05-18-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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#2372 - Haglund May 14,1998 Page 3 Road Access. Access to the public/private road is an issue. North Arm Lane is a 33' privately owned corridor upon which exists a gravel road averaging 15' in width. The owner of record is Jean T. Armstrong. The Armstrong family owns the property to the north. Curiously, the City has maintained this private road for many years, at least back to the 1960's, although the City has no apparent documented easement over it, other than a prescriptive easement over the traveled and maintained portion by virtue of the histor>’ of City maintenance. The City' Attorney has indicated it is unlikely the City can claim an easement over the entire 33', but probably has a good claim over the portions maintained and/or used for public purposes (i.e. the gravel surface and some portion of the shoulder). The applicant has been advised he must obtain an easement for access from the Armstrongs (or provide evidence that such an easement exists) in order for the lot to be considered as fronting on a public or private road. Applicant has made this contact and appears to be able to provide this documentation. Without such an easement, access would have to be from the south, forcing this into a front/back lot situation and significantly affecting the proposed plat layout. The traveled road crosses applicants property and the neighboring property to the south near the entrance to North Arm Drive. Note that the portion of traveled road on the neighboring property to the south is near the new mound septic system on that property. It is unknown whether the City has formal easements for the portions of road existing on applicants property and on neighboring properties, although these are also likely only prescriptive. Road Standards . The plat results in a seventh residence accessing via North Arm Lane. This is similar to other proposals the City has reviewed in the past (Lyman Avenue and 'Lydiard Road' off of North Femdale are two that come to mind) where additional use on a substandard road begs the question of road upgrades. In each case, staff has recommended that the road be upgraded to be more in conformity with City standards, and that additional right-of-way be dedicated. In this case, staff recommends that 8.5' of roadway be dedicated along the east side of the property adjacent to the 33' corridor; also that additional right-of-way be dedicated at the south end of the property where the existing traveled road crosses it; and that a portion of cul-de-sac be dedicated at the northeast end of the property. Note that the City has required dedication of 17' and 8.5' of additional right-of-way from past subdivisions along the east side of the 33' corridor. During the Markoe Addition platting in 1992, the City concluded that both sides of the road should give up additional right-of-way to eventually result in a 50' corridor.