Memo from M Saam 2-22-05
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
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Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax 952.227.1110
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Natural Resources
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Web Site
IWIW.ci. chan hassen. m n. us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Sharmeen AI-Jaff, Senior Planner
Matt Saam, Assistant City Engineer rh~
February 22, 2005
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJ:
City Council Update on Yoberry Farms
Land Use Review File No. 04-14
At the February 14,2005 City Council meeting, concerns were raised about
existing traffic/speed issues on Hunter Drive and about the length of time that the
construction access can be used from TH 41 to Yo berry Farms. Comments on
each of these issues are below.
Hunter Drive Issues
Currently, Hunter Drive does not meet the following engineering design
guidelines for streets:
.
Exceeds maximum street grade of 7% with a portion of street at
approximately 10%.
Contains a horizontal curve radius of 166-feet which is less than the minimum
radius of 180-feet.
.
In addition, Hunter Dlive has a blind intersection at its crossing with Fawn Hill
Road. As eastbound traffic approaches the intersection from the west, it is
difficult to see the Fawn Hill traffic approaching from the south due to a rock
retaining wall. Residents at the Council meeting also commented on Hunter
Drive's use by mot0l1sts as a cut-through street from Longacres Drive to Galpin
Boulevard and about the excessive speed by mot0l1sts on the street.
In an attempt to address the above-mentioned issues, staff has compiled the
following list of ideas that will be evaluated for use along Hunter Drive. As a
reminder, these are ideas of possible solutions. Not all of the ideas listed will be
implemented. Additionally, staff will not be able to gauge the effectiveness of
most ideas until after a traffic/speed count is completed in May, 2005.
· Additional signage:
1) This could include a lower speed advisory sign in combination with a
curve sIgn.
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Sharmeen AI-Jaff
February 22, 2005
Page 2
2) Stop sign warrants will be evaluated for the Fawn Hill intersection.
3) Posted speed limit will be evaluated along with the number/placement
of signs.
· Curb chokers - which are defined as a physical reduction in road width by
using curb extensions to narrow or "choke" down the roadway. This is a
traffic calming technique with the plimary purpose of helping to reduce
speeds. It may also reduce traffic volumes.
Construction Access From TH 41
The developer is proposing to use the existing Hurrell driveway off ofTH 41 as a
construction access for the project during the site grading, utility and street
development. Questions have been raised about the possibility of continuing to
use this access after the site development for the home construction on-site. The
following is a list of concerns on this issue:
· Preventing Home Construction - The existing driveway goes through or
across two proposed lots. If the dliveway is used duling the entire home
construction phase, the two lots which the driveway crosses will not be able to
be built on until the other 56 lots are completed.
· Traffic Safety from TH 41 - Once home construction begins, the amount of
traffic into and out of the site can be expected to increase. This daily traffic
will include carpenters, laborers, and painters in addition to cement trucks and
lumber deliveries. All of this traffic would have to utilize an existing
driveway from TH 41 that has no turn lanes and poor sight distance. This
could be a potentially dangerous situation.
· Driveway Removal- As is typical with developments that have existing
driveway accesses, the developer is required to remove and restore the
existing dliveway area upon overall project completion. If the driveway will
be used throughout home construction, the project timeframe and
approval/acceptance of the project by the City will be significantly increased.
This will also require that the developer's letter of credit remain in effect for a
longer period of time.
· MnDOT Permit Approval- Use of this access, even for the overall site
development work, will require a temporary access pennit from MnDOT.
While MnDOT has indicated to the developer that a temporary access permit
can be obtained for a single construction season to facilitate the overall
Sharmeen AI-Jaff
February 22, 2005
Page 3
grading/utility construction, they will not allow a multi-year permit to be
granted for access through the entire home building phase.
Based on the above concerns and MnDOT's denial of an access permit from TH
41 for home construction, staff is recommending that the construction access from
TH 41 be used for only the grading and utility construction.
c: Paul Oehme, City Engineer/Dir. of Public Works
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