HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet 04/29/2003pOR?ANC;EL, ES
WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
Becky Upton
CiO~ Clerk
AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
321 EAST FIFTH STREET
A?mL 29, 2003
SPECIAL MEETING - 6:00 P.M.
PARKING AD HOC RECOMMENDATION Page 1
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Page 21
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public headngs are set by the City Council in order to meet legal requirements pertaining to matters such as, land use permit applications, proposed
amendments to City land use regulations, zoning changes, annexations. In addition, the City Council may set a public hearing in order to receive public input
prior to making decisions which impact the citizens. Certain matters may be controversial, and the City Council may choose to seek public opinion through
the public headng process.
NOTE: HEARING DEVICES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE NEEDING ASSISTANCE
MAYOR TO DETERMINE TIME OF BREAK
April 29, 2003 Port Angeles City Council Meeting Page - 1
pORTANGELES
WASHINGTON, U. S. A
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
April 29, 2003
L
CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING:
ROLL CALL:
Members Present:
Mayor Wiggins
Councilman Braun
Councilman Campbell
Councilmember Erickson
Councilman Headrick
Councilmember Rogers
Councilman Williams
Staff Present:
Manager Quinn
Attorney Knutson
Clerk Upton
B. Collins
M. Connelly
G. Cutler
D. McKeen
T. Riepe
Y. Ziomkowski
Other Staff Present:
IH.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Ledby'.
pORTA_NGELES
WASHINGTON, USA.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Attendance Roster
DATE OF MEETING: April 29, 2003
LOCATION:
City Council Chambers
pOR_____TA. ¢ELES
WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
CITY COUNCIL MEMO
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
APRIL 29, 2003
MAYOR WIGGINS AND CITY COUNCIL
TIMOTHY J. SMITH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECT/~
PARKING AD HOC RECOMMENDATION
Summary: The Downtown Parking Ad-Hoc Committee has completed their consideration of a
solution for downtown parking. The Committee's proposed recommendation is a"comprehensive"
plan which includes a combination of below grade parking at the Gateway Project, along with
several reconfigured street level parking suggestions. The plan has been shared publicly throughout
the month of April with indications that it is gaining a broad level of support. The estimated cost
for the parking recommendation is $11,545,000. The Committee's recommended approach to
funding the proposal suggests the necessity that at least $1,155,000 would need to be secured from
as yet unidentified private sector sources. The Downtown Association and representatives from the
PBIA will be on hand during tonight's meeting to help address the current interest and likelihood
for securing private sector investment by downtown business and property owners.
Recommendation: Assuming that total funding can be secured, the Parking Ad-Hoc
Committee recommends that their proposed "comprehensive" solution, be accepted for
downtown parking.
Background / Analysis:
The Downtown Parking Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired and co-chaired by Councilwoman Rogers and
Councilman Campbell, has completed their review and consideration of a recommendation to the
City Council regarding a solution for downtown parking. The Committee's efforts in this regard
focused on a plan to address downtown business and property owners concerns related to the
development of the Gateway Project, and a possible development of the Oak Street Site. The
solution which the committee recommends is a comprehensive plan which includes a combination
of below grade parking (beneath the Gateway Transportation Center), together with several
reconfigured parking recommendations in two City/PBIA Parking Lots and along three downtown
street locations. These proposed solutions are highlighted in attachment A. The Committee's
recommendation addresses three of five conditions outlined in a March 3 I, 2003 letter to the Council
and Transit Board from the Port Angeles Downtown Association (attachment B).
During the last several weeks, the Committee's proposed recommendation (attachment C) has been
shared publicly during the City Council's April 1st meeting, and again at the Transit Board's April
21 st meeting. Throughout the month of April, the Downtown Association has continued to share the
1
Ad-Hoc Committee's proposed recommendation with individual businesses and downtown property
owners. They have also scheduled a special General Meeting of their membership and that of the
PBIA specifically for this issue for April 30~h, 2003. At this time, indications are that the proposed
recommendation is gaining a broad base of support. A digital movie-graphic depicting the Ad-Hoc
Committee's proposed solution as it relates to the design of the Gateway Project, will be shown
tonight. Prints fi:om the new graphic are attached (attachment D).
The cost estimate (attachment E) for the recommended solution places the total anticipated cost at
approximately $11,545,000. The Committee's recommended funding proposal accounts for up to
$10,390,000, and would require a maximum $2.5 million revenue bond to help finance the project.
Under the Ad-Hoc Committee's proposed funding scenario, approximately $1,155,000 would still
be unfunded. It is the Committee's further recommendation that private sector investment, possibly
in the form of a new downtown LID and/or increase in the PBIA assessments, be considered to help
close the funding gap. The Downtown Association and representatives fi:om the PBIA will be on
hand during tonight's meeting to speak about the possibility of such funding resources and how they
could seek support for such measures.
Assuming that the total funding of the proposed solution can eventuallybe attained, it is the Parking
Ad-Hoc Committee's unanimous recommendation that their proposed solution, including the new
Gateway design with below grade parking, be accepted.
2
pORT/ xNGELES
WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
MEMO
FINANCE
DEPARTMENT
Yvonne Ziomkowski
Finance Director
[4601]
Karen Asquith
Accounting Mgr.
[4605]
Carol Hagar
Administxative Assistant
[46001
April23,2003
To:
Timothy Smith
Economic Development Director
From: Yvonne Ziomkowski
Finance Director
Re: Parking Garage Financing
I have discussed the proposed Gateway parking garage project with the City's
financial advisor, Steve Gaidos, and bond counsel, David Thompson. I told
them that the total cost of the parking garage is estimated to be approximately
$11.5 to $13 million. Grants will pay for much of that cost, but the City will
need to finance between $2.5 million and $3 million of that cost. I also told
them that it might be desirable to amortize any bond financing over a 30-year
period. I discussed with Steve and David several options for bond financing.
The financial advisor and bond counsel do not think that it is likely that the
City would be able to sell bonds backed solely by revenues of the parking
garage. Steve and David think that any bonds issued would have to be limited
tax general obligation bonds ("councilmanic bonds") secured also by a pledge
of revenue fxom the parking garage. If the City wishes, it may also be possible
to pledge a share of the City's hotel-motel tax revenue. Steve Gaidos also
pointed out that 30 years is a rather long amortization period for bonds of this
size and for this purpose.
Steve and David think that the City should probably begin discussion of these
financing options with a bond underwriter fairly soon to get a better sense of
the feasibility and cost of each option.
We can discuss this issue in more detail after the Council Workshop on this
subject.
Board of Directors
2003
Rudy Hic'~r - President
Bay Varieg - 457-5200
Y,t~tia Ttw, k~r- V~ce PreMdent
If. T~ ~ - 452-974
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.~ ~i~ -
Fi~ ~S~- 452~248
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J~ B~ - D~
P~ ~y N~ - 4 l%350
B~ B~ - ~
~ To~ - 457~303
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R~ BI~ S~ld- 417~305
L~ a~ S~ - 452~ 116
F~ ~ S~e - 4524741
105~,~ East First Street
P.O. Box 582
Po~ Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-457-9614
Fax: 360-457-9614
Email: pada@olypen.com
ORT ANGELES
ASSOCIATION
March 31, 2003
Glenn Wiggins; Mayor
City Council members
City of Port Angeles
POBox 1150:' ~
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Dear Mayor Wiggins and City Cotmcil members:
The Port Angeles Downtown Association Board of Directors has voted
unanimously to :support the Council's Parking Ad Hoc Committee recommendation
referred to as 'Solution 2'. The solution includes: a second level at the International
Gateway site in iTidelands East, opening up of parking spaces on the southerly side
of the 200 East block of Front Street, 3 hour parking in the City parking lot at the
City Pier, diagonal parking on Cherry Street and the 200 North block of Oak Street,
a street-level structure over the City's parking lot 'E' (next to Zak's), and
development of a Waterfront Promenade from the City Pier to Oak Street.
The Board wishes to reaffirm the 5 points that conditioned their support of the
Gateway project in Mamh 2001. Conditioned upon the assurance by the City
and/or Transit that there be:
1) no net lOSs of parking
2) continuing mitigation of the impact of the buses
3) resolution of traffic flow and congestion problems
4) no net loss of achninistrative revenue and
5) a percentage for the arts
the Board voted to support the Gateway project.
We appreciate this positive solution to resolve the 'no net loss of parking' and
strongly urge the City to support the recommendation of its Parking Ad Hoc
Cotmrdttee.
Sincerely yours,
Rudy Hiener
President
cc: ClaIlam Transit System Board of Directors Mike Quinn, City Manager
Dan DiGuilio, General M~ager Clallam Transit System
7 ~
8 x
9 ~
10 4
13
16 ~o
Port Angeles Gateway Solution
Projected Project Costs vs Fund/Revenues
April 21, 2003
Hard Costs
Original Design Solution Design
Gateway Project (FTA)
Gateway Project (T1B)
Signals/Signage (TIB)
Waterfront Promenade
TLW Parking Deck
Visitors Center
Land Acquisition
Total Hard Costs
2,170,000 4,825,000
500,000 500,000
1,000,000 1,000,000
0 250,000
0 750,000
310,000 310,000
1,950,000 2,100,000
5,930,000 9,735,000
Soft Costs
A/E Costs
*Visitors Center 80,000
*Gateway 670,000
*TLW Parking Deck 0
Permits/Tests/Inspections 25,000
WSST @ 8.2%* 200,000
Project Contingency 125,000
Total Soft Costs 1,100,000
*TIB and promenade exempt
Total Project Costs
7,030,000
80,000
900,000
75,000
25,000
480,000
250,000
1,810,000
11,545,000
Funding/Revenues
FTA (Old) 3,000,000
FTA (New) 1,500,000
TIB 1,500,000
City Sale of Pubtic Property 0
Visitors Center 390,000
20yr (Parking) Revenue Bond 0
Private Investment 0
3,000,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
390,000
2,500,000
unknown
Total Funding/Revenues 6,390,000
10,390,000
Funding/Revenue Gap 640,000
1,155,000
G:~EXCHANGE\TlivBGateway rev-cost.wpd '1 9
pORTANGELES
WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
CiTY COUNCIL MEMO
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
APPalL 29, 2003
CITY COUNCIL
Brad Collins, Community Development Director
Low Impact Development Standards
ISummarv: response to a variety concerns development costs public
In
of
citizen
about
for
improvements and stormwater impacts on fish habitat, the City has prepared revised standards fm
street, drainage, fire suppression, and sanitary systems. The Community & Economic Developmen!
Committee and the Planning Commission have reviewed and recommend changes to the City's
Urban Services Standards & Guidelines and to the Port Angeles Municipal Code regarding low
impact development standards in the City's outlying RS-9 and RMD residential areas.
Recommendation: Following the close of the public hearing, which may be continued to
the Council's regular meeting of May 6, 2003, the Department of Community Development
recommends that the Council adopt the attached ordinance.
Background / Analysis:
After a series of short plat, subdivision, and land sales requests by private land owners and
as a result of a growing body of knowledge related to best available science on stormwater
management, the City has prepared revised standards for new development. The amendments to the
Port Angeles Municipal Code must be adopted by ordinance. Corresponding changes in the Urban
Services Standards and Guidelines must be revised administratively by the Departments of Public
Works and Fire.
The Department of Community Development endorses the proposed code amendments and
administrative changes to the City's developmem standards. The proposed changes address not only
concerns raised by private land owners, developers, and real estate agents about high improvement
costs for new subdivisions in the City and adjacent urban growth area (UGA) but also concerns
raised in watershed planning and salmon recovery efforts by citizens and natural resource experts
about the adverse environmental impacts on water quality and fish habitat. Both of these two areas
of concern relate to more impervious surface being required by City regulations than is desirable.
A reduction in street widths, an allowance for vegetated swales (ditches) in suburban areas of the
City and UGA, a deferment of water and sewer line extension to suburban size lots that are greater
than an acre in size, and an increase in frre sprinkler protection can make the City's development
regulations more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. This win-win situation has support
from both the development industry and the environmental community.
G:XlvlASTFORIvlXCOUNCIL.WPT
Last Revised: 6/29/99
21
Low Impact Development Standards
April 29, 2003
Page 2
The City and County staffs have been comparing notes and believe these changes are
especially beneficial in outlying areas where extension of City water and sewer services is not
feasible. Several critical requirements for narrower streets and deferred water/sewer extensions
include no parking provisions, separated pedestrian walkways, and no-protest local improvement
district agreements. With progressive development standards, the City may be able to attract more
new subdivisions which have been overwhelmingly taking place outside serviced urban areas.
Staff will be available to answer questions.
Attachment: Ordinance
G:\CNCLPKTXPLANNING\042903.wpd
G:x~MASTFORM\C OUN CIL. WPT
Last Revised: 6/29/99
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, adopting low
impact development standards regarding private wastewater disposal
systems for short plat lots greater than one acre in area, improvements
to local access streets for short subdivisions in the RS-9 and RMD
zones, and fire suppression requirements in areas without water system
infrastmction improvements and amending Ordinances 2222, 2394, and
2860, as amended, and Chapters 13.61, 16.04, and 18.08 of the Port
Angeles Municipal Code.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ANGELES DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Ordinance 2394 as amended and Chapter 13.61 of the Port Angeles
Municipal Code are hereby amended by amending PAMC 13.61.090 to read as follows:
13.61.090 Private Wastewater Disposal System Allowed - When
A. A revocable permit for an existing private wastewater disposal system may be
obtained from the Public Works Director after consultation with the County Health Officer for as
long as the existing system meets state and county requirements and does not cause any sanitary or
other health problems.
B. Either prior to approval by the City of a building permit for construction on a
single lot existing on January 1, 1995, or when a private wastewater disposal system had been but
is no longer permitted pursuant to PAMC 13.61.090 A, or when applying for a short subdivision
where all the lots are greater than one acre in area~ the owner or owners may apply to the Director
of Public Works and Utilities for an exemption from the requirement in PAMC 18.08.060 and
PAMC 13.61.070 that the building be served by the City sanitary sewer system. The exemption may
be granted only if all of the following requirements are met:
1. The lot is further than 300 feet from the City sanitary sewer system or a
lateral thereof;
2. The cost of extending the City sanitary sewer system would be an
economic hardship on the owner or owners in that the estimated cost of a sewer extension would be
over 200% of the cost of an approved septic or other private wastewater disposal system;
3. The owner or owners have signed a non-protest agreement for an LID to
extend the City sanitary sewer system to the area; and,
4. The exemption will not be effective until a written permit for the septic
or other private wastewater disposal system is obtained from the Clallam County Health Department.
-1-
C. This Section shall not be construed to interfere with any additional requirements
that may be imposed by the Health Officer. At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a
property served by a private wastewater disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the
public sewer within ninety (90) days in compliance with this Chapter, and any septic tanks,
cesspools, and similar private wastewatar disposal facilities shall be cleaned of sludge and filled with
suitable material.
Section 2. Ordinance 2222 as amended and Chapter 16.04 of the Port Angeles
Municipal Code are hereby amended by amending PAMC 16.04.140 to read as follows:
16.04.140 Final Short Plat - Improvements - Required. The following minimum
improvements shall be made or installed for each lot created by the short subdivision, before final
short plat approval:
A. Watermains and other appurtenances necessaryto provide adequate potable water
supply and fire protection as set forth in the Comprehensive Plfin, the Urban Services Ordinance and
the Urban Services Standards and Guidelines promulgated consistent with and pursuant to PAMC
18.08.040 and 18.08.130;
B. Sanitary sewer or approved septic tank and drain field site;
C. Power, telephone, and all other necessary utilities.
D. Appropriate dedications or easements if required;
E. Minimum street improvement cross-section standard as set forth in the
Comprehensive Plan, the Urban Services Ordinance, and the Urban Services Standards and
Guidelines:
1. Improvements to Local Access Streets:
a. In the RS-9 and RMD zones, local access streets that from or will
provide access from the nearest fully improved City street to newly created lots shall be improved
to a minimum of 20-foot wide asphaltic concrete street with one 3-f,,o~ ,,ldo ~lio~Idc~ no on-street
parking, ,~id v,,~ 6-foot Md,. ~h,,,Id~ vegetated drainage swales (ditches) as needed, and one all
weather surface 4-foot wide path (8-foot wide path when an adopted bicycle route) for pedestrian
traffic:, which path shall be sevarated from the street by a ditch. All dead-end City streets in excess
of 150 feet in length shall be asphaltic concrete paved and provided with a mm-around consistent
with the Urban Services Ordinance, the Urban Services Standards and Guidelines, and the Uniform
Fire Code.
b. In all other zones, local access streets that front or will provide access
to the lots or parcels being developed shall be improved to the minimum City local access street
improvement standards.
o
Improvements to Arterial Streets:
-2-
a. In the RS-9 and RMD zones, arterial streets that front or will provide
access to; the lots or parcels being developed shall be improved to the minimum of 24 -foot wide
asphaltic concrete street with no on-street parking, vegetated drainage swales (ditches) as needed,
and one all weather surface 4-foot wide path (8-foot wide path when an adopted bicycle route) for
pedestrian traffic, which path shall be separated from the street by a ditch ~
b. In all other zones, arterial streets that front or will nrovide access to;
the lots or parcels being developed shall be improved to the minimum City arterial street
improvement standards.
3. EXCEPTION: The Public Works & Utilities Department shall require
the minimum standard to be increased to match the immediately adjoining City street when the
immediately adjoining City street is more fully developed than the minimum standard. This
exception shall not apply to short plats when the City finds that there will be an economic and
physical hardship in relocating public utilities and there will be no increase in the number of lots
within a subject short plat.
F. Drainage ditches and/or culverts shall be provided to address existing and
anticipated storm water mn-off occurring on the site and/or within the City rights-of-way and
easements as set forth in the Urban Services Ordinance and Cleating and Grad'rog Ordinance
development standards.
G. The subdivider shall provide a street profile acceptable to the Public Works &
Utilities Department for the local access streets if the final street grade has not been previously
established or accepted by the City.
H. The subdivider shall execute an L.I.D. consent and non-protest agreement or
other agreement acceptable to the City for street and utilities improvements on the local access
streets whenever required improvements are less than the City's full development standards, as set
forth in the Comprehensive Plan, the Urban Services Ordinance, and the Urban Services Standards
and Guidelines promulgated consistent with and pursuant to PAMC 18.08.040 and 18.08.130.
I. The subdivider shall provide all other public improvements as may be required
and set forth in the Comprehensive Plan, the Urban Services Ordinance, and the Urban Services
Standards and Guidelines promulgated consistent with and pursuant to PAMC 18.08.040 and
18.08.130.
J. When commercially zoned property is being short platted without any increase
in the number of lots, the minimum improvements required by this Section may be made or installed
after short plat approval without the necessity of being bonded, provided that the final short plat shall
be conditioned to provide that such improvements shall be made or installed as part of the building
permit process, that vertical construction of the building shall not begin unless or until the Uniform
Fire Code's fire hydrant requirement has been met, and that the property or development shall not
be occupied until such improvements have been completed, provided further that said construction
shall be noted on the final plat.
K. Sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for
students who only walk to and from school shall be provided pursuant to RCW 58.17.060 and RCW
-3-
58.17.110.
Section 3. Ordinance 2860 as amended and Chapter 18.08 of the Port Angeles
Municipal Code are hereby amended by amending PAMC 18.08.110 to read as follows:
18.08.110 - Fire Suppression Requirements.
A. All single-family residences and duplexes shall either be located within a four
minute response time from a City of Port Angeles fire station or shall meet the following fire
suppression requirements:
1. Each single-family residence and duplex outside the four minute response
time, except for residences within new sub-divisions as provided for in subsection A2, shall have
either of the following:
a. a residential sprinkler system that is installed and maintained in
accordance with Uniform Fire Code (UFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
standards, for which the City will provide a $500 rebate for the cost of installation, provided that said
rebate shall be subject to annual review by the City Council; or
b. an outside alarm bell that is electronically connected to the
residential smoke alarm system in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Chief or designee.
2. Each single-family residence and duplex within a new subdivision outside
the four minute response time shall be equipped with a residential sprinkler system that is installed
and maintained in accordance with Uniform Fire Code CLIFC) and National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards, provided that such subdivisions shall be allowed to have the
following reduced standards for cul-de-sac size and fire hydrant spacing:
a. cul-de-sac diameter measured from curb to curb may be reduced from
the normal t00 feet standard to either 90 feet or, if the cui-de-sac is restricted and posted for no
parking, to 80 feet; and
b. distance between fire hydrants may be increased from the normal
standard of 500 feet average spacing between hydrants to not more than 1,000 feet.
3. Each new single-family residence and duplex in areas that do not have
water system infrastructure improvements meeting City standards and that are outside the four
minute response time shall have either of the following:
a. a fire hydrant within 1000 feet of the furthest point of the structure,
as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building; or
b. an approved residential sprinkler system, adequate clearance to expose
structures, and compliance with the defensible space requirements prescribed in the current IFCI
Urban-Wildland Interface Code
4. The fire flow requirement shall be either of the following:
-4-
square feet~ or
3600 square feet.
a. 500 gallons per minute for new single family dwellings less than 3600
b. 1000 gallons per minute for new single family dwellings lar~er than
B. All multi-family residential developments shall have automatic sprinkler systems
as set forth in Chapter 14.26 PAMC.
C. The requirements of this section shall apply only to newly constructed residential
buildings and reconstruction of residential buildings to an extent that exceeds seventy-five percent
(75%) of the existing assessed value of the building.
D. In addition to providing a $500 rebate under PAMC 18.08.110A for the cost of
installing sprinkler systems in residences outside the four minute response time, in newly constructed
or reconstructed homes, the City will also provide a $500 rebate for the cost of voluntarily installing
sprinkler systems in single family residences and duplexes anywhere within the City.
Section 4 - Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect five days following the date
of its publication by summary.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Angeles at a regular meeting of said
Council held on the day of _, 2003.
ATTEST:
MAYOR
Becky J. Upton, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Craig D. Knutson, City Attomey
PUBLISHED:
By Summary
-5-
Attachment "D"
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ANGELES
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A R C H I T E C T S
Merritt+Pardini
4/29/03
To: The Port Angeles City Council and Brad Collins
From: Green Crow Properties, Inc.
Here is a summary of our opinions and suggestions towards the proposed low impact
development standards. We felt that the discussion at the last planning commission public
hearing was fruitful, and we will continue to offer opinions and advice towards furthering low
impact development standards.
1. Streets
A. Street Widths: We applaud the city officials for the proposal of reducing street widths down
to 24 feet in width. We would like to add though, that for access streets (the smallest street above
a subdivision road), 20 feet is actually more than enough to accommodate ample traffic. We
urge you to consider a 20 foot width for access roads.
This will allow for less impervious surface and stormwater runoff, and will help encourage
development by reducing infrastructure costs. We also want to emphasize the fact that we are
not proposing the creation of lesser quality roads, and that new roads should be durable enough
to hold up for many decades.
B. Cul de Sacs: While there is a proposed street width reduction, there is not a proportionate cul-
de-sac width reduction. We feel that this should be addressed for the same reasons that reduced
street widths are being considered. 100 foot diameter cul de sacs as the default seems excessive.
2. Sewer extension Proposal
We would love to create a quality subdivision along Campbell Avenue, but the sewer issue
proves to be a major stumbling block for us. We have been told that our 42 acre property
fronting Campbell Avenue cannot be developed without an engineered sewer capacity study and
probable sewer line repair in the neighborhoods adjacent to Campbell Avenue. In effect, we are
being told that we must fix the city's sewer problem, or we cannot develop. This, we feel, is
quite unfair since the sewer line is city property, and the city will receive money from each new
homeowner within our property which must hook into and use sewer capacity.
3. Sprinklers:
In the affordable housing range of home values, sprinklers are one more reason why people can't
afford to build. Costs of installing sprinkler systems in smaller homes range from $1500-$2500
per home and, we believe, the value of them actually saving lives is debatable. In the mid and
upper end homes we have noticed that buyers generally do not want sprinklers and are not
willing to pay for them.
The proposed new fire protection regulations call for optional sprinklers for new residences
within 1000 feet ora fire hydrant when the lot is outside of the 4 minute response time. This
regulation does not apply to any kind of subdivision, however, and we strongly feel that it
should. Why should people doing small land divisions have it easier than a subdivider? Also,
current sprinkler designs generally call for 'alarms on top of alarms', which is overkill in our
opinion. Please make them optional throughout the city.
Engineering Standards: We urge you to create standards that do not require the use of a
licensed engineer, provided the project is simple. The city's staffis more than qualified to
approve basic road projects that meet city specifications. Unnecessary engineering cost us
nearly $10,000 for four lots on Rook Drive. More flexibility in approving designs would be
appreciated too, since oftentimes adhering to the paper designs of plans 100% to the letter
does more harm than good.
5. Wetlands: We urge you to establish minimum size for wetland regulations. It is indeed legal
because the county already does it. At our Rook Drive development we have potentially 25-
30 lots that are reduced in value by approximately $15,000 apiece because of lost views
created by wetland buffer areas that are little more than 20-30 ft wide and 50-10011 long.
These areas have "no effect" on the ecology of the city, but have a $400,000 plus effect on
US.
This is an overview of some issues, but feel free to give us a call if you want to discuss any of
the issues in detail. Dennis and myself can be reached at 452-3325.
Sincerely,
Clay Crow