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P.W. CASE # <br /> <br /> Public vs. Private Streets <br />By: Brian E. Olson., City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Section 9.50.30 of the current City Code states, "Private streets shaI1 not be approved. All <br />proposed streets shown on the plat shall be offered for dedication as public streets." This section <br />of the City code was rewritten in 1990. <br /> <br />Since the writing of this code there has been a number of exceptions to this rule.. <br /> <br />Rum River Hills Townhomes - Final Plat Approval February 28, 1995 <br />Sunfish Ponds - Final Plat Approval June 10, 1997 <br />Mallard Ponds - Final Plat Approval June 13, 2000 <br />Neon Street near 143~a Avenue NC/(common access to 4 single family lots) <br />Blue Velvet Lane <br />Front road between SuperAmerica and Landmark Bank west of T.t-I.#47 <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />Recently, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the use of 'private streets in new <br />developments. The use of private streets is common among townhome developments and <br />generally that is where they are used in other communities. The purpose of this case is to give <br />you some background information on the use of private streets in the City of Ramsey, list <br />advantages and disadvantages for the use of private streets and to give some suggestions on <br />criteria if private streets are allowed. <br /> <br />Following is a list of advantages and disadvantages for the use of private streets: <br /> <br />Advantages: <br />· No increase in cost to City for maintenance (snowplowing, sweeping, sealcoating, etc.) <br />· Decrease in cost to developer due to narrower width allowing more affordable housing <br />· Greater flebibility to cluster housing units <br />· Allow development when physical conditions constrain space <br /> <br />Disadvantages: <br />· No performance standards for review (width, length, etc.) <br />· Less control of required maintenance (sweeping, sefflcoating, etc.) <br />· More difficulty for emergency vehicle access <br />· No public access guarantees <br />· No authorized traffic enforcement <br />· Increased costs in future for storm sewer maintenance <br />· Possibility that future residents request snowplowing, sweeping, etc. from the City <br /> <br /> <br />