Acknowledge Pending Resolution Establishing No Parking Zones On Riverdale Drive, Rivlyn Ave and Tungsten Street; and Approve Letter to Affected Parties

For many years the Cites of Anoka and Ramsey have discussed the benefits of improved transportation connectivity, and most notably by trail via the Mississippi River Trail (MRT).  A couple of years ago Ramsey and Anoka successfully collaborated in applying for Federal funding for this trail that will emanate from Anoka's Mississippi Community Park, across approximately one-mile of King's Island to Ramsey's side, then 'up the hill' to the terminus of Rivlyn Avenue.

At Rivlyn Avenue the trail plan was to switch to an 6' to 8' foot on-road, stripped trail with corresponding No Parking on one side, then west to Tungsten Street (then north one-block), and then again westerly on Riverdale Drive.  Near Sunfish Lake Boulevard, the on-street trail was to resume as a 10' foot bituminous trail within the ROW (seperate from the street).  At this same point, Riverdale Drive's pavement width (the street itself) was to be narrowed as part of a 2013 street reconstruction project to provide for more ROW space for the trail together with boulevard trees.

During the winter of 2013, at a City Council work session, the City Engineer and Staff presented an overview of the street maintenance program and the 2013 CIP relating to street construction and reconstruction - noting competition for limited State Aid funding between 2013 projects within the plan.

Subsequent to the above discussion, the CIP was amended to remove Riverdale Drive's reconstruction (and narrowing), which then necessitated  changes in the scope of work for the MRT relating to Riverdale Drive, and thus the subject of this work session discussion.

One of the changes necessary following the removal of the narrowing of Riverdale Drive (from the 2013 CIP), was adding additional No Parking along the street at the west 1,300' feet of Riverdale Drive - as the ROW is not wide enough for a 10' foot trail given the existing street width.  (Other changes include the removal of boulevard trees etc. from the MRT project.)

An additional change in what was originally proposed for the MRT was revealed during the Project Memorandum preparation for Federal approvals associated with the grant; and that is that to meet Federal standards, bike lanes are strongly recommended in both directions for the on-roadway trail, and therefore a No Parking condition would be required on both sides of the streets that have the stripped bike path.  Staff does not anticipate there to be any objections to the No Parking on Riverdale Drive on the west end near the bowling alley and self-storage site.  To the east however, there may be concerns from the several residential properties on Rivlyn Avenue and perhaps also from a couple of businesses on Riverdale Drive who are observed to regularly park on the street.  The No Parking zones are depicted in red in the attached exhibits.  Staff will overview the MRT project from King's Island to Mississippi West Regional Park at the work session, and then 'zero-in' on the areas to be affected by the No Parking restrictions.

Three points should be noted that will ultimately ameliorate concerns about both the trail constraints and the quality of experience (on-roadway, stripped trail versus a separated trail), and the temporary (a few to several years) of No Parking along a part of the MRT route: 

• Riverdale Drive will need to be reconstructed and at that time the road width may narrowed and the MRT may be placed within the ROW in a manner that befits this Regional and National trail route.  (No parking on both sides of Riverdale Drive at the west will be required, but not both sides east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard.)
• Commercial development and redevelopment between Riverdale Drive and Hwy's #10 & #169 (or perhaps also on Tungsten St.) as may occur by those property owners will result in more/improved parking lots, and lessen demand for on-street parking to the degree it may exist presently.
• Rivlyn Avenue may also be reconstructed in the future to provide for a separated trail - and when achievable, would relieve the need for 'No Parking'  along the one side of Rivlyn Ave.

The purpose of this case to review the No Parking conditions necessary to implement and finalize construction of the Federally funded Mississippi River Trail.  Staff will prepare for City Council's enactment and adoption a Resolution identifying the No Parking zones discussed herein.  Additionally, Staff will issue a letter to residents believed to be affected by the parking restrictions, such that these residents or tenants may voice their concerns or questions in this manner.  However, there does not appear to be any near-term viable alternative to implementing the No Parking zones aside from the future change in conditions discussed above.  To fail to cause the No Parking zones where required would effectively stop the Federal trail funding in its tracks, and accordingly, not bring to fruition some of the real expenditures and investments on the Mississippi River Trail to this point in time. 

While No Parking is 'strongly recommended' for both sides where on street trails are to be used, Staff is directing the submittal of the MRT for Federal approval with No Parking both sides only for the west 1,300' feet of Riverdale Drive and Tungsten Street.  For the east part of Riverdale on street bike lanes will be stripped.  For the very low trafficked Rivlyn Avenue, the intention is to restrict parking on the north side, and sign the street in both directions with 'Share the Road' signage.

Attached for Council's information and acknowledgment is the letter intended to be sent to addresses immediately adjacent to the proposed No Parking zones.  

Staff recommends sending the letter to residents and moving forward with the Resolution establishing No Parking zones along the MRT route as required;

And,

Examine the future schedule for Riverdale Drive's reconstruction as part of the Street Reconstruction Plan and Policy project scheduled to begin in Spring of 2013.

Funding for the No Parking signs and pavement stripping will be from the Park Trust Fund, the local matching source for the Federal funds for the Mississippi River Trail project.

By consensus, acknowledge the required No Parking zones on Riverdale Drive, Rivlyn Ave and Tungsten Street, and letter to affected parties; understanding that all resident comment on the No Parking zones will be brought back for City Council information as appropriate.