CR 95-114 Fire Lane Designation 10th St S
.
e
.
1 y
o
(,
"
June 28, 1995
council Report 95-114
o \'
P " \
Fire Lane Designation
10th street South R.O.W.
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that
Council aporove Resolution 95-50. Resolution Desianatinq A Fire
Lane - 10th Street South R.O.W.
OVerview.
Recently staff received a complaint letter/petition from a
Westbrooke Patio Homes resident that focused on a parking issue
at the unimproved 10th Street South roadway. Subsequently, a
petition by the Patio Homes Association was submitted concerning
the same roadway. The concern of these petitions is that vehicle
parking should be banned on a gravel base, 16-18 foot wide road
between the end of Feltl Court and 11th Ave. South.
Primary Issues to Consider.
o Historical background and past actions
o Current conditions
o Fire Department memo
o city Code provisions
o staff recommendation
SUDPortinq Information.
o Location map
o Letter from resident 1144 Trailwood South
o Letter from Westbrooke Patio Homes Association
o Fire Department memo
o Section 910 - city Code
o Resolution 95-50
Ja~se~
Engineering Superintendent
.
.
Analvsis.
o Historical background and past actions
At the time development occurred in southwest Hopkins and
Feltl Court was constructed as a public improvement,
consideration was given to connecting the Feltl Court
cul-de-sac with 11th Avenue South with a fully improved
street. The city already had plans to place sanitary sewer
and storm sewer mains in this corridor, and a looped roadway
connection addressed fire and police access concerns over a
long dead end street. Opposition to a connecting street
arose from the Westbrooke residents because of the traffic
volumes generated by what drivers could easily perceive as a
shortcut. A bona fide hard-surface street was predicated on
spending huge sums of money in performing soils corrections
over a marshy, peat-laden corridor. The city opted to place
utilities in this corridor and make the necessary trench
soils corrections, maintaining a width sufficient to
accommodate fire trucks on a fire access lane. At the time
no action was taken to officially declare the narrow, gravel
access road a fire lane.
o Current conditions
The access road has been maintained over time to a driveable
condition by using granular base such as recycled
concrete/bituminous. The driveable area is between 16-18
feet wide. There is an open driveway entrance off 11th
Avenue South and a locked gate spans the corridor near the
end of Feltl Court.
Residents are complaining about the large volume of vehicle
parking along the entire length of the lane. Residents raise
the issue of aesthetics when they report that vehicles,
trucks, and even construction equipment, in addition to cars,
are parked along the route over extended periods of time. In
effect, the corridor has become a vehicle storage site.
Safety issues are also cited because the limited road width
mandates backing maneuvers from the site onto 11th Avenue
South. Lastly, turf along the north edge of the route is
being rutted and damaged in an attempt to mitigate parking
space needs for oversized vehicles.
o Fire Department memo
The City's fire marshal has reiterated the need for a fire
access road between 11th Avenue and Feltl Court and the fact
that the loth Street South right-of-way was meant to provide
that access. The fire department's position is that any
parking along the corridor compromises access and that the
current road should be officially declared a fire lane.
o city Code provisions
The city Code provides for establishing fire lanes by Council
resolution. The locations and boundaries of fire lanes are
. to be described by resolution and upon passage, the new
.
designation is to be noted and entered upon the "Hopkins
Official Fire Lane Map". Thereupon, the Code provides for
posting and designation with "No Parking" signs.
o staff recommendation
staff recommends that Council adopt Resolution 95-50 and
thereby designate 10th street South right-of-way as a fire
lane to be posted with "No Parking" signs.
e
.
, i
"'"'' "" l""'to ." am li' '''00 ........ "."....... ,.,.to ... " .'" lull
j. "':'ir:H;';fS 1'61:':~'~ '" \rS~w: ON JOO - I _H' ~(K ~[II' 1n [11'1 ~L~ _~lll". . fJ..
~Ik = : ~: ~ - - -1'1 ("... "I · .. *\. '''1 " - 'sl~ii.YWlii 1iFi11~ T ~r ~ ~f"1
a::: ;;; O'i jt:;;; ~ R;:N~I :Rli'l;jl;o t-~. [/ I -_~N~",~_-:...~1tl~"'~to-~ ~a1 ~e l:L_ *.!:::',r;'.-,~.....- -.;
_ ~ R - J 1 I . ... III to- -" 5 v':; ~ ii'l ~ - '" '" '" '" r;; 1;;'" .... -,
..> ___ ~ fLl-011 ~" ;; U1~' C't I~, - I - !:2 - -.-' ~-' ~-' ~- ~ -
~ . , " ,a' I ..,
[t1j~' \~-~_.: ~r ~I-i-~I ~ := ~ "" ~I ~ i" ~ .r.m ~ I'J" . ~~ . J . ...J.... .... .. I [r I!
~ III J. ~, . .h lOl ~ ,.1< - · .....~. ...,,"....." ...., I -
~ ' . . ~ .... I .-*,]'1' ..~~:,,:;;,,"" · .,~' -.- ......_.,.""~....b.,c"-..
'--~:;; . . i ""j; % : - --'l>l... _ ~~ ~ · . - I!.~ !!I~(~ ~QsU 'Q. ;'" ;
~ Z.2 I 1G L!.. ~ ""if ~ 1-'\ ~ <D tl'>1c _.. N N "'::r_ ~ '" . S no "';;: .... ';'" ". ". ""I H
~-']I l!! Cl "''''IC;<:>h, 3^V Hill ~-~
~ ~"" _ j ~ i ~I ~ C: ~ ~:' 0 . ~ ~ ~ ~ " .1<<, :<l\ t!; ,-".00." '''''' i i'
1 . 61 Y &1": c= = = ~ J -, I - '::: '" W;!, "'p
" ,IT !.:.._~~--~ -I
v/ :=' - /' 6U-9~1 --~'E
~ c ~ ~ :; ~n.:;r) ~
I~-i' ~- ~ r:-o - - - r.Di-:- ~rm-
~~ ~I~:!:J - ~ a- ~ ~ ~li>Il 18~r Q?r I2i
_ .~~ . "', <C - - - L ~ i(
_ft: ~i ~I :!l . I It.. : : ~ ~ll
_ _ \' ,--o[J~
_ _ 3.11 ,6~.mj I , ilL 'ZIl9 i :
I 90 '\:91
[~ . UZ ,6~.ON !;II'6L~
L~ ~ ..
L -,;:;\ t; "'~ ~ 18
I ~J:8~ ",lB ~~
; 1'1 " ~ ~ o~ ~-
'"
....~
~~
~
G=
I S'I::b ~1 ot lX:
1. i"~
~Lr- 01:,
~fl~: :'
i I:; ,
I
~
- f;?;'" ....
. .....
;i si~ ~
n.. pi ~
......
- ..,..
(\
0;'
O~ 0; '01 I
.
5>
~
0
~
!l1
....
..,
,...;
....
'" 0
0:: 0>
~
uJ
e ~
..
'"
N
'-
:ll
:R
~
'"
~
~
I
.-~~_.~="-~
-;:::>
~
~
~
\
\
~
~
~
~
._r__
-~
'!P
'q; .~
.<J:i I
'to S.ll. <,.
"'Ii' . l'f~q. Ji
~.. "Iff-
-- fOli
111~
SI/'91 ~
l,S~.~Z.ON
SS 'SS~
I 1 'lK"v
~
<(
~
.~
8r -~
[..z
~
g
9In'..,
,6 "911
l.S~ .~l.ON 1/,]/
:R
~
'"
..
on
...
N
:"
to-
'"
Z
@>>
cd
cd
~
2S
G=I
~
A1
cg
cg
~
~ -(I;
~ ' ~
(Q)
~
,,1 <9>
\D
r!
"
'"
....
..
I. ~
O~
~
~
'& '" 0'
f:i' ::::
ii' :::: -
~
r:
0' ".;
to-
'"
.~ ~
<:>
0 ~
....
. ,
:
,. ..(J~
01<
1 I
/
......
'" <D
.
I!:n:n
2S
C=-
't,
M.21,OQ.ON 11'099
"k Ll10~ is H1L
~.Nt\l,.jOH JO 'uIJ';;I.;?e'Orl
tl V)4N( 13NNII'f30 AID S6t
.
e
.
Harbara l. Hourne
1144 Trailrnood South
Hopkins, MN. 55343
Jim Gessele
City of Hopki ns
1010 South First Street
Hopkins, MN.
Dear Jim;
I am writing to petition the city to restrict parking on the fire access
road which is also known as Tenth Street South.
This street was originally intended as a fire lane to provide access to the
houses facing south and to provide additional access to St. Theresa's.
Please review the enclosed photographs for evidence of the problems.
Some of the residents of the area are using the street as a storage area
for recreational vehicles, dump trucks and unused automobiles. The police
are responsive when we call , but they are limited to ticketing vehicles
which are parked more than twenty four hours. The R.V. owners simply
move their vehicles to erase the chalk marks and return them to the same
area. There is a parade of vehicle movers each day thumbing their noses
at the city ordinance. If we do not call and report the vehicles parked
there the police do not usually patrol the area. We have had dump trucks,
earth movers unlicensed vehicles parked for periods of several months at
a time.
In addition to the problem with limiting access for fire vehicles, the
persons who park on Tenth street south usually back their vehicles out
traversing the full length of the road in reverse gear at high speeds. There
are many adults and children who walk to the hiking paths using this road
thus these persons are creating hazards to pedestrians. There is no room
to turn around and face the proper direction to drive out if cars are parked.
As you can see on some of the pictures the vehicles often drive up on the
grass when it is wet causing damage to the grass on the right of way.
.
.
.
This is one of the few wild life areas left in Hopkins and there are many
water fowl and small animals as well as deer in the area. Their nesting
is disturbed by the traffic at all hours of the night.
This unimproved road has been convenient for a few people to load and
unload cars or as additional guest parking for parties etc. Unfortunately,
however, the area is consistently abused by those who would use it for
storage and extra parking.
Please limit parking to no more than four hours or restrict parking to
emergency vehicles only, whichever meets the requirements of the law
and common sense.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. The police and fire
department have been most helpful as I have requested assistance in this
matter.
Sin cerely,
/'/}
(~-1:k t~i .t4ZJ:'V~{ 'C_
Barbara L. Bourne
WESTBROOKE
PATIO HOMES ASSOCIATION
.
1~17 W:agon Wheel Rd.
HDpkin.. MN SS343
(612) 936-9692
June 23, 1995
Jim Gessele c/o City of Hopkins
1010 South First Street
Hopkins, MN 55343
Jim:
As president of the Westbrooke Patio Homes I would like to convey the
unanimous support of che Board of Directors for your plan to prohibit
parking on the fire access road south of our complex known as Tenth Street
South.
Your letter and the concerns of residents of the complex were reviewed with
the board at our monthly meeeting on Tuesday June 20, 1995.
.
We are concrened that this be an open road when fire vehicles are required
in the area. There is limited access for fire vehicles to the patio homes
at the south end except by use of Tenth Street South. All other patio homes
have drives and roadways adjacent to them. We also have a big concern with
people backing up down this road at high speeds when we have children that
play down in that area.
Another issue is the fact that the area looks shabby with old recreation
vehicles, trucks and automobiles parked in full view of persons entering
Hopkins. The road is unimproved except for recycled pavement which has been
laid on top of the gravel. We would like it to stay that way. The area
serves as a walking path and crossing for wild life.
Each residence has four parking places with the two car garage and two
spaces in front of the garage. There are additional spaces for guest
parking within the complex and along 11th Avenue. Business related trucks
and vehicles as well as recreation vehicles are prohibited from being
stroed in the complex except for loading and unloading.
For the safety of the residents as well as pedestrians, we support the
prohibition of parking on Tenth Street South.
Thank you
Si~c~~ely., _ ~
l\-) Ulte ~ Y\CC\.-CO\~ J
Nikki Marion }
President of Westbrooke Patio Homes
.
A COMMUNITY OF 328 PATIO HOMES
. I~I.I.-
:""";"""",:,:,:,:,:,:,:::::;,;.:,:",:",,,,";'";:;,,;:;;:::::::;:::~;:;,;\;;::;;,,,;;.,:';;;I
To:
Jim GesseJe
From:
George Magdal
Monday, June 26, 1995
Date:
Subject:
Felli Court Fire Access
The roadway just south of the Westbrooke townhouses was established as a second
means of fire access to F eftl Court. A gate was placed at the end because the
Westbrooke residents didn't want the added traffic direct access to 11th Avenue would
create.
Recently it has been noted that vehicles are parking on this roadway, blocking the fire
access to Felt! Court. Even one sided parking compromises access. To keep this area
clear, both sides of this roadway should be declared a fire lane.
.
.
Hopkins City Code
910.01
.
Section 910 - Fire Lanes
910.01. Intent and purpose. It is the purpose of this section to provide for
an orderly creation and maintenance of certain roadways or fire lanes in various
areas in the city which areas are not otherwise accessible to the fire
department in case of fire or other danger for the purposes of preserving the
public healthJ safetYJ and welfare of the city in case of fire or other public
or private accidentJ hazard or disaster requiring access not otherwise
available.
910.03. Fire lanes previously established by resolutions. Any and all fire
lanes, pathways, or emergency roads heretofore established by city council
resolution nos. 77-2576, 7/-2577 and 77-2578, and any other ordinances or
resolutions, are hereby confirmed and readoptedJ and all such fire lanes previ-
ously established are bereby placed upon and as a part of the Hopkins official
fire lane map hereinafter created and adopted.
.
910.05. Additional fire lanes hereby established. There are established
certain fire lanes at or near 100 Shady Oak Road. Hopkins. abutting upon or
adjacent to the \'FW building located at that said address, and there are further
established additional fire lanes at the Rosewood West Apartments I 460 - 5th
Avenue North, Hopkins) abutting or adj acent to said Rosewood West Apartments
located at said address) also at Hopkins Lanes, 107 Shady Oak Road, Hopkins,
abutting or adjacent to said Hopkins Lanes located at said address, also at
Westbrooke Shopping Center, 7th Street and 11th Avenue South, abutting or
adjacent to Westbrooke Shopping Center located at said address, all of which
fire lanes thus hereby created and established are ordered inscribed upon the
Hopkins official fire lane map as hereinafter adopted.
910.07. Official fire lane map. The locations and boundaries of any and all
fire lanes heretofore, hereby. or hereafter established by ordinance or resolu-
tion of the council, are hereby established and designated on that certain map
entitled "Hopkins Official Fire Lane Map". which map includes and shall include
all such fire lanes. Said Hopkins official fire lane mapJ including any and all
overlays, notationsJ references and other information pertinent thereto now or
hereafter shown thereon, are and shall remain on file fOT public inspection in
the offices of the Hopkins clerkJ and said Hopkins official fire lane map is
hereby approved, passed, and adopted and made a part of this section by refer-
ence with the same force and effect as if such map, diagrams, materials, and
information were fully set forth in this section and published verbatim.
910.09. Future or additional fire lanes. Any future additions or changes of
fire lanes shall be made by the adoption of appropriate council resolutions and
any and all such changes thus created or adopted shall immediately be noted and
entered upon the official fire lane map hereinabove adopted. and shall be in
full force and effect without publication of such official map changes.
e
910.11. Fire lane posting and designation signs. All fire lanes in the city
shall be provided with appropriate fire lane no parking signs of metal or other
weatherproof materials, plainly visible at all times, which signs shall be
posted and maintained at or near all fire lane entrances or other convenient
locations thereon. The maintenance of any such sign shall constitute proof of
the official lawful existence of such fire lane.
Hopkins City Code
910.13
.
910.13. Violation. It is unlawful for a person to destroy, damage, or remove
any fire lane sign or to park any vehicle or other obstruction on any fire lane.
Violation of this section is a petty misdemeanor. A vehicle or other ob-
struction found on any fire lane is declared to be a public nuisance which may
be summarily removed at the risk and expense of the owner or person responsible
for such violation.
.
.
.
.
.
City of Hopkins
Hennepin County, Minnesota
Resolution No. 95-50
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING A FIRE LANE - 10TH STREET SOUTH
RIGHT-OF-WAY
WHEREAS, past city council action sanctioned 10th Street South
between Feltl Court and 11th Avenue South as an emergency
fire access route but failed to designate the fire lane on
the "Hopkins Official Fire Lane Map",
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the city council of Hopkins,
Minnesota:
1. 10th street South between Feltl Court and 11th Avenue
South is hereby declared a fire lane and shall be
entered as such on the "Hopkins Official Fire Lane
Ma p" .
2. "No Parking" signs shall be installed at appropriate
locations on either side of the fire lane.
Adopted this 5th day of July, 1995.
Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor
ATTEST:
James A. Genellie, city Clerk