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<br />Councilmember Elvig inquired if the speed being traveled affects this. He noted when people <br />have plantings and hedges out close to the road it affects the ability to see around them. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski explained there are a number of ways of establishing the appropriate <br />way to designate the triangle, in some of the cases speed is a factor in the determination. The <br />State of Minnesota uses speed as a factor, and when he tried to work their rationale into <br />Ramsey's situation the triangles were much more intrusive onto the property owners than the <br />ordinance that has been selected. Of the 12 communities that were surveyed River Falls was the <br />least restrictive of all the communities. This model utilizes 25 feet for the stop condition and 50 <br />feet for the non-stop condition. If speed is included as a determination it will likely be a bigger <br />triangle than what is being proposed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated his concern is that as they have new developments this needs to be <br />in place, however, there are also older developments in the City. There are a couple of locations <br />they looked at last year that he thinks will continue to be a problem. This is a matter of public <br />safety, which takes precedence over someone having a tree on the 15 foot triangle in a yard. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Kapler noted a provision could be included that existing circumstances <br />can be looked at on a case by case basis. This would still this to be in place for new <br />development. <br /> <br />Chairperson Zimmerman inquired if plans for the D.R. Horton development have been approved. <br /> <br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson responded in the negative. He explained a lot of the <br />concept plans show the commercial area on the west side of Sunwood Drive, and there will not <br />be a lot of landscaping. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated the final plat and landscaping designs for D.R. Horton will have to <br />fall back from the comers. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski advised MSA streets have less impact on the property. Primarily they <br />have a wider right-of-way. This also applies to alleys of commercial drives. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig indicated it would be a good idea to include the suggested language about <br />existing circumstances being handled on a case by case basis. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Kapler explained often it is just a manner of education of the property <br />owners. Often when staff meets with the property owners everyone is okay with what they are <br />proposing to do. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to forward the draft <br />ordinance to the City Council for introduction and that it be reviewed by the City Attorney, <br />Community Development and the Police Department. The draft ordinance should include the <br />suggested provision that existing properties will be handled on a case by case basis. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/March 16,2004 <br />Page 3 of5 <br />