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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 1, 2016 <br />DRAFT <br /> 3 <br /> 91 <br />Mayor Reinert asked about the product – the type of homes and materials, etc. Ms. 92 <br />Larsen said this is preliminary plat only – since it is not a PUD, that information isn’t 93 <br />available. She pointed out that the development does meet the city requirements even 94 <br />without that future traffic knowledge – it meets the findings of fact. The mayor asked if 95 <br />there has been enough time spent looking at Totem Trail as an access. Ms. Larsen noted 96 <br />that staff has analyzed the traffic situation thoroughly and at face value the roadway does 97 <br />have the capacity. 98 <br /> 99 <br />Council Member Rafferty suggested the development looks nice but that he has concern 100 <br />about the cul-de-sac length. Ms. Larsen reminded the council that there is an emergency 101 <br />access trail included. 102 <br /> 103 <br />Mayor Reinert asked for more information about an alignment with Totem Trail and Ms. 104 <br />Larsen said it’s really an area that falls within the county’s view of the whole area. 105 <br />Mayor Reinert suggested it would be helpful to have more information on the option at 106 <br />that spot. Community Development Director Grochala added that the county isn’t in a 107 <br />position to provide that type of detail; it’s an analysis that’s just beginning for them. 108 <br /> 109 <br />Ron Holch came forward with a communication from Anoka County indicating their 110 <br />preliminary discussion. A big problem on Hokah is the lack of sidewalks because it isn’t 111 <br />a straight roadway and one solution would be a marked area on the street used as a 112 <br />sidewalk even for some times of the day. Additionally he believes Hokah Drive was 113 <br />never intended as a cul-de-sac and was supposed to have three points of access – Birch, 114 <br />Sioux Lane and another access that didn’t occur. It wasn’t intended to be as long a cul-115 <br />de-sac as it is. He fears more problems with more traffic. 116 <br /> 117 <br />Mayor Reinert said he’d like to see more discussion on the Totem Trail option, in spite of 118 <br />this development going in. It’s a way to solve a different problem but would also 119 <br />improve access for this. The criteria is met with the development except for that cul-de-120 <br />sac variance. This is the time to look at access or there probably won’t be an opportunity 121 <br />in the future. It’s prudent to at least explore the options now. 122 <br /> 123 <br />A council member commented that staff did a good job looking at compliance with the 124 <br />city regulations but if there is possibility of getting a better connection now, that should 125 <br />be allowed to happen. 126 <br /> 127 <br />Resident comments: Jeremy Stimpson, 6621 Sioux Lane, invited council to attend their 128 <br />Night to Unite event this week. Questions he’s heard are germane to discussion coming 129 <br />forward. He noted the 1200 vs. 1600 foot cul-de-sac comment and what is the actual 130 <br />length. Ms. Larsen explained that it depends on where you begin the measurement. Mr. 131 <br />Stimson argued that the 1,600 measurement makes it three times longer than is allowed. 132 <br />He also has some questions about the allowance of decks on future homes with the 133 <br />setback requirements. He noted that Lots 3 and 4 on the proposed preliminary plat would 134 <br />have an incredible vista of Rice Lake but plans don’t seem to take full advantage of the 135