Draft Minutes, Community Development Committee, August 9, 2011 Present: Sheldon Mains (SNG Board President and acting

Committee Chair), Scott Henderson, Megan Sheridan (Seward Redesign), Peter Fleck, Jon Wertges and Steve Mosing (both of Mpls Public Works), Bruce Johansen. Ben Walen, Robin Garwood (Councilmember Cam Gordon's office), and Bernie Waibel (minutes). Introductions were made.

Sheldon reported that regarding the recent repaving of the S-curve on 26th Avenue (between South Ninth Street and Franklin Avenue), the SNG is on record as favoring striping the new asphalt for a bicycle lane in each direction. The SNG also has called for a mid-block crossing to allow residents of Seward Tower West to gain easier access to their green-space across 26th Avenue. The SNG recognizes the danger to residents of a mid-block crossing without a major rebuilding of the curve but still advocates for bike lanes. There are now (or will soon be) bike lanes on Franklin, Riverside and 26th Avenues, and connecting Franklin with Riverside via the S curve is logical. Robin said that S curve bike lanes are on the City's master bike plan. After the 35W bridge fell, the Feds gave money to the City to restore those streets including the S curve that received heavier usage due to detours. Current repairs are being paid for from this funding. A discussion ensued regarding the logistics and safety margins of placing bike lanes on the busy S curve. John reported that his department had done a safety analysis to determine how vehicle traffic would be affected if the number of lanes were reduced. Based on several years of traffic counts, he said that the news wasn't good, especially for the southbound lanes. The southbound lanes through the S curve currently have a 'vehicle to capacity' ratio of 'D' between 4:15 and 6:15 p.m.. Reducing southbound traffic to one lane would result in a rating of 'E'. Per department modeling, southbound traffic would back up from Franklin through the S. 9th Street intersection. John said that more analysis could be performed. The situation of the northbound lanes is slightly better in having a current 'C' rating during rush hour. Removing a lane would lower the rating to 'D' in that northbound traffic would be backed up a distance of 400' to 500', not quite all the way to Franklin Avenue. A speaker asked whether two bike lanes could be installed in one of the northbound lanes of the S curve. The engineers said that the logistics would be too difficult in getting bike traffic to cross over and because one lane of the street would be removed, a physical barrier would need to be installed between the outside bike lane and vehicle traffic. A speaker noted that the bus stop in the northbound right lane compounds the problem. There was a question about solid white lines on the pavement and when they can be

crossed. If the white lines are bike lane markings, they can be crossed to park or turn and 'skip dashing' will often show this. Lanes delineated by white lines are not travel lanes for vehicles. The concept of having bikers and traffic share one lane was explored via the painting of 'share arrows' (which resemble chevrons with bike emblems). Share arrows show that cars may use the lanes though bicycles will likely be present. In the long term, the rebuilding of the S curve to accommodate bicyclists is the only solution. Perhaps southbound bike traffic could be diverted down 25th Avenue to Franklin Avenue. In the near term, a decision regarding striping for bike lanes will be made before cold weather returns. _______________ Scott Henderson, owner of 3418 E. 25th Street asked for feedback on his recent efforts at cleaning up the property. He said that he'd attended the NNO block party on August 2nd and had received a lot of compliments from neighbors. Meeting attendees agreed that there was real improvement and asked what the long-term plans were for the property. Scott said that he wouldn't sell the building due to ongoing issues with the Zoning Department and complained about being unfairly treated by Zoning officials. Robin pointed out that Scott has rights to use the building in a manner similar to that for which it was built, as a ball bearing distributor. The building is currently a nonconforming use in a residential area. A similar use might be a copy machine repair shop or home base for a product distributor. Given the former use of the building, conditional use rights do not allow auto repair or storage of autos on the street. There is a City order to remove the non-conforming use (auto repair) and this order will not go away. No authority at the City is singling out the owner for undeserved attention. Robin stated that as owner of the building, Scott has several options. He may lease or sell the space for a use similar to that when the building was used as a ballbearing distributor. Second, Scott can go through an official procedure to get the non-conforming use changed. A change to an auto-repair use is highly unlikely. Third, the property can be used for a conforming use, that is, for a single-family home. The building can be repurposed like a similar building across the street or demolished and a house built. Having an open zoning order would not prejudice the rental or sale of the building to a new user who proposed a use conforming to the earlier use of the building (ball bearing distribution). The neighbors appreciate the fact that Scott is trying to improve the appearance of the building but the use of the property for outside storage is not permissible nor is the parking of vehicles on the street. Certain uses are to be segregated from residential areas and the current use does not accord with the City allowed, non-conforming use. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m..