10-23-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 23, 2002 LaValle stated that he was uncomfortable with McDonell's comments about working with the neighbors without any specifics or guarantees. LaValle stated that he did not support Preserve Trail connecting to Viking Drive and preferred the long cul-de-sac. Anderson stated that he understands the concerns of the two adjacent property owners. However, he did not know that the rest of the neighborhood would not prefer another access point for public safety vehicles in the event of an emergency. Montour noted that a second access point would spread traffic rather than having traffic concentrated at one intersection. Fahey urged the Council to consider the professional staff s recommendations. Fahey felt a second access was an improvement for public safety reasons as well as for traffic flow. Anderson noted that if the Sculley property developed, the City would allow a road access from LaBore Road that would create corner lots for the adjacent property owners. Scalze stated that she would not be happy if someone bought the lot adjacent to her and improved a road on it to access the Sculley property. Scalze suggested that had the neighbors knows that the developer would buy the house that was for sale on Viking Drive with the intentions of improving a road on that lot, they would have gotten together and purchased the lot themselves. George LeTendre, attorney representing Mr. and Mrs. Palmen, indicated that in 1999 the City granted conceptual approval for a development the included a long cul-de- sac. One of the reasons was that there would be homes on only one side of the street, therefore, the impact of a long cul-de-sac was lessened. LeTendre questioned the public safety concerns with a long cul-de-sac given the minimal amount of homes. LeTendre pointed out that Mayor Fahey voted in favor of this concept proposal in 1999. Fahey noted that to allow a cul-de-sac longer than 500 feet would require a variance. Fahey felt there was no hardship present to warrant the granting of a variance. Fahey felt that without access to Viking Drive, the cul-de-sac length should be limited to 500 feet. The City Administrator pointed out that the 1999 concept review was a cursory review that did not involve detailed evaluations. The Administrator also noted the Council's heightened awareness of pipeline safety concerns since that time. Fahey felt that given the pipeline safety concerns, a second access point creates another exit from the area in the event of a problem. l4