06/23/1997 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 23, 1997 Mr. Ahrens again explained the process allowed for property owners to petition for or against the project. He added the City cannot assess for sewer and water utilities if the property is outside of the MUSA. Based on the Charter and lack of MUSA, some of the properties cannot connect immediately so they cannot be assessed immediately. Mr. Rehbein stated he understands the developer should heavily contribute towards the cost to reconstruct Ware Road but he believes his project has already helped reduce Ware Road traffic since it is being used as a shortcut to Hodgson Road. Council Member Bergeson asked if Fox Trace was assessed for trail. Mr. Rehbein advised he built the trail from Ware Road to Hodgson Road. Mr. Ahrens noted staff proposes to locate the new trail on the east side so the trail, in its current location, would not be utilized. Mr. Rehbein stated the Parks Committee has strongly supported trails but, as a developer, he feels strongly that they should be placed by the streets and not located behind properties. He reported the unsold Fox Trace lots abut the trail and said he believes the community will regret construction of the trails due to poor access and nuisance activities. Mr. Rehbein suggested that locating trails by the roadway means they are better lit and safer for use. Bill Greger, 6353 Ware Road, stated he believes the developments abutting Ware Road have caused the problem and that the walkway will not be predominately used by the residents abutting Ware Road. Therefore, he does not believe the property owners along Ware Road should bear all the cost but the cost should be spread among all taxpayers. He stated his opinion that the road should be as narrow as possible without parking allowed. Mr. Greger stated the original layout presented does not match the stakes currently posted. He asked if the proposed assessment is based on the current number of homes or the number of homes based on full development. Mr. Murphy advised there is room for an additional 30 lots fronting on Ware Road and the assessment is based on full development. Mr. Greger again asked how many lots the assessment is based on (existing number or potential number once fully developed). Mr. Ahrens advised it is based on staffs opinion of property value increase. He noted the City's assessment policy is $45 per front foot but it is staffs opinion that is questionable if related to increased value to the property. Therefore, staff recommends $28 to $29 per front foot for the street improvement. With the sewer assessment, staff took the construction cost and divided it by the total maximum number of lots which results in the per lot assessment rate. Mr. Greger asked if this assessment range is typical to other areas. Mr. Ahrens stated this is a reasonable assessment and equals the market value increase. Mr. Ahrens explained it is proposed to fund the trails from State Aid which is comprised of gasoline tax that is shared by everyone. With regard to street width, he explained the area where parking is not proposed. the street width will be reduced by four (4) feet. • Mary Altstatt. 6134 Ware Road. objected to being assessed for the reconstruction of the roadwayill and asked why it is not designated as a private roadway if residents arc expected to pay for its reconstruction. Mr. Ahrens explained the City has the ability to do improvement projects and 4