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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA005 - Council Action Summary from March 30, 2009 meeting : T COUNCIL ACTION SUMMARY Meeting Date: 3130109 Agenda Item #: Comments SUBJECT: Letter from Maggie Sevde and Karin Sevde Dated March 23, 2009, Requesting Modification of Regulations Pertaining to Sidewalks for Southern Hills West,Plat 2 ACTION TAKEN: Referred to staff. MOTION BY: Doll SECOND BY: Larson VOTING AYE: Doll, Larson,Popken, Rice VOTING NAY: None ABSENT: Goodman, Mahayni B �)7M& Diane Voss, City Clerk Copy to: Steve Osguthorpe f a z .. ---- /I�tN /ill It r - ---_ - n " t � - - :r y i March 23,2009 MAR 2 4 2009 Honorable Mayor&City Council CITY CLERK City of Ames CITY OF AMES,IOWA 515 Clark Avenue Ames,Iowa 50010 RE: Request for Waiver from Section 23.403(14)for Consideration with the Minor Plat of Southern Hills West Plat 2 Honorable Mayor&City Council: In accordance with City of Ames Code Chapter 23.103 we are requesting a modification of regulations by the City Council pertaining to the installation of sidewalks required by Chapter 23.403(14). Sidewalks are being required along Airport Road as part of the Southern Hills West Plat 2. Under a previous platting of the area the City agreed that the frontage road would serve as the bike path along Airport Road. A bike path easement was granted to the City to that effect. The frontage road is a low traffic volume,low speed road actively used in its current condition by-pedestrians and bicycles. The frontage road has been used by bicycles and pedestrians for 15 years without incident. The installation of the sidewalk is constrained by topography,trees,limited area,surface drainage,and the rural road section used for the current frontage road. The construction of approximately 800 feet of sidewalk would add a$15,000+expense to a pedestrian system that is already functioning well as it is. It is our contention that the frontage road meets the needs of the pedestrians and bicyclists and no further improvement is necessary. In addition,if a sidewalk was required,then substantial regrading and drainage improvements would be required resulting in the loss of street trees and site landscaping. We have included photos of the frontage road for your review. The sidewalk,if installed,would not connect to any other sidewalk. The sidewalk would only be in front=of Lots 1 and 2. The frontage road currently connects the bike path at the west end at North Loop Drive and the at the east end at Riverside Drive. Since Staff has agreed that the bike path requirements have been met(in accordance with the City's bike path Master Plan)it begs the question of when a bike path is not a sidewalk. Bike paths are commonly used by pedestrians whereas sidewalks are not used by bicyclists. Are we to infer from the City that both a bike path and sidewalk is required for this project? Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Mage S" evtle Karin Sevde g� cc: Sam Perry,Planning&Housing,City of Ames Craig Hastings,Attorney Scott Renaud,FOX Engineering Al Myer,Ag Leader Technology 74. MF a �; a„u,k•g,{ai00 f �wol, , . ■ . .r # I z • I ' a , x � x f M` S Sam Perry/COA To Diane R Voss/COA@COA 03/24/2009 05:09 PM cc bcc Subject waiver request from Sevde's(via Scott Renaud) Diane, Scott Renaud left me a copy of his waiver request letter that he apparently submitted to your office today (similar to one that was withdrawn a few months ago)-- He is asking for this to be reviewed by staff with the Minor Plat application that was just submitted today. He is thinking that the plat will be on the agenda for the 14th. But,we aren't guaranteeing that at this point, since we haven't even looked at it yet for completeness.The first step, I presume,would be to have the waiver request referred by the Council. I am guessing this means that, at the applicant's request,we will not place the plat application on the council agenda until we hear from you that the waiver request was referred. He obviously wants simultaneous review,which he did not get last time. Just, please let us know when it gets referred. Thanks! Sam Sam Perry, Planner City of Ames,IA,Dept of Planning&Housing Direct: (515)239-5447 Front Desk: (515)239-5400 Fax: (515)239-5404 Email: sperry(a dV.ames.ia.us Web:www.cityofames.org 515 Clark Ave. P.O.Box 811 Ames,IA 50010