Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2007

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CASE # I REPORT ON CONTINGENT OFFER FOR PROPERTY FACILITATING THE NEON STREET CONNECTION BETWEEN 157TH LANE & 157TH AVENUE By; Steven Jankowski, City Engineer Background: During the course of the approval process for the Rum River Meadows townhome development, the City Council directed staff to secure a first right of refusal for a property north ofthis subdivision to allow for a future street connection to 1 57th Lane. The options for reducing the length ofthe cui de sac for the street serving this development were severely limited since the areas south and west ()fthis development are wetlands. At the January 2007 Public Works Committee meeting it had been brought to the attention of the Committee that the parcel identified as being best suited for this connection was being advertised for sale. Staffwas directed by the City Council at the February 13, 2007 meeting to make a contingent offer for the purchase of this property. The purpose of this case is to report on the progress made pursing the acquisition of this property and addressing the status ofthe contingencies which included; (a) a traffic study favorable to the making of the connection; (b) an appraisal validating the listed . purchase price of the property. Council also directed that the immediate neighborhood be notified of the City's intent to pursue this street connection. The following items are attached for information: 1. Appraisal prepared by David C. Hughes 2. Traffic impact study report 3. Informational open house resident notification letter 4. Open house notification area 5. March 7, 2007 neighborhood meeting attendance sheet 6. Vicinity maps Observations: A contingent offer has been made to and accepted by the property owner of 5860 157th Lane in the asking price of $282,900. An appraisal of this property has been received from David C. Hughes, a certified residential appraiser which supports the value of the City's offer. A traffic analysis evaluating the impact on this street connection on the area has been prepared by Bolton & Menk Consulting Engineers Inc. dated March 7, 2007. This study presented the following conclusions: 1. The connection will increase the volume of traffic using 15ih Lane west ofTH 47 by approximately 90 vehicles per day (9%). 2. The traffic on Potassium Street wi1l1ikely decrease by 50 vehicles per day. 3. This connection will allow local neighborhood traffic to access TH 47 without using Alpine Drive, Nowthen Blvd., or 158th Avenue, traffic on these routes will decrease slightly.