02/12/1997 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

• Planning & Zoning Board February 12, 1997 Page 4 Mr. Ahrens stated that there are two parts to the transportation issue: 1) the impact of the new traffic from the proposed development, and 2) the condition of Ware Road. Ware Road is currently 22 feet wide with minimal or no shoulders. It does not meet current design standards of 32 feet width with curb and gutter, or 30 feet with no curb and gutter and shoulders. It is substantially deficient and is the second worst road in the City. However, 62nd Street is a good road and ranks high in the pavement management system. There have been preliminary discussions about Ware Road. The City Council would like to undertake reconstruction. A realistic schedule for such a project would be ordering a feasibility study in March to look at detailed issues of reconstruction, finance, special assessments, drainage, etc. The feasibility study could be completed by May, and the Council could call a public hearing by the end of June. Improvements could begin by the end of the year or spring of 1998. Mr. Ahrens noted that Ware Road is a Minnesota State Aid (MSA) road, and the City has a current balance of $790,000 for MSA road improvements for 1997. It is anticipated that $310,000 will be received for the 1998 reconstruction season. He projected the cost of the Ware Road project to be $1.1 million. The estimate from County Road J to Birch Street is $1.2 million. The developer has agreed to pay $2,000 per lot from the development toward road improvements. This would amount to an additional $96,000 the City would have toward the project. • Mr. Johnson asked at what point in the process the Council would give the actual decision to go forward with this project in the schedule outlined by Mr. Ahrens. Mr. Ahrens stated approval of the feasibility report would indicate a strong desire on the part of the Council to move ahead with the project. Once a bid is awarded to the project the project will be actually underway. Chair Schaps asked if the MSA dollars are earmarked for any other projects. Mr. Ahrens answered that the Council has indicated that the entire amount could be used to improve Ware Road, which is a collector street and designed to carry heavier volumes of traffic. It is a high priority. Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Ahrens to identify the worst road in the City. Mr. Ahrens answered, West Shadow Lake Road north of Birch Street where there are no utilities. Ware Road does have utilities except for one portion south of 62nd Street. Chair Schaps noted that with $1.1 million in MSA funds and a contribution of $96,000 from the developer, there would be no cost to current residents for the road improvement. •