03-17-1997 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 17, 1997 0 (#2 - 9221.2 Sidney and Barbara Rebers - Continued) Pflam asked the City to wait for development of Outlot F to occur. He noted the ideal use of that property would be a single office building which is being considered. He said access for such a building could come from Brown Road with a cul -de -sac to the building. The easement would still exist if a future need was determined. Council Member Flint questioned where the trail would be placed if the road was not built. Otten did not see the need for the trail with the existing sidewalk. Flint reiterated the sidewalk was a temporary solution and did not have the required trail width. Pflam was of the opinion that the trail could be built by Hwy 12. Stoddard asked what the City's intention was for building the frontage road. Gaffron said the Comprehensive Plan called for the road as a parallel corridor to Hwy 12 in response to the increasing traffic load and to eliminate direct access onto Hwy 12. Gaffron said the traffic will continue to increase forcing U -turns to occur which is not desired by the City. He noted the existing problems with access on and off Hwy '1.2. Gaffron said it may be reasonable to construct the frontage road from Willow Drive to the outlot noting there will be financial and easement limitations. McMillan inquired if the applicant envisioned two accesses to Outlot F from Hwy 12 and • Brown Road. Pflam said both accesses were possibilities and two separate legal accesses exist, one at 2160 Wayzata Blvd. and one along Hwy 12. Lindquist read a letter into the minutes from the City Engineer indicating the need for roadway and utility easements. The City Engineer noted the existing plans for the east - west frontage road and indicated development should be tied into the plans. Rebers said he is concerned with the location of a service road near the residential lots and impacts on safety. Smith inquired if there was the ability to make additional changes to Hwy 12 as it exists today for a front access. Gaffron said no. He indicated the lack of a defined road corridor through Outlot F leaves the possibility to develop where desired and attempt to attract the type of buyers that would benefit the property. Gaffron said it is Mn/DOT's intention to create a right -in, right -out access for Outlot E with no changes to the medians or a service road. The question is whether development of Outlot E should occur prior to the service road being built. McMillan questioned whether there was a possibility for a spur road aligning with Brimhall Lane to Hwy 12 without a left turn lane. Gaffron said the road was widened at that point which would allow the possibility of a left turn lane. McMillan was of the opinion that this would be a good alternative. She would like the service road to be . platted in case use intensifies in the future.