Agenda - Council - 10/27/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. 2. CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 10/27/2026 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Address infrastructure needs. Title: Adopt Ordinance #26-18 Amending Chapter 117 (Subdivision Code) Pertaining to Streets. Purpose/Background: The City Council introduced the ordinance at its meeting on October 13, 2026. During the discussion of the Rum River Retreat plat, it seems provisions in Chapter 117 (Subdivision Code) may have created some confusion with regard to cul-de-sacs. Section 117-614(c)(7) notes that the maximum length of "cul-de-sac streets" is limited to 600 feet, though two other provisions ((b)(2) and (c)(11)) require extending streets to serve other properties. This leads to confusion as to what is considered a permanent cul-de-sac and what is a future through street with a temporary cul-de-sac turnaround. Ramsey has several roadways that exceed this length and only a few of them actually received variances when their plats were reviewed. Sapphire Street in Williams Woods, north of 175th Avenue, is a recent example, but not all "permanent" cul- de-sacs have received variances. Attached to this report is a map identifying all the dead-end streets and clusters of streets that have a single -access point exceeding 600 feet in length (individual or combined length, respectively). The map also identifies streets that are considered permanent (standalone) and those that could be extended into adjacent properties (stub), should those properties develop. Staff met and discussed the issue as it has historically been perceived as a public safety issue. Police noted that their concern arises from having more than one way out of a neighborhood. The Fire Department noted that the Fire Code specifies street lengths and widths in order to maneuver fire trucks as well as regulations on the number of access points for certain numbers of units (sprinkled or unsprinkled). Furthermore, cul-de-sacs over 750 feet long are allowed when reviewed by the Fire Marshall where they meet all the requirements of Appendix D. Staff brought forward a Code Amendment that strikes the 600-foot language and inserts references to the Fire Code, which the City Council formally adopted on August 18, 2026. Chief Winkle was at the Planning Commission meeting and described the Fire Department's operational needs in greater detail. Appendix D (attached to this report) refers to the length of the roadway, width of the roadway, number of units relying on that roadway, and if the buildings are sprinkled or not. The Fire Marshall must determine that all the design requirements are met to allow a roadway with a cul-de-sac to exceed 750 feet. All plats will be reviewed for reasonableness while balancing property owner's rights (both developing properties and adjacent properties). A larger -scale revamp of the Subdivision Code is expected in the first part of 2027. Notification: A public hearing notice was placed in the September 11 Anoka Union -Herald Newspaper. Amendments to the Subdivision Code are not required to have a public hearing. Funding Source: Costs associated with this work are a part of staffs duties. Recommendation: At its September 24, 2026, meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the proposed Code Amendment. Outcome/Action: