Agenda - Council - 08/26/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNTY OF ANOKA Public Services Division HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 1440 BUNKER LAKE BLVD. N.W., ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304-4005 (763) 862-4200 FAX (763) 862-4201 August 19, 2014 Chris Anderson City of Ramsey 7550 Sunwood Drive NW Ramsey, MN 55303 Re: Sketch Plan - Pine Ridge Development Dear Chris, We have reviewed the Sketch Plan for the proposed Pine Ridge Development to be located on the east side of CSAH 5 (Nowthen Boulevard) in the vicinity of the 180th Avenue NW alignment within the City of Ramsey, and I offer the following comments: The existing right of way of 60 feet east of the CSAH 5 centerline should be adequate for future reconstruction purposes, and no additional right of way will be required at this time. As proposed, Lots 1-6 will access the proposed 180th Avenue NW, and Lot 7, which is the existing residence located at 18045 Nowthen Boulevard, would retain its existing access onto CSAH 5. We will allow the access for the existing residence on Lot 7 to remain at its current location as proposed. However, if the future plans for Lot 7 are to break it up into lots similar to the area comprised of Parcels 1-6, the public right of way for 180th Avenue NW should be stubbed out to the north so that any future lots within the currently proposed Lot 7 can gain access to CSAH 5 via 180th Avenue NW in lieu of constructing a future cul-de-sac immediately to the north of 180th Avenue NW. The Right of Access along CSAH 5 (with an exception for the proposed 180th Avenue NW and the existing driveway to 18045 Nowthen Boulevard) should be dedicated to Anoka County. Any other existing field entrances or driveways within the boundaries of this sketch plan are to be removed and the ditch section along CSAH 5 restored to match existing depth, slope, and grade. It appears that there are deficiencies for the Case I intersection sight distance requirements for the new City street, with the obstructions being trees, brush, and the horizontal curvature of CSAH 5. Consequently, NB CSAH 5 right turn lane and a SB CSAH 5 bypass lane should be built by the City/developer in conjunction with this plat. The City/Developer should also ensure that clearing is completed to satisfy the sight distance requirements to the greatest extent possible for this development. Please note no signs or plantings will be permitted within the county right of way, and care must be exercised when locating signs, buildings, structures, plantings, berms, etc. outside of the county right of way, so as not to create additional sight distance obstructions for this section of CSAH 5. ACHD would like to work with local governments in promoting compatibility between land use and the county highway system. It should be recognized that residential land uses located adjacent to County highways often results in complaints about traffic noise. Existing and/or future traffic noise from CSAH 5 could exceed noise standards established by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Minnesota Rule 7030.0030 states that municipalities are responsible for taking all reasonable measures to prevent land use activities listed in the MPCA's Noise Area Classification (NAC) where establishment of the land use would result in violations of established noise standards. It is advised that the City and the Developer should assess the noise situation for this development as it is proposed to be located directly adjacent to Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer