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Planning & Zoning Board <br />November 13, 2013 <br />Page 3 <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />- Th e city s hould consider requirin g a turn lane on Birch Street near the church by Old <br />Birch Street <br />- Connection to the Foxborough development is important as soon as possible. <br />- Exiting Old Birch Street onto Birch Street is very difficult <br />- The development should include sidewalks so that pedestrians are not using the street <br />as part of a trail <br />- Request that the item come back before the board for additional review <br /> <br />Staff noted that they have received comments from residents and issues will be addressed <br />with the applicant an d the county. Staff received comments from Anoka County prior to <br />the meeting, but without time for review. <br /> <br />Staff stated that safety issues on Birch Street are a top priority . The city will evaluate site <br />lines and consider safety measures such as turn l anes and additional signage of advisory <br />speeds in the area. <br /> <br />Applicant, Mike Black, w as present on behalf of the developer. <br /> <br />Mr. Black noted that they will work with staff to reduce some of the lot sizes in order to <br />expand the outlot area. Mr. Black expla ined that they have been planning this project for <br />six months and the developer has not come across any issues that they will not be able to <br />address. <br /> <br />Mr. Black understands the importance of the city’s trail system and is in favor of <br />connecting trails. He expressed concern with trails that go between lots. He believes that <br />the t rails as proposed w ould adequately address the trail conne ction. Mr. Black pointed <br />out that due to the insignificant amount of traffic that would be at the end of the proposed <br />cul -de -sac, a trail along the road would not be merited. He also did not agree with <br />providing a sidewalk along Pheasant Run , noting that this would be the only development <br />with a sidewalk along that street. Mr. Black stated that they will continue to work w ith <br />staff to address any other concerns. <br /> <br />C hair Tralle declared the Public Hearing open at 7 :39 p.m. <br /> <br />Linda Dawson , 877 Fox Road, lives at the end of Fox Road. Ms. Dawson stated concern <br />for increased traffic in the area as well as potential impact to tree s . She was concerned <br />about the proposed road connection to Foxborough and traffic going to and from Old <br />Birch Street. Ms. Dawson distributed a photo of the trees that c urrently exist where a <br />future road is proposed . She was also c oncerned about the envi ronmental impact to the <br />neighborhood. <br /> <br />Gary F oster, 882 Old Birch Street , owns four acres adjacent to the proposed <br />development. Mr. Foster stated concern for poor street conditions and increased t raffic <br />issue s. He was very concerned for the lack of maint enance to Old Birch Street and that <br />no improvements are proposed to th at road by the city. Mr. Foster expressed that <br />neighboring property owners should have been previously informed of p lans for