasonably address the safety and accessibility needs of all people. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-54 FREIGHT SYSTEM The freight network in Rosemount is important for the local and regional economy. Businesses in Rosemount rely on an efficient transportation network to get product from their distributers and to their customers. Across the region, the freight network is built to transport commodities such as cereal grains, animal feed, aggregates and metallic ores. Within the City industries such as oil refineries, recyclers and manufactures all depend on the freight network for business. The freight network in the City consists of highways for heavy commercial vehicles, railroads for trains, and waterways for barges. Through proper land use, zoning, and freight-specific network enhancements, these needs are met. All industrial areas in Rosemount are located with adequate access to the metropolitan highway system as shown in Figure 17. The Federal interstate and State trunk highway systems in Rosemount are all built to 10-ton axle loading standards and are part of either the National Truck Network or the Minnesota Twin Trailer Network, allowing extra capacity and flexibility for commercial trucking. This major highway coverage reduces the impact of truck traffic on local roadways and minimizes the potential for disruption of neighborhoods. There are only a few major freight routes through the City which currently accommodate for heavy commercial vehicle activity. Future truck traffic from industrial, warehousing and commercial land uses should be adequately accommodated through the following measures: • Locating truck-intensive land uses with proximity to the metropolitan highway system and with reliable access to the minor arterial system. • Using acceptable design standard on arterials, which will ensure adequate turning radius and pavement depth for trucks. • Signing and marking to minimize truck traffic through neighborhoods. HEAVY COMMERCIAL & VEHICLE ACTIVITY By weight, 63% of goods are moved by truck across the Minnesota’s highways. Trucks transport goods over both long and short distances and are critical for first- and last-mile connections for freight. There are only a few major truck routes through Rosemount, but they are critical to the local economy and the greater region. Within the City, the average heavy commercial average annual daily traffic (HCAADT) is between 450 and 4,700 with a greater concentration of volume on TH 52 as indicated in Figure 17. The industrial zones where highways TH 52 and TH 55 connect are where most of the freight traffic is located. HCAADT on TH 52 is between 3,500 and 5,000, and near 1,500 on TH 55. Robert Trail South has minimal freight traffic with HCAADT between 450 and 740. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-55 These volumes are generally less than the HCAADT in the urban centers of Minneapolis, St. Paul and adjacent communities where HCAADT is generally between 7,500 and 15,000. The heavy commercial traffic through Rosemount is comparable to other outer rings suburbs across the metro area. I-94 and I-35 are the main freight thoroughfares out of the Twin Cities and neither pass through Rosemount. FREIGHT RAIL ACTIVITY Rail transportation is an important piece of the freight network for both local business and as a critical connection for the rest of the region. Union Pacific Rail is integrated into the industrial areas on the eastern side of the City connecting local businesses within the City and to the greater region. There is also a railroad from the north, traveling west, connecting to the Canadian Pacific railroad near Robert Trail SouthSouth Robert Trail. Canadian Pacific has a railroad running from north to south on the western side of the City along Robert Trail South South Robert Trail with several at grade crossings at cross streets. Railroad crossings are mostly at grade and can cause conflict with vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists that are trying to cross. There are 17 crossings located throughout the City, three of which are grade separated. Rosemount has implemented quiet zones near at-grade intersections to limit or eliminate the amount of time train engineers use the train horn. The quiet zones took effect in 2012 and are in effect 24 hours a day at 15 quiet zones throughout the City. FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS In recent years, e-commerce and same day deliveries have become more popular causing additional freight traffic. As the demands of customers to receive product quickly and on demand increases, stress on the freight network will also increase. This trend will need to be planned for in order to maintain safety for all modes of transportation, to provide an efficient freight network, and to mitigate congestion along roadways in Rosemount. To plan for these considerations in the future, the City should consider implementing the following policies and strategies: • Support the use of designated drop-off areas and times to minimize the impact of large freight vehicles onto other modes of transportation including pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. • Locate shipping centers at strategic locations to consolidate all delivery trips. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-56 Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-57 Figure 17. Freight System in Rosemount Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-58 AVIATION There are no airports within the Rosemount City limits although there are airports in nearby Cities including the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) only 20 miles away. Although the City is nearby MSP as well as the St. Paul Municipal Airport and Airlake Airport in Lakeville, the City’s land use is not impacted by these airports. The airspace over Rosemount is used by aircraft operating from the other metropolitan area airports as well as airports outside of the metropolitan area. As noted in the Metropolitan Council’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan, no new general aviation airports are proposed in the future. There is adequate capacity at the airports surrounding the metropolitan area to support future growth. HEIGHT AND SAFETY ZONING Structures which are 200 feet or higher above ground level may pose hazards to air navigation. The City of Rosemount has no existing structures of this height and does not permit such structures under its zoning ordinance and has no plans to permit such structures in the future. Any applicant who proposes to construct such a structure shall notify the City and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) as defined under the provisions of Federal Regulation Title 14 Part 77, using the FAA Form 7460-1 “Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration.” These forms must be submitted 30 days before alteration or construction begins, or the date of which the construction permit is filed, whichever is earlier. MnDOT must also be notified as required by MnDOT Rules Chapter 8800. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Community Zoning Board’s land use safety zoning ordinance shall also be considered when reviewing construction within the City that raises potential aviation conflicts. HELIPORTS There are no heliports within the City of Rosemount. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency that has the legislative authority of approving the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) Capital Improvements Plan budget. The Metropolitan Council’s role in the evaluation of noise is to promulgate guidelines for the compatible use and development of land in communities surrounding the airport and approve individual airport long-term comprehensive plans. OTHER AGENCIES A number of other State agencies work with the MAC in either a cooperative or regulatory capacity. MnDOT is involved in all construction projects that will impact the traveling public, including runway construction and roadway improvements. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) works with MAC Environment Department on issues such as noise and groundwater runoff. The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) has the final authority in approving Environmental Impact Statements and other environmental documents related to the MSP. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-59 FUNDING STRATEGIES Roadways under City jurisdiction are maintained, preserved, constructed and reconstructed by the City’s Department of Public Works. Funding for these activities, including the administrative costs of operating the Department, are obtained from a variety of sources, including ad valorem taxes, special assessments, development fees and tax increment financing. A major concern of the City is the availability of sufficient funds for maintenance and construction activities. If funds are unavailable, needed projects may be delayed or terminated and maintenance of existing facilities may fall short of acceptable standards. The following explains the existing sources of funding and potential new sources of revenue. STATE AID An important source of revenue to the City is State Aid. A network of City streets called Municipal State-Aid Streets (MSAS) are eligible for funding assistance with revenue from the State Highway User Tax Distribution Fund. This constitutionally-protected funding allocation is comprised of gasoline taxes and vehicle registration fees and is allocated based on a formula that considers the population of a City and the financial construction needs of its MSAS system. AD VALOREM TAXES For situations in which 20 percent of the cost of a City project can be assessed to the adjacent property owners, the remaining cost of the project can be added to the ad valorem or property taxes of the remaining property owners in the City. Ad valorem taxes for street improvements are excluded from the State-mandated levy limits. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING Establishing a tax increment financing (TIF) district is a method of funding infrastructure improvements that are needed immediately using the additional tax revenue to be generated in future years by a specific development. Municipal bonds are issued against this future revenue, which is dedicated for a period of years to the repayment of the bonds or to other improvements within the TIF project area. TIF districts can accelerate economic development in an area by ensuring that the needed infrastructure is in place without requiring support from the usual funding. GRANT FUNDING There are many opportunities for metropolitan cities to take advantage of various grant funding initiatives. Regional Solicitation and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) are among grant solicitations for the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The City should monitor the grant funding opportunities available for applicable projects and submit applications when possible. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-60 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Throughout the City of Rosemount’s comprehensive planning effort, the City will consider how to address existing transportation needs, while setting the stage for future growth. Items are summarized below: • System Preservation o Performance Standards and Measures o Project Prioritization o New Revenue Sources o New Maintenance Techniques o Asset Management • Travel Demand Management o Bicycle Amenities o Car Sharing Programs o Shared Mobility • Autonomous Vehicles • Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School SYSTEM PRESERVATION Infrastructure systems such as roadways, bridges, culverts, and sidewalks have become expensive and challenging to maintain in today’s environment with aging infrastructure, rising costs of materials, and stagnant or declining revenue. In fact, many local agencies are being forced to pause, and ask questions about the costs and benefits of continuing to maintain assets throughout their entire system, or if other approaches should be explored to better balance needs with available resources. Generally, approaches to be considered include: Performance Standards and Measures A performance-based approach improves the accountability of local infrastructure investments, assesses risks related to different performance levels, and monitors progress and increases transparency. Project Prioritization Project prioritization can help the City rank infrastructure needs in a manner that is consistent with preservation goals and objectives. This technique can help avoid the typical “worst first” approach to programming preservation projects that tends to invest limited resources in the most expensive Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-61 improvements instead of directing maintenance funds to infrastructure that merely need rehabilitation, which will provide more cost-effective solutions in a timely manner. New Revenue Sources There are methods to capture new revenue streams to close the financial gap in maintaining assets in a state of good repair. Exploring new revenue sources will allow the City to expand and accelerate preservation initiatives. New Maintenance Techniques There are new maintenance techniques that can extend the lifecycle of an asset. For example, new maintenance techniques for roadway surfaces can provide longer service life and higher traffic volume thresholds, resulting in more stable road maintenance costs. Cost reduction of life cycle extension strategies which save money, or extend surface life, can directly benefit preservation needs, and minimize any identified financial gap. Asset Management Tracking assets and their condition will provide a stronger outlook on lifecycle costs and replacement schedules. This will help establish funding plans and identified future funding gaps or shortfalls. TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT Research has shown that Travel Demand Management strategies are a useful technique in helping alleviate parking demands in a geographical area. TDM strategies are applied to help reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles traveling and parking in a certain area. Opportunities to encourage TDM strategies are highlighted throughout this section. Bicycle Amenities Actively promoting bicycling as an alternative means of travel to and from a destination can be achieved through information dissemination and the provision of bicycle storage facilities and adding on-street bicycle lanes and additional connections to trails. These actions can help decrease the demand for vehicle parking. Car Sharing Provisions Car sharing programs provide mobility options to a cross section of residents who would not otherwise have access to a vehicle. These programs encourage the efficient use of a single vehicle among multiple users, while reducing the amount of parking needed to accommodate each resident within a neighborhood. Zoning language can encourage or require new developments of a certain size to include off-street parking provisions for car sharing programs. Shared Mobility Shared mobility includes bike sharing, car sharing, and ride sourcing services provided by companies such as Uber and Lyft. Predictions indicate that by creating a robust network of mobility options, these new modes will help reduces car ownership and increase use of public transit, which will continue to function as the backbone of an integrated, multimodal transportation system. Rosemount 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 – Transportation 8-62 CONNECTED VEHICLES AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES There is a wide range of forecasted adoption scenarios for connected vehicle and autonomous vehicle technology. This new technology has the potential to improve safety, impact parking needs and change travel behavior. In Metropolitan Council’s 2040 TPP, it is noted that the implications of connected and automated vehicles need to be thoroughly examined. As with many new transportation technologies, automated and connected vehicles are likely to penetrate urban markets prior to expanding to rural areas, especially if they are initially developed through a ride-hailing platform. COMPLETE STREETS AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL Complete Streets are commonly defined as roadways that accommodate all users such as pedestrians, bicyclist, vehicles and transit, regardless of age and ability. This is important to consider when recognizing the diversity of people traveling throughout the community. The Transportation Plan’s goals and policies embrace several elements of complete streets, such as safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. MnDOT has adopted a Complete Streets Policy, last updated in May 2016, and has committed to assessing opportunities for incorporating complete street design principles in all MnDOT projects. MnDOT’s Complete Streets Policy can serve as a resource to the City for incorporating complete street design standards into City projects. Safe Routes to School is a national initiative to increase safety and promote walking and bicycling for America’s youth. The Safe Routes to school program will assist in providing infrastructure and non- infrastructure grants to build trails, paths, and safe connections to local schools. Planning for safe routes to schools will require specific attention to certain elements such as bike routes, complete street treatments, sidewalk networks, pedestrian/bicycle amenities and wayfinding signage. Combined, these elements can create Safe Routes to Schools or Complete Streets. 2040 Future Land Use April 2019 F00.5 10.25 Mile MXD: T:\Project\CommDev\LandUse\2040LandUsePlan.mxd PDF: I:\GIS\Map_Library\CommDev\LandUse MUSA Year Boundary 2030 2040 Future 2040 + Proposed Land Use AG Agriculture FP Floodplain DT Downtown NC Neighborhood Commercial RC Regional Commercial CC Community Commercial AGR Agricultural Research RR Rural Residential LDR Low Density Residential TR Transitional Residential MDR Medium Density Residential HDR High Density Residential PI Public/Institutional PO Existing Parks/Open Space BP Business Park LI Light Industrial GI General Industrial WM Waste Management ROSEMOUNT 2040 LAND USE PLAN – CHAPTER 3 LAND USE UPDATED UMORE LAND USE TABLE TABLE 3.5 – UMORE FUTURE LAND USES Land Use Res Min (upa) Res Max (upa) 2020 % of land 2030 % of land 2040 % of land Full Build- out % of land Agriculture Research n/a 0.02 5 3,103 100.0% 2,108 67.9% 1,471 47.4% 1,079 34.8% Low Density Residential 1.5 6 0 0.0% 314 10.1% 612 19.7% 653 21.0% Medium Density Residential 6 12 0 0.0% 176 5.7% 228 7.3% 287 9.2% High Density Residential 12 30 0 0.0% 22 0.7% 61 2.0% 83 2.7% Community Commercial 0 0.0% 30 1.0% 30 1.0% 63 2.0% Business Park 0 0.0% 453 14.6% 701 22.6% 938 30.2% TOTALS 3,177 100% 3,103 100% 3,103 100% 3,103 100% TABLE 3.4: PLANNING LAND USE TABLE Land Use Res Min (upa) Res Max (upa) 2020 % of land 2030 % of land 2040 % of land Full Build- out % of land Agriculture n/a 0.025 5,340 23.7% 5,006 22.2% 3,811 16.9% 2,282 10.1% Agriculture Research* n/a 0.025 3,200 14.2% 3,103 13.8% 3,103 13.8% 1,079 4.8% Rural Residential n/a 0.2 1,828 8.1% 1,803 8.0% 1,803 8.0% 1,803 8.0% Transitional Residential n/a .2 or .33 930 4.1% 793 3.5% 793 3.5% 793 3.5% Low Density Residential 1.5 6 3,391 15.0% 3,729 16.5% 4,113 18.3% 6,077 27.0% Medium Density Residential 6 12 290 1.3% 463 2.1% 598 2.7% 1,052 4.7% High Density Residential 12 30 110 0.5% 130 0.6% 158 0.7% 253 1.1% Downtown* 20 40 64 0.3% 64 0.3% 64 0.3% 64 0.3% Neighborhood Commercial 14 0.1% 11 0.0% 11 0.0% 54 0.2% Community Commercial 370 1.6% 373 1.7% 591 2.6% 654 2.9% Regional Commercial 366 1.6% 340 1.5% 340 1.5% 340 1.5% Business Park 845 3.8% 1,030 4.6% 1,456 6.5% 2,394 10.6% Light Industrial 570 2.5% 505 2.2% 505 2.2% 505 2.2% General Industrial 2,580 11.5% 2,855 12.7% 2,855 12.7% 2,855 12.7% Waste Management 238 1.1% 238 1.1% 238 1.1% 238 1.1% Public/ Institutional 342 1.5% 408 1.8% 408 1.8% 408 1.8% Parks and Open Space 525 2.3% 721 3.2% 721 3.2% 721 3.2% Floodplain 960 4.3% 960 4.3% 960 4.3% 960 4.3% Vacant Land 569 2.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% TOTALS 22,532 100.0% 22,532 100.0% 22,532 100.0% 22,532 100.0% Notes: * The City’s future land use table and projections do not include land with the UMore area. This area is tracked under a separate table in the subsequent section. * The City is assuming 20% of land in downtown category will redevelop for residential purposes by 2030. * Full build-out out is listed for planning purposes only and includes developing areas within UMore (please note corresponding decrease in AG category at full build-out). * 2020 land uses derived from previous land use plan and analysis; AG uses in 2030 includes all land in 2040 MUSA