04-08-2004 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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i TO;Mayor Peterson and Council Members FROM:Ron Moorse, City Administrator DATE: April 7,2004 SUBJECT: Update Regarding Big Island Access Lane ^ / Approximately one year ago, the Council held a work session, to which it invited a number of the Big Island residents, to discuss the issue of access, and particularly the access lane adjacent to the Uran property. At that meeting, the Council directed stafT to determine the feasibility of constructing an access lane on the City ’s right-of-way to replace the access lane that was removed when it was determined it was located on the adjacent Uran property. Staff determined it is feasible to construct an access lane at a reasonable cost, and with minor impact on the wetland area. However, because the construction requires more than the permitted amount of fdl of fill in the 0-75 foot lakesbc*e setback zone, it requires a conditional use permit. The CUP application was recently reviewed by the Planning Commission. Based on the comments of a small number of property owners who suggested the City needs to go beyond simply providing the specific access lane requested, and take a broader look at access for this portion of Big Island; and based on the Public Services Director not being at the meeting to provide information regarding the access lane, the Planning Commission tabled the application. The property owners also suggested there should be a meeting of all of the Big Island property owners regarding access before taking action on the CUP. The application will go back to the Planning Commission at its April 19 meeting. Staff is recommending the application be approved without further addressing the broader access issues. As indicated above, the broader access issues were discussed at the March, 200:t workscssion. It is important that we be able to move forward w ith the access lane to particularly address the needs of the two properties it will serve that are currently landlocked. Staff is also recommending that the City move slowly regarding further expanding vehicular access to Big Island, as this could have significant impacts on the character of the Island. Additional access points will lead to pressure for clearing trees along the City-owned rights-of-way on the Island. It will also promote additional use of motor vehicles on the Island. These are issues that need careful examination prior to any action.