07/13/2005 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board July 13, 2005 Page 7 APPROVED MINUTES facilitate pedestrian and bike usage for both transportation and recreational purposes. Sidewalks along neighborhood streets serve the same purpose and are more easily accessed. There are a number of issues the community woul d need to consider as part of a sidewalk requirement including: - Providing enough space in the right-of-wa y for sidewalks and boulevard trees; - Utilities and access to them for maintenance; - Engineering templates; - Should street pavement be narrower: No shoulder is needed for people and bikes; impervious surface; should parking be allowed if the streets are narrower? - Is right-of-way adequate for sidewalks? - Maintenance and reconstruction under the City Charter: Assessments; - Shoveling requirement for homeowners. None of these issues are insurmountable in other communities. However, the City Charter is an element unique to Lino Lakes. The purpose of tonight’s discussion is to initiate consideration of these issues. Mr. Root stated this was an important issue, but this was not intende d to address existing developments or neighborhoods. He indicated as the City grew, it made more sense to require sidewalks in new developments because of the additional traffi c, pedestrians, bike riders, etc. and it did not make sent to fo rce people to share space with vehicles. He stated there was a public safety aspect to this . He noted there were other issues, such as the transition between an existing development and a new development and the maintenance of the boulevard between the sidewa lk and the street. He noted they also needed to look at trails when sidewalks were not appropriate. He st ated the City Charter issue they needed to look at also. He i ndicated he supported side walks in the City and sidewalks would create a better neighbor hood, increases safety, and would enhance a neighborhood. Mr. Laden agreed with Mr. Root’s comments . He asked what the next step was and asked if they could come up with some kind of a timeline so this would keep progressing. Mr. Smyser stated he would like the Board to leave this in staff’s hands right now and they would come back to the Board periodical ly and give an update. He indicated he did not want to give a specific timeframe for co mpletion, but staff would continue to work on it. He noted this was a new idea for the comm unity and they needed to make sure all of the issues would be addressed. Mr. Nelson stated in general, he did not believe this was a safety issue and he saw this as an unnecessary expense and a detriment to the homeowners who were required to maintain the sidewalks. He believed the residential streets were wide enough to accommodate everything.