7.5 SR 02-18-2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Planning Commission, along with another representative from the public, expressed concerns about the narrower (29-feet wide) streets proposed as part of the project. Their concerns were with maintenance and emergency vehicles driving through the street, specifically turning around in the cul-de-sacs. The developer stated that the narrow streets contribute to a safer project by slowing traffic through the neighborhoods. The streets also significantly reduce the amount of impervious surfaces throughout the project. The Planning Commission asked for additional information from the public works director regarding his recommendation to remain with the current street width standard of 34 feet. His response is noted below: Public works has long supported the Council standards for street widths on public roadways in Elk River. Our current standard provides for a level of service in residential areas that supports parking on both sides while keeping sufficient space in the center to allow movement for delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, and public service/safety vehicles. We understand several communities in the greater metropolitan area have migrated to narrower streets generally at the request of developers as an economic savings to the cost of their projects. We maintain our position that entertaining the request for narrower streets comes at the cost of long-term maintenance inefficiencies where plow trucks cannot safely navigate between vehicles parked on both sides of the roadway. Our current standard provides a balance between these through movements and parking on both sides to ensure residents have the parking space they desire for themselves and their guests. The Commission was generally supportive of the layout of the development and the narrower lots - down to 50 feet wide. However, the Commission was not prepared to make a recommendation until they had received more information from the public works director. The developer also encouraged the commission members to drive through a few developments that were noted during the discussion. The Planning Commission did not make a recommendation and continued their discussion to February 25, 2025. Park and Recreation The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed this project for park dedication on January 8, 2025, and February 12, 2025. During their February meeting, they reviewed the proposed park areas and felt there needs to be a larger focus on a park above the bluff area and not in the floodway. They also believed it was important to not allocate all park dedication to land as a cash dedication would help fund the improvements to the park in this area. They recommend that the required dedication be split roughly 50-50 between land and cash with a significant increase in the land dedication above the bluff line. The park area above the bluff should be located near the center of the property and adjacent to the bluff. The developer will respond to these recommendations in advance of the next City Council meeting. Recommended conditions to achieve the Commission's goals will be included for Council consideration. Financial Impact None Mission/Policy/Goal Opportunity to live, work, and play Responsibly grow Support the growth and development of the community Attachments 1. Planning Commission Memo dated 1-28-2025 2. Site Rendering dated 2-10-2025 3. 7.5 Elk River - Specht Farm 2-18-2025 CC Presentation 4. 7.5 Specht Farm Page 109 of 227