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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2C, Right-of-Way Ordinance -iZEN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: December 20, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Meagan Beekman, City Planner SUBJECT: Right of Way Discussion Background City Staff have begun discussions on revising City Code regarding Right of Way (ROW). Unfortunately, the ROW details within the City Code are vague and unclear, causing confusion. Questions about what should be allowed in the ROW, who is responsible for damage to items placed in the ROW or responsibility of maintenance of trees and vegetation in the ROW have brought this issue to the forefront. City Staff have begun working on an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management plan as part of the City's preparation for the arrival of the beetle. EAB is an invasive non-native borer beetle that attacks and ultimately destroys a variety of types of ash trees. EAB was found last year in trees located within ten miles of Arden Hills. As part of this process, City Staff completed an inventory of all ash trees located within maintained areas of City parks in the summer of 2010. City staff also budgeted in 2011 for an inventory of trees in the Right of Way (ROW) to be completed. The goal of the inventory is to better understand the number of trees the City is responsible for to better prepare for the ultimate possibility of losing all of the City's ash tree stock. Questions about the City's role in maintaining trees located in the ROW, otherwise known as boulevard trees, have been coming up for the past several years. The Public Works Department handles identifying dead, diseased, and damaged trees in the City that need to be removed. The City's regulations pertaining to trees and vegetation planted in the ROW are in Section 710 of the City Code (Attachment A). This section of the Code states that the planter of trees and vegetation in the ROW is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and care of that tree or plant. The section also outlines the process through which a resident would receive a permit to plant a tree in the ROW. Unfortunately, there is not a consistent historic record of permits pulled for the planting of boulevard trees, many of which were planted by the original subdivider of a City of Arden Hills December 20, 2010, City Council Work Session IlMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PWParkslMemoslCouncil MemosU2-20-10-CC Worksession-Memo-ROW Discussion.doc Page 1 of 3 neighborhood. Presently, when there is question about who planted a tree, the City takes the responsibility of removing it when necessary. The City Code does not address definitively who is responsible for boulevard trees when a permit for the planting of the tree was not issued, even when it is unlikely that the City planted the tree. Additionally, the Code is silent on what other types of landscaping materials (i.e.; retaining walls, planters, boulders, plant materials, irrigation systems) are allowed in the ROW or not. The City does have a Snow Plowing, Snow Removal, Ice Control Policy (Attachment B) that addresses some of these items as they pertain to snow plowing, but the Code does not broadly address this issue. According to the City Attorney (Attachment C), it is within a City's rights to require items located within the boulevard between the edge of the road and a resident's property line to be the responsibility of that property owner. Various communities approach this issue differently; some place the responsibility of maintaining boulevard trees with residents, others choose to maintain all trees in the ROW themselves. For example, the City of Minnetonka requires property owners to maintain and be responsible for boulevard trees; however,they have certain requirements about what is allowed to be planted or placed in the ROW. Additionally, they retain the authority to prune or remove vegetation within six feet from the back of the curb and 14 feet above the street for safety purposes. The City of Shoreview, on the other hand, currently maintains responsibility for all trees in their ROW. City Staff believe that it is necessary to clarify within the Code which parties are responsible for maintaining boulevard trees and vegetation, and most importantly, who is responsible for their removal in the event of damage or disease. A better understanding of this question is necessary before the City can create an EAB management plan. It is likely that the coming years will bring the need for widespread removal of the City's ash tree stock, and proper management of City resources requires a clear understanding early on of the City's responsibility when it comes to their removal and possible replacement of trees. Discussion City Staff would like to begin working on proposed changes to the City Code regarding ROW. Staff requests City Council direction on the following questions/issues as they pertain to the ROW in order for us to begin this process: 1. Who is responsible for dead, damaged, or diseased trees/vegetation in the ROW? 2. Should residents be allowed to plant/place things in the ROW adjacent to their homes? If so, should a permit be required to do so? 3. What items, if any, should be allowed to be planted or placed in the ROW by residents? Retaining walls, fences, vegetation, landscaping materials, rocks, irrigation systems, trees City of Arden Hills December 20, 2010, City Council Work Session llMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PKParksWemoslCouncil Memosll2-20-10-CC Worksession-Memo-ROW Discussion.doc Page 2 of 3 4. What responsibility or authority should the City have for items placed or planted in the ROW? For example, should the City be able to prune or remove vegetation that impedes a safe travel area in the ROW 5. As a policy, should the City ever plant trees in the ROW? Should the City ever require trees to be planted in the ROW for development projects or subdivisions? Based on the discussion this evening, Staff anticipates bringing this item back with proposed City Code changes regarding the ROW for Council review at a future work session. Attachments A. Section 710 of the City Code B. City's Snow Plowing, Snow Removing, Ice Control Policy C. Letter from Jerry Filla on ROW Trees City of Arden Hills December 20, 2010, City Council Work Session llMetro-inet.uslardenhillslPR&PWIParkslMemoslCouncil Memos112-20-10-CC Worksession-Memo-ROW Discussion.doc Page 3 of 3 .......... .. . .. . ... . ..... . ..... Attachment A • Section 710 of the City Code City of Arden Hills Chapter 7 Recreation Areas Subd.6. The following parties are exempt from compliance with the above regulations: A. Authorized resource management, emergency and enforcement personnel when acting in the performance of their duties; and B. Parties participating in special events as authorized by the City Council and the Ramsey County sheriffs department pursuant to an approved _ permit. Subd.7. Primary enforcement of this section shall be the responsibility of the Ramsey County sheriffs department. This,however,shall not preclude enforcement by other licensed peace officers. Section 710 -Trees and Vegetation (Revised June 29, 2009,Ordinance#2009-009) 710.01 Purpose. The planting of trees in areas of the City dedicated for public streets, which trees are sometimes referred to in this section as boulevard trees, is a matter of public interest and it is the purpose of this section to provide a procedure for permitting 7- 6 Adopted December 17,2001 City of Arden Hills Chapter 7 Recreation Areas the planting under certain circumstances and subject to certain regulations as provided by this section. 710.02 Minimum Size. Only trees which are at least one and one-half inches in diameter, measured one foot above the ground, shall be planted as boulevard trees within the City. 710.03 Permitted Varieties. Only the following types of trees shall be permitted under the provisions of this section: Hackberry; Norway,Sugar or Red Maple; Linden; and other - species as approved by the City. Under no circumstances shall permits be granted for cottonwood trees, non-disease resistant elm trees,or any species of ash tree. 710.04 Minimum Area. Permits shall not be granted under the provisions of this section unless there is at least seven (7) feet between the curbline and sidewalk line at the pertinent location. The curbline shall be determined by using the projected street width rather than the existing pavement location,and the sidewalk should be assumed even if it is not present or anticipated. 1n no event shall trees be permitted within three and one-half(32) feet of the projected curb. 710.05 Spacing. Trees shall not be planted closer than fifty(50) feet center-to-center,with respect to trees which will not exceed forty(40) feet in height at maturity. With respect to trees which will exceed forty(40) feet in height at maturity, the required spacing shall be at least seventy-five (75) feet center-to-center. 7- 7 Adopted December 17,2001 City of Arden Hills Chapter 7 Recreation Areas 710.06 Restoration Sod. The applicant for a permit required by the provisions of this section shall be required to restore the sod to its original condition after planting. 710.07 Responsibility. The planter of boulevard trees shall assume responsibility for maintenance and care of the trees,and shall undertake to water the trees well during the first growing season and thereafter as needed. Trees which do not survive the second growing season shall be removed by the planter at his or her expense. 710.08 ldentifying Recommended Location. The tree inspector who inspects the site and recommends the granting of the permit required by this section shall drive a stake marking the spot for the planting. 710.09 Prohibited Locations. Trees shall not be planted within twelve(12) feet of any fire hydrant, utility pole or other fixture; nor shall they be planted over any public utility,such as a sewer or a waterline; nor shall they be planted within fifteen (15) feet of an intersection; nor in such a manner that on maturity they will interfere with the visibility of traffic signs or signals. 710.10 Permits. Subd. 1 Required. The planting of trees on property dedicated as a public street shall be prohibited in the City unless permits therefor are first obtained from the city. 7- 8 Adopted December 17,2001 City of Arden Hills Chapter 7 Recreation Areas Subd.2 Application. Applications for a permit required by the provisions of this section shall be made by the owner of the property abutting the proposed location of the tree or trees to be planted; and shall be on forms provided by the city. The applications shall contain: A. The name and address of the applicant; B. A sketch or other adequate information to indicate the proposed location - of the tree or trees to be planted,which location shall be given with reference to the existing edge of the pavement,and the property line of the abutting property; C. The size and type of proposed tree; and D. The exact location of the tree or trees from some fixed object or point. Subd.3 Fee. No charge or fee shall be imposed for a permit required by the provisions of this section. Subd. 4 Inspection of Proposed Location. Upon receipt of an application for a permit required by this section, the city administrator shall first determine whether the necessary information is given and shall then refer adequate applications to the 7-9 Adopted December 17,2001 City of Arden Hills Chapter 7 Recreation Areas city forester for processing. The city forester shall determine by inspection of the proposed site and application of the standards given in this section whether the permit should be granted and shall return the application to the city administrator with recommendation for or against granting the permit. Subd. 5 Factors to Be Considered. In considering the applications for permits the city forester, board of appeals and Council shall consider the size and type of the proposed tree in relation to other boulevard trees in the City. In general one species _ of tree should not constitute more than one-half of the boulevard trees in the City, and in any one block, including both sides of the street, there should be a minimum of two (2) species and a maximum of three(3)species of boulevard trees. In permitting varieties of species to be planted consideration should he given to the desirability that the species conform as to size upon maturity. To the greatest extent possible, planting should be permitted in units of one block at a time. Subd. 6 Issuance; Denial. If an application for a permit required by this section and the proposed location are approved by the city forester, the city administrator shall issue the permit on forms provided for that purpose. If the application is disapproved,the city administrator shall notify the applicant,in writing, of the denial and the reasons therefor. 7- 10 Adopted December 17,2001 City of Arden Hills Chapter 7 Recreation Areas Subd 7 Appeal from Denial. The applicant for a permit required by the provisions of this section may appeal any denial thereof to the City Council by notifying the City administrator,in writing,of his or her request within thirty (30)days after receipt of notice of the denial. Subd. 8 Liability for Maintenance. All permits granted under this section shall provide that the granting of the permit places no obligation upon the City nor does - it impose upon the City any requirement for maintenance of the trees. Any trees planted on a public street or other public property are placed thereon entirely at the risk of the planter and any trees so planted may be removed, trimmed, maintained, moved or otherwise changed at any time by order of the Council. 1n the event that removal of the trees or maintenance of the trees is considered necessary by the Council and is done at City expense the cost thereof may be assessed against the property owner or the abutting property owner. All trees planted under the permits become public property when the planting is completed. 710.12 Protection of Shade Trees* (Adopted by the City Council on August 29, 2005) Subd. 1 Declaration of Policy. The City Council has determined that the health of oak,elm, and ash trees, hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "shade trees,"within the municipal limits are threatened by fatal tree diseases commonly 7- 11 Adopted December 17,2001 Attachment B City Snow Plowing, Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy --IkRQEN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS SNOWPLOWING, SNOW REMOVAL AND ICE CONTROL POLICY DETERMINATION OF NEED AND INTRODUCTIONS The City of Arden Hills has determined that it is in the best interest of the residents, for the City to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on the streets under the jurisdiction of the City. Appropriate snow and ice control is necessary for emergency services as well as routine travel. Providing this service in a cost-effective manner is a discretionary decision of the City Council. The City will use City employees, equipment and/or contract services as deemed appropriate to provide this service. Therefore, this policy is needed to provide direction for these operations and guidelines for employees and residents based upon available resources. The City of Arden Hills has approximately thirty-five (35) miles of street under its _ jurisdiction. These consist of State Aid roads and residential streets. This policy is intended to provide guidelines for snow and ice control operations for streets under the City's jurisdiction. Some sidewalks are also covered under this policy. COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS Snowplowing and/or ice control operations shall commence under the direction of the Public Works Director. In his absence, the Public Works Superintendent will determine when and what operations will begin. It is policy to begin snowplowing operations after the snowstorm has subsided. The call out of equipment is dependent upon time and severity of the snowfall. The most critical times are morning and evening rush hour periods. This policy is designated, if at all feasible, to have the snow removed prior to the beginning of these rush hour periods. If a storm is forecast to be unusually long, or heavy accumulations appear imminent, full snowplowing operations will begin on all of the snowplow routes when accumulations become hazardous for driving. Based on different storm situations and severity levels, the starting time frames are flexible. The following guidelines may also warrant the beginning of the operations. A. Snow accumulation of two inches, with continued snowfall. B. Drifting of snow may warrant commencement of partial or full operations depending upon conditions. C. Icing of pavements may also warrant partial or full operation depending upon extent and conditions. D. The Public Works Director or his designated representative shall determine the time to start operations and the extent of the operations. Storms forecast for late afternoon or evening hours may be the basis for the Public Works 1 - ...... .. ....... . ...... ... Director splitting a shift and sending crews home for call-out later in the evening. SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS Operations shall continue until all roads are passable. Widening and clean-up operations may continue immediately or on the following working day, depending upon conditions and circumstances. Safety of the plow operators and the public is important. Therefore, snowplowing/removal operations may be terminated after ten to twelve hours to allow personnel adequate time to rest. There may be instances when this is not possible, depending on storm conditions and other circumstances. Operations may also be suspended during periods of limited or zero visibility. Any decision to suspend operations shall be made by the Public Works Director, or his designee, and shall be based on the conditions of the storm. All plow units are radio equipped. In the event that the driver gets stuck in snow or breaks down, another unit will be summoned to replace or rescue the disabled unit. The safety of the drivers will be of prime importance. If the City should experience equipment breakdown, attempts will be made to engage contract units, or other municipalities to supplement our work force or equipment fleet. PLOW ROUTES AND SEQUENCING City streets, public sidewalks, trails, public parking lots, and ice rinks under the City's jurisdiction are affected by this policy. All private sidewalks shall be maintained by the property owner. City parking lots and ice rinks will be cleared by City crews, but as a secondary priority. At the City's discretion, they shall either be cleared in conjunction with street routes or after street routes have been completed. The Public Works Superintendent shall have the responsibility of determining plow routes and sequencing operations. The Public Works Superintendent shall retain the latitude to adjust sequencing or route assignments based on storm conditions, equipment availability and/or other conditions warranting changes. Currently, the City has been divided into three different plow routes, with two snowplows assigned to each. LEVELS OF SERVICE The intent of this policy is to provide safe winter driving conditions appropriate for the type of travel typical to City streets. The level of service described herein shall be considered a guideline with the understanding that immediately after a storm, the level of service provided may be less than described herein and may vary across the City, depending on storm conditions and other circumstances. Streets shall be plowed and/or sanded, with additional emphasis given to intersection approaches and curves, in order to provide the safest conditions practical under the circumstances. Snow shall be plowed in a manner that will not obstruct traffic flow on a normal basis. The center of the roadway will be plowed first. The snow will be pushed from the center- line. The discharge shall go onto the boulevard area of the street. There is no known way to keep snow from filling the end of driveways as the plow passes by. 2 Sanding will start as soon as the vehicles are equipped with sanding devices or the operator's have completed their plow routes. If severe ice conditions exist, the sanding trucks may be pulled from their plow routes to begin sanding. Other plow units will then complete the plow routes of the vehicles used to sand. The City of Arden Hills has a contract with Ramsey County for salt and sand deicing materials. The deicing materials are stored at the Ramsey County Public Works facility. The Public Works Department has access to the following deicing materials: • 100% Salt Material; • 80% Sand-20% Salt Mixture; • 50% Sand-50% Salt Mixture. The City of Arden Hills does not have a dry pavement policy so those using City maintained rights-of-way are expected to exercise careful judgment and caution during winter months. During light to normal snowfalls, streets shall be plowed to full width as soon after the initial pass. During heavier snowfalls, the streets shall be plowed as wide as possible initially and widened as the storm intensity lessens. After the storm subsides, clean-up operations shall begin in order to clear intersections and snow storage areas along corners and boulevards. It is the City's intent to complete the initial plowing and sanding operations within twenty-four (24) hours of light snowfalls and within seventy-two (72) hours of heavy snowfalls. Major blizzards may require more time. PARKING RESTRICTIONS On-street parking is not compatible with efficient snowplowing operations. Vehicles left parked on the street for extended periods of time create significant operational problems _-.. for snowplow operators as well as safety problems due to packed snow and ice remaining on the roadway around the vehicle. The City's Ordinance prohibits parking of vehicles on City streets after the accumulation of two inches or more of snow, with the prohibition continuing until snow removal or plowing thereof has been completed. Any vehicle J. parked in violation of this Ordinance is subject to a parking citation and is also declared to be a safety hazard and nuisance. This nuisance may be summarily abated by removing and towing away such vehicle under the direction of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. Enforcement of this Ordinance shall be directed by the City Council. SNOW REMOVAL Certain locations within our community may require additional service after snowplowing operations cease. This shall be referred to as "snow removal". Snow removal hereinafter will be defined as the loading and trucking of snow to an approved site under the direction of the Public Works Director or his designated representative. This service may be approved when there is no area for snow storage. Snow removal operations normally begin within twenty-four (24) hours after snowplowing operations have been completed. 3 There are approximately sixty (60) cul-de-sacs in Arden Hills. It may take some time for the specialized equipment to complete the actual cul-de-sac areas; therefore, a snowplow may complete the normal part of the street and complete only a portion of the cul-de-sac. The major portion of the cul-de-sac will be plowed by the special equipment during the usual time guidelines for snowplowing operations. Snow removal may be required in cul-de-sac areas if previous snow accumulations prevent normal movement of snow to boulevard areas. SNOW REMOVAL FOR CITY SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS The City of Arden Hills does maintain most sidewalks and trails. Arden Hills sidewalk snow plowing begins as soon as possible after a significant snowfall. Sidewalks and trails that are maintained by the City during the winter months will be cleared of accumulated snow but will not be maintained to a "clean pavement" condition. The following sidewalk and trail areas will not be maintained by the City's Public Works Department in the winter months due to steep grades or dangerous sidewalk conditions: • Arden View Drive to Colleen Avenue Trail; - • Cummings Park-Lexington Avenue to Cummings Ball Field; • Cummings Park-North Water Tower to Hamline Avenue. The City of Arden Hills will post the aforementioned trail locations as "Minimal Maintenance Trails" during the winter months. PROPERTY DAMAGE Snowplowing and ice control operations may cause property damage even under the best of circumstances and care on the part of the operator. The major types of damage are to improvements within the City right-of-way, which extends approximately ten to fifteen feet beyond the curb locations. The intent of the right-of-way is to provide room for - .. snow storage, utilities, boulevard trees, sidewalks and other City uses. -The City will repair sod that was damaged by a City snowplow. Public Works Department staff members will repair the sod damage with black dirt and grass seed. All other damage within the public right-of-way is the responsibility of the property owner including, but not limited to trees, shrubs, landscaping materials, decorative rock, brick walls, and lawn/landscaping irrigation (sprinkler heads) systems. The City does not allow large decorative rocks or boulders within the right-of-way. Large rocks or boulders can cause damage to the City's snow removal equipment and may be a potential safety hazard to the operator. The City will not repair/replace sod damaged due to the application of sand, salt, or other deicing chemicals. Certain private improvements such as mailboxes are required within this area; therefore the City will cooperate with property owners in the event of damaged private property. 4 The City shall specify when this damage is the responsibility of the City and when it shall be the responsibility of the resident. Mailboxes and supports are the property of the mail route patron and must be installed _ and maintained by the owner, who must bear the liability for them. Since mailboxes must be Iocated in the road right-of-way in order to be accessed by postal service, certain regulations apply for the safety of the driving public as well as for the protection of the mailboxes themselves. Federal postal regulations require the mailbox patron to remove any obstructions, including snow, which make delivery difficult. Using one of the approved mailbox supports is highly recommended, as it will allow clearing under or near the mailbox without damage during a normal plowing operation. When there is a heavy accumulation of snow, the location of mailboxes close to the roadway makes the push back operations of the City's Public Works Department more difficult and renders the boxes quite susceptible to damage as a result of plowing - operations. It shall be the City's policy to use special care and consideration when plowing snow in the vicinity of mailboxes. State law now requires all mailbox supports be of a breakaway design. Mailboxes can be especially vulnerable to damage from snow removal operations. The City assumes liability for mailboxes damaged during plowing, if it is determined that the plow did make direct contact with a mailbox that was properly placed and under the approved guidelines. To be properly placed, a mailbox should be installed so that its bottom edge is 45" to 48" above street level, with the post 48" back from the curb or front of the box. That amount of clearance is necessary to keep the plow's wing from hitting the box. If there are any plastic newspaper tubes attached to the mailbox, they must also be above the minimum 45" height requirement. The box's post should be securely in the ground. - If mailboxes are not installed with the proper clearance mentioned above, the responsibility for repairing any damage lies with the homeowner, not the City. The City will replace standard metal mailboxes that are installed properly on an approved swing- away post. The City WILL NOT pay the replacement cost for a decorative mailbox. RESPONSIBILITY OF RESIDENTS Snowstorms create numerous problems and inconveniences. This policy has identified streets, sidewalks, parking lots and ice rinks that the City will clear. The residents will also have certain responsibilities. These include clearing their own driveways and private sidewalks, clearing areas for refuse containers, clearing around mailboxes and/or newspaper tubes and fire hydrants adjacent to or located upon their property. These areas must be cleared without depositing any snow into the street. The practice of moving snow from driveways into the street causes a very serious traffic problem. When the 5 _ snow freezes and a vehicle hits a rough spot, it could be thrown out of control and an accident might occur. It is prohibited to blow, shovel or plow any snow back onto, or across any City street. Snow must not be accumulated into any large piles that obstruct vision or driveways or walks. Refuse containers must not be placed on the street surfaces. The City will not clear private drives or walks. Snowplowing can cause additional snow to be deposited in driveway approaches and around roadside obstacles. Operators are instructed to attempt to minimize these instances, however, it is not practical to eliminate this situation. Residents must be aware they will be responsible for the subsequent clearing of their driveways after their street has been plowed. COMPLAINTS Complaints regarding snow and ice control or damage shall be taken during normal working hours and handled in accordance with the City's normal complaint procedure. High priority complaints (those involving access to property or problems requiring immediate attention) shall be handled on a priority basis. Response time should not _ exceed twenty-four (24) hours for any complaint. It should be understood that complaint responses are to ensure that the provisions of this policy have been fulfilled and that all residents of the City have been treated uniformly. It is the City's intention to log all complaints and upgrade this policy as necessary in consideration of the constraints of our resources. PARKING REGULATIONS Arden Hills Code of Ordinances Section 800.03 Parking Regulations Winter Parking_Re lutes — Except in compliance with the directions of a law enforcement officer or in compliance with regulatory parking signs placed by law enforcement officers or employees of the City, no vehicle shall be parked on the — improved portion of any street or highway in the City during the period of time commencing immediately after the accumulation thereon of two or more inches of snow and continuing thereafter until snow removal or plowing has been - completed. Overnight Parking —No vehicles shall be parked on any street for more than 30 minutes between the hours of 2.00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Parking in Residential Districts. — Parking in residential districts shall be Iimited to the use of the occupants of those residences and their guests. Parking on Public Streets—Parking on public streets shall not exceed six hours. Vehicles over 12,000 Pounds — No motor vehicle or trailer with a rated gross weight exceeding 12,000 pounds shall be parked or stored in a residential zone except when loading, unloading or rendering a service. 6 - Parking on Boulevard Prohibited — No motor vehicle shall park upon the boulevard of any public street. Setbacks from Intersection—Parking shall be set back from street intersections as follows: 1. Twenty (20) feet from crosswalk of any uncontrolled intersection; 2. Thirty(30) feet from crosswalk of any controlled intersection; and 3. Twenty (20) feet from any intersection without marked crosswalk. Administrative Procedures — The City Administrator shall adopt, from time to time, procedures to provide for the safe and consistent application of the parking regulations. The City Administrator may grant variances from the application of parking regulations provided that the variances can be allowed without creating a safety hazard. Administrative variances shall be in writing and shall state the _ specific time limits during which the variation will be allowed to occur. Approved by the Arden Hills City Council the 12th Day of June, 2006. 7 ....... . .... ...... . . .. . Attachment C .. Letter from City Attorney regarding ROW Warren E.Peterson Suite 800 ERSON Jerome P Filla 1 V. C V 55 East Fifth Street Daniel Witt Fram FILM BERGII/IAN 5t.Paul,MN 55101-1718 Glenn A.Bergman (651)291.8955 John Michael Miller (6511 228.1753 facsimile Michael T.Oberle www.pfb-pa.com Steven H.Bruns* Paul W.Fahning* Sonja R.Ortiz Ben I.Rust Jonathan R.Cuskey Tracy 1.Halliday Jared M.Goerlitz Dan M.Duffek* (651)290-6907 jfiJ1aapfb-pa.com Tune 15, 2010 Ms. Michelle Olson Park & Recreation Director City of Arden Hills 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112. RE: Right-of-Way Use Rights Our File No.: 10450.10-6 - Dear Michelle: The City normally acquires the right to use a portion of private property for a public roadway as a result of the dedication on a plat, the receipt of a grant of easement or, in some cases, as a result of a statutory dedication. In the latter case, the City would need to use and maintain a private road for six (6) years. In all of the above circumstances, the City acquires the right to use property for a specific public purpose. The City does not acquire fee title. The underlying title continues to reside in the name of the party who platted the property, or who conveyed the easement, or who is the owner of the property over which the City received a statutory dedication. If the City determines that the use as a public right-of-way is no longer necessary, the City can vacate its interest in the right-of-way and the full use of the former right-of-way reverts to, in most cases, the adjacent property owner. It's unusual for a City to improve the full width of a right-of-way. The unimproved portion of the right-of-way is sometimes referred to as a boulevard and is otherwise indistinguishable from the remainder of the adjacent owner's front yard. Since the adjacent owner is usually the underlying fee owner of the right-of-way area (including the unimproved portion of the right-of-way), the adjacent owner can use the unimproved portion of the right-of-way so long as the adjacent owner's use does not interfere with or obstruct the City's use of the area as a right-of-way. *ALSO ADM17TE❑IN WISCONSIN Michelle Olson June 15, 2010 Page 2 Trees, soil and adjacent owner improvements belong to the adjacent owner. The adjacent owner has the obligation to maintain the trees and other improvements. If a tree is blown down in a storm or is infected by a disease and dies, it is the adjacent property owner who is obligated to remove the tree. The above statements are general in nature and there will be some variations depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case. If you have any questions, please contact me. ;er ry ly yours, e . Filla JPFljmt _ i