10-22-2002 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 2002 Page 3 Ed Hasek, Westwood Professional Services, reviewed the site plan and discussed open space, tree preservation, setbacks, and sensitivity along the wetlands. He noted that they will plant a "Mn/DOT Mix" of grasses and wildflowers along the wetlands and that it will be left in a natural state. Steve Ach, Centex Homes, reviewed the backgrolllld and history- of Centex homes. He explained the four different housing products which will be used throughout the project, including the Georgetown and Carriage-style homes. He noted that there has been a 16 percent reduction in the number of housing units over the previous plan. Mr. Pratt discussed changes which have been made in the project including moving the convenience/ gas station over to the west side of Twin Lakes Road. Chair Pederson asked how wide the private drives will be. Mr. Pratt stated that they will be 20 feet wide. Chair Pederson asked for clarification of "drive bays". Mr. Pratt explained that they are parking stalls. Chair Pederson asked if there will be parking on both sides of the public streets. Mr. Pratt stated that there will be parking on one side only. Chair Pederson asked how wide the public streets will be. Mr. Pratt stated that they will be 28 feet wide. Chair Pederson asked why there are fewer small green spaces on this plat. Mr. Pratt explained that the Park and Recreation Commission made it clear they felt having fewer open spaces which were larger in size were more desirable and that they were able to make the larger spaces due to the reduction in the number of housing units. He also noted that it was Centex's decision to create the larger body of water within the central open space with a fOlllltain. Commissioner Ropp asked what is proposed for the west half of outlot A. Mr. Hasek stated that there is a significant drop in elevation down to the wetland and it depends on whether or not they are able to save the trees. Chair Pederson stated he did not support having a sidewalk as shown between the commercial buildings leading out onto Twin Lakes Road with no where to go. Mr. Pratt stated that they are anticipating a bus stop at this point in the future, but stated they will take a look at this more closely. Commissioner Jenson stated that he felt traffic would tend to accelerate along such long streets and asked if any traffic controls were planned to prevent this from occurring. Mr. Hasek stated that he would have liked to include some "bump outs" but was told they are difficult to plow. Mr. Hasek felt the narrower width of streets would have a "traffic calming" effect. Mr. Maurer explained that there will be turn lanes off Twin Lakes Road and that initially there will be a 2-way stop at Twin Lakes Road for Streets A and B and that eventually a 4- way stop may be required. He stated that there are a number of variables and it depends on what happens as the project develops what options will be utilized. Commissioner Jenson asked if a pedestrian llllderpasS or overpass to the Park and Ride site has been considered. Mr. Pratt stated that they did consider this but that it would be cost- prohibitive. He stated that a 4-way stop would help pedestrians to cross safely. He noted that having the commercial service areas located within the development should help reduce the number of automobile trips. Mr. Maurer noted that the traffic study indicates a drop in the number of trips by one-third from 5,100 per day to 3,652, by changing the location of the convenience/gas station to the other side of Twin Lakes Road.