6.3. SR 03-12-2012REQUEST FOR ACTION
TO ITEM NUMBER
Ma or and Ci Council 6.3
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Work Session March 12, 2012 erem Barnhart, Plannin Mana er
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Planning Item Updates/ Intersection and Boulevard Design Cal Portner, Ci Administrator
REVIEWED BY
ACTION REQUESTED
Staff is requesting:
a. Direction regarding design of intersection and median improvements.
b. Identification of desired features.
c. Authorization to fine tune plans with landscape architecture firms.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
One of the four goals identified in the 2011-2012 visioning process was Beautification: Have attractive,
avelcoming streetscapes at city entrances and primary corridors Enforce Zoning Ordinances.
Under this goal, three capital improvement tasks were identified, specifically:
• C1 Prepare plans to improve primary intersections with landscaping, lighting, and hardscapes.
• C4 Complete improvements to primary intersections.
• C5 Implement median and streetscape design and maintenance standards.
Median (boulevard) improvements
As part of task C5, staff worked to prepare a number of options related to median improvements. The
Council may recall the Parks Department presented an extensive median plan for Orono Parkway in
2008. "That plan remains an option, although the cost estimates should be reviewed and updated as
necessary.
In the development of options, staff attempted to respect several goals, including:
a. Interest in the form of texture, color, height throughout the year.
b. Low maintenance
c. No negative impact to the traveling public, minimal disruption to adjacent businesses
d. Cost
e. Reuse
f. Ability to replicate
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Update.docx
With these in mind, staff proposes a modular approach, with the idea that the pieces are interchangeable
and the textures in the individual intersections can be adjusted to meet space, visibility and contextual
constraints. At this stage, staff is merely looking for direction in term of features, scale and budget.
Medians. Staff proposes a row of trees along the center, with a center mulch axes. The trees are
envisioned in one of two ways, either:
1. One shade tree per 40-feet of median length, or
2. Groups of nine trees spaced equally along the median
The groups would be three overstory, three ornamental, then three overstory. Overstory tree species are
appropriate for street environments, and ornamentals provide color and texture. The center mulch area
could be low growing or existing native plants, rock or wood mulch. The idea behind the center mulch
area is to prevent the need for time-consuming mowing between the trees. Mulch would have to be
updated over time whereas rock would not. Outside the center mulch area is turf-grass or a low grow
seed mixture. The modular plan is shown as exhibit A. Costs have been calculated for trees and mulched
area. In areas where the median has been planted with prairie plantings, those plantings could be retained
entirely (save for the areas planted with trees), retained in the center, or could be removed entirely. It is
unlikely that the existing vegetation in these areas can be transplanted.
Intersections. For the intersections, staff again proposes a modular approach. Each intersection
quadrant would consist of three tiers. Tier 1, closest to the back of curb, would be either payers/
pavement (to facilitate walkixig were adjacent to crosswalks) turf, rock or mulch (where not adjacent to
crosswalks). Tier 2 would consist of flowers and mulch. The flowers could either be annuals (managed
by a garden club or similar volunteer) or perennials, planted once. Tier 3, furthest from the back of curb,
would consist of low shrubbery, specimen trees, boulders or rock signage. Staff has prepared a sketch of
the area for demonstration purposes.
The anticipated costs are based on bids for the public works facility and conversations with a local
hadscape supplier and do not constitute a bid by any one company. Further, these costs do not include
irrigation, manual or automatic, soil amendments if necessary, edging, landscaping fabric or lighting.
With Council direction, it is hoped that these costs will be better understood through the consultation
with a landscape architect.
Relocation of prairie areas
Staff recognizes that the ornamental grasses along the Orono Parkway median have been the subject of
much attention in the past several years, and that they cause concerns from a traffic visibility standpoint
in late summer. Last summer, the solution was the mow the grasses in August after they had bloomed.
Left unchanged, staff expects the Orono grasses to remain an object of ongoing concern. In the past,
there seemed to be a concern that removal of the grasses was a statement made by the city, ignoring the
benefits of the grasses and the significant time and money city staff and volunteers have spent into these
areas. The Orono median represents approximately one acre of grassed area.
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Should the Council move forward with a plan to remove all or a significant part of the native grasses in
the Orono median (and/or the 193` median), the Council could identify an alternative area for these
types of grasses to demonstrate the importance of this alternative and promote the benefits in a larger,
more appropriate scale. For example, the large yard on the north side of City Hall could be planted with
prairie seeds. The existing irrigation system in place could be used to assist with the establishment of
seeds, and then be abandoned when they axe established. Preliminary review of the area shows
approximately two acres that would not impact fire access, the sidewalk, trail, or dog park. The two acres
would not need to be mowed, reducing future maintenance cost.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Assuming a budget of $60,000 for a primary intersection (e.g. Highway 169 and Main Street), it is
expected that this project be scheduled in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for future analysis.
Additionally, it is suggested that one intersection be improved later this year, out of remaining Street
Improvement Funds.
It is suggested that the medians be programmed in CIP for future analysis.
ATTACHMENTS
^ Intersection layout options 1-3
^ Parkway detail
^ Orono Parkway examples
^ Cost worksheets (able to manipulate at meeting)
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
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