03-27-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, It is clear that the wetland area plays a significant role in how abutting properties can and should be developed. The value of the wetland as an amenity has already been stated; but there are also limitations placed upon the surrounding properties by local land use controls that were adopted 411 to protect such amenities. The City's wetland ordinance considers potential impacts from development on adjacent wetlands by imposing a significant setback from these sensitive areas. However, since protection is the goal, there is precedent for minimizing this restriction if adequate wetland protection measures are incorporated into site design and during construction. Furthermore, City ordinances require dedication of wetlands as public parklands if the wetlands are part of a subdivision plat. It would appear that this particular requirement will be given careful consideration by land developers in their efforts to balance maximization of return with the ramifications of a public vs. a private wetland amenity. This ordinance provision also will impact how walkways are to be developed around the wetland and who is to be responsible for their construction and maintenance. These are all issues that will arise during site plan review discussions of the wetlands and subsequent discussions between the City and the developers. Transportation and Circulation The roadway network within Section 9 is well established and serves both neighborhood and commuter level needs. As mentioned, it is highly unlikely that new access points will be permitted along TH 10 in the future, in consideration of existing and expected traffic volumes and so as not to diminish speeds along TH 10. The Preferred Alternative reflects this consideration as it contemplates only improvement of two existing access points along the south side of Highway 10 and the relocation of the access point to the Pleasant Wood Apartments on • the north side of the roadway. Eastwood Road forms the easterly boundary of the study area, and property owned by the City's EDA fronts on this street. However, the EDA parcel does not have access to TH 10, and its access to County Road I is limited to right in/right out by a median. In this case, the area's roadway network is troublesome to redevelopment of the EDA parcel. As discussed later under the land use section, this access limitation plays a major role in how this property is to develop. The sole roadway improvement that is recommended for Section 9 is the construction of a hard- surfaced turnaround at the north terminus of Mounds View Drive located just south of the wetland area. This improvement will define the end of this roadway and create a much needed transition between vehicular and pedestrian rights-of-way. Pedestrian circulation throughout Section 9 and the corridor as a whole can be enhanced through the introduction of pathways and sidewalks that serve as connections between uses within the study area as well as with city-wide and regional trail systems. The Preferred Alternative illustrates the addition of sidewalks along both sides of TH 10, along the east side of Red Oak r�-__. and along portion of Eastwood rte_._ Upon � i of the along a Eastwood Drive. Upon redevelopment the properties along County Road I, a sidewalk should also be constructed to provide a connection to sidewalks along TH 10. 410 A pedestrian trail is shown around the wetlands within Section 9, and the Preferred Alternative also contemplates construction of a trail along the City of St. Paul water easement, connecting on 25