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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 14, 2013 <br /> Page 9 <br /> vidual property details: drainage improvements; tree replacement and other land- <br /> scaping; driveways as they relate to the drainage improvements; and retaining <br /> walls as applicable. <br /> This concluded staff's presentation as they addressed City Council questions prior <br /> to public comment. <br /> Councilmember McGehee questioned those areas with 8' wide pathways that <br /> were constricted and went all the way to the curb, opining that they were very un- <br /> attractive (e.g. Fairview from Roselawn to B-2); and suggested plantings or prai- <br /> rie plants that would be more aesthetically pleasing, such as those done by the <br /> City of Falcon Heights (e.g. Roselawn from Snelling to Hamline). Councilmem- <br /> ber McGehee also questioned the advantage of an infiltration trench and why that <br /> is preferred by the Watershed District rather than a ribbon curb and drainage to di- <br /> rect water into that instead of directly into the storm system. <br /> Mr. Schwartz responded that 6' was identified as a standard width for concrete in- <br /> stallations in the Pathway Master Plan; especially on County Road B-2 with its <br /> high traffic volumes and identified shoulders for on-street bikers, as existed today. <br /> In response to the plantings on Roselawn Avenue, Mr. Schwartz advised that this <br /> was done at the request of the City of Falcon Heights, and appeared to work well <br /> if draught tolerant plants were used, and could be a consideration with this project <br /> as well. However, Mr. Schwartz clarified that there concrete is curb on Roselawn <br /> Avenue, while there is not on this street, but simply more of an extension of the <br /> street itself. Mr. Schwartz advised that the main goal is to minimize that type of <br /> section on this segment due to safety concerns for elementary aged school chil- <br /> dren using the corridor. <br /> Councilmember McGehee opined that this should speak even more to providing a <br /> visible plant buffer and not allow the sidewalk so close to the street when there <br /> was no curb; further opining that she didn't understand the rationale for that safe- <br /> ty aspect at all. <br /> Mr. Schwartz responded that this was the intent; however, there were some chal- <br /> lenges with drainage,but where possible the sidewalk would be moved back. <br /> Regarding the 6' width, Councilmember McGehee questioned if this was simply <br /> the standard width selected twenty (20) years ago when the original Pathway <br /> Master Plan was done; and how that width compared to surrounding communities. <br /> Mr. Schwartz advised that width varied; however, he noted that one thing driving <br /> it and not part of the Master Plan, was due to the width of the machines used to <br /> clear sidewalks during the winter months without damaging curbs or turf, with <br /> that primary standard width being 6'. Mr. Schwartz clarified that in Roseville,the <br />