Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/03/2007

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the City to eventually eliminate the two additional access points on Nowthen Boulevard. Ms. Dalnes advised staff recommends approval of this plat, contingent upon the City Staff Review Letter, revised March 9, 2007, and the Council accepting the following considerations: 1) Reduced right-of-way for Helium Street. Staff feels Helium Street can be considered a service road, given its adjacency to County Road 5, and that a full 60 feet of right-of-way is not warranted, especially given the constraints of the property. 2) No sidewalk on Helium Street and trail located with County right-of-way. Staff considers the lO-foot bituminous trail sufficient ill meeting the intent of the sidewalk requirement, and the proposed location within right-of-way is reasonable due to site constraints. Councilmember Jeffrey stated he is extremely concemed about the tumlane and bypass that are proposed, which he commented on when the Council considered this development previously. This situation is in place at the street to the south of here with cars passing on the right and left. This is especially a concern with traffic at 55 mph. He is also concel11ed about the connection to the Eroperties to the north. Council had previously indicated they wanted to see this connect to 146 Avenue. He expressed his agreement with the concerns of the Planning Commission. Councilmember Strommen stated she concurs with the concel11S regardillg Highway 5. In this area there is the Lord of Life entrance and the entrance into The Ponds, and people are increasing speed and turning ill and out. She stressed tlle need to get a handle on the access management on Highway 5 before the problem is worsened. Councilmember Olson stated she also has concerns with the connection to 1;1.6th Avenue. She expressed concern that proceeding with this development will close that window of opportunity. Councihnember Elvig stressed that the access is tlle key. He questioned if the County has already granted the access included in this site plan. Associate Planner DaInes explained the County has seen this proposal four or five times and has not provided any comments. The County did submit comments for a development down the road that is similar to this, and expressed concerns that the access spacillg guidelilles were not met. Short of not granting access at all, there is no way around that. The second concern expressed by the County regarding the similar development was that turn lane construction would be required. Councilmember Elvig inquired about the possibility of elilninating the access and initiating access onto 146th Avenue as other properties develop. Associate Planner DaInes explained the goal for the temporary cul-de-sac was to provide access to the northern properties with Helium Street. Currently there are three accesses onto the County road. The goal would be to extend the temporary cul-de-sac and elimimi.te two accesses. Councilmember Elvig questioned whether the proposed layout would allow this to happen. He asked if the cul-de-sac would be longer than the 600 foot standard. Associate Planner DaInes replied the cul-de-sac meets the length requirement. City Council / March 13, 2007 Page 11 of 21 P33