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Not Approved Commissioner McPherson questioned if 15t Student would be running all of their current busses from their current location. Mr. Ward understood 1st Student had received a contract with Robbinsdale and may be moving some busses to that area. He was not entirely certain. Al Bucher,Regional Vice President for Estes Express Lines,expressed concern with congestion and safety near his business if the bus terminal were to locate adjacent to his site. He reported each bus would have to come to a complete stop on both sides of the railroad crossing,which would greatly affect traffic. He then discussed the operations of his business including the number of trips to and from the site. He clarified he was not interested in purchasing the property at 401 1st Street SW. He requested a traffic study be completed prior to the City allowing this use. Joe Walkerstoffer, owner of Walkerstoffer Company, stated he has been located north of the proposed location for the past 34 years. He stated the traffic in this area has grown on 1st Street. He anticipated the traffic concerns would become exponentially greater with 90+busses coming and going from the proposed site. He commented that the trains coming through the City would also cause increased congestion for the busses and this would affect all traffic. He did not support the bus terminal coming into the City. Gene Perry, owner Universal Truck Service, stated traffic near his business was becoming an issue and the bus terminal would only increase this concern. He recommended a traffic study be completed prior to considering this request. Commissioner Meyers questioned if the applicant had considered the implications the railroad tracks had on the bus terminal. Mr.Bisek stated all traffic had to stop for the railroad tracks and not just the school busses. At this time,the train traffic should not interfere with the school bus routes. The busses would be leaving the terminal prior to any train routes heading through the City. Commissioner Shardlow commented it appears the City needs more traffic lanes to assist with the traffic volumes in this area. However,this was not possible without purchasing land from a local business owner. Chairperson Howard asked if staff's position on the item had changed after hearing comments from the applicant. City Planner Gundlach noted the number of trips from the site provided this evening and was less than anticipated. She did feel the bus terminal was a good fit for the site but the City did need a traffic study to support and confirm this. Commissioner Matkaiti asked if the traffic study would address the traffic on Old Highway 8 and 1st Street along with the congestion caused at the railroad tracks. Public Works Director Wyffels explained the traffic study would address both concerns. He stated the problem with waiting for a field test in September is this would allow for the approval of the special use permit,which would be difficult to revoke. He recommended the Commission not take action on the item until a traffic study was completed as this would provide the necessary information to properly analyze the impacts the use would have on the area. Commissioner Shardlow stated a traffic study could not be fairly completed at this location this summer given the surrounding road construction. He expressed concern with how the trains would affect the bus terminal. He noted the long term problem was access to this area from Old Highway 8 to 1" Street SW. Chairperson Howard requested further information on the timeline of this application. City Planner Gundlach indicated the applicants were requesting action to be taken this evening to allow for Council to review the item next week as they were hoping to be in the site on August 1st. However,the City was seeking additional information such as the traffic study before recommending approval. Commissioner McPherson questioned if the City had any control over the railroad. City Planner Gundlach noted the City had no control over the railroad or the train schedules. The scheduling information may be available through a traffic study. Chairperson Howard asked how the Commission would like to proceed with the request. Commissioner Matkaiti was in favor of tabling the item to allow for the necessary information to be gathered. Commissioner Danger stated there was a timing issue that should be considered and the Mounds View students would need bussing come September 41h. He understood that the present businesses were not in favor of additional traffic in this area. However,the use fit the site and the railroad should not affect this decision. He anticipated the increased traffic in the area was largely due to road construction. Chairperson Howard agreed the site would work well as a bus terminal,however he did not recommend approving the item until after a traffic study could be reviewed. Commissioner Matkaiti agreed. Chairperson Howard questioned how the Commission should proceed if the item were to be tabled. City Planner Gundlach stated if the item were tabled action would be postponed to the August meeting. However, if the item were recommended for denial,the City Council would then have the option to approve,deny or request a traffic study. 4