9.7. SR 12-16-1996ty of
iver
Il'gM 9.7.
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Steve Ach, City Planner~z~~
December 16, 1996
193ra Avenue Between Proctor and
County Road I
Attachment
· Location Map
Background
Last year when the Planning Commission and City Council reviewed the
LaFayette Woods development there was some preliminary discussion
regarding the future of 193rd Avenue. Although no decisions were made at
that time, it was suggested that further work be done towards determining
the future of 193rd and whether that street would be left in place or closed
and converted to a pedestrian corridor. Recently, the city has received an
application from Good Value Homes for a preliminary plat request of the 38
acres in the northwest corner of 193rd and Proctor Avenue. With the
submittal of this application it has become apparent that the future of 193rd
needs to be determined in order to design and review the plat.
Analysis
193rd Avenue is currently a public street that connects Proctor Avenue with
County Road I to the west. The condition of 193ra Avenue used to be a Class
5 road requiring a measurable amount of maintenance by the public works
department. Last year the public works department installed a thin layer of
bituminous along 193rd as a test section.
The property north of 193rd Avenue is accessible from Proctor and County
Road 1 along the abandoned railroad bed (city trail corridor). The LaFayette
Woods plat, as it has been preliminarily approved, illustrates lots backing up
to 193rd Avenue with no driveways. This plat was reviewed with the idea
that 193rd would no longer be in place or would be upgraded to accommodate
the anticipated traffic. In either case, the lots backing up to 193rd would most
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
likely be the appropriate design. The property south of 193rd includes
basically three property owners. Throughout the three properties there is a
variety of wetlands and some upland areas with possible development
potential. Generally speaking, the upland portions are evident on the
extreme west (by the city trail) and east (along Proctor) portions of the three
properties. Both of these highland areas would have access from either
Proctor or on the west from County Road I as the road enters into the
LaFayette Woods development.
At the Planning Commission meeting last month, the middle property owner
(Ms. Carton) expressed a concern that with the closure of 193rd access to her
would be cut off. There is clearly a large wetland complex in the middle of
the Carton property that could not be developed; however, there may be
isolated areas of upland that may be developed. The question remains, how
much of Ms. Carton's property is upland and possibly developable. Certainly
it is not the intent to cut off access to developable property, therefore,
additional information needs to be obtained to determine the reasonable
developability of the Carton property. It also should be noted that all three
parcels have frontage onto County Road 1. Ideally, limiting access to County
Road 1 could be the goal; however, this option will also need to be reviewed.
Requested Action
This issue is being brought before the City Council at this time to give staff
and the developer of the 38 acres some direction with the Council's vision for
the future of 193r~ Avenue. This is important at this time because it may
impact the design of the plat of the 38 acre parcel if the road is to remain in
place and would therefore need to be upgraded. Conversely, if 193r~ is to be
cul-de-saced as presented by the developer this would have some influence on
the plats design.
Terry Maurer is having Dave Nyberg from his office walk the property south
of 193r~ to gather a preliminary assessment regarding the developable
property that lies south of 193r~. The amount of developable property south
of 193rd is probably the first question that needs to be answered prior to
making a final decision on 193rd. Unfortunately, there may not be enough
information available at Monday night's meeting to provide the council to
allow a final decision on this matter. However, even without this
information, staff would offer the following for the council to consider:
ao
If the council would like to see 193ra remain in place and left
open to vehicle traffic from Proctor to County Road 1, the
appropriate design will be included into the proposed plat.
Eventually the upgrading of 193r~ (curb, gutter, bituminous,
XXelkriverksysXshrdockcouncilX193rd.doc
storm sewer) will need to be included as part of a future city
project.
bo
If the council is interested in closing 193ra to through traffic and
retaining the right-of-way for a pedestrian corridor, staff can
continue to explore the possibility of this happening. This
option would certainly take into consideration access to any
upland south of 193rd that may be developable.
s:Xcouncil\193rd.doc
AREA UNDER CONS
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City of
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330
LOCATION
MAP
CASE:
CHERRY~JEIDD HILLS
PRELIMINARY PLAT
PASSE EiVGINEERI.~G, INC.
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