Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/02/2005

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Olson, Cook, Jeffrey, Pearson, and Strommen. Voting No: None. Consider Request for Speed Study for Riverdale Drive between Ramsey Boulevard and Tungsten Street Assistant Public Works Director Olson explained staff received-an email from Mr. Jerry Sherman, a resident of the Rivenwick subdivision, to have a speed study performed between Sunl~sh l,ake Boulevard and Dolomite Street. The intention of the study is to cause the speed limit tt) be raised to something more than the 30 mph. The Police Department collected current !ratlic speed information during mid-week periods on three separate dates approximately two weeks apart in March and April. These studies show that the 50% speeds range between 31 and 34 miles per hour and that the 85th percentile speed, the measUre that is heavily weighted in setting appropriate speed limits, range between 37 and 39 miles per hour. Staff has a concern that the present land use along the road is undeveloped and that future safe speeds might be lower ;_ti:ret dc'vclopment occurs and therefore it could be necessary to lower the limit in the future if it were ~o bc raised l~bllowing this speed study. However, the speed studies indicated that the speed limit is c~rrently set too low. Assismm Public Works Director Olson advised it is the opinion of staff that a reasonable speed idling this street segment would be 35 miles per hour. It has been staff's experience that there has been consultation between the local road authority and MnDOT before the Commissioner's ~)rder is issued. During such a consultation staff will strongly pursue the position for holding the speed limit to 35 mph, even if the data suggests that it might be higher, citing the future development potential along this corridor. The recommendation of the Committee was that the Council adopt a resolution requesting that a speed study be conducted along the length of Riverdate Drive from Ramsey Boulevard to Tungsten Street for the purpose of establishing appropriate speed limits through this segment of roadway. Motion hy Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Pearson, to ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee in Case No. 5 and to adopt Resolution #05-05- i36 requesting that a speed study be conducted along the length of Riverdale Drive from Ramsey Boulevard to Tungsten Street for the purpose of establishing appropriate speed limits through this segment ol' roadway. Motion <;arried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Pearson, Cook, Jeffrey, · C)lson~ and Strommen. Voting No: None. 6) Update on TH 47 Safety Improvement Project A.~;sist,'_mt l'ublic Works Director Olson reported that the elements of the TH 47 Safety /mter()vement Project included in the draft plans that are consistent with the recommendation of the City (;omacil are as follows: City Council/May 10, 2005 Page 27 of 31 P95