09/10/1997 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Planning & Zoning Board September 10, 1997 Page 11 Mr. Ken Jacobson, 628 Barbara Lane, stated that the townhomes are an island in this development and he cannot see their advantage. He would like to see the plan revised for only single family homes. Mr. Matt Keiger, stated that the City builds and builds, but no one bothers about the needs of teenagers. Many of his friends are in trouble and it makes no sense to build and build with nothing for teens. The schools are small and getting crowded. Ms. Dorrie Balata stated that she lives at the end of the cul -de -sac on Marilyn Drive. The whole street is filled with children. If the plan is approved, she requested that adequate plans be made to address traffic issues. She agreed with Matt. Her own children are often bored because there is little offered for teens in the community. Mr. Mark Budge, 7713 Marilyn Drive, asked if it would be possible to put in 78th Street to open another street to Lake Drive. It is an idea worth looking into. City Engineer Ahrens responded that idea has not been presented to the County, and he does not believe it would be received favorably. Mr. Robinson noted that Main Street may be reconstructed by 2001, and asked if there are any projections regarding reconstruction of Lake Drive in the near future. Mr. Ahrens stated that the plan for reconstruction of Lake Drive, Hodgson Road and Lilac Street is scheduled within the next nine years. Lake Drive is a turnback road from state jurisdiction to County jurisdiction which requires reconstruction within 10 years in order to use the turnback funds available. He would expect that Lake Drive will be reconstructed to four lanes. Ms. Mary Lee, 7782 Marilyn Drive, asked when Marilyn will be improved if the plan is to make it a through street. Mr. Ahrens responded that there Marilyn Drive is not scheduled at this time for reconstruction. The problem is that it is outside MUSA, and the City would not want to reconstruct without putting in utilities. There is also no plan to reconstruct 77th Street. The City does not have a street reconstruction schedule. The Charter Commission allows a petitioning process against assessments. If that occurs, the City must fall back on other sources of funding, such as taxes. From an engineering perspective, it is difficult to plan reconstruction of streets in this community. Mr. Robinson made a MOTION to close the public hearing at 9:05 p.m. and was supported by Mr. Johnson. The motion carried unanimously, 7 -0. Mr. Rick Harrison, Project Designer, stated that Mr. Dennis Sullivan of the Forest Lake School District was contacted. Mr. Sullivan's reaction is that development is positive because it has been difficult for the school district to raise money through taxes for school expansion. In response to the issue of lot widths, he stated that all cove design developments have slightly reduced lot widths at the setback line. This development has an average lot width at the mid -point of the building at 82.6 feet. Adjustments have been