04-07-26 City Council Meeting Packet

Home Browse Search

To: City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission From: Residents of Tamarack Farms Estates Subject: Formal Comments Regarding Proposed Granvia Preserve Development To the Members of the Planning Commission, We are writing to collectively share the feedback and concerns of the Tamarack Farms Estates residents regarding the proposed Granvia Preserve, 58-unit development. While we welcome thoughtful growth in Lake Elmo, we believe modifications should be considered to ensure the safety of residents and the preservation of the area’s natural character. 1. Traffic Safety and Site Access on 50th St. N. The primary concern among our residents is the proposed entrance onto 50th St. N. The current placement of Granvia Preserve’s entrance near the base of the hill presents significant safety risks. Additionally westbound traffic on 50th St N has a "blind zone" at the hill’s crest and drivers may have insufficient reaction time to respond to vehicles entering or exiting the new development, particularly during winter months when road conditions are slick. Mitigants such as moving the entrance farther to the west, "Limited Sight Distance" signage, flashing warning lights, or a speed reduction zone near the intersection of Linden Trail and 50th could minimize the increased risk of collisions and improve pedestrian safety. Additionally, there is a real scenario where people will utilize the neighborhood to travel north and south on Manning through neighborhoods instead of going using Lake Elmo Ave to 36 to Manning or Manning to 36 to Manning. Our concern here would be speed and safety in the event of the increased traffic. 2. Privacy Preservation A portion of the bike path in Granvia Preserve is proposed to run along the west boundary of our development. We understand that there will be tree plantings on the west side of the bike path that will provide some visual separation from the lots adjacent to the bike path and our neighborhood’s homes along the our west border. If possible we’d request increased tree plantings along our west border for greater visual separation from the lots going in that area. 3. Neighborhood Connectivity At this time our neighborhood is not ready to commit to a bike path connection to the Granvia bike path as shown in the plans. We understand that the City would need to complete this connection. We’d request more time to discuss this possibility with the HOA and weigh the impacts of the connection. Please keep our development informed, if possible, to the planning process regarding this connection.