Present: Jeff Ellerbusch (Rochester-Olmsted Planning Dept), Marc Carpenter, Richard Freese (Rochester Public Works), Jose Rivas, Amy Blenker, Sean Allen, Charlie Quigg, Ron Nelson, Bob Nelson, Geoff Martin, Tammy Greenwood, Brad Lahr, Karel Weigel, John Slack, Jay Demma, Doug Knott (Rochester Administration), Dave Edmonson, Steve Thornton.

Blenker facilitated introductions and gave a project overview.

Martin reviewed roles and responsibilities, schedule, and process.

Martin presented background and Imagine Kutzky Plan.

Slack provided corridor analysis. Discussion of extension of 11th Ave SW south of 2nd Street. Discussion of shuttle bus terminal.

Freese questioned the calculation of Imagine Kutzky opportunity sites. Flood responded, the sites were areas with obvious redevelopment potential - not much analysis was involved.

Martin presented districts: Gateway, St. Mary's District, Institutional District.

Gateway:
Discussion on MN-Dot owned parcel near HWY 52 to the South of 2nd Street. Freese noted that the parcel is currently zoned B-4 commercial but has poor access. Discussion of possibility of City purchase of the lot.

Discussion regarding Kutzky Park's interest to preserve 1st Street. Edmonson stated that the north side of the block is better as a residential area while the south side is better for commercial.

Knott stated that the properties are already being assembled for redevelopment and some extend to the north side of the block. Freese stated that fewer owners are beneficial for redevelopment.

Freese noted the Red conflict at 14th Ave. Edmonson noted that the north/south bike access is difficult.

St. Mary's:
Freese stated that the use of right-of-way would need to be evaluated (likely different between the different district) for best use on-street parking vs. increased traffic flow. Rivas stated that the traffic study will guide street width in St Mary's district. Freese questioned whether St. Mary's district could be three lanes of traffic (one lane each way with dedicated turn lane). Could this traffic volume be accommodated on three lanes instead of four?
Quigg asked for the number of ADTs, the trends, and what do we want the ADTs to be. He asked for accident data.

Greenwood asked if a variable traffic pattern was possible.

Freese stated that it is possible but should be explored in the context of the whole corridor. Freese stated that medians and turn lanes should be explored.

Institutional support:
Knott stated that the label of the district should be different, there needs to be viable neighborhood uses.

Greenwood stated that the area should be more walkable.

Knott suggested an urban village concept.

Freese stated that there are more and not less access management issues because there are more accesses.

Edmonson stated that he supports the urban village concept.

Freese questioned whether adding a north-south ROW connection would be acceptable to the neighborhood.

Edmonson responded that the area ought to have an alley. 9th Ave or a ped/bikeway could be explored as a north/south connection in this district.

Quigg seconded the idea of a 9th Ave connection.

Demma presented market overview.

Freese noted that the definition of "struggling" was less appropriate than "transitional" for the Miracle Mile Shopping Center. He noted that the Miracle Mile is an important part of the planning process. Edmonson felt the term was accurate.

Rivas left the meeting.
Freese stated that County Planning Director Phil Wheeler has said that Rochester will have more job growth than population growth. Therefore, Rochester will more traffic per job than now. Carpenter stated that given the issues, the group should be planning for a longer time horizon—not only 20 years more like 40 years.

Wiegel left the meeting.

Freese questioned whether there is enough demand for two "urban villages" in Rochester (both along 1st Ave and 2nd Street).

Demma stated that he didn't know.

Freese stated that market research is necessary to rezone - to assure owners that a down-zone is feasible.

Ellerbusch stated that east of 11th would not be a down-zone. West of 11th might be more restrictive. Ellerbusch questioned when in the process does the public money go into the change? He stated that some say it is the first investment to "catalyze" change.

Blenker stated that a moratorium on development until the completion of the study should be considered by the group. Announcement of December 12th Event.