07-09-2003 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 1.4, 2003 the recommendations of the City Planning and City Engineer as discussed, and tabled action on the Final Plat. It was noted that Mr. Sherman is not present this evening, but Council felt the issues raised at the Planning Commission meeting should be discussed in order to provide Mr. Sherman with some direction. The first issue discussed was that of off - street parking, and Fahey indicated that it was his feeling that given that the roads are proposed as private and rights -of- way are less than City standards, adequate off- street parking should be provided for the townhomes. Fahey felt that other issues that should be discussed include a minimum of a 25 foot depth for driveways, additional sidewalks over what is shown on the plat, as well as whether or not the centrally- located pond should be a wet pond. With regard to the sidewalk issue, the City Planner pointed out the potential for a lot of pedestrian traffic given the density of the project, the adjacent commercial development, and the potential for connecting the townhome development to Rice Street in the future. Fahey asked if the sidewalk would be at the sacrifice of green area. The Planner stated it would be, but felt a sidewalk could be worked through the townhome development as a recreational amenity. The Planner thought the developer was working to revise plans to expand the sidewalk within the plat. Blesener pointed out the Planner's recommendation that all road widths be a minimum of 24 feet. The Planner noted that this recommendation in combination with the recommendation for a minimum of 25 -foot driveways would provide a minimum of a 74 width from the fronts of garages across the street from one another. The focus of these standards is traffic and parking issues. The Planner reported that the developer indicated at the Planning Commission meeting that he would attempt to comply with these recommendations. The Council discussed the recommendation for a wet pond, and Fahey indicated that he would be comfortable with a dry pond. Fahey questioned the added value era wet pond that would require installation of a well or pump system. The City Administrator noted that the City's Round Lake pond has a pump system that brings water from Round Lake into the pond in order to maintain a minimum 3 -foot water depth. Fahey indicated that the City has not required other developers to maintain water in ponds, and he was reluctant to do so with this pond. Fahey noted that once the project is completed, the townhome association would become responsible for the pond. Fahey questioned the need for the additional expense that the association would incur in maintaining a wet pond. S