Minutes - Planning Commission - 11/03/2005

Home

Amendment. Citizen Input nd Nichole O’Connell, 5590 152 Lane, stated Associate Planner Geisler informed her that a petition would do no good, so she did not get one. She has a major issue with there being a through ndnd street at 152 Lane. She understands the sanitary sewer will be located north of 152 Lane, but that does not constitute having to put a street through. She has a major concern for the safety of the children in this neighborhood. The children have to walk in the streets to get to their friends houses, and it has not been a concern, but a through street would put children in jeopardy of cars. nd She does not want to upset people on 152 Avenue, but there are a fraction of the homes on that street that would be affected, and the street in that location would be a great access for Highway 47. She stated she welcomes new neighbors and a new school, and she would love a park, but to open the street would be a major concern. She just moved onto the cul-de-sac this year and cannot imagine having it any other way. She does not see a need for the access until possibly in the future if there is a school built. Commissioner Van Scoy explained the Commission is concerned about safety in the neighborhoods as well. The Police Chief and Fire Chief are concerned that there should be more than one access to an area if there is an accident or incident that blocks a road. He drove the streets in this neighborhood and there is no other access into this neighborhood. That is a concern and a reason the Commission would look at trying to connect the road. Ms. O’Connell stated for the last seven or eight years there has only been one access into the neighborhood and it has not been an issue. Commissioner Van Scoy asked if a sidewalk being installed would address some of Ms. O’Connell’s concerns. Ms. O’Connell replied a sidewalk or a park would address concerns. Commissioner Watson stated he can sympathize with Ms. O’Connell. For the first seven years he lived in Ramsey they lived on a dead end street. When the land was developed next to them they had these same concerns. One of the things that seemed to help was sidewalks being installed. Once the road went through they realized their concerns were not as magnified as they thought they would be. He asked if Ms. O’Connell would be more in favor of the road if sidewalks were installed. Ms. O’Connell replied she would like things like sidewalks, speed bumps, slowing signs, and a park. City Engineer Jankowski indicated in the case of Commissioner Watson’s neighborhood, the sidewalk was funded through the City’s sidewalk fund. This is not the only way it could be funded. Sidewalks could be included in the development agreement for a plat. Planning Commission/November 3, 2005 Page 12 of 27