06-12-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r~ ~J Mounds View City Council Page 6 Regular Meeting June 12, 1995 Mr. Zikmund advised that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which is the recognized standard in the United States, has two standards that address road widths. Standard 299 requires 30 feet if parking is permitted on one side of the street, and 36 feet if parking is permitted on both sides. Minnesota is not an NFPA state. Mounds View is not an NFPA city. NFPA does carry the weight of the law because their standards are the national standards in court cases. Mr. Zikmund stated that, as Fire Chief, although he would promote and support a street width of 32 feet, it is a community decision. He stressed the importance of considering snow conditions as well as considering if parking should be allowed on one side or two sides of the street. Tim Ramacher, Police Chief, offered comments from the viewpoint of the Police Department. He advised that wider streets were safer for police responding to emergencies. Mark Allen, a Health Span representative, said that many times when they respond to an emergency, they are the second or third vehicle at the scene. He stressed the importance of having adequate room to be mobile getting to the scene of the emergency and being able to get out quickly with the patient. Mr. Allen said that wider street widths were better for health care emergency vehicles, particularly in the winter months because the snow piles do encroach upon the roadway. Mayor Linke expressed his appreciation to the officials who had offered their opinions from the standpoint of their professions. Mr. Linke summarized those opinions in saying that emergency personnel would prefer wider streets, but would be able to continue working with the streets as they presently are. They would prefer to have parking on one side of the street rather than on both sides. Duane McCarty, 3060 Long Lake Road, said that he was pleased that the Council was considering the removal of Section G pertaining to street design standards from the assessment policy. Mr. McCarty felt there was much confusion regarding the assessment policy because of the issue of street widths. Bevery, 2550 Ridge Lane, offered his comments regarding asphalt that had been thrown onto his property by passing traffic. Joy Dick, 8059 Red Oak Drive, commented that she felt the video offered an inaccurate depiction of emergency vehicles maneuvering around parked vehicles.