Minutes - Planning Commission - 03/06/2000

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site plan and they have to consider if the criteria is met for the rezoning. Commissioner Johnson agreed with addressing the traffic issue at this time. He questioned the consequences of cul-de- sacing 142'~d Avenue. City Engineer Jankowski replied that closing off 142nd Avenue would increase traffic on Dysprosium Street. Jim Johnson, Hakanson Anderson, stated that he has been a Registered Traffic Engineer for 30 years. In putting together the report it included several assumptions including the improvements on T.H. #47. One of the assumptions he was given would be impending improvements along C.R. #116 and one of the considerations was to get full access along C.R. #116. Anoka County is proposing a raised concrete median that would only allow a right-in right out access only. He looked at where people are living in the subdivision and where the trips are coming and going from. Eighty percent of the trips are destined to the south and only 20 percent to the north. Such a development is not conducive to attract through traffic, but there are other measures to reduce that risk. With the improvements of C.R. #116 and the intersection of Dysprosium Street and C.R. #116 becoming signalized, there should not be an increase in through traffic. He suggested an alternative of cul-de-sacing Argon Street, so the only connection would be Barium Street which does not provide a good short cut. The Commission reviewed the traffic analysis completed by Mr. Johnson. Commissioner Dempsey stated that one concern with the plan is that there will be a significant back-up trying to get out onto Dysprosium Street, which will encourage traffic up Argon Street to 142na and onto T.H. #47. He suggested that staff needs to talk to the County in regards to access onto C.R. #116 and make the County understand that they need a direct access onto C.R #116. Commissioner Johnson inquired if the access along C.R #116 could serve the townhouse development as well as the apartment complex. Mr. Johnson replied that in his opinion, they would be creating walls to separate the neighborhoods. He stated that there needs to be some interchange between the new development and existing development. Commissioner Dempsey stated that he thinks with some reconfiguration, and incorporating some private streets, they could still keep Argon Street and Barium Street open and give access to C.R. #116. Commissioner Johnson questioned how they can slow down traffic on Dysprosium Street. City Engineer Jankowski replied that Dysprosium Street is a MSA road and was designed as a collector street. Ms. Haller suggested making Dysprosium Street a dead-end near the water tower and only allowing access to emergency vehicles. Mr. Johnson stated that the best thing the City can do is improve T.H. #47, but did not have a quick answer for Dysprosium Street. He explained that the City could not dead-end Dysprosium without being required to return State funds that were used to construct the street; but they could do some type of traffic calming. Commissioner Johnson suggested installing stop signs at 142'~d Avenue to slow traffic down. City Engineer Jankowski replied that stop signs are only effective for slowing traffic down within 200 feet of the stop sign. Mr. Johnson noted that compliance with a stop sign is 20 percent if they don't think they are warranted. Commissioner Wivoda inquired if the street were narrowed if it would slow traffic down. Mr. Johnson replied it would, stating they could place a traffic island at each intersection. Commissioner Johnson inquired if narrowing the road would involve returning funds. Mr. Johnson replied no. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the desire is to have a minimal amount of accesses onto C.R. # 116, but if the access to the development does not work as proposed, then they would have to consider the access onto C.R. #116. Chairperson Anderson stated that a lot of issues have been raised at the public hearing he is note prepared to vote on the merits of the case until he has time to review the materials from the public hearing he suggested tabling action on the zoning, hold Planning Commission/March 6, 2000 Page 16 of 25