Agenda - Council - 02/22/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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there needed to be more than one access into the Mallard Ponds development and that the gated access at Argon Street be removed. However, the Committee also recommended that local resident input on this proposal be solicited and that some traffic modifications be considered to minimize traffic fi'om outside the neighborhood. City Engineer Jankowski indicated staff would support the posting of a sign south of the intersection of 142''d Avenue on Argon Street stating "No Through Traffic - Private Street" to discourage public travel through the Mallard Ponds subdivision as was suggested by a ncighborhood resident at the Public Works meeting. Staff has also prepared a preliminary analysis of the traffic impacts caused by the closure of 142'~d Street between Argon Street and the private back road serving the commercial properties on the west side of TH 47. This information has been included in the Council's packet. This was a suggested remedy to discourage public travel through this neighborhood that was presented at the Public Works Committee meeting. He advised staff recommends that the City Council support the closure of the Barium Street access onto CR I 16. This closure will be included on the plans for the CR 116 project. Staff also recommends that the City begin discussions with the Mallard Ponds Homeowners Association f`or the removal of the gated access across Argon Street. He noted one email was received fi'om a resident in opposition of opening the gate. Councihnember Elvig explained the Public Works Committee did not formally bring this forward for Council consideration 'because they did not hear from all the residents at the meeting. Councilmember Cook stated it would cause a vast improvement if 142'~d Avenue were closed down. It is not only an issue with removing the gate, but also when talking about the 142nd Avenue and Highway 47 intersection there is a great deal of concern about people coming in on Dysprosium Street and going down to 142na Avenue and causing more traffic on Highway 47. They should look into closing 142nd Avenue off and keeping the residents on one side and the businesses on the other side. Assistant Public Works Director Olson concurred. Judy Mack, 5352 140th Lane NW in Mallard Estates Townhomes, stated when Mallard Estates was first developed a proposal was presented for an open egress at Argon Street, and that was denied. They were told to come back with something that would work, and the result was closing offArgon Street and making Mallard Estates a private drive. She stated their streets are not of regulation size. As it is now, the Association has to have a letter on file to just have someone come down to move cars away from the fire lane that is posted. The City is now talking about bringing in additional vehicles to an area that only leaves the emergency lane available when a car is parked on one side of the street. It is not engineered or designed as a road; it is a private drive in a private estate area. It is an extension of their driveways. There is not enough land to bring it up to code. She stated it is like the City is trying to take something private and make it public, and by doing that, in essence it is like they are allowing people to trespass on the property. This is private grounds; the Association carries liability insurance on this property, including the drive, and the City is .asking them to open that up. The liability insurance will cost an arm and leg if the Association can even get it, and it is not going to work well at all. One of' City Council/February 8, 2005 Page 7 of 30