Minutes - Public Works Committee - 08/21/2001

Home

west of T.H. #47. Recently there has been a lot of discussion regarding the use of private streets in new developments. The use of private streets is common among townhome developments and generally that is where they are used in other communities. The purpose of this case is to give the Committee some background information on the use of private streets in the City of Ramsey, list advantages and disadvantages for the use of private streets and to give some suggestions on criteria if private streets are allowed. Following is a list of advantages and disadvantages for the use o f private streets: Advantages: · No increase in cost to City for maintenance (snowplowing, sweeping, sealcoating, etc.) · Decrease in cost to developer due to narrower width allowing more affordable housing · Greater flexibility to cluster housing units · Allow development when physical conditions constrain space Disadvantages: · No performance standards for review (width, length, etc.) · Less control of required maintenance (sweeping, sealcoating, etc) · More difficulty for emergency vehicle access · No public access guarantees · No authorized traffic enforcement · Increased costs in fi~ture for storm sewer maintenance · Possibility that future residents request snowplowing, sweeping, etc. from the City In the subdivision examples cited the City did retain a drainage and utility easement for maintaining the storm sewer and drainage ponds and swales. This makes it critical that there are more stringent criteria in the City Code or the development agreement to sweep the streets at least twice a year. Current City forces sweep the 140 miles of City streets twice a year. Once in spring to pick up the sand that has been used over the past winter before it enters into the drainage system. Once in the fall to pick up leaves and debris prior to entrance into the drainage system. Several of the stated disadvantages could be neutralized if standards were developed controlling design criteria. Currently, Chapter 9 of the City Code is under review and it is staff's intent to include the results of the discussion in the City Code. Due to the timing of the request for plat review that have occun'ed recently (Bright Keys, The Ponds, etc.) there needs to be some consensus as to whether or not private streets are to be allowed and if so, what criteria would be used to address the problems that are being experienced with the current townhome projects. Some of the items that need to be addressed are: Street Width: City standard width-30' Townhomes of Rum River Hills-28' Sunfish Ponds~28' main road; 24' side roads Mallard Ponds-24' Public Works Committee/August 21, 2001 Page 7 of 11