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would like direction on the Bowers Drive connection but noted that the decision could be changed <br /> prior to adoption of the Preliminary Plat. <br /> Councimember Riley asked if these would be the same lot sizes as Riverstone North. <br /> Assistant City Administrator Gladhill confirmed that these would be the same lot sizes and would <br /> be very much a mirror image of the development, with the exception of the removal of one of the <br /> product types. <br /> Councimember Musgrove asked for details on Riverdale Drive and the history of the layout on <br /> the sketch. <br /> Assistant City Administrator Gladhill provided background information on the access planning <br /> study that was completed in 2014 by the City and MnDGT, noting that study showed Riverdale <br /> Drive consuming some of the first few lots. He provided additional details on the proposed layout <br /> for Riverdale Drive which was developed by the developer working with the input of the Bowers <br /> Drive residents to find an alignment that worked well for everyone involved. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau provided an opportunity for members of the public to provide input. <br /> Jeff Johnson, 14540 Bowers Drive, referenced the Bowers Drive survey and asked at what point <br /> the Council would automatically move ahead. He asked if the decision has already been made on <br /> Bowers Drive. He stated that the residents have not been given any data from public safety on <br /> how much safer the neighborhood would be with the additional access. He stated that when you <br /> open up a cul-de-sac that increases opportunity for crime as that creates another way for people to <br /> access and exit the neighborhood. He stated that this road has been around for about 80 years and <br /> noted that there has not been one time since he has lived at his home where EMS has not been able <br /> to access the homes on Bowers Drive. He stated that there is a difference between a need and a <br /> desire. He stated that connecting Bowers Drive to Capstone would substantially increase the <br /> pedestrian traffic on Bowers Drive, which is a narrow road that is not lit by streetlights. He stated <br /> that providing this connection is attempting to solve a problem that does not exist and would <br /> instead create more problems that need to be solved, which would destroy the reason people <br /> purchased homes on that road. He stated that people that purchased property on Bowers Drive <br /> chose to live there and do not need the City to calculate their risk levels. He stated that if the <br /> residents on Bowers Drive felt threatened, they would not have purchased their properties. He <br /> commented that residents do not leave Bowers Drive, they seek property on Bowers Drive. He <br /> did not think it appropriate to include or make assumptions about the people that did not respond <br /> to the survey. He commented that the residents of Bowers Drive do not want the connection and <br /> did not believe there is anything wrong with keeping those neighborhoods isolated rather than <br /> connecting them. He did not think that putting a secondary access onto Bowers Drive would solve <br /> any problems and instead would create additional problems. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau thanked Mr. Johnson for his input. <br /> City Council 1 September 8, 2020 <br /> Page 5 of 10 <br />