Resolution 7307 Approving Design Issues for the 2008 2009 Street Utility Project

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Streets and utilities Committee Recommendations July 7, 2008 Page 2 2. Fairchild Avenue Non-Standard Street Width Fairchild Avenue, between Sherwood Road and Hillview Road, is presently 22 feet wide. The adopted standard width of 28 feet, from face of curb to face of curb, may be excessive in this location as well given the fact that the right-of-way for this segment of Fairchild Avenue varies in width from 33 feet to 48 feet. The typical right-of-way width for residential streets in this neighborhood is 60 to 66 feet. A feedback form was presented to the residents at the June 14, 2008 Neighborhood Meeting. Of the 18 residents who responded, 17 wanted Fairchild Avenue to be constructed no wider than 24 feet (see attached Feedback Form Summary Table). The 24-foot width would preserve the character of Fairchild Avenue and minimize tree disturbance. The 24-foot width also allows for adequate emergency vehicle access. At the June 14, 2008 Neighborhood Meeting, a community member informed the Committee that the street was originally made more narrow than is typical through a legal petition process decades ago. Though the street length is longer than Jackson Drive, most homeowners have very long driveways, so on- street parking is not a common occurrence, making a narrower than standard street acceptable. For these reasons, the Committee recommends (by a unanimous 6-0 vote) that Fairchild Avenue be constructed to a width of 24-feet from face of curb to face of curb. 3. Red Oak Drive Non-Standard Street Width Red Oak Drive, from Hillview Road to Long Lake Road, is presently 30 feet wide, consisting of two 11-foot wide driving lanes and 4-foot wide paved shoulders. Parking is currently allowed on both sides of the road; however, it is rarely utilized. This segment of Red Oak Drive is designated as a Municipal State Aid road, and therefore, must be reconstructed to meet MnDOT State Aid standards in order to received State Aid funding. State Aid standards require minimum 11- foot wide driving lanes and 8-foot wide parking lanes where parking is allowed. A feedback form was presented to the residents at the June 14, 2008 Neighborhood Meeting requesting feedback related to parking accommodations. A slight majority favor no parking on either side of Red Oak Drive (see attached Feedback Form Summary Table). Although cars are rarely parked on Red Oak Drive, there are occasions when it would be useful to have on-street parking (i.e. garage sales, holiday gatherings, etc.). City Administrator Ericson noted that if the streets were to be constructed without parking lanes, special permits would not likely be issued for neighborhood special occasions/needs.