Agenda - Council - 02/12/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~28- City standard width-30' Townhomes of Rum River Hills-2$' Sunfish Ponds-28' main road; 24' side roads Mallard Ponds-24' Staff recommends the following standards be considered if private streets are allowed: 24' with no parking on both sides; 28' with no parking on one side; 30' without parking restrictions. Length of Main and Side Streets Generally, townhome projects are comprised of a main and side streets. The purpose of the side streets is to allow for access to the dwelling units. The purpose of the main street is to provide access to the City's street system and provide for onsite circulation. One of the main reason that City staff is unwilling to completely take over maintenance responsibilities (i.e. snowplowing, sweeping, etc.) is the number of driveways and lack of space for snow storage and turnaround potential on the side streets. Current City Code does not allow cul-de-sacs longer than 600 feet in single ~'amily residential subdivisions. This criteria can also be used for private roads. All other Performance Standards Ail other performance standards should be in compliance with public road standards in Section 9.50.30 of the City Code such as the strength of the pavement, vertical and horizontal ali~ment, and radii of intersection. Public Access Guarantee and Police Enforcement Since the construction of Mallard Ponds there has been numerous requests from residents of the townhome development to enforce alleged no trespassing violations for pedestrians and bicyclists. The City of Ramsey has gone through considerable effort to maintain a trail system for pedestrian movement throughout the City. Although there will not be any vehicular movement through the development, except emergency vehicles, does the City want to disallow or discourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic through a subdivision? ff the answer is no, then somehow there should be an access easement throughout the subdivision. MayOr Gamec stated that with the townhome development becoming increasingly popular something needs to be put in place. Largest problem that has arisen from the private streets has to do with snowplowing in the winter. Cost wise for the City private streets are good. Councilmember Anderson stated that she had received a call from a resident of Rum River Hills complaining about the break-up of their road and requesting that the City fix it because they pay taxes like everyone else. She stated that she could understand where the resident was coming from, but also understands that it is a private road. City Engineer Olson noted that industrial property owners pay taxes, but when their driveway breaks up the City does not pay for it. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that private roads means a one time savings to the developer, and the fact that residents of those development have to pay a higher cost for snow removal and the fact that they keep coming back to the City with issues is why he is opposed to private streets. Of the six examples in the City where private streets have been permitted four of them have I I I I I, I I I I I I I I, I I I I I