Save70th.org

Help Create Arneson Parkway!

2007-08-29T10:55:00.001-05:00

Join us as we try to restore the integrity of the 70th street corridor, and bring our vision for Arneson Parkway to life!

click here TO JOIN as a listed member of our group, sign up for GROUP EMAIL updates and newsletters, or PLEDGE time or money

click here for a FULL COLOR RENDERING of Arneson Parkway

click here for the save70th.org NEWSLETTER, VOL I -- a good history on the issues.

2008 Board of Directors, Greater West 70th St Homeowners Assn:

Kris Norton (Chair), Amy Kerber (Secretary, Treasurer), Kris Norton, Colby Wilkins, Joe Florenzano, Josh Sprague, JB Overstreet, Ruth Johnson, Kari Ciardelli, Ruth Johnson, Bill Neiman, and Ron Rich.

Contact: Kris, 952-200-1451

Key Meetings to Make!

2007-08-28T19:31:00.004-05:00

Greater W. 70th St Homeowners Assn Meetings
TBA

Edina Government Meetings
Transportation Commiteee Meetings - Every 4th Thursday, 7pm, City Hall, Community Room
City Council Meetings - Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 7pm, City Hall, City Council Chambers

Key Documents to Review!

2007-08-27T23:13:00.005-05:00

Don't miss the following materials that are shaping the issues on 70th street's future:

5-2-08 Design Alternatives Comparison
5-2-08 Letter to City
4-17-08 Transportation Commission Meeting
12-27-07 Edina Sun Times Article
12-17-07 Letter to SAC -- Our Response to SAC proposals
11-30-07 Star Tribune Article on SAC proposals
11-29-07 SAC Final Meeting Agenda
9-13-07 Letter to SAC -- Our Definition of "Parkway"
8-15-07 Draft Transportation Comprehensive Plan
6-21-07 Edina Sun Times Letter to Editor
5-15-07 Normandale College Article on 70th
4-12-07 City's Webpage for 70th Street Study
4-12-07 Study Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting#1 Minutes
3-14-07 Postcard Mailer to 1200 Residents
2-27-07 Wanniger Memo to Commission re: Hearings Summary
2-22-07 Video of Public Hearing#3 on 70th
1-23-07 Video of Public Hearing#2 on 70th
1-18-07 Video of Public Hearing#1 on 70th
1-1-07 Rendering of Arneson Parkway
1-1-07 Save70th.org Newsletter, vol 1
1-1-07 Comment Card Results
12-8-06 Edina Letter to Residents
12-8-06 Sun Times Article
11-29-06 WCCO News Story on 70th
11-28-06 70th Traffic Study Comment Form
11-28-06 70th Traffic Study Presentation (Open House)
NE Quadrant Traffic Study Presentation (Open House)
NE Quadrant Study Narrative by SRF Consulting
NE Quadrant Transportation Final Report
Southdale Land Use & Transportation Final Report
1999 Edina Transportation Comprehensive Plan
State Aid Roads -- Rules and Regulations

2007 Letter to Officials

2007-08-26T10:52:00.000-05:00

Dear City Leaders:

Many months have passed since the Greater West 70th Homeowners Association was formed. During that time we have "signed up" six hundred neighbors, raised thousands of dollars, distributed hundreds of lawn signs, and had a successful National Night Out celebration.

The Cornelia Neighborhood has united behind the vision of a Parkway for West 70th, an upgrade that would enhance the safety and beauty of the neighborhood as well as protect our residential character. We have appreciated your willingness to appoint the necessary committees, to respond to the many e-mails, and to consider our parkway vision. Since "Parkway" has many potential meanings, we want to share with you our vision for the purpose and the particulars of Arneson Parkway.

The Purpose of Arneson Parkway

Two words come to mind, "stabilize" and "enhance." Parkways transform a common street into an urban oasis. In Minneapolis, neighborhoods prosper on and adjacent to Minnehaha Parkway, Lake Harriet Boulevard, and the many other such roadways. And this "prosperity" is of great benefit to Minneapolis which, unlike so many other core cities, has maintained many wonderful residential areas. Edina city leaders can learn from the Minneapolis experience.

West 70th does not have an adjacent creek or lake. However, it has a stately church, a beautiful park, and a vibrant school. And, of course, W. 70th leads directly into one of the nation's most prosperous shopping areas. The church, the park, the school, and the commercial interests would all benefit from a stable, prosperous residential neighborhood. The creation of “Arneson Parkway” would guarantee the vitality of the W. 70th neighborhood for decades. It is a change that would benefit all of Edina.

The Particulars of Arneson Parkway

1. Obtain variance from State Aid (as the City has already received on 70th east of France) so that commercial thru truck traffic can be banned and speeds reduced below 30 mph
2. Drop speeds to 25 mph throughout W. 70th and 20 mph in front of school while in session.
3. More frequent crosswalks: 2 per Arneson/Cornelia parks, 2 at the school, and several others.
4. Wider, safer, crosswalks: better flashers, better signage, raised or textured surfaces, and shortercrossing distances.
5. Narrower roadbed with no center lines.
6. Rubberized "quiet" asphalt surface.
7. Median planters and boulevard trees and plantings to create a truly bucolic corridor.
8. Realigned or curved roadway at both ends of 70th St. (near Highway 100 and France Ave.)
9. Bike lane on one side of 70th.
10. Cut in parking sections near parks and/or school.
11. Rename road to “Arneson Parkway” (from 100, East to France Ave.) and install new signage on Hwy. 100 exits.
12. To reduce cut through traffic, add additional signage on Hwy. 100 and 62 to make 494, 62,
France Ave, and 76th St./Industrial Blvd. the major commercial gateways to Southdale.

-Board of Directors, Greater W. 70th Homeowners Association

Petition Drive Results

2007-03-31T17:36:00.001-05:00

In the cold days of early January, about 2 dozen volunteers from the Greater 70th St Homeowners' Assn went out to gather signatures for a petition to protect the future of 70th. Volunteers went house-to-house on 70th, as well as 2 blocks north and south of 70th, for a total of 600 homes. The petition read:

We, the undersigned Cornelia residents, do hereby petition to enhance the residential nature of West 70th, thereby preserving the integrity of our parks, of our school, and of our community, including:

No thru trucks, slower speeds
New pedestrian and bike access
Maintain current width and location of West 70th
Beautification measures

Out of the 600 target homes, we received over 535 signatures from 400 households --67% of the neighborhood. Had we been able to actually reach more homeowners, we are sure that numbe would be higher. Only a handful of people would not sign the petition. Given the time of year, it was a resounding success and shows that our Cornelia community is united on the future of 70th as as parkway!

2006 Letter to Officials

2007-01-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

Edina Transportation Commission
Edina Planning Commission
Edina Traffic Safety Committee
SRF Consulting
Edina City Council Members
Other Concerned Edina Residents
Centennial Lakes Cornelia Neighborhood Association

To Whom It May Concern:

We represent a group of concerned citizens who live on or adjacent to West 70th Street.
Our mission is to restore the residential integrity of our neighborhood and reduce the traffic on West 70th Street.

Our mission is in direct alignment with the first objective of Edina’s Vision 20/20 which is to maintain strong residential neighborhoods.

BACKGROUND

From our Association’s inception just over a year ago, we have listened intently while the Edina City Council, the Edina Planning Commission, Edina Transportation Commission, Edina City Staff and a number of consultants have discussed the development of our city and the future of our residential neighborhood. During this time we have witnessed decisions made in the interest of development and progress that deteriorates the strength of our neighborhood by increasing the traffic on already overburdened neighborhood streets.

Current traffic levels on our street already negatively impact the quality of our neighborhood in a variety of ways ranging from:

Dangerous pedestrian and biking conditions for all residents
Unbearably loud/noisy and ground rumbling conditions from near continuous traffic – bordering on freeway noise
Road dust/air pollution
Increasingly hazardous conditions for our children who attend Cornelia Elementary School
Diminished value of our homes
Police enforcement lacking due to unsafe conditions
Restricted access to parks
With the upcoming 70th Street Corridor Study, we expect to have the opportunity to actively partner with the City and selected consultants to formulate solutions and set the direction for our neighborhood.

OUR POSITION

Our Association recognizes and appreciates the value of the Greater Southdale Area to the City of Edina. In no way is it our intention to hinder the commercial prosperity of the City or the businesses who reside here. Rather we believe that a reasonable balance can be maintained that is mutually beneficial for our residential neighborhood and our business neighbors.

Since our Association’s creation, our Members have educated ourselves on Edina government, our neighborhood, West 70th Street, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation policies. We have talked with members of the Edina City Council, the Edina Transportation Commission, Edina Planning Commission, City Staff, and Minnesota Department of Transportation Engineers. We have listened and will continue to listen to our neighbors who share our concerns and are ready to share their ideas for reducing traffic on 70th Street.

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

After compiling a long list of potential solutions that would provide reduced traffic on 70th Street, the Greater West 70th Street Homeowners Association recommends the following items:

Remove the Minnesota State Aid Classification of 70th Street. This will return the control of the street to the City as the State Aid Classification restricts lane usage, speed limits, etc. MnDot State Aid Engineers assure us that this is an appropriate change the City can make. We have also learned that State Aid can be applied to other roads.
Add a stoplight at one of the intersections on 70th Street between Highway 100 and France Avenue.
Re-align exit ramps off of Highway 100
Begin enforcement of 30 MPH speed limit on 70th Street.
Reduce speed limit to 25 MPH near Cornelia School and Arneson Acres Park
Resurface 70th Street with asphalt and within current footprint for reduced noise and add landscaping to curbs
Increased signage at adjoining highways encouraging use of higher classification streets to gain access to Greater Southdale Area.
Prohibit truck traffic - which may involve dropping state aid
Turn 70th Street to a parkway and rename it to “Arneson Parkway.” This parkway would consist of two lanes of traffic, bike lanes, landscaping, a speed limit of 25 MPH, and no turn lanes. The Parkway would still serve as a through street for neighborhood traffic and would allow easier Parkway access from side streets due to slower and reduced traffic. People that need a fast way to the Southdale area would choose 62, 494, or 76/77th where the speed is greater.

This list is not all inclusive and may require alteration depending on other changes in the Greater Southdale Area and surrounding highways.

CONCLUSION

On behalf of the neighborhood, the Greater West 70th Street Homeowner’s Association requests the participation in Corridor Study process and solutions, and requests thorough consideration of the potential solutions listed above.

We thank you for the opportunity to participate in this process and thank you for your time. We look forward to discussing the integrity of our residential neighborhood at the meeting on November 28, 2006, at 7:00 PM at the Braemar Clubhouse.

Sincerely,

The Greater West 70th Street Homeowners’ Association Steering Committee

Marge Andre mandre@mnwire.com 612-581-8663
Daniel Giedd dangiedd@hotmail.com
Kristine Norton Loub0005@umn.edu 952-200-1451
Josh Sprague josh@joshsprague.com 612-501-0252
Colby Wilkins colbywilkins@hotmail.com

Traffic and Home Values

2007-01-01T09:50:00.000-06:00

Re: your inquiry reference the relationship between estimated market value and location on a heavily traveled residential street.

There is a direct relationship between estimated market value and location on a heavily traveled street. It is difficult to estimate the dollar adjustment or % of value adjustment because each specific case requires study; however it is safe to acknowledge that value is affected, and probably marketing time is affected as well.

It is also reasonable then, to assume that the greater the traffic flow, the greater the economic impact is to each individual homeowner; and conversely the more
traffic flow is restricted, the more the negative economic impact is minimized.

Notable ways to contribute to the friendliness of heavily traveled streets is to improve boulevard trees, include parking, pedestrian crossings; and smooth, well maintained streets.

Please feel free to inquire if further information is needed.

Paul S. Folland, Certified Appraiser, License #20100795

Contact Your Elected Officials!

2006-12-31T09:51:00.002-06:00

Please email and call the following people to let them know you support the Great 70th St Homeowner's Assn's platform for traffic calming and traffic reduction on 70th:

State Senator Dist. 41
Geoff Michel (aide – Matt)
133 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-6238
sen.geoff.michel@senate.mn

State Representative Dist. 41A(70th & North of 70th)
Ron Erhardt -
591 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-4363

952-927-9437 home
rep.ron.erhardt@house.mn

State Rep. Dist. 41B (South of 70th)
Neil Peterson
527 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-7803
rep.neil.peterson@house.mn

Mayor Jim Hovland
612-874-8550
jhovland@krauserollins.com

City Council Members
Joni Bennett
952-927-0661

jonibennett12@comcast.net

Ann Swenson
952-927-7524

anns@hoigaards.com

Linda Masica
952-942-6770

lmmasica@aol.com

Scot Housh
763-302-7174
612-865-6044 cell
scot.housh@willis.com