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

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Associate Planner Daines stated there has been concern expressed from the County and the City Council regarding the proposed access of GAD's Prairie onto CR 5. In examining the revised preliminary plat, Pine Prairie, the Council expressed concern for the safety of drivers and pedestrians on this roadway. Council did not take action, requesting that comments from the County be obtained. The concerns of the County are clear in the County's letter. However, they granted one temporary access to the site, provided the City and applicant work to eliminate that access in the future. Ms. DaInes stated the site is challenged, and no alternative accesses are available at this time. Staff has required the construction of a temporary cul-de-sac to be extended into the adjacent properties to the northwest upon their development. Staff believes that eliminating a total of three existing accesses serving four parcels is important, and can be achieved through the proposed GAD's Prairie plat. This is an opportunity for a long-term solution to offer accesses to the four properties while accommodating the property rights to develop within the allowable density. The proposed access, while it adds 6 additional homes on the existing single-family access and temporarily increases the number of vehicles on CR 5, will eventually reduce the number of accesses by allowing the three northern properties to obtain access via Helium Street. Ms. DaInes advised staff recommends approval of the final plat, contingent upon the City Staff Review Letter dated May 18, 2007, and the Developer entering into a Development Agreement that specifically requires the elimination of the County Road access at such a time that the temporary cul-de-sac is extended to 146ili Avenue. Councilmember Dehen stated he thought this was discussed before and as he recalls some property owners could not agree on anything regarding the Helium area. Associate Planner DaInes explained in June 2006, the City Council approved the GAD's Prairie preliminary plat by a vote of 6-0. Then the developer that came forward with that abandoned the project. A new developer took it over and requested a revised preliminary plat to do attached townhomes, which is what was reviewed by the Council in February. The City Council tabled the proposal for staff to bring back findings for denial based on access issues. The developer went back to the preliminary plat for GAD's Prairie, which is good for one year after approval. The developer is seeking final plat for the GAD's Prairie plat. Councilmember Jeffrey stated if he had been present when the GAD's Prairie preliminary plat was approved the vote would have been 6 -1. In his opinion until there is access to 146th Avenue and there is an agreement with landowners he holds the same position regarding the access and cannot support this project. Highway 5 is too congested and he cannot support this project. Councilmember Look noted the church owns the neighboring property to the north of this and the gentleman representing the church had some concern with regards to where this left his property. He had hoped this property could come to an agreement with the neighboring properties to come up with a workable plan that does not impact one property owner negatively. He questioned if nothing has been brought up on this since February. Associate Planner DaInes replied no; staff maintains that proposing a new access that does not get access off of CSAH 5 is preferred, but nothing has been resolved on that issue. Councilmember Look asked if this plat includes the same road position as the Pine Prairie plat. City Council / May 22, 2007 Page 15 of 24