3.7. SR 11-24-2003Item 3.7.
Police Department
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Jeffrey A. Beahen, Chief of Police
November 24, 2003
Approval of no-parking areas (Trout Brook)
Chief West and I have been approached by the Trout Brook Community Association requesting that
fire lanes be established in their development. This is private property but sign posting for fire lanes
is allowable under City Ordinance Section 74-100 if approval is given by either the Fire or the Police
Chief. In this case, both of us agree that these signs are needed.
The streets in this private development are narrower than a common city street. We have concerns if
vehicles are parked on both sides of the street, that emergency vehicles will not be able to pass
between the parked cars. The street is 28' wide, cars on average are 6' wide and frre trucks are 8-10'
~vide. With vehicles parked on both sides of the street and a fire truck coming from the middle, and
allowing for a foot on either side of the parked cars, there is only 4' left of free space or 2' on either
side of the emergency vehicle to pass. Not near enough room to open doors, retrieve equipment or
perform other fire tasks.
Allowing parking on only one side keeps the open area at 10' or 20' wide with only one car parked
on one side which is far safer for emergency vehicle traffic. The signs-posted with Council approval,
are enforceable and the association will provide and install the posts and signs so there is no cost to
the city.
Other signs they will be posting are non eN£orceable, such as the speedlimit sign or the No
parka'ng 2-6 a.m. sign. They would have to deal ~vith those violations as association matters.
We ask that the Council approve the installation and enforcement of the frre lane signs. See the
attached documents for sign illustrations and maps of the involved area.
RESOLUTION 03-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AUTHORIZING THE
PLACEMENT OF FIRE LANES IN THE TROUT BROOK TOWNHOMES
SUBDIVISION
WHEREAS,
Townhome Associations within the City of Elk River are reqmred to
take care of their own streets as they are considered private property;
and,
WHEREAS,
The Trout Brook Community Association, Inc. has requested the
City of Elk River to designate fire lanes on certain streets of the
Trout Brook Townhomes subdivision by installing "No Parking
signs; and,
WHEREAS,
The Trout Brook Community Association, Inc. and the City of Elk
River would like to provide safe ambulance and fire services to the
residents of Trout Brook Townhomes subdivision; and,
WHEREAS,
City Code ~ 74-100 (a) states that the Chief of Police and/or the
Fire Chief may designate certain streets or blocks, or portions
of streets or blocks, as prohibited parking zones for fnce lanes.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Elk
River, Minnesota grant designate frre lanes on certain streets in the Trout Brook
Townhomes, Elk River by the installing "No Parking."
Passed and adopted this 24th day of November 2003.
Stephame Klinzing, Mayor
ATTEST:
Joan Schmidt, City Clerk
S:~Resolutions~2003 Resolutions ~ Unapprovcd~NoPar 'kingSigns.doc
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November 20th, 2003
Elk River City Council
Elk River City Hall
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Trout Brook Community Association, Inc.
Charter Number 1T-971
President Dick Swan
10548 181st Lane NW
Elk River, MN 55330
V-President Al Kozlik
10519 182nd Avenue NW
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear City Council Members,
The Trout Brook Community Association, Inc., of Elk River is requesting
that Fire Chief Bruce West and Police Chief Jeff Beahen designate Fire Lanes on
the streets of our town home association. A recent incident involving a medical
emergency for one of our residents, confirms the need to make sure that ambulance
and fire services can be provided to us without the interference of vehicles parked
on narrow streets, thus interfering with access for these life-saving services.
We greatly appreciate the time and efforts of the Fire and Police Chiefs as
well as the City Planning Office in helping our Association through this process of
making sure our streets allow access at all times for these emergency services. We
would also like to thank the City Council of Elk River for taking the time to
consider our request.
Attached are copies of our proposed signage, as well as maps showing
placement of the signs. If any further documentation is needed, please feel free to
contact either one of us at the phone numbers listed below.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Dick Swan, President
Trout Brook Community Assoc., Inc.
10548 181st Lane NW
Elk River, MN 55330
763-274-1595
Sincerely,
Al Kozlik, V-President
Trout Brook Community Assoc., Inc.
10519 182nd Avenue NW
Elk River, MN 55330
763-633-9405
WETLAND
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