CR 98-46 West Park Road ImprovementsMarch 13, 1998
Proposed Action.
West Park Road Improvements
Council Report 98-046
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council approve
Resolution 98 -017. Resolution authorizing staff to proceed with reconstruction of
a local street without adherence to Legislative Policy 8B, Roadway
Improvements.
Overview.
Halley's Custom Homes, Inc. is the developer of a 4.8 acre parcel just north of
the City of Hopkins and abutting the east -west segment of West Park Road. The
developer has proposed to reconstruct this 340' section of road. Legislative
Policy 8B, as it applys to West Park Road, states that the street will be
reconstructed with concrete curb and gutter unless the affected residents
present the city with a petition of at least 55% of the property owners opposed to
concrete curb. City Council directed staff to meet with all the residents of West
Park Road to discuss street design options and obtain neighborhood input on a
preferred street design. This was not successful as only one resident of 12
attended the public meeting. The issue was discussed at the March 10 Council
worksession. Staff stated that this street reconstruction is a very unique
circumstance in that a developer is funding the work, it is a short segment of
road and there is no assessment. Therefore, staff proposed to work with the two
property owners abutting the proposed reconstruction segment to determine the
street design and to not be held to strict adherence to Legislative Policy 8B.
Further, the decision on the design of this segment of West Park Road would not
influence future design of the remainder of West Park Road.
Primary Issues to Consider.
• Will a decision to deviate from the current policy on this street segment affect
future application of policy?
• Public Information
• Future City Council involvement
Supporting Information.
• Analysis of Issues
• Plan of development and street segment
• Legislative Po icy 8B excerpt
• ::solution 98 le 17
Steven J. Stadler Public Works Director
Council Report 98 -046
Page 2
Analysis of Issues.
• Will a decision to deviate from the current policy on this street segment affect
future application of policy?
No, the chance of a similar street reconstruction project is very small. This
situation is unique in the following ways:
• There are only two directly affected (abutting) property owners making it
very difficult to apply the 55% petition requirement
• There is no special assessment. Current policy states that the primary
source of funding for local streets is special assessments.
• Public Information
Staff will send a letter to all West Park Road residents explaining the situation
and that the decision on this street design won't affect the remainder of West
Park Road.
• Future City Council involvement
Staff doesn't envision a need for future Council action. Staff will inform Council
of the results of discussion with the two abutting property owners and the
selected street design.
6.03 It is not the intent of the State Aid Funding Program to totally finance the MSA system.
Rather, it is designed to assist communities with street construction projects in an effort
to improve the roadway system state wide. Therefore, when an MSA street is
constructed or upgraded, assessments will be levied in accordance with the policies for
major streets. The assessment rate will reflect the benefit conveyed by the improved
design, additional width, and curb and gutter, and these rates will be set by the City
Council on recommendation of the Public Works Director.
7. MAJOR STREETS
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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, tragic 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 of local streets is special assessments.
8.02 New local streets shall be constructed with curb and gutter. When reconstructing streets
concrete curb and cutter shall be installed in the following instances:
1. All streets with existing concrete curb and gutter or existing vertical asphalt curb.
2. All Municipal State Aid streets
3. Local streets without curb and gutter in a defined residential area wlwre the
predominance of existing streets have concrete curb and gutter
Legislative Policy Manual -- Chapter 8 5
4. Other local streets without curb and gutter unless the neighborhood presents a petition
of 55% or more of the affected residents objecting to concrete curb and gutter. The
affected residents or affected area will be defined by City Council. If a petition is
presented, the street shall be reconstructed in such a way that the current
design/appearance of the street (prior to reconstruction) is maintained. Once a
petition from the affected residents is certified and accepted by City Council, that
petition will remain in effect for the affected area until City Council rescinds the
petition or changes this legislative policy. If a petition of 551/4 is not presented to City
Council and the local streets are reconstructed with curb and gutter, subsequent street
reconstruction in the same affected area will also be reconstructed with curb and
gutter. .
8.03 New local street minimum unobstructed street width, (face to 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. 6
9. ALLEYS
9.01 Alleys are minor roadways which service parcels of property along the rear property line.
The primary source of funding of alleys is special assessments.
9.02 All alleys shall be concrete construction. Alley width is generally 10 feet in residential
areas and 12 feet in commercial areas.
Legislative Policy Manual -- Chapter 8 6
City of Hopkins
Resolution No. 98 -017
Authorizing a Road Improvement In Exception To The Requirements of
Legislative Policy 8B, Road Improvements
WHEREAS, The City of Hopkins has a policy goveming street improvement
design and funding; and
WHEREAS, the approximately 340' east-west (northern) section of West Park
Road has been proposed to be reconstructed by a private developer; and,
WHEREAS, City Council has deemed that the particulars of this project do not
allow a reasonable application of the Road Improvement Policy;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hopkins, City Council
authorizes City staff to proceed with reconstruction of this street segment without
adherence to Legislative Policy 8B, Road Improvements.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 17"' day of March, 1998.
ATTEST:
TERRY Obermaier, City Clerk
BY
Charles W. Redepenning, Mayor