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CASE # 4 <br /> <br />CONSIDER AMENDING THOROUGHFARE SETBACKS <br /> By: Steven J. Jankowski, City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />In October, the Planning Commission directed Staff to consider modifying setback distances for <br />structures from the centerline of arterial streets. The Planning Commission proposed reducing this <br />setback from the existing policy of being 110 feet from centerline to 83 feet. Final action was <br />delayed on this proposal since the County was also in the process of reconsidering its policy. In <br />the past, the City had adopted the County's policy as have all other cities in Anoka County. <br /> <br />In May, the County revised their right-of-way requirements policy. A copy of this policy is <br />attached to the case. The most significant change in the County's new policy is that rather than <br />have a blanket setback for structures from all County Roads, the policy bases the setback on the <br />functional classification of the roadway and on local zoning setback requirements. Staff believes <br />this is a reasonable and improved approach to establishing setbacks. <br /> <br />Specifically, the County is recommending that municipalities dedicate a total of 120 feet of right-of- <br />way for all of its state and county arterial roadway, with the exception of urban roadway which <br />may be reduced to 100 feet. On roadways which are classified as Principal Arterials and Minor <br />Arterial A's, an additional 80 feet is recommended for city service roads which are anticipated. <br />The County is also requesting that an optional additional 26-foot right-of-way be considered on <br />Principal Arterials and Minor Arterial A's. At the present time, the roadways which are designated <br />as Principal Arterials and Minor Arterial A's in the City of Ramsey include: Highways gl0 and <br />g47, County Road gl 16, County Road g56 from Highway gl0 to County Road g5, and County <br />Road g5 from County Road g56 to the northern city limit. <br /> <br />Observation: <br /> <br />The County's rationale for revising the setback by basing them on local zoning requirements and <br />functional roadway classification is reasonable. The County highway system provides a.very <br />significant portion of the City's thoroughfare arterial system and cooperation with the County <br />toward maintaining this system is in Ramsey's best interest. For that reason Staff is <br />recommending adopting a policy consistent with Anoka County's setback policy. However, Staff <br />is concerned whether some of the county roads designated as Principal Arterials and Minor Arterial <br />A's are appropriately classified. A review of these classifications should be undertaken in <br />conjunction with completing our updated Thoroughfare Plan. The Planning Commission also <br />needs to decide whether to adopt the additional 26-foot optional boulevard right-a-way for <br />Principal Arterials and Minor Arterial A's. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend to County that an ordinance be <br />prepared revising the City's thoroughfare setback policy to be consistent with that of the new <br />County policy. Staff also recommends a review of county and state roadway functional <br />classifications as a part of the Transportation Plan update. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br />City Engineer <br />Zoning Administrator <br /> <br />PC: 8-2-94 <br /> <br /> <br />