03-09-06 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 9, 2006 this situation. The Planner indicated that under a Conditional Use Permit, the use is presumed allowed as long as the property owner can comply with the conditions that are established. Once conditions are established, everyone that can comply with those conditions would be allowed the CUP. Rheaume noted that if a property has two curb cuts it does not mean there will be twice as much traffic going in and out of two curb cuts versus one. The Planner agreed that the land use generates a certain amount of traffic regardless of the number of curb cuts. The Planner noted that the MN DOT position is that the more curb cuts the less safe the conditions as there are more opportunities for turning movements, and it is turning movements that cause crashes. Rheaume indicated that he walks around the lake and there is a lot of vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic on County Road B-2 East. He noted that there are other busy streets, such as Edgerton Street, where the same conditions apply. Rheaume stated that if he were a homeowner living on County Road B-2 or Edgerton Street, he would not want to back out into that traffic. Knudsen suggested that an additional condition could be the traffic counts or traffic speeds on the abutting street. The Planner indicated that MN DOT's position would be the more traffic or higher speeds would result in a less desirable condition for second curb cuts. Knudsen felt the situation went both ways. Rheaume agreed. The City Planner stated that MN DOT's concern is with vehicles pulling off the street. On a street with a large number of curb cuts it will be more difficult for drivers to predict where a car will make its turn to pull off Che street. Knudsen asked if conditions are established in the ordinance, will the property owner have to meet all the conditions. The Planner responded that that was correct, therefore, recommended that the Commission choose the conditions it feels are important. Knudsen pointed out that he lives on County Road B-2 and feels there are valid concerns with backing out onto the street given the number of pedestrians, bikers, etc. Knudsen felt it was more difficult to see non- motorized traffic given it is at the edge of the roadway rather than in the middle. Knudsen suggested that an additional condition should be that the road would have to have high levels of non-motorized traffic.