8 PCSR 02-23-1993 ITEM 8
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TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
R•
iver FROM: STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR S
DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 1993 1�
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT, SECTION
1008 . 14 "LENGTH OF DEAD-END ROADS"
BY THE CITY OF ELK RIVER/PUBLIC
HEARING
Each year the Building and Zoning Department' s Annual Report
reviews the zoning requests for the year to identify trends .
During the preparation of the 1992 Annual Report, variances on
the maximum length of dead-end roads was the most frequent type
of variance request.
Section 1008 . 14 (5) ( j ) , "Subdivision Design Standards" states
"the maximum length of a street terminating in a cul-de-sac
shall be 500 ft measured from the center line of the street of
origin to the end of the right-of-way. " The rationale for
limiting the maximum length of a dead-end road is for safety
sake. For example, if a dead-end road is blocked (car
accident, fallen tree, etc. ) , the longer the road, the farther
• a stretcher would have to be carried in, and the longer it
would take to string hose in case of a fire. A further reason
for restricting the length of a dead-end road is the more hose
you string out the more pressure you loose from that hose.
Attached is a memo from Tom Zerwas, Police Chief, and Russ
Anderson, Fire Chief, responding to the possibility of
increasing the length of dead-end roads . It appears that some
increase to the maximum length for a dead-end road is feasible.
Terry Maurer, City Engineer, and Phil Hals, Street
Superintendent, have also commented on this issue. Mr. Maurer
feels the length of dead-end roads has no bearing on
engineering with the exception of that cul-de-sacs typically
result in dead-end water lines . The longer the cul-de-sac, the
more people using the water line, which is of benefit.
Mr. Hals has commented that cul-de-sacs typically require more
time for snow plowing per house served than do through
streets . Citizens find it desirable to live on cul-de-sacs and
they are the ones paying taxes for the snow plowing, therefore,
staff does not feel snow plowing is a great issue. Mr. Hals is
recommending houses on cul-de-sacs have a common mail box
location to help alleviate the problem of cul-de-sacs lacking
room for snow storage.
• Another street issues with cul-de-sacs is that they do not
allow for very much on-street parking. Dead-end roads that are
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420
Ordinance Amendment, Section 1008 . 14 Page 2
February 16 , 1993
• very short exacerbate the problem because there is less street
adjacent to the cul-de-sac to provide parking.
Chapter 10 does not require a public hearing or Planning
Commission review, however, staff is requesting both. The
Planning Commission deals with cul-de-sacs through plats and
staff felt your review and public input on this issue would be
desirable. An ordinance amendment has not been provided at
this point. Staff will review input when formulating language
for an ordinance amendment.
The following are some thoughts regarding cul-de-sacs to
consider:
1 . Having 2 standards for the length of dead-end roads;
a longer standard for the urban service area where
hydrants are the source of fire suppression water and
a shorter standard in the non-urban service area
where a pumper truck is the source for water.
2 . A longer maximum length for temporary cul-de-sacs
(cul-de-sacs that a future phase of development would
eliminate) and another standard for permanent
cul-de-sacs .
• 3 . Allowing extra length for cul-de-sacs when a parcel
is surrounded by developed property, and extra length
allows full development.
4 . Not allowing cul-de-sacs of any length if there is
some overriding danger factor. An example of this
would be Peterson Addition. The only way in and out
of that area was a road with a railroad crossing.
The possibility of being cut-off from emergency
vehicles for long periods of time was very great.
•
Memorandum
• To:
From: Steve Rohlf, Building/Zoning Administrator
Thomas D. Zerwas, Chief of Polic
R•
iver Date: February 16, 1993
Police Department Subject: CUL-DE-SACS
It has been brought to my attention that you are considering
changing the ordinance that regulates cul-de-sacs. From a law
enforcement perspective, whether a cul-de-sac is 500 feet or 1, 000
feet isn't that big of a problem. However, if at all possible, I
would discourage cul-de-sacs unless there is a demonstrable
hardship or it is indicated up front that in the future the road
will continue through to another development.
I would urge caution in eliminating existing cul-de-sacs unless
they were designed to be through streets in the future. Some
citizens are located on a cul-de-sac for the privacy and safety.
If their planned cul-de-sac was replaced with an unplanned through
street, this could create hard feelings within the community.
If you have any questions in regards to my position on cul-de-sacs,
please see me.
•
•
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 • (612) 441-2324
-Li A.(
ryof TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
lkRiver FROM: RUSS ANDERSON, FIRE CHIEF 60
DATE: FEBRUARY 12, 1993
SUBJECT: LENGTH OF CUL-DE-SACS
The Fire Department would have no problems extending the
cul-de-sac length policy to a maximum of 1,000 feet. Listed
below are several items we should discuss during concept review
meetings .
1 . Recommend a policy prohibiting "unnecessary"
cul-de-sacs . Unnecessary cul-de-sacs create a jumble
of unconnected streets making it difficult for
ambulances and fire trucks to move about the City.
2 . Review hydrant spacing in cul-de-sacs or dead-end
areas (two reachable hydrants for fire suppression) .
3 . Recommend a policy of 90 foot diameter, tarred
surface for cul-de-sacs .
• 4 . Recommend a policy permitting a limited number of
cul-de-sacs per the number of lots in a subdivision.
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420