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G_C '22 99 _2 :22 COUNTY OF ANOKA Public Services Division HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT - I 440 BUNKER LAKE BLVD. N,Vd., ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 653(34 ;612) 862-4200 FAX (612) 862 -4201 JANE K. FEMBLE, TRAFFIC ENGINEER DIRECT DIAL NUMBER (612) 862.4231 January 15, 1999 Susan Fussell, F.E. Metro Land Surveying and Engineering 332 East County Road D Little Canada, MN. 55111 RE: Site Plan — Kindergarten School Certificate of Survey for R&R Leasing Outlot C of Clearwater Meadows Dear Ms. Fussell: We have reviewed the she plan for the kindergarten school proposed for Outlot C of Clearwater Meadows, located west of CR 54 (20 Avenue) within the City of Centerville, and I offer the following comments: .An additional 10 feet of right -o.`- -way west of the CR 54 right-of-way centerline will be required for future reconstruction purposes (60 fee total right -of -way width west of CR 54 centerline). At a minirnurn, setback requirements for this site should accommodate the future needs of a 120 foot right of way Corr icor (60 feet either side of centerline). It appears that all applicable Sight Distance Requirements are met at this site. The City and the Developer are to ensure that all intersection Sight Distance Requirements are met to the greatest extent possible. We understand that separate access points for buses and all other school traffic is a design goal fora kindergarten school. We also understand the need for accessibility and the associated advantages of locating a school on the County Highway System. However, our experience with school sites cn other Anoka County highways hes shown that as traffic volumes increase on the County Highway, public concern and investigation of issues relating to safety of children and school- related traffic rise dramatically. it can be expected that traffic volumes on CR 54 will continue to increase. Consequently, we request that the decision to locate a kindergarten school adjacent to a County Highway be carefully considered. In addition, we are concerned with the number of access points associated with this parcel. The importance of limiting acres to county roads cannot be overstated. The proliferation of access points reduces a roadway's capacity and safety. Limiting access is critical in minimizing highway congestion, and is the ingte most important factor in reducing accidents on highways, Consequently, we request that the proposal for a separate access for buses end all other school traffic be reconsidered. lt is our belief that *Nis site can be fully functional with a single access point located within 32 feet of the north property tine, with separation of school buses from other traffic being accomplished on site via a service road -type connection. If the City approves this site plan with two access points as proposed, consideration should be given to making one ingress and one egress only. In addition, the access scheme approved for ±is she will have an impact on access locations for the future development of the land on the East Side of CR 54 directly opposite the school size. A comprehensive plan for logical and realistic access points should be developed for this area. We will defer any evaluation regarding the location of tom lanes which should be constructed as a part of this development until the City and the School District have. had the opportunity to discuss the concerns and recommendations regarding the proposed access scheme for this parcel outlined above. A School Route Plan should be developed for all schools serving elementary and kindergarten students. The ptan permits the orderly review of school area traffic control needs, and the coordination of school pedestrian safety education and engineering activities Such a plan can be a vital toot in the effective analysis of school zones, and is necessary in determining appropriate solutions if school acne hazards Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer