Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/10/2000

Home

Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners, Johns, Droegemueller, LaMere, and Rolfe. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Asfahl and Ostrum. NOTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 1) City Council regular meeting minutes dated November 23, 1999 2) City Council regular meeting minutes dated December 14, 1999 3) City Council special meeting minutes dated December 21, 1999 COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #1: Receive Developers Comment on Proposed Trail/Sidewalk Ordinance Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that the purpose of the case was to invite public comment on the proposed sidewalk/trail ordinance that has been discussed by the Commission for the past few months. On Tuesday, February 1, 2000, the Planning commission recommended the language below: "All subdivisions within the urban service area shall have a minimum eight-foot wide bituminous or concrete trail or sidewalk paralleling each street to provide for effective snow removal and safe two-way pedestrian traffic. The only urban subdivision streets that may not be required to have these trails are residential cul-de-sacs with no probability as a through street. The trail shall be constructed as a Stage 1 improvement. The cost will be borne by the developer and not eligible for credit against park and trail dedication fees. The design must meet current standards of the City, comply with the ADA act and be shown on the preliminary plat for approval." Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos explained that the language is different from what the Park and Recreation Commission reviewed only in that it states that cul-de-sacs may not receive the sidewalks, regardless of the number of units on that street. It is important to note that the language is permissive relating to cul-de-sacs. For instance, if there was a destination on that dead-end street, (i.e., trail, park, retail center, or connection to another cul-de-sac) than the City may require a walkway on the street. John Aune, Orrin Thompson Homes, stated that they have a couple concerns with the proposed ordinance. He questioned what would classify a new urban residential development since their current development is being completed in phases. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos replied that the phases that Orrin Thompson Homes has in River Pines have all received preliminary plat approval, so he is not sure what authority City Council may have to require that the sidewalks be constructed. He added that he doesn't for-see anyone recommending changes to what was previously approved. Mr. Aune stated that developers already pay $100 per unit for a trail fee and questioned why a developer would then also be required to pay for the construction of the sidewalks within the development. Park and Recreation Commission/February 10, 2000 Page 2 of 7