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Right of Way Preservation <br />The acquisition and preservation of right-of-way is an <br />important component to the county's long-range <br />transportation planning. As the county grew over time, <br />more width has been necessary to accommodate traffic <br />growth, geometric improvements (turn lanes, medians, <br />shoulders), trails & sidewalks and storm drainage needs. <br />Property purchases for <br />impending county projects <br />Right-of-way is purchased following land acquisition <br />procedures once a project is programmed in the <br />county's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and <br />detailed design plans are developed. <br />Corridor Studies <br />We partner with cities and MnDOT to study future <br />needs for longer segments of our roadways. These <br />studies usually result in a concept plan which identifies a <br />recommend design concept and future right-of-way <br />needs. The studies then become reference documents <br />that are used with on -going development reviews and <br />county projects. <br />Ghost Platting <br />Ghost platting is a process of considering how the <br />pattern of adjacent properties might develop long-term <br />in order to ensure that adequate local street systems <br />and connections are provided. City and county staffs <br />consider the locations of major county road access <br />points and anticipated right-of-way needs in an <br />informal process to help guide future decisions. This <br />process works well to anticipate issues relating to <br />development coordination and the provisions for <br />exception parcels. <br />Dedication from Adjacent Developments <br />As part of the preliminary plat review process, the <br />county has an opportunity to recommend that a city <br />require developers to dedicate additional highway <br />right-of-way and/or easements. <br />The county's Plat Review Committee typically reviews <br />over 100 plats and site plans each year. In a <br />comparison study done a few years ago, it was found <br />that for the period 1999-2008, almost 42 acres of land <br />had been dedicated through the plat review process for <br />related roadway purposes with a value of almost $11 <br />million dollars. <br />In some cases, it may not be possible to immediately <br />obtain right-of-way during the platting process. In these <br />situations, county staff often will negotiate the creation <br />of outlot parcels adjacent to the county roadway which <br />limit development and provide for future dedication <br />and / or purchase. County staff also encourages the <br />setback of structures from the right-of-way and <br />supports the placement of open space or parking areas <br />instead. <br />One of the most important information sources that the <br />Plat Review Committee uses during its reviews is the <br />map of the Envisioned Roadway System (Figure 4.2.4). <br />This map puts together the information from functional <br />classification, access management, future traffic <br />forecasts and combines these elements with a <br />consideration of impending CIP projects, corridor <br />studies, and the results of previous development <br />reviews and discussions. <br />Today, roadways are planned to provide the following <br />basic right-of-way widths based on the context and <br />function of the roadway: <br />Facility Type <br />Functional Classification <br />Projected ADT <br />Posted Speed <br />Right -of -Way <br />Width <br />Two -Lane Rural Section <br />Collector or Minor Arterial <br />1,500-10,000 45+ mph <br />100 ft. to 120 ft. <br />Two -Lane Suburban <br />Collector or Minor Arterial <br />1,500 —10,000 35 — 40 mph 80 ft. to 100 ft. <br />Three -Lane Urban <br />(center 2-way left turn lane) <br />Collector or Minor Arterial <br />5,000 —16,000 30 — 35 mph <br />90ft. —110ft. <br />Four -Lane Urban (Divided) <br />Principal or Minor Arterial <br />8,000 — 25,000 35 — 45 mph <br />110 ft. to 130 ft. <br />41 <br />