CR 97-49 Consider Changes to Legislative Police 8-B Roadway Improvements
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March 14, 1997
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Council Report 97-49
Consider Changes to Legislative Policy #8-B
Roadway Improvements
Proposed Action. Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move
that Council avprove revisions to Le!rislative Policy #8-B. Roadway
Imvroyements as outlined and {lresented by staff.
Overview.
In September, 1996 City Council directed staff to review existing street
reconstruction policy and discuss options at a future worksession. At the
February 11, 1997 Council Worksession, staff presented a report including
analysis of benefits/costs of concrete curb and gutter, past neighborhood
street reconstruction projects under the current policy, policy options and a
staff recommendation. Staff recommended that the existing policy be
modified to require concrete curb & gutter on all street reconstruction but that
there be neighborhood input regarding the design and appearance of the
curbing. However, a large majority of Interlachen neighborhood residents
were opposed to any type of pavement edge treatment. City Council
directed staff to propose a policy revision which would allow, in some
instances, street reconstruction without requiring an obtrusive raised asphalt
edge or concrete curb & gutter.
Primary Issues to Consider.
. What streets will still require concrete curb & gutter?
. Are there cost implications for residents if the abutting street IS
reconstructed without curb & gutter?
Supporting Information.
. Analysis ofIssues
· i"'d ~ Leg;slative Policy #8-B
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Steven 1. Stadler, Public Works Director
Council Report 97-49
Page 2
Analysis of Issues
. What Streets will still require concrete curb & gutter?
Staff proposes that the following streets require concrete curb & gutter when
reconstructed:
. All streets with existing concrete curb & gutter
. All Municipal State Aid streets
. Local streets without curbs in a defined residential area where the
predominance of existing streets have concrete curb and gutter
. Local streets when the neighborhood doesn't present a petition of 55% or
more of the affected residents against concrete curb & gutter
. Are there cost implications for residents if the abutting street is reconstructed
without curb & gutter?
Yes, staff is proposing that alternative construction used to maintain pavement edge
strength and drainage be direct assessed at 100% to abutting property owners.
Staff believes that the use of concrete curb & gutter is the most cost-effective means
of controlling street drainage, protecting pavement edge strength, and ensuring
maximum serviceable street life. If curb & gutter is not used, alternative
engineering solutions will be used to address these issues. These alternatives will
follow sound engineering practice based on soil investigation and strength reports
and local drainage issues. It is expected that the following alternatives would be
considered when designing street reconstruction without curb & gutter:
. subsurface 4" perforated pipe drain along the pavement edges - estimated
cost is $5 - $8 per foot
. additional excavation and base course material at the pavement edges -
estimated cost is $2 - $3 per foot
. additional stonn water inlets and piping - estimated cost is variable
depending on local drainage concerns
These alternatives and costs would be investigated during the feasibility study phase
of the project. Any additional direct assessment costs would be presented to the
affected residents during the public infonnation meeting.
LEGISLATIVE POLlCY #8-B
ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS SECTION 7 - SECTION 8
MAJOR STREETS
7.01 Major streets are considered by the City of Hopkins to be collector and
thoroughfare streets. Streets of this variety generally service local traffic as well as
traffic from other areas and therefore are designed in accordance with standards of
a higher road capacity. Major streets within the City of Hopkins are constructed
with a minimum capacity of 9 ton per axle. The primary source of funding for
major roadways is special assessments and MSA funds.
7.02 Major new and reconstructed streets shall be constructed with curb and gutter.
Street width shall be determined by existing conditions, traffic counts and patterns,
and, if applicable, MSA standards.
8. LOCAL STREETS
8.01 Local Streets are generally streets which service a small area and do not typically
involve a movement of traffic between areas. Local streets typically connect two
collector streets or county roads. Streets of this type include local streets,
cul-de-sacs, and service roads. Local streets within the City of Hopkins are
constructed with a minimum capacity of 7 tons per axle. The primary source of
funding oflocal streets is special assessments.
8.02 New local streets shall be constructed with curb and gutter. WheR reeefl5t.-aeilil.g
streets eener-ete OOfB ana gutter shall Be installed 'Nhere earrently in lise, and in
other areas l:lIIIess the Beighberheed preseHts a petitieB ef net less that filly five
pereeat (55%) efthe atfeeted preperty e'_ers r~Elllesting raisedllSphalt edge.
RiHsed asphalt edge shell. be iftstaIled where ,.er eeaerete OOfB ana gutter is net
llsed. De. meEiifieatiefls sIui1l Be estaIllislie6llS appr-efJriate te adElress dfllinage
ana maiflteHlUWe eeneems.
When reconstructing streets concrete curh and gutter shall be installed in the
fonowing instances:
1. All streets with existing concrete curb and gutter
2. All Municipal State Aid streets
3. Local streets without curb and gutter in a defined residential area where
the predominance of existing streets have concrete curb and gutter
4. Other local streets without curb and gutter unless the neighborhood
presents a petition of 55% or more of the affected residents against
concrete curb and gutter.
Whenever concrete curb and gutter is not installed, alternative construction
techniques or additional work necessary to maintain pavement edge strength
and drainage shall be direct assessed at 100% of costs to the abutting
property owners.
8.03 New local street minimum unobstructed street width, (face-face of curb) is 30 feet.
The standard unobstructed street width for reconstructed streets shall be 26 feet.
Streets which do not meet this requirement shall be reconstructed at current width
(unless a wider street is desired by the affected residents) but not less than twenty
feet (20') unless the Council finds that:
A twenty foot (20') width would adversely affect trees or other significant or
desirable physical features; and
A reduced width would not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.
Factors to be considered shall include, but not be limited to safe access of
emergency vehicles, snow storage requirements, availability of parking and
aesthetics.
8.04 Streets which are twenty-six feet (26') or more in width will have parking allowed
on both sides. Streets less than twenty-six feet (26') in width may be subject to
parking restrictions on an "as needed" basis. Parking restrictions could be
established at the time of street projects or at any future date based upon general
City parking requirements.
Factors to be considered shall include, but not be limited to, staff report regarding
safety and emergency vehicles access and neighborhood input.
Where streets are less than twenty-six feet (26') in width, the staff shall assist the
neighborhood in identifying areas where existing street width can be increased to
provide additional parking.