Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/07/1993

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I ,I ! iI I I I I I I i I I I I I ARTERIAL THOROUGHFARE By: Steven Jankowski, City SETBACKS Engineer CASE Background: At a previotls meeting, Commissioner Deemer suggested revising the setback distance for structures ~in the centerline of County Roads and arterial street rights-of-way from 110 feet to 83 feet. The ~ommission directed Staff to review similar communities setback requirements. Attached is 8 listing of setback requirements in surrounding area communities. Andover has a requiremem ~xaefly the same as Ramsey, while Coon Rapids, Champlin and Anoka require 50 feet from the rigtg-of-way which would be identical to our setback, providing the standard 120 foot county roarI~ght-of-way is in place. Blaine, as you might notice, allows for a ten foot reduction to 40 feet i~ requesting th this policy is setback. Jon adhering to th cities for righ cities not in o projects with some instances. The County has had a policy in place since the early 1980's tt setbacks from the centerline of county road right-of-way be 110 feet. However, advisory and there are no enforcement provisions if a city decides upon a different 31son, Deputy County Engineer, indicated that all communities within the County are is policy. Mr. Olson indicated that he was in the process of preparing a guideline for t-of-way acquisition. Part of this policy will be a provision which will require that >mpliance with the guidelines will be responsible for acquisition costs on cost-share ~he County. The County's need for fight-of-way width from road centerline on a two lane highway is summarized ~ follows: major travel lane, 12 feet; turning lane or bypass lane, 12 feet; clear zone free of eollisi0n obstructions, 30 feet; utility accommodation, 6 feet. These distances justify the 120 foot figh~of-Way requirement Although not all two lane roadways currently comply with the 30 feet cleartone for utilities, it might be anticipated that future reconstructions will incorporate the inelusi0n of the requirement. A reduction of the setback to county roads to 83 feet could place structures within 23 to 29 feet of overhead power poles. Structures, however, would still be set back 53 to 55 ~eet from the nearest portion of the travelled roadway. Although th~ ar~ no projected needs for upgrading any county roads within the City to four lanes within the ne~Xt 20 years, if such an upgrade were necessary, the additional travel lane would reduce the above aetbacks by at least another 12 feet and, in instances where multiple mm lanes are required, by 2g to 36 feet. Reducing the setback to 85 feet could result in an improved property to be acquired and razed. Even in cases where a structure may not need to be razed, a drastic reduction in the amount of buffer can substantially increase the acquisition cost of the land to be acquired. In deciding rigs issue, the Planning and Zoning Commission may wish to consider what is an appropriate buffer distance for a residence from the noise and air emissions associated with roadways, carry'rig between 5,000. and 8,000 vehicles per day. The. Commission. may. also want to consader how much of a separataon between power poles and residences as appropriate. Recommendation: Refer this issue for consideration in the preparation of the Transportation Plan update. Commission Action: Based upon discussion. Reviewed bY: City Administrator City Engineer Zoning Admin] strator PZ:09/07/93 21