5. Feasibility Study for Trunk Utility Improvements Upper Bluff Creek, Authorize Preparation of Plans and Specs 5,
i
C ITYOF
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
' MEMORANDUM
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
1 FROM: Charles Folch, City Engineer
DATE: March 3, 1992
1 SUBJ: Public Hearing on Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Watermain
Facility Improvements to the Upper Bluff Creek District;
Authorize Preparation of Plans and Specifications
Project No. 91 -17
' On Monday, March 9, 1992, the City Council will hold a public
hearing on the feasibility study for trunk sanitary sewer and
watermain facility improvements in the Upper Bluff Creek District
' as prepared by Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates (BRA). As
discussed in previous meetings, the impetus for this project was
the result of petitions from approximately 55% of the property
' owners in the project area.
Since the Council received this feasibility study on February 10,
staff and the project consultant engineer held an informal
' neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 1992 to discuss
this project with all affected property owners. Unfortunately, the
turnout for the meeting was disappointing as only a few property
owners attended. However, I have received telephone calls and
personal visits from some of the affected property owners,
particularly the five large -lot, small- acreage, hobby farm property
owners located immediately east of Audubon Road. Their concerns
1 were mutual to the extent that these property owners are not
intending to subdivide their property and being assessed based on
potential developable units would prematurely force them off their
' property. I have also had discussions with Roman Roos concerning
the 85 acres located in the southwest quadrant of Trunk Highway 5
and Galpin Boulevard. Interest has been expressed by Mr. Roos that
this property be included in the Phase I construction of
improvements scheduled for 1992.
Due to the magnitude of the overall project and the initial
1 development schedule expressed by the properties involved, the
project has preliminarily been divided into two phases defined
primarily by the Twin City Northwestern Railroad. Phase I
1
1
1
Don Ashworth
March 3, 1992
Page 2
improvements, lying primarily south of the railroad, are proposed
for 1992 construction at a cost of approximately $2.2 million.
Phase II will consist of improvements north of Twin City
Northwestern Railroad and is scheduled for 1993 construction at a
cost of $2.3 million. These facility improvements are proposed to
be financed through a combination of tax increment financing and
special assessments. It should be noted that the fairly new large-
lot developments located within the Timberwood Estates addition and
Sun Ridge Court addition are not proposed to be assessed for this
project. At such time in the future that these neighborhoods
request City sewer and water service, their share of these trunk
system improvement costs will be recovered through the City's hook-
up charge. It is apparent that at least two of the properties that
have petitioned for these improvements are currently under "Green
Acre" status. Since any special assessments levied against a
parcel under Green Acres would be deferred, it is recommended that
as a part of ordering an improvement project that these properties
commit to rescinding the "Green Acre" status for any future years.
As it relates to the five large -lot, small- acreage hobby farms
located on the east side of Audubon Road and taking into
consideration their concerns, it would be appropriate, and
consistent with recent action on previous projects, to assess one
trunk sewer and water unit charge for each existing dwelling on
each of these properties. If future subdivision would occur on any
of these properties, the costs for these trunk system improvements
would be recovered through the City's hook -up charge.
If this improvement project is to proceed at this time, the key
question which needs to be answered or defined is the limits of the
Phase I construction to be accomplished in 1992. This issue will
primarily depend upon the timing and development commitment of the
large petitioning parcels within the study area. At the close of
the public hearing, if there are no further outstanding issues or
questions to be addressed, it is recommended that the City Council
approve the feasibility report for trunk sanitary sewer and
watermain improvements in the Upper Bluff Creek District Project
No. 91 -17 officially order the project and authorization be given
to prepare the project plans and specifications.
ktm 1
c: Dave Hempel, Sr. Engineering Technician
Bob Schunicht, BRA
Jerry Boucher, Utility Superintendent
1
1
1