Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/24/2015

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Review File: Harvest Estates (15153 Nowthen Blvd. NW) Sketch Plan Review: Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code January 30, 2015 Page 3 of 5 • Alpine/CSAH 5 will soon be signaled. When the northbound/southbound lights are green, southbound traffic will enter the school zone at top -speeds. Previously, traffic stopped at Nowthen Boulevard/Alpine Drive before entering this school zone (all way stop sign). If access is allowed to Nowthen Boulevard from this new development, the County would have serious safety concerns for both commuters on CSAH 5 and the nearby school (pedestrians, buses, parents, etc.). • The proposed access to this site does not meet the County minimum 1/4 mile setback from the Alpine/CSAH 5 intersection. This results in additional safety concerns by County staff. • County staff opposes supporting any access to CSAH 5 from the City's site. However, if the City decided access is required to CSAH 5, the County will not dis-approve said request. If access to CSAH 5 is a City requirement, County staff would strongly recommend requiring a right-in/right-out access only; and the addition of applicable turn lanes. All costs associated with turn lanes and a medians (for right -in /right -out) would be the sole cost of the City. • County staff believes the two nearby accesses (Alpine Drive and 150th) provide reasonable and efficient access to the new proposed development (and connection to the nearby school). • County staff indicated the nearby elementary school has significant safety concerns regarding traffic along CSAH 5 now; and believes this new proposed access will worsen said concerns. Attached to this report is a brief traffic analysis. Please note that this analysis has not been prepared by a licensed traffic engineer and is for illustrative purposes only. The City accepts no liability for sharing this information. This is a working document that allows the City to adjust travel splits to impacted intersections based on local knowledge and experience. The intent of this document is to illustrate cost versus benefit of requiring an additional connection to Nowthen Boulevard. The site will have three (3) access points to major roads: 1) Nowthen Boulevard (at 150th Lane); 2) Alpine Drive (at Helium Street); and 3) Trunk Highway (TH) 47/Saint Francis Boulevard (at 152nd Avenue). Based on a split between these three intersections upon full build -out (existing homes + proposed development), it appears that the traffic levels would continue to be within acceptable levels of service. With a long-term net cost to the City of approximately $300,000 to $500,000 in construction, construction administration, and property acquisition ($500,000 to $700,000 up front without return on investment in property acquisition), Staff does not believe that the time savings of approximately one (1) to three (3) minutes is justifiable at this time. Interim Improvements A portion of the northernmost proposed road is impacted by the phasing plan. This area is located near the former Police Department building. Staff recommends that the parking lot for this building serve as an interim turnaround due to the proposed schedule, as opposed to constructing a full-sized cul-de-sac. However, the Developer is working on an interim, full-sized cul- de-sac in the event Phase II does not commence construction in 2016. The Development Agreement and financial surety requirement shall address this staging issue to ensure the City can react as needed. Architectural Standards. Architectural renderings are not required as part of Sketch Plan Review. City Code Section 117-111 requires that all structures be constructed with exterior materials consisting of face brick, natural stone, aluminum, steel, or vinyl siding, wood, Masonite products, or other compatible residential materials that may be approved by the City. The assumption is that the Developer will be constructing homes similar to those constructed in MEADOW, the adjacent residential development constructed in 2005.