11/25/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 25, 2002 • Community Development Director Grochala stated the applicant will be required to enter into a performance agreement with the City and post all the necessary securities required by it. • Community Development Director Grochala advised that the Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the application at their July 10, 2002 meeting and recommended approval with the conditions. That information has been provided for Council review. Community Development Director Grochala stated the proposed Spirit Hills development has raised specific concerns regarding the impact of the development on adjacent residential uses as well as its impact on the surrounding transportation infrastructure. The City's Comprehensive Plan designates the site for commercial land use. Commercial land uses are going to generate additional traffic and have the potential to adversely impact adjacent residential uses. The opportunity or challenge is to effectively integrate the development to minimize or eliminate these impacts. Community Development Director Grochala noted that the Spirit Hills development has been held to a high level of site and architectural design to insure integration with existing residential uses. Where applicable, staff is recommending conditions of approval to offset potential adverse effects. From this standpoint, staff is of the opinion that the development will compatibly coexist with adjoining residential areas. Community Development Director Grochala again noted the architectural plan depicting the colors and columns to integrate it with the surrounding residential development. He stated the height of these buildings, when compared to the homes being constructed in the Spirit Hills development, is similar or lower. He stated the pedestrian amenities also make it more a part of the neighborhood. Community Development Director Grochala restated that the commercial development will generate additional traffic. However, it is important to insure that the additional traffic can be accommodated by the surrounding infrastructure. The proposed development and associated Ware Road extension will introduce new or additional vehicle turning movements. As such, the new right -in, right -out intersection of Ware Road and the existing Ware Road / Birch Street intersection will need to be improved to accommodate these movements. As pointed out in the traffic study, City staff review, and Anoka County review, turn lanes will be required in these locations. The introduction of turn lanes will allow for turning movements to be accommodated outside of the through traffic lanes. The proposed development will also have an additional impact on the Birch/Hodgson Road intersection. As noted in the review, the intersection is currently operating at an unacceptable level and will continue to do so until such time as turn lane and signalization improvements are constructed. Community Development Director Grochala stated this road project has been discussed and listed in the County's Capital Improvement Program since at least 1999 and there has been continual discussion about that with Anoka County. However, it appears that project is two to three years away. He advised that Anoka County said they would include reconstruction of the intersection and bridge in their Year 2003-2007 plan so staff is estimating construction would take place in 2005 to 2006. • Community Development Director Grochala recapped that the improvement of this intersection has been discussed between the City and Anoka County for several years. It appears that at this time, 9