05-15-2000 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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'*“‘"'"^11 meeting APR 1 0 2000,REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION I r uH ORONO DATE: April 10, 2000 ITEM NO.: /3 Department Approval: Name Gregory A. Gappa Title Director of Public Services Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: Engineer’s Report Item Description: Update on Townline Road Access D Background Information We have received a concept plan for a proposed access road east of Townline Road. This issue has teen discussed at several previous Council meetings. There are four properties in Orono and one property in Medina that currently have access to Highway 12 via a shared driveway across the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks. These properties only have a "licence" from the railroad to cross the tracks which is not a guaranteed permanent option. Our understanding is that the railroad could revoke this licence at any time, thus leaving the properties landlocked. The railroad has indicated that their long range goal is to eliminate this crossing for safety reasons. Also, MNDOT’s goal is to eliminate the driveway access to Highway 12. An access road from Townline Road to serve these properties appears to be the best solution. To help facilitate closing the shared driveway access onto Highway 12, MNDOT has offered to pay for the construction of a new road to provide alternate access for these properties. MNDOT will pay for the road construction provided that the Cities or property owners provide the necessary Right of Way and easements. Concept Plan The attached concept plan shows a platted road that will serve a proposed subdivision in Medina and also provide access to the landlocked properties in Medina and Orono. The property in Medina is zoned for single family residential at a 30,000 square foot minimum lot size with sewer and water. There is e.xisting sewer and water utilities in Townline Road. City of Medina staff has indicated that this will be a public road in Medina. Because only a small percentage of the Road is in Orono, we are recommending that the road in Orono up to the cul-de-sac also be a public road. To have only a small segment of piivate road at the end would not be practical or feasible for maintenance purposes. For routine maintenance of this road, our recommendation is that an agreement be reached with the City of Medina for Orono to provide snowplowing for this road. Orono currently mainiains Townline Road and has trucks in the area. This area is isolated from the rest of the City of Medina by the railroad tracks, and when the Townline Road railroad underpass is closed access from Medina to this area will be difficult. We currently have agreements s in place with the City of Medina for trading different segments of roads for plowing depending on which City has easier access.