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session, and directed Staff to review an alignment for 167th Avenue that is south of the plat <br />boundary. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Geisler stated that the proposed plat will be reviewed for park dedication <br />requirements by the Park Commission at a future meeting. She indicated that Staff would note <br />that thc l'ark and Trail Plan shows trails through the subject property, both south of Trott Brook <br />and along Nowthen Boulevard, and both trails are shown on the preliminary plat. <br /> <br />John Petcrson, Oakwood Land Development, 1611 Highway 10 in Spring Lake Park, stated they <br />looked at this at length at the concept review. He indicated the plan is substantially what was <br />discussed about three months ago. He noted the density they are proposing is significantly below <br />thc City standard, at 1.9 units per acre with a permitted density of 3 units per acre. He stated this <br />is not an atte~npt to squeeze in more units. He indicated that in this case the neighborhood they <br />are trying to create is modest, upscale housing. He stated that while there are substantial <br />wctlands on the site, there are no significant wetland impacts; they are not filling wetlands, <br />which is what the various agencies look at. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated he has one argument with the recommendations in the Staff Letter, which is a <br />fair differcncc of opinion and is significant to them. He stated that the main entrance has a <br />mcdian that will be landscaped. He indicated that as you proceed west, they are showing a <br />round-about, which is a phenomenon appearing in communities all around the Twin Cities. He <br />stated this round-about would be landscaped, and is meant to be a very nice introduction to the <br />neighborhood. Ile stated this is intended to be a very nice feature and has been approved in <br />Blaine, Maple Grove, and other surrounding cities. <br /> <br />( ;hairperson Nixt asked who will maintain the round-about and median landscaping. <br /> <br />Mr'. Pctcrson stated there will also be significant landscaping on the berms, and all of that <br />landscaping will be irrigated. He indicated there will be a homeowner's association, whose <br />primary purpose will be to maintain those landscaping areas. <br /> <br />Derek Passc, engineer for Oakwood Development, showed a picture of a draft that Mn/Dot <br />prepared for construction of round-abouts. He stated the purpose of a round-about is to move <br />tral'tSc always to the right, which avoids head-on collisions that you usually see in intersections, <br />which arc the most serious types of accidents. He indicated it keeps traffic flowing, and is also <br />good lbr snow plowing because there are no tight comers. He advised that the sidewalks are <br />well away fi'om the round-abouts, so pedestrians do not interfere with the traffic flow. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lcvine asked how wide the round-about would be. <br /> <br />Mr. I'assc indicated that 130 feet is what is shown on the plan, and according to Mn/Dot, 100 to <br />130 lkct is what is required for buses to turn. He stated there are markings for pedestrian <br />crossings, and the landscaping is designed to direct traffic to the right. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson asked what Staff's concerns were with this issue. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/August 8, 2005 <br /> Page 4 of 26 <br /> <br /> <br />