Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/03/2003

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P34 Councilmember Elvig noted that he wanted to make sure that the proposed turn radiuses will ,,vorl~ for emergency vehicles. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler replied that the proposed turning radius will work. Councihnember Elvig stated that he could understand that the south east trail is being proposed to create a loop, but he would like there be some type of outlet to connect over to Potassium Street. Councihnember Cook stated that he likes the trail as proposed on the south end of the property, but if they are not going to put a trail in the back of the homes there should be a connection to the sidewalks with the development over to Potassium Street. Mayor Gamec questioned if the trail on the south of the property was necessary with the inclusion of sidewalks within the development. Majority consensus of the Council ,,vas to eliminate the trail from Sunwood Drfve to Tungsten. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that on February 13, 2003, the Park Commission recommended preliminary plat approval, but felt that the trail to the south was very important and that it should be included as originally planned. It is an area xvhere children do have to walk to school and the trail will provide a walking area for those children. Councilmember Elvig stated that the issue of children walking to school was a good point especially since there are no sidewalks in the existing neighborhood. Mayor Gamec replied that a trail would have to go through people's back yarcls. Councilmember Cook inquired as to why having a trail in a person's backyard was a problem. Councilmember Pearson stated that he has heard arguments on both sides, but the Park Commission was pretty insistent that the trail be included. Personally he would not like a trail in his backyard, but he would have to agree with the Park Commission and go in favor of the trail on the south end of the property. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that the Park Commission did feel strongly that it was an important piece of infrastructure for the community. Neil Horn, 6031 145th Lane NW, stated that having a trail in his back yard creates a safety problem. They will have people riding bikes and walking on the trail going through their. backyards and how to they keep dogs from going on their property or his own dog fi'om leaving his property. Mr. Horn felt that it would make more sense to have a sidewalk on 145th Lane: He stated that he was opposed to the trail and that the children would not use the trail to walk to school they would stay on the sidewalks. Overall he felt that. the development was too dense, but he was willing to be flexible on that issue. City Council/February 25, 2003 Page 14 of 24 I I ! i I I I i I I i i I I I I I !