ADMINISTRATION - Jean M. Keely, City Engineer
Title
DECLARE 121ST AVENUE FROM WOODLAND PARKWAY TO 650 FEET EAST OF OPAL STREET AN URBAN DISTRICT AND ESTABLISH AN URBAN SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MPH
Background
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is typically responsible for the setting of appropriate speed limits along roadways within the State. Prior to 2010, 121st Avenue existed as a rural section roadway with +/- 5 acre lots extending from Sunset Avenue to Lever Court and no established speed limit. Since that time a portion of 121st Avenue has experienced significant changes in design and function, going from a rural section to urban section with the addition of several housing developments. A portion of 121st Avenue now has standard city lots ranging in width from 80 to 100 feet.
MN Statutes state that a governing body may, by resolution, declare a road segment to be an Urban District and establish the speed limit as 30 mph for an Urban District. The certified resolution must then be sent to the Commissioner of Transportation ten (10) days prior to installation of revised speed limit signs. The attached resolution, if approved, will declare 121st Avenue from Woodland Parkway to 650 feet east of Opal Street an Urban District. The resolution will be sent to the Commissioner of Transportation, and if no objection is raised, the City will proceed with the installation of 30 mph speed limit signs.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the character and design function of 121st Avenue from Woodland Parkway to 650 feet east of Opal Street has changed significantly since adjacent housing development has occurred; and
WHEREAS, MN Statutes state that when any segment of at least a quarter mile in distance of any City street on which a speed limit in excess of 30 mph has been established and meets the definition of an "Urban District", the governing body may, by resolution, declare the segment to be an Urban District and may establish the speed limit for an Urban District of 30 mph; and
WHEREAS, 121st Avenue from Woodland Parkway to 650 feet east of Opal Street now meets the MN State Statute requirements for an Urban District.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine as follows:
1. That 121st Avenue from Woodland Parkway to 650 feet east of Opal Street is hereby declared an "Urban District" and a 30 mph speed limit is therefore established on said segment according to MN Statute 169.14, subdivision 2, subpart 1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall be notified of this, and if no objection is raised within 10 days, the City will proceed with installation of 30 mph speed limit signs.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 6th day of November, 2014.