05-28-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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#02-2782 Professional Properties of Orono May 24,2002 Page 3 preclude intimate conflicts between vehicle bumper overhang and pedestrian traffic along the trail, but leaves virtually no room for a buffer, which may be important for the 200* width of the parking lot at this location. Council should consider whether a buffer or additional separation is required between the existing trail and the parking...opt ions might include a hedge, a low bumper wall, or a berm... Along Kelley Parkway (which is 40' wide curb-to-curb in a 60' right-of-way) the proposal includes a 4* boulevard along the road, then a 6' wide concrete sidewalk abutting the lot line. The setback to parking required here is 20' from the lot line but only 10' is proposed, technically requiring a variance, although as a PUD development, the City could approve this without finding a hardship. Wally Case of DSU (Orono’s planning consultants) advises that along Kelley Parkway a 6’ sidewalk is appropriate (8' would be excessive, making it more of a trail feel than a sidewalk), but the green boulevard adjacent to the street should be at least 6'and preferably 8’to allow for trees, lighting, etc. and to provide adequate separation between pedestrians and traffic. With an 8' boulevard and 6' sidewalk, the sidewalk would extend 4' into the property and only 6' from the northerly row of parking stalls as proposed. As with the OCB Road trail, this leaves little room for a buffer between parked cars and pedestrians, and barely leaves room for even berming as a buffer. Council should determine whether the northerly row of parking stalls should more closely meet the 20' setback requirement. (Also, who will be responsible for snow removal and maintenance of this sidewalk partly on right-of-way and partly on private property?) The City has not yet established standards for the streetscape of Kelley Parkway. This may be a subject for the Park Commission to consider at its earliest opportunity, w'ith assistance of Wally Case. For instance, do we want regularly spaced trees with green grass, or do we want a more random spacing, and do we want any spcci fic landscaping features incorporated; any special lighting, etc. Along Highway 12 applicants propose a 6' concrete sidewalk along the traveled road. Staff recommends that this be widened to 8' as a bituminous bike/hike trail (consistent with the City-wide trail system), and be moved north of the road ditch to abut the south lot line ofthe property, to provide separation from Highway 12 traffic. Applicants would prefer to defer trail construction along 12 until the property to the east is developed, since this segment of trail will deadend until then. As a policy matter, Orono normally has required all trail segments to be built at the time ofsite development; there may be some economies of scale if the trail is delayed and constructed with additional segments later on, but some form of escrow should be required... Council should consider whether deferral of trail construction is acceptable. /-i r t-i'. mx?