Ken Bjornstad, Goodhue County Public Works Deputy Director

US 52 / TH 58 ZUMBROTA SUB-AREA STUDY Friday, April 29th, 2011 (8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.) Zumbrota Library, Zumbrota

MEETING MINUTES

Attendees:  Ken Bjornstad, Goodhue County Public Works Deputy Director  Neil Jensen, City of Zumbrota Administrator  Dan King, City of Zumbrota Community Development  Rick Lohmann, City of Zumbrota Public Works  Bob Hutton, Mn/DOT District 6 Planning  Nancy Klema, Mn/DOT District 6 Traffic Operations Engineer  Jean Meyer, Mn/DOT Transit/Modal Programs Manager  Greg Pates, Mn/DOT District 6 Planning  Greg Paulson, Mn/DOT District 6 ADE  Tracy Schnell, Mn/DOT District 6 Planning  Mark Schoenfelder, Mn/DOT District 6 Acting Planning Director

Background and Meeting Summary: There are a number of State, County, and City projects coming up along US 52 and TH 58 in the Zumbrota area. In recent meetings both the City of Zumbrota and Goodhue County have expressed interest in transportation and land use planning opportunities that could be done in partnership. Mn/DOT has identified this opportunity to develop a US 52/TH 58 Zumbrota Sub-area Study to guide short- and long-term transportation and land use in the Zumbrota area.

Meeting attendees discussed City of Zumbrota, Goodhue County, and Mn/DOT US 52-TH 58 transportation and land use plans, issues and opportunities, and suggested the geographic limits, and scope for an upcoming Zumbrota Sub-Area Study to be led by Mn/DOT. Discussion included project coordination for the bridge replacement at the US 52/MN58 interchange in Zumbrota and a mill and overlay project from that bridge north through Zumbrota to Red Wing. Both projects are currently programmed for 2017, however, it is anticipated that the state “Better Roads” initiative will move the mill and overlay project up to 2013.

The City of Zumbrota has expressed an interest in further developing its pedestrian and bicycle plans. Goodhue County is designing an access management project at US 52/CSAH 68 in Zumbrota, and also has an interest in hiring a consultant to plan a future (unprogrammed) overpass at this location. They see an opportunity to plan this together with the upcoming Zumbrota Sub-area Study. At this point, MnDOT is unable to use consultant funds for planning/pre-design of the US 52/CSAH 68 future overpass. However, Mn/DOT is willing to plan and develop preliminary design options (working with County and City) for the future overpass. This could be done as part of the sub-area study or a separate effort. Mn/DOT has created some concepts/pre-designs for the overpass already.

The upcoming US 52/TH 58 Zumbrota Sub-Area Study is intended to plan short-term through long-term multi-modal transportation and land use in the study area to enable safe and effective movement of people and goods, improve safety, support local growth, etc.

US 52/TH 58 Zumbrota Sub-Area Stdy 4/29/11 meeting minutes, final 5/19/11 1 City and County land use & transportation plans in area Transportation and Land Use in the area is being guided by “Figure 1, Future Land Use/Transportation Plan, October 2003” from the TH 52 Corridor Zumbrota Sub-area Land Use/Transportation Study (2003).  Approximately 50 year timeframe shown in Fig. 1, little residential development expected in short- term, some commercial development in 52/58 interchange area near new KwikTrip, in the new McDonalds area along 180th Avenue, and at/near the cold storage facility west of US 52/CSAH 68.  Dan King indicated that additional commercial development is anticipated in the area of the new KwikTrip and from the interchange and along Jefferson Drive. This is a key area for bike, ped, traffic operations/access management considerations, including the 17th/18th St frontage road serving the “SA/Subway” area. Mn/DOT has agreed to a shared commercial access for the new KwikTrip, connected to TH 58 by the 17th St frontage road, which will be moved slightly north from the current connection. The city of Zumbrota has retained a 33’ easement on the east side of the Kwik Trip property to allow for access options (ie to the “SA/Subway area”)in the event of traffic congestion in the area.  Goodhue County has been very supportive of development within the city boundaries, and it is believed the County would not allow development outside of City interests.  Ped-Bike and Transit Plans; City, County. Bike and Pedestrians should be part of our study. The two projects scheduled for 2017 should be planned and designed to improve pedestrian movement from the Mc Donalds area to the Jefferson Drive, Kwik Trip area and beyond.  There is an 8’ path/trail planned from West Avenue to east of the new Kwik Trip. ADA requirements will need to be met and inspected.  The City has a sidewalk replacement plan which calls for sidewalks on one side of streets.  Roadways and intersections south of US 52/MN 58 interchange may need to be moved away from the US 52 ramps to better meet access management guidelines. The County and City agree that there is need for realignment. In the short-term an option is relocation of CSAH 10 to connect to 22nd Street. The long-term plan is for CSAH 10 to be located further south, connecting at the US 52/TH 60E interchange area.

Utilities (especially stormwater and water) Through some earlier discussions, the City indicated a critical need to replace some storm sewer along MN 58 in the downtown business area, including at TH 58/CSAH 10. There is also a nine block stretch (6 th St to Jefferson Dr) of 4” water main which needs an upgrade to meet appropriate standards. These are lead and old cast iron service lines that need replacing.  Future City water, sanitary has been installed to serve growth south/west of US 52, service under US 52 northwest of the 52/58 interchange. A planned location for more utilities is under US 52 to the southeast of the interchange. Needs/routing of communications, etc utilities a consideration too.

Access Management Access management and safety along US 52 has been addressed in previous plans. This upcoming study provides an opportunity to assess multi-modal land use and traffic safety and operations along TH 58 and incorporate access management to address short- and long-term operations and safety.

More Issues and Opportunities to consider in Sub-Area Study:  Central Livestock Assoc/Zumbrota Market, area growth and access  TH 58/CSAH 6; CR 6 ties into TH 58, intersection works good, CSAH 6 is connection for casino traffic  Wastewater Plant, no residential growth anticipated around it

US 52/TH 58 Zumbrota Sub-Area Stdy 4/29/11 meeting minutes, final 5/19/11 2  Traffic Issues/speeds/crashes…”seems ok” to some, initial TH 58 crash data shows rates above District average and near State average  Parking setback to corners in some locations, ped visibility concern expressed  CSAH 68/MN 58, possible sight distance blockage by busses  Pedestrians crossing by Armory  Expansion of existing Park N Ride at northern City park/ballfields off of TH 58  2nd towards 11th St on the east side of TH 58, has alleys, more off-street parking  On-street parking

Study Scope The suggested geographic limits of the study include: - east; 195th Ave - west; cold storage business entrance and area west of US 52/CSAH 68 (including Covered Bridge Restaurant and US 52/CSAH 68 future overpass area) -north along TH 58; 443rd St (quarry access) -south along US 52; US 52/TH 60E interchange area

Study scope along US 52 should mainly reference recommendations from past studies. Study scope should address land use and transportation in more detail along TH 58 from south of the areas of anticipated development south of the US 52/TH 58 interchange to 443rd St on the north.

Coordination and funding Regarding upcoming TH 58 water and stormwater utility and mill and overlay projects, Neil Jensen indicated he did not favor holding part of the overlay project up for possible funding later. There appears to be many options available at this time, and if the projects could coincide, it may benefit the city financially in only one traffic and business disruption occurring instead of multiple times in the downtown area. Cooperative efforts will be essential.

Goodhue County’s US 52/CSAH 68 access management project will be constructed in 2012/2013. The County will being doing planning at some point for the future (unprogrammed) overpass at this location, and sees an opportunity to plan this together with the upcoming Zumbrota Sub-area Study.

The involvement of townships in the upcoming study should be further assessed.

Next Steps  Mn/DOT develop and send meeting notes  Mn/DOT get the City the most recent “storm sewer inspection report” (possibly from Tim Zierdan)  Mn/DOT will keep City and County up-to-date on “Better Roads” activities (anticipated “go-ahead” deadline is end of September 2011)  Further discuss opportunity to co-plan US 52/CSAH 68 future overpass planning with the upcoming Zumbrota Sub-area Study (All)  Mn/DOT will develop a draft study scope and schedule  Meet again in about two months (June/July 2011) (All)

US 52/TH 58 Zumbrota Sub-Area Stdy 4/29/11 meeting minutes, final 5/19/11 3