10/02/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The distance between the proposed development access to CSAH 14 and Wood Duck Trail is approximately 1600 feet. The distance between the proposed development access and CSAH 23 is approximately 1800 feet. Based on these distances, the proposed access to CSAH 14 does not satisfy the County's criteria for a full- movement intersection. Secondary intersection spacing is satisfied (using 1/6 mile criteria) since there is 1600 feet between the access and Wood Duck Trail and 950 feet between the access and Aenon Place. Anoka County's Development Review Process includes provisions encouraging all access from local streets. Therefore, consideration was given to the possibility of CSAH 14 access to the site exclusively via Wood Duck Trail, the nearest local street providing full- movement access. Currently, the property along Wood Duck Trail is divided into single - family lots. It is our understanding that the current residents are not interested in selling property which would be used to provide access to the proposed development, resulting in increased traffic in their neighborhood. Development access to other local streets connecting to the county system was reviewed and dismissed, since connections of those particular streets (i.e. Aenon Place, Diane Street) do not correlate with full- access locations identified in the TH 242 /CSAH 14 Access Management Study. Another option for future access to CSAH 14 would involve the combination of two access points into one access point. This option would combine the proposed development access with the existing school access on the north side of CSAH 14 which is located immediately east of the proposed access. This option is illustrated in Figure 6. Under this option, Woodduck Trail and the existing Nancy Drive access would be limited to right turn access in the future. This option warrants consideration for the following reasons: (1) it combines two separate full access points into one full access point, (2) it provides full access for higher volume cross streets as compared to the Woodduck Trail location, and (3) it provides full access for the school, which will assist in the routing of school buses. In regards to the geometry of the proposed access to CSAH 14, the County typically requires left and right turn lanes to be constructed for developments of this size. In our opinion, the left turn lane requirement could be omitted due to the following: • Consistency with existing local street intersection treatments along CSAH 14 and CSAH 23 in the project vicinity. • The future vision for CSAH 14 is a four -lane urban facility with left and right turn lanes at public intersections. If the combined access option is chosen, turn lanes would be constructed at that time in conjunction with the reconstruction of access approaches. • Existing commuter pattern to the east (source: TH 242 /CSAH 14 Access Management Study) Based on the above information, all options for access should be reviewed and studied in detail to determine the best access provisions for this particular area.