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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JANUARY 10, 2008 <br />present was that the Code should be clarified so it is clear that direct street <br />access is required. <br />Blesener raised the issue of maximum cul-de-sac length. Knudsen asked <br />why the current Code limits cul-de-sac length to a 500 foot maximum. <br />The City Planner stated that the number is related to the amount of traffic <br />on a dead-end street. It noted that 15 to 20 single-family houses could be <br />developed on a 500-foot cul-de-sac. Each house generates approximately <br />10 vehicle trips per day; therefore, the cul-de-sac could have 150 to 200 <br />trips per day. Knudsen noted that most trips are concentrated during <br />specific times of the day. He also noted that traffic impact is mitigated on <br />a longer cul-de-sac if lot sizes are larger. <br />Keis asked if the City encourages or discourages cul-de-sacs. He also <br />noted the issue of permanent versus temporary cul-de-sacs. Keis indicated <br />that at one point cul-de-sacs were preferred by homeowners and people <br />paid a premium for a house on a cul-de-sac. The City Planner indicated <br />that the new urbanism approach discourages cul-de-sacs and encourages <br />street connections. Allan felt that, where possible, the City has to make <br />street connections. The City Planner felt that the current ordinance works <br />well and does require street connections to be made. He noted that the <br />proposed ordinance changes include language that clarifies the temporary <br />versus permanent cul-de-sac issue. <br />Pechmann stated that he, personally, does not like cul-de-sacs and prefers <br />street connections due to public safety concerns with having only one <br />access into an area. Pechmann stated that he did not have an issue with <br />increasing the City's maximum cul-de-sac length, however. <br />Blesener noted that in some instances, a cul-de-sac length longer than 500 <br />feet provides for a better development, noting the Whispering Pines plat. <br />In that plat the street was lengthened and the lot sizes were increased. <br />Blesener felt that lengthening the cul-de-sac in the Gervais Hills plat <br />would have been beneficial. <br />Knudsen agreed that a longer cul-de-sac in exchange for larger lots was <br />beneficial. Duray asked the cul-de-sac maximums in other cities. The <br />Planner felt that a 500 foot maximum was standard, but noted that there <br />are cities that allow 600 to 1,000 foot cul-de-sac maximums. <br />Blesener indicated that the intent of allowing longer cul-de-sacs would be <br />to make better lots, not more lots. Keis suggested that the 500 foot <br />maximum be left in place and that the City allow longer cul-de-sacs under <br />certain circumstances. The City Planner suggested that he work on this <br />issue and come up with some options for the Council to consider. <br />McGraw suggested that bigger lots will result in bigger houses and higher <br />7 <br />