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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, March 02, 2011 Page 10 Ms. Bloom advised that Josephine Road, as addressed in her previous comments, was 459 twenty-six feet (26’) wide versus the standard thirty-two foot (32’) width, based on 460 resident input and new “Complete Streets” philosophies. 461 Mr. Smith opined that summer traffic included foot traffic from neighborhoods up to ten 462 (10) blocks away. Mr. Smith advised that he was not opposed to the proposed project, 463 but only against traffic and road designations; and questioned the requirement for two (2) 464 entrances into the proposed project. 465 City Planner Paschke advised that, given the length of the proposed development, the 466 City could not approve the length required; with Ms. Bloom concurring and noting that the 467 development was at the maximum length for cul-de-sacs in the City and required two (2) 468 accesses. 469 Ms. Smith noted the extensive backups experienced during rush hours on Josephine and 470 Fernwood; however, he was not supportive of installing a signal at Josephine Road, due 471 to the curve. Mr. Smith opined that the City had been short-sighted when it allowed for 472 construction of the cul-de-sac rather than having County Road C2 as a through street; 473 and had previously asked Ms. Bloom when she anticipated County Road C2 would 474 become a through street; and why it wasn’t already as had been anticipate by Ramsey 475 County many years ago when it was first constructed. Mr. Smith opined that it only made 476 senses for a signal at County Road C2 and Lexington Avenue; and asked that the 477 Planning Commission seriously consider recommending that County Road C2 be put 478 through at this time and as a condition of this project’s approval, as well as a signal at 479 County Road C2 and Lexington Avenue. Mr. Smith suggested that Ramsey County would 480 be receptive to such a recommendation based on traffic flow and safety issues; and to 481 accommodate Merrill Drive and Fernwood foot traffic. 482 At the request of Member Gottfried, Ms. Bloom confirmed that Lexington Avenue was a 483 County State Aid highway, and classified as a minor arterial road; and that the entire 484 length of County Road C2 was and had been a City street for at least thirty (30) years, 485 probably initially conveyed by Ramsey County as a turnback road. Ms. Bloom referenced 486 several other major streets in Roseville that were perceived to be County roads, but were 487 actually City streets. 488 Michael Schoenleber, 1225 Josephine Road 489 Mr. Schoenleber expressed his frustration in backing out of his driveway during peak 490 morning traffic onto Josephine Road due to current traffic volumes, in addition to 491 difficulties in accessing his mailbox across the road. Mr. Schoenleber opined that existing 492 traffic went too fast on the narrow street, creating safety issues. Mr. Schoenleber 493 questioned the rationale for not opening up County Road C2 to make traffic flow more 494 equitable throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Schoenleber opined that the development 495 would add even more traffic on an already too busy Josephine Road. 496 Mr. Paschke advised that such a decision would require a policy discussion at the City 497 Council level. 498 Ms. Bloom advised that staff made recommendations on proposed developments, with 499 those recommendations based on consideration of traffic studies and potential impacts. 500 Ms. Bloom concurred with Mr. Paschke that whether County Road C2 went through or 501 not would be a policy discussion for the City Council to hold; but that staff was only 502 recommending that the right-of-way be preserved at this point, since it was staff’s opinion 503 that the traffic study did not indicate County Road C2 going through as a necessary 504 benefit at this time and given the development currently before them. Ms. Bloom noted 505 that tonight’s consideration was for recommendation by the Planning Commission to the 506 City Council of Preliminary Plat approval; and that a Public Improvement Contract was 507 still pending, and opening County Road C2 could be discussed with the City Council. 508 Mr. Schoenleber asked that staff provide their opinion as to whether it would be of benefit 509 to open County Road C2. 510