Agenda - Council - 06/24/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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During the Planning Commission review, some concern with respect to safety was raised regarding a pond located at the northwest corner of Sodium Street and Alpine Drive. The Planning Commission directed the ~developer to provide extensive landscaping around the pond in order to provide a buffer along the southerly portion of the pond from the 8-foot bituminous trail located on the north side of Alpine Drive. The developer submitted a landscaping plan that is providing for 14 plus ornamental deciduous trees (crab apple species), 4 Red Pines,. and 2 Black Ash trees, to be located along the southerly edge of the pond. The developer has also reduced the slopes of the pond along the western edge. The letter submitted from Hakanson Anderson dated June 6, 2003 also states that the retaining wall on the east side of the wetland, that is located immediately north of said pond, will contain a steel fence and a row of 6' evergreens. The Planning Commission also raised concern in regard to the wetland located at the northeast comer of Sodium Street and Sunfish Lake Blvd. The applicant has submitted a letter stating they have revised the preliminary plat to provide for a steel fence and 6' high evergreens will be placed at the top of slope adjacent to .the sidewalk along 153rd Lane. The applicant has also reduced the slopes surrounding the wetland. The Planning Commission discussed the need to provide for a public access easement from the town_home units to the .5 acre open space node located at the southeastern Corner of the plat in order for the subject open space node to be counted towards common open space requirements. The developer is willing to provide an access easement from the townhouse units to the open space node if the City Council desires. The Planning Commission recommended preliminary plat approval subject to compliance with the City Staff Review Letter dated May 16, 2003, revised June 6, 2003, the developer providing appropriate landscaping along the pond located at the northwest corner of Alpine Drive and Sodium Street, installing safety features along the wetland located at the northeast corner of Sodium Street and Sunfish Lake"Blvd., and providing for a public access easement from the townhome units to the .5 acre open space node located at the southeastern corner of Alpine Drive and Nowthen Blvd. At the June 10, 2003 City Council' meeting, the Council stated several concerns regarding the proposed development. The Council agreed to schedule a special work session for June 17, 2003 to discuss the proposed plat in detail with the developer. During the work session, several City Council members expressed concern regarding the close proximity of Radium Street, which is a private cul-de-sac, to Alpine Drive. The consensus of the Council was that Radium Street needed to be located at least 30 feet from the right-of-way of Alpine Drive and additional screening needs to be established between Radium Street and Alpine Drive. The City Council also discussed the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendation to dedicate a .5 acre park located in the southeastern corner of the plat and the Planning Commission's recommendation to require a public access easement from the townhome units to said .5 acre park. The consensus of the City Council was to follow the Park and Recreation Commission's recommendation to provide for a .5 acre public park within the plat. However, the developer does not need to provide for a public access easement from the townhomes to the park since the park will serve as natural open space until such time the City establishes funds to -181-