Minutes - Council - 07/22/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Kurak stated that the schematic is somewhat different than she had envisioned when she recommended the idea. She inquired if there was opposition to building a 1 O-foot trail rather than a road. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler stated that if they are going to use it as a way in and out of the park it should be open for vehicles. The secondary advantage of constructing the road is for emergency access to both neighborhoods. Kelly Thomas, Ramsey, stated that the proposed road impacts the way she lives because she purposely purchased a home on a cul-de-sac. She suggested that they build a parking lot that is stacked with an s-shaped drive through area to reduce the amount of cut through traffic. The other issue with adding the road is that it will add an additional access to a blind spot and possibly create more accidents. Ms. Thomas also noted that she would have been at the last meeting if she would have received more than a six-hour notice. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler explained that staff did look at the traffic impact and it is there feeling that with the configuration of the roads through the existing neighborhood, the majority of the traffic will be through the new development. Councilmember Pearson inquired if the land to the north develops will that increase traffic into the area. Councilmember Cook replied that the land to the north would probably have an access from Tiger Street and to the neighborhood to the north. The biggest problem with this situation is that the existing neighborhood only has one way in and one way out as well as the new development and by having the parking lot/access through the park it alleviates the one access concern. Bob Tomaszewski, 17720 Tiger Street NW, Ramsey, stated that additional traffic onto Tiger Street is a concern. He stated that he could understand the dual access idea, which may pick up more traffic, but his concern is that the way the development accesses Tiger Street is in the middle of a curve. He questioned since they are under such budget shortfalls couldn't they place the access at Rabbit Street since an access already exists and have the County pay the costs of constructing the intersection since it is a County road. Councilmember Cook stated that they do not want any more accesses onto Armstrong Boulevard and there were elevation issues as well. The developer did try and make accommodations to make a connection to the north but they did not have cooperation with the landowners. When there is future development, Rabbit Street will probably be connected to the development to the north. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he would recommend proceeding with the parking lot as proposed in Exhibit B and see how it works. Councilmember Cook stated that he would be inclined to go with Exhibit B, but noted that he had envisioned a different alignment of the parking area. City Council/July 22, 2003 Page 18 of 33