Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/24/2015

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current concept accomplishes these goals. A more detailed analysis is attached as part of the Staff report.The Planning Commission recommends that a full access to Nowthen Boulevard remain open with the proposed development. The overall cost of re -aligning the access to allow said access to continue on Nowthen Boulevard would likely increase the costs to the project by several hundred thousand dollars. Initial analysis indicates that by closing the access to Nowthen Boulevard, all roads will continue to operate at acceptable levels of service, even with increased levels of traffic at each of these nodes. Additionally, the site will have reasonable access to three (3) major roads; 1) Nowthen Boulevard (at 150th Lane); 2) Alpine Drive (at Helium Street); and 3) TH 47/Saint Francis Boulevard (at 152nd Avenue). Finally, although the Anoka County Highway Department will technically allow either scenario, they are highly opposed to full access, but may support a right-in/right-out 'half -access' with center medians and turn lanes. Access spacing and on-going safety concerns in the vicinity of the Ramsey Elementary School are primary concerns. The cost of these improvements would be the responsibility of the City to delegate costs how it sees fit. A cost estimate and impact to the project pro -forma is attached as part of the Staff report. Finally, a significant discussion was also related to the impacts of the access points at Saint Francis Boulevard (TH 47) as a result of the closure to Nowthen Boulevard. Staff is working on preparing conceptual alternatives related to this area. However, Staff desires City Council direction before directing resources to this effort. Exterior Development Boundary Modification During Sketch Plan Review, a resident of MEADOW suggested a modification of the northern exterior development boundary on a portion of the proposed development that would essentially enlarge the size of some of the existing single-family lots within MEADOW as shown in the attached document highlighted in red. The Developer is not in support of this request. Master Park and Trail Plan As the redevelopment of the old municipal center has been discussed over a number of years and has taken a number of forms, A topic that routinely is raised is the potential for a new City Park. The City has routinely responded that it does not plan for a future City Park in this development. The area is well served by existing parks, connected through a series of pedestrian trails. Additionally, the focus of the Parks and Recreation Commission has shifted away from a series of smaller 'pocket' parks to larger communities parks with higher quality amenities connected through the City's pedestrian trail system. The Parks and Recreation Commission also recently reviewed this topic on February 10, 2015 and recommended that the City Council confirm the existing Parks and Trail Master Plan to not include a City park within this development. These alternatives are being brought forward as Alternative #1 as they are official recommendations of City Council Advisory Commissions. Alternatives Alternative #1. Confirmthe policy recommendations (the proposed plat WOULD need to be modified): 1. The Planning Commission recommends that the City not close the existing access to Nowthen Boulevard. 2. The Planning Commission recommends that the proposed development modify the northern exterior development boundary as illustrated in the attached document outlined in red. The option outlined in green is NOT being recommended. 3. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that the City not include a City park within the proposed development. This alternative would allow the proposed development to move forward as presented. Alternative #2. Amend the following policy recommendations: