Browsing by Subject "Minnetonka Projects, 2012-2013"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 31
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    An Assessment of Parking Policy in Minnetonka, Minnesota: Recommentations for Future Parking Policies to Create a Resilient Community
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Rutman, Brady; Darnell, Charles; Krantz, Michael; Risse, William
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. The City of Minnetonka was interested in assessing its parking regulations and identifying potential best practices for improving parking regulation and design. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Susan Thomas worked with students in PA 8202: Networks and Places, to develop a set of parking policy recommendations. The students recommended that Minnetonka establish parking requirements based on average parking demand rather than peak demand; provide more flexibility through the use of shared parking; and establish maximum parking requirements. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    City of Minnetonka Demographics and Housing Analysis to Evaluate Potential Market Leakage
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2012) Huynh, Phu; Lang, Ethan; Kelley, Mark; Pankratz, James
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Homes in Minnetonka are more expensive on average than homes in surrounding communities, and the City was interested in the potential "market leakage"--that is, purchasers looking to buy a home in the Minnetonka area but ultimately choosing to buy in a neighboring community--for mid-priced housing. Minnetonka project lead and community development supervisor Elise Durban worked with a team of students in HSG 5464: Understanding Housing Assessment and Analysis, to conduct a demographic and market analysis for Minnetonka. The students discovered that Minnetonka is an expensive area in which to live, many residents commute out of the city, and many older residents wish to age in place. Based on this information, the students recommended that Minnetonka look to build smaller, more affordable homes that might appeal to a range of buyers. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    City of Minnetonka Home Loan Program Evaluation
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Moon, Doug
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. The Minnetonka Home Enhancement Program (MHEP) is a housing rehabilitation program that was established in 2011 to assist low- to medium-income residents to make improvements to their homes. Since the beginning of MHEP, only one housing rehabilitation loan has been executed. Minnetonka project lead and community development supervisor Elise Durbin worked with a Ph.D. student in OLPD 8595: Evaluation Problems, to conduct an evaluation of the program using surveys and phone interviews with MHEP applicants to determine why the program was not being used. Based on this analysis, the student provided recommendations related to program promotion, administration, and logistics. The student's final report is available.
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    City of Minnetonka Maximum Parking Regulations Urban GIS
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Johnston, Brad; Kelley, Mark; Winge, Jonathan
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. The City of Minnetonka was interested in developing maximum parking regulations, to limit the amount of parking for new developments, to replace its existing minimum parking regulations. To demonstrate the impact of the regulation change, the City was interested in analyzing the hypothetical impact for the Opus business campus. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Susan Thomas collaborated with students in GEOG 5564: Urban GIS, to develop five parking redesigns for the Opus campus. The students' final report and poster are available.
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    City of Minnetonka Parking Reform Proposal
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Armstrong, Chelsey; Kleingartner, Dustin; Peterson, Cadence
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. The City of Minnetonka was interested in assessing its parking regulations and identifying potential best practices for improving parking regulation and design. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Susan Thomas worked with students in PA 8202: Networks and Places, to develop a set of parking policy recommendations. Based on their research, the students recommended simplifying parking requirements; reducing minimum parking regulations; creating a development impact fee for parking that exceeds a prescribed ratio; providing incentives for structured parking; lowering parking requirements for locations with alternative transportation options; encouraging shared parking; allowing for off-site parking; improving pedestrian amenities within parking areas; zoning for additional mixed-use development; encouraging infill development or alternative uses on excessive existing surface parking; and providing incentives for use of permeable pavers. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    City of Minnetonka Watershed Analysis
    (Resilient Communities Project, University of Minnesota, 2012) Alapati, Gayatri; Baldwin, Patrick; Bogg, Karen; Dunsmoor, Josh; Kaczmarek, Hagen; Kalinosky, Paula; Liddle, Patrick; Mazack, Jane; Niebuhr, Spencer; Taraldsen, Matt; Winzenburg, Lucas; Wynia, Molly
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. To identify strategies for improving water quality in Minnetonka lakes, the City needed more reliable information about the sources and amounts of potential biological and chloride contamination in the watersheds, as well as the avenues of transit for these contaminants from upland areas to the city's water bodies. Minnetonka project lead and water resources engineer Liz Stout worked with a team of students in 5295 to design a methodology for determining biomass loads within an identifiable tree canopy, and create a geodatabase of transit and flow properties within Minnetonka’s infrastructure. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    Comparative Housing Market Analysis: Minnetonka and Surrounding Communities
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2012) Huonder, Mark; King, Eric; Knoblauch, Katie; Tang, Xiaoxu
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Homes in Minnetonka are more expensive on average than homes in surrounding communities, and the City was interested in the potential "market leakage"--that is, purchasers looking to buy a home in the Minnetonka area but ultimately choosing to buy in a neighboring community--for mid-priced housing. Minnetonka project lead and community development supervisor Elise Durbin worked with students in HSG 5464: Understanding Housing Assessment and Analysis, to determine the mid-priced housing market for Minnetonka, as well as the neighboring communities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Plymouth, and Eden Prairie. Their analysis showed that Minnetonka lacks smaller, low-priced housing in comparison to surrounding communities. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    Crane Lake Watershed Study
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Blonigen, Laura; Race, Sara; Rutman, Brady
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. To improve water quality in Crane Lake, Minnetonka project lead and water resource engineer Liz Stout worked with students in CE 5511: Urban Hydrology and Land Development, to conduct a best management practice feasibility study for the Crane Lake Watershed. Based on their analysis, the students recommended increasing the frequency of street sweeping to collect leaves and other organic matter before they decompose and add nutrients to stormwater bound for the lake, as well as constructing a wet detention pond. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    Density and Housing Options Study
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Damiano, Anthony; Hampton, Kadence; Johnson, Wesley; White, David
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. As the result of a housing marketing study, the City of Minnetonka discovered the need to develop a more diverse range of housing options for residents, with housing of various types, sizes, price points, and densities. Minnetonka project lead Loren Gordon worked with students in PA 5212: Managing Urban Growth and Change, to conduct an audit of current housing-related policies in Minnetonka, and offer recommendations and example policies to increase density and encourage Smart Growth principles. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    Design Thinking and Minnetonka's Future
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2012) Sattler, Maggie
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Minnetonka has many residential neighborhoods, but neighborhood representation and participation varies widely--from a few formal neighborhood organizations to numerous informal associations and, in many cases, no organizational representation at all. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Jeff Thomson worked with students in LS 5100 to survey existing neighborhood associations in Minnetonka to help the City understand what they do and how they function, and researched local and national models for facilitating and supporting neighborhood organizations. The project also used design thinking to examine how residents currently envision community in Minnetonka. This approach suggested that, because residents socially engage based on mutual interests and activities--such as clubs, schools, and recreational activities--strengthening social ties and community by creating geographically-defined neighborhoods might not be as effective as enhancing or augmenting existing social networks. The students' final report, presentation, and poster are available.
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    Design Thinking, Neighborhood, Community
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2012) Hendricks, Jo Ann
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Minnetonka has many residential neighborhoods, but neighborhood representation and participation varies widely--from a few formal neighborhood organizations to numerous informal associations and, in many cases, no organizational representation at all. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Jeff Thomson worked with students in LS 5100 to employ a design thinking approach to determine how residents currently envision community in Minnetonka and how to leverage these relationships to improve community participation. The students' final presentation is available.
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    The Distinguished Developments Scoring Sheet for Conservation Design
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2012) Wood-Kustanowitz, Michelle
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Conservation development approaches encourage sustainable developments that protect natural environmental features, preserve open space, protect natural habitats for wildlife, and maintain rural character. This project examined the City of Minnetonka’s conservation development scorecard to assess its effectiveness in evaluating previous and proposed conservation developments. Project leads Susan Thomas and Jo Colleran worked with a student in ESPM 5242: Methods for Natural Resource and Environmental Policy, to analyze the scorecard. The analysis found that the scorecard was influential in encouraging conservation strategies as part of development projects, and recommended strategies for using the scorecard to increase social acceptability of conservation development, as well as implementing the tool through the city’s planned unit development ordinance. The student's final report is available.
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    Effective Impervious Area for the City of Minnetonka
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Fitch, Sarah; Navis, Ryan; Trebesch, Sam; Borden, Stephen; Takbiri, Zeinab
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. The City of Minnetonka was interested in measuring the effective impervious area (EIA) for two key sites in the city to better assess stormwater management and potential flooding. Minnetonka project lead and water resources engineer Liz Stout worked with students in CE 5511: Urban Hydrology and Land Development, to measure the EIA for two sites using two different methods. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    An External Review of the Post-Development Phase of the Crest Ridge Corporate Center, Glen Lake Redevelopment, and Goodwill Industries Development
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Cakici, Hanife; Moon, Douglas; De Freitas, Alejandra; Pi, Chendong
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Many new development projects in Minnetonka engender resistance from neighboring residents. The City of Minnetonka wanted to investigate whether or not projects remained controversial several years after the developments were completed. Minnetonka project lead Susan Thomas worked with graduate students in OLPD: 8595: Evaluation Problems, to assess community attitudes toward several development projects that were controversial at the time, including the Crest Ridge Corporate Center, the Glen Lake Redevelopment, and Goodwill Industries. Through interviews with Minnetonka residents, the students evaluated perceptions of each of the projects, and made recommendations for how the city can enhance the public input process for future developments to ensure that the needs and concerns of both developers and residents are being considered. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    Glen Lake Watershed Water Quality Control Measures
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Bad Heart Bull, Nicholas; Iversen, Adam; Lachowitzer, Kevin; Nerem, Kevin
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. To improve water quality in Glen Lake, Minnetonka project lead and water resource engineer Liz Stout worked with a team of students in CE 5511: Urban Hydrology and Land Development, to identify potential best management practices for the watershed. Based on their analysis, the students recommended more frequent street sweeping to prevent the release of nutrients from decomposing leaves and other organic matter, and the installation of hydrodynamic separators to reduce the amount of sediment in the water. The students' final report and presentation are available.
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    Holaday Circuits, Inc.: Pollution Prevention Measures for Resilient Communities
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2012) Hill, Alex; Sawyer, Shannon; Olson, Eric; Chmielewski, Autumn
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Many businesses and industries in Minnetonka use and discharge a significant amount of water and use large amounts of energy as part of their operations. The goal of this project was to develop education and outreach strategies that help businesses address water and energy conservation, as well as surface water protection, through their operations and site management. Minnetonka project lead and natural resources manager Jo Colleran partnered with students in ESPM 5606: Pollution Prevention: Principles, Technologies, and Practices, and a local business called Holaday Circuits, Inc., to develop a case study based on a life cycle analysis of the business’ water and energy use. The students identified conservation strategies that could improve the company’s bottom line, and used the case study to develop a more general checklist for future business energy audits. A poster summarizing the case study and the checklist are available.
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    Housing and Density Options Study
    (Resilient Communities Project, University of Minnesota, 2012-12) Creed, Jonathan; Giant, Joseph; Johnson, Wesley; Nesse, Kristina; Oltz, Brent
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. As the result of a housing marketing study, the City of Minnetonka discovered the need to develop a more diverse range of housing options for residents, with housing of various types, sizes, price points, and densities. Minnetonka project lead Loren Gordon worked with students in PA 8203: Neighborhood Revitalization, to compile a housing density research report and toolkit, using the Minnetonka 2030 Comprehensive Guide Plan (2008) and the Opportunity City Pilot Program Report (2009) as a foundation. The students' final report, presentation, and poster are available.
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    Improving Storm Water Management: A Case Study in Best Management Practices
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Ryan, John; Thomas, Daniel
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. To improve surface water quality, the City of Minnetonka sought to improve its stormwater management practices, including better addressing illicit discharge into storm sewers. Minnetonka project lead Jo Colleran partnered with students in Jean Coleman’s LAW 7012: Land, Environment, and Energy Law Clinic, to conduct an audit of current stormwater regulations and compile stormwater management case studies of similar communities. The students' final report is available.
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    Minnetonka Neighborhood Identities
    (Resilient Communities Project, University of Minnesota, 2012) Holey, Laura; Merz, Ryan; Porter, Dean; Simon, BrieAnna
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. Minnetonka has many residential neighborhoods, but neighborhood representation and participation varies widely--from a few formal neighborhood organizations to numerous informal associations and, in many cases, no organizational representation at all. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Jeff Thomson worked with students in PA 8203: Neighborhood Revitalization, to understand how to promote neighborhood organizations and identities based on local and national case studies, and to understand existing neighborhood entities in Minnetonka. The report includes a review of three broad models of structuring local government and neighborhood organization relationships; four case studies of local governments in the United States working with community organizations; in depth descriptions of three existing Minnetonka community organizations; and recommendations for how Minnetonka can use this information. The students' final report, presentation, and poster are available.
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    Parking Lots: Case Studies and a Model Ordinance
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2013) Appleby, Elizabeth; Holey, Laura; Janson, Michael; Geoffrey, Kemp
    This project was completed as part of the 2012-2013 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Minnetonka. The City of Minnetonka was interested in assessing its parking regulations and identifying potential best practices for improving parking regulation and design. Minnetonka project lead and city planner Susan Thomas worked with students in PA 8202: Networks and Places, to develop a set of parking policy recommendations. Based on their research, the students recommended doing away with the minimum parking ordinance; offering alternative infrastructure; allowing mixed-use or high-density developments that are located within close proximity to forthcoming light rail stations; increasing minimal impact design standards (MIDS) for parking lots with adaptive management options if water quality decreases; maintaining aesthetic regulations for parking lots; offering greater incentives for conservation design techniques with all pervious surfaces; allowing or incentivizing businesses with different peak business hours to share parking; and expanding developer and public outreach and education campaigns. The students' final report and presentation are available.