Minutes - Council - 07/11/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL BUSINESS Case #3: Construction of Sidewalk on Sunwood Drive between Nowthen Boulevard and T.H. #47 Director of Public Works Kapler stated that at the June 27, 2000 Council meeting, staff was directed to meet with the neighborhood along Sunwood Drive to discuss issues involving construction of sidewalks on both sides of Sunwood Drive between Nowthen Boulevard and T.H. #47. On July 6, 2000, at 5:30 p.m., a meeting took place at Erkium Street and Sunwood Drive. All households immediately adjacent to Sunwood Drive were represented. Residents presented staff with a proposal for a four-foot wide sidewalk on both sides of the street next to the curb. After a lengthy discussion including issues of snow storage/removal, boulevard trees, landscaping, and safety issues, three households of the group wanted to stay with the original proposal of the sidewalk next to the curb. Staff brought assorted widths of plywood to use in discussions of preferred widths of concrete along with pictures illustrating different widths of both sidewalks and boulevards. At the conclusion of the meeting a consensus was reached that a concrete sidewalk on both sides of the street be constructed including a boulevard of three to five feet (width of boulevard to be determined by working with homeowners individually). Staff also committed to the homeowners that all attempts would be made to assure that relocation/replacement of landscaping would be done to their satisfaction. Staff recommended construction of a concrete sidewalk with a three to five foot boulevard on both sides of Sunwood Drive and planting will include trees in both the boulevard and the yard side of the right-of-way every 35 feet. Staff will work with the residents in determining the boulevard setback relocation/replacement of landscaping and irrigation issues. Councilmember Anderson questioned the reasoning for the types of trees that are proposed to be used. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler explained that some trees are much more tolerant to salt which include the Linden and Green Ash. Bart Ashworth, 14771 Erkium Street NW, Ramsey, stated that the meeting held by staff was a good meeting, but what the neighborhood had requested was to have the sidewalks placed adjacent to the curb and if that is not possible he would prefer that the sidewalk be placed on only one side of the street. Rob Kalstabakken, 5571 Sunwood Drive NW, Ramsey, stated that he agreed with Mr. Ashworth. He explained that he was willing to consider the sidewalk on both sides of the street if it were constructed along the curbing. He stated that he wished the City Council would have made a decision to place it on one side. Anoka has sidewalks placed along the curb and they do not hear of anyone getting hit by a car because of the location. Mark Wilson, 14761 Erkium Street NW, Ramsey, thanked Mr. Kapler for coming to the neighborhood and meeting with the residents. He felt the meeting was productive, explaining City Council/July 11, 2000 Page 5 of 15