04/14/2004 P&Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Oakwood View page 7 Staff recommended that the preliminary plat be revised to provide for a street connection to the west. The P & Z Board supported this recommendation and the plat has been revised. Oakwood Lane was created as part of the Woodridge Estates plat in 1988 -89. Oakwood Lane runs from White Pine Road on the north to the north property line of the church site. A sketch by the City Engineer in July 1988 envisions the road to continue south to Ash Street with connections both east and west. However, Woodridge Estates did not provide for the eastern connection and the church was approved in 1996, which blocks a southern connection. It still is possible to plan for a connection of Oakwood Lane to a future neighborhood road to the west. Oakwood Lane could provide a temporary cul de sac with a connection to the western property line. Land to the west is guided for residential development (medium density) and itt is very likely that it will develop in the future. The 20 acres immediately west of the church site definitely could support development. Land further to the west likely will be able to as well, though to a lesser extent due to wetlands. Oakwood Lane could provide circulation and neighborhood connections, running south to Ash St. or west to Baldwin Lake Road. This would avoid the creation of new, long cul de sacs and may be the last opportunity to create any circulation route to connect neighborhoods in this part of the community. The comprehensive plan includes a policy and a recommendation for such connections: 6. Provide complete street systems to eliminate isilated neighborhoods and dead -end streets and allow for interaction between neighborhoods. Transportation policies, page 36, comprehensive plan 6. Integrate low density sewered residential land uses within existing residential neighborhoods with local street connections, density transitions, and park planning. Recommendation for Planning District 4, page 135, comprehensive plan We recognize that many residents like cul de sacs because they minimize traffic on their streets. However, the lack of inter - neighborhood connections creates bottlenecks at points of access to collector and arterial roadways. Roads accessing Birch St. provide a clear example. Once the cul de sacs are built, the future problem is created. Creating connections creates options and distributes traffic, preventing the bottlenecks. Neighborhood street connections also provide for neighborhood social connections and allow for a greater sense of community. The subdivision ordinance requires that final plat approval be obtained before roads can be constructed. The Oakwood Lane extension into the project cannot be constructed until the ten single family lots are constructed with phase two in 2005. The grading can occur earlier, and the utilities can be relocated as explained above. Group Residence Structure: Typically, we require architectural elevations and specific site plan information for a PUD. Since this project only includes one duplex (two units), it is not so critical. It is more similar to a house being built than a commercial structure. However, site