02-18-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO: FROM: DATE: Planning Commission Members Ron Moorse, City Administrator jfW/i February 12, 1997 SUBJECT: Tlie Need for and Long Term Use of Garden Lane Right-of-Way Attachments 1 . Map showing private properties needing vehicular access. 2. Letter from Carson & Clelland regarding the Solner-Webb properly access, including a report by RLK Associates analyzing access options. The Garden Lane right-of-way was originally platted to ser\e a substantial residential subdivision that would have involved 20-30 residential units. Since that time, appro.ximately 21 acres of property in the area of the potential residential subdivision have been changed to a public open space use. This has substantially changed the need for and long term use of the Garden Lane right-of-way. Rather than serving as access for 20-30 residential lots, the Garaen Lane right-of-way now may serve as access to the open space area and to 2-6 residential parcf is. The attached map shows that there are 6 undeveloped parcels that could use Garden Lane for ac:ess. At least 3 of these parcels (Parcels 1,2 and 3) do not have any other access alternatives. Wi'nout the Garden Lane right-of-way they would be landlocked. Two parcels to the north (Parcels -t and 5) have the potential of access from the north but this could require involvement by the City both in terms of acquiring additional right- of-way and regrading West Branch Road. From a legal standpoint, the City can vacate unneeded right-of-way or relocate public right-of-way. However, the City cannot vacate right-of-way if it would create landlocked parcels. The southerly portion of Garden Lane could serve Parcels 1 and 2 without affecting public park or open space or natural features. It could also serve as access to the public open space and park land area with minimal impact on the open space area. However, the middle segment of Garden Lane is contiguous to the natural area on one side and to a large ravine on the other side. The northerly segment of Garden Lane cuts through the natural area. If Garden Lane is to ser\ e Parcels 3,4 and 5, the roadway would have an impact on the ravine and the natural area. It may be possible to eliminate the need to construct a roadway or driveway on the Garden Lane right-of-way through the nature area to serve the private parcels. This would require eliminating the need to serve Parcel No. 3 as a buildable lot and providing an alternative method of access for Parcels 4 and 5. The elimination of Parcel No. 3 as a buildable lot could be difficult and potentially e.\pensive. An alternative that would not require the expenditure of City funds would be for the owner of Parcel No. 3 to agree to "trade" Parcel 3 for another buildable parcel (potentially the eastern most parcel of the open space natural area fronting on Wildhurst. Two potential options for eliminating the need to construct a roadway on the current Garden Lane right-of-way through the northern portion of the natural area are as follows: