Agenda - Council - 02/10/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # J CONSIDER REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL STREET LIGHTING ALONG NOWTHEN BOULEVARD IN THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE CITY By: Tim Himmer, Assistant City Engineer Background: On December 1, 2008 staff received a letter from a resident at 7031 173rd Avenue NW requesting consideration for additional street lighting along Nowthen Boulevard in the northern portion of the City. The letter appears to be most focused on the spacing of existing lights, and the associated safety concerns. The City Council adopted the current street lighting policy on November 14, 2006. This policy references two distinct classifications of street lights: 1. Priority lights, which are placed at key intersections and other locations (mostly along high speed, high volume roadways) as a public safety measure. These lights are financed through the general fund and a City-wide street lighting utility. 2. Subdivision lights, which are placed in new subdivisions and established neighborhoods for greater pedestrian safety and increased crime deterrent. In new developments, these lights are financed initially by the developer, and on-going maintenance and operation costs are paid by the residents of that neighborhood. Existing neighborhoods can petition the City for additional street lights, with the costs assessed back to the benefiting residents in that neighborhood. Observations: The request received could be categorized into the priority street lighting category, and therefore must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the approved policy. . High frequency of nighttime accidents - over the past year 3 motor vehicle accidents were reported in this area to the police department, all of which involved vehicle-animal collisions. . Marked pedestrian crossings - none exist in this location of the City. . Location used by a high number of pedestrians near parks and schools - not applicable in this area. . Selected intersections on neighborhood collector streets where traffic volumes are significantly higher than on adjacent residential streets - this would most likely apply to the intersections of Nowthen Blvd., with l7Sth Avenue and Green Valley Road. . Within the Ramsey Town Center - not applicable in this area. Currently all residential streets in the northern portion of the City that.connect to Nowthen Blvd. have a street light located somewhere at the intersection, with the exception of 173rd Avenue. The existing gap between intersections (and thus lights) varies along this corridor, with. the greatest spacing being in excess of ~ mile. This maximum spacing gap occurs in two locations along this segment of roadway. One coincidentally occurs between 1 70th Avenue and 17Sth Avenue, and the other occurs between Green Valley Road and l81st Avenue. By adhering to current City policy and placing a street light at the intersection of l73rd Avenue ~nd Nowthen Blvd., one of these gaps could be reduced to approximately 'l4 mile. Since there are currently no residential streets that intersect Nowthen Blvd. between Green Valley Road and 181 st Avenue, something outside of City policy would be required to reduce the gap in this location. -169-