Agenda - Council - 05/22/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

considered, a PUD rezoning was processed and approved for this site. The units are a mix of single-level and two-level homes. Detailed building elevations have been submitted and are included in your packet. The preliminary plat for GAD's Prairie was contingent upon the following items: 1) A rezoning to PUD (which was introduced, and eventually rezoned) 2) The installation of the temporary cul-de-sac and conveyance of an access easement to the City across Lots 1 and 2 (which is proposed on the final plat plans) 3) Lots 1 and 2 to be classified as outlots (which is proposed) 4) Compliance with the City Staff Review Letter dated May 24, 2006 revised June 23, 2006 One of the comments in the Staff Review Letter, revised June 23, 2006 noted that any City approvals are contingent upon addressing the access and traffic concerns of the County. (please see the Access and Streets portion of the staff review letter.) However, the County failed to submit comments regarding this plat until May 7, 2007. In this letter, the County outlines its standard concerns with developments proposing access onto a County Road. The concerns with the proposed access include: the failure to meet access spacing guidelines, the inability to allow for standard turn lane construction, and the deficiency regarding Intersection Sight Distance Requirements. However, given the inability to access this property from any other location, the County is willing to provide one, temporary access. This temporary access permit to CSAH 5 would serve both the GADS Prairie development and the adjacent properties to the northwest, provided that there would be a commitment from the City and the other affected property owners to work together to create a City street system that would serve both these properties and eliminate access to CSAH 5 at a future date. Building elevations have been submitted, and exceed the City Code standards for architectural detail. The only notable revision made was the mix of single level and 2-story homes, versus all single level homes. A revised grading and drainage plan has been submitted and is generally acceptable to Staff. The final landscaping plan is also acceptable. Recommendation: The City Council, despite approving the preliminary plat for GAD's Prairie, has expressed concern, that has been echoed by the County, that the proposed access onto CSAH 5 is problematic. In examining the revised preliminary plat, Pine Prairie, the Council expressed concern for the safety of drivers and pedestrians on this roadway. Furthermore, the Council did not take action, requesting that comments.from the County be obtained. Upon receiving the letter after significant delay, the concerns of the County were clear. However, they granted one temporary access to the site, provided the City and applicant work to eliminate that access in the future. The site is challenged, and no alternative accesses are available at this time. Staff has required the construction ofa temporary cul-de-sac, to be extended into the adjacent properties to the -158-