Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2001

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P.W. CASE #: 1 REVIEW PEHLKE ESTATE EASEMENT By: Steve Jankowski, City Engineer Background: You may recall that at the January 23, 2001 City Council meeting Dave and Betty Pehlke appeared before the City Council to request the rezoning of the southern portion of their property to create two urban size lots. During the case, discussion of easement dedication for the enabling plat caused the Pehlke's to request tabling the request until they had a better understanding of the extend of the easement impact. Staff has met with Mr. and Mrs. Pehlke on two occasions to clarify this issue. Mr. and Mrs. Pehlke would like to know whether the Council would require a larger than standard five-foot rear and side yard drainage and utility easement in anticipation of installing a storm outlet at some time in the future. They have indicated that the outcome of the Committee's recommendation will likely determine whether they proceed with the platting. Although no drainage problems currently exist, future development of the vacant property north and east of the Pehlke would create storm run-off which will need to be transmitted to the wetland 729W. There are two alternatives for providing an outlet for the existing storm drainage pond in Pondvale 2nd Addition, which are illustrated on the attached sketch. I have estimated that the cost to extend an outlet through the Pehlke property would be $10,000 while the cost of extending this outlet down Helium Street N.W. and 150th Lane N.W. would be $18,000. However, the cost associated with the Helium Street/150th Lane alternative does not include restoration. Assuming sewer and water are installed through Pondvale 2nd Addition along with the storm sewer, the additional restoration costs for the storm sewer could be considered as being negligible when compared to the restoration cost that will be necessary as a result of the sanitary sewer and water installation. However it is also possible that the area to the north could be developed without extending sewer and water through Pondvale 2nd Addition (utilities could be extended down 152nd Lane N.W. from the St. Francis Boulevard frontage road). If development were to occur in this manner additional restoration costs of $20,000 would be included with the Helium Street/150th Lane alternative. The Pehlke's are concerned about the loss of trees (there is currently a triple row of white pines down their western property line). They are also concerned about the impact of the storm sewer on their property. Recommendation: The difference in costs between the two alternatives proposed may or may not be considered significant, particularly when it is compounded with the type of construction taking place through Pondvale 2nd Addition. In addition, the Pehlke's have expressed a great deal of sensitivity over this issue. It should also be noted that with other consideration being equal the City would prefer placement of utilities in a right-of-way as opposed to an easement. For these reasons, staff offers no recommendations but defers to the judgement of the Committee.