CCP 02-14-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e . e DRAFT ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2000 13 Chair Erickson stated that the role of the Planning Commission was to review the proposal to ensure that it adheres to the City Ordinances and make a recommendation to the City CounciL He indicated that many issues being discussed required the involvement of the City, the County and the State. Mr. Martensodo asked if the Planning Commission would support the neighborhood in making a proposal to the City CounciL Chair Erickson stated that the neighborhood could form a Task Force and felt that the City Council would support this. Councilrnember Larson stated that he had been involved with the Task Force during the planning of the park and one issue had been the need for changes to Lake Johanna Boulevard. Ramsey County had indicated that improvements will not be made to this road until it comes up in their planning schedule which may be ten years from now. The County has its priorities for road reconstruction and Lake Johanna Boulevard was low on this list. The City has discussed with Ramsey County the accepting of Lake Johanna Boulevard between County D and County Road E, or accepting a portion of New Brighton Road between County Road E and County Road E2. At this time the City has not made a decision and there would be significant cost implications for the City of Arden Hills with either case. Commissioner Sand agreed that the existing sidewalk along Lake Johanna Boulevard was unsightly as well as unsafe. He was c.oncemed about who has jurisdiction over the sidewalk. He felt that this was something that the City should investigate to avoid law suits. It was his understanding that the sidewalk was the responsibility of the homeowners and not Ramsey County. He noted that many homeowners along Lake Johanna Boulevard do not care about the sidewalk and if the City tried to improve the sidewalk the homeowners would strongly oppose an assessment. Commissioner Sand stated that something should be done to improve the situation and suggested that a neighborhood Task Force may help get things started. He noted that the sidewalk does tie into the park and ifthe Ramsey County Park Commission was interested in pedestrian traffic to the park, they should be concerned about the condition of the pedestrian pathways. Commissioner Sand requested confirmation that a trail was proposed to be constructed along Lake Johanna Boulevard from Lindey's restaurant to New Brighton Road. Mr. Mack stated that this was correct. Commissioner Sand asked in which phase this trail will be constructed. Mr. Mack stated that this trail will be included in either the next phase or the one following that, depending upon funding. He indicated that the next priority was the underpass under the railroad tracks. Once this is completed, the remaining trails will be constructed. Commissioner Sand asked how the responsibility for trails is shared when the trails run continuous with a County road. Mr. Mack stated that if the trail is entirely in the park and part of the plan, then the construction and maintenance will be done by Ramsey County. Commissioner Sand asked if the trail along Lake Johanna Boulevard will be separate from the road. Mr. Mack stated that the trail along Lake Johanna Boulevard will be a separate asphalt traiL With regard to the speed of traffic and the safety of pedestrian crossings, Commissioner Baker asked if Lake Johanna Boulevard could be controlled with a 15 mile per hour speed limit through the park. Mr. Mack stated that Lake Johanna Boulevard was a State Aid funded thoroughfare and under these qualifications there were certain standards for speed limits. He noted that this