Workshop Item: 1 - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager
Title
HARPERS STREET AREA DEVELOPMENT
Background
Before 2005, two developers were assembling parcels in the Harpers Street area for subdivision. While assembling these five acre parcels, they put together a concept development plan that laid out the streets and utilities to serve the entire area. Several parcels were developed under this concept plan prior to the economic downturn. The development that did occur installed the main line sanitary sewer and watermain in the Harpers Street alignment. This has left the opportunity for the remaining undeveloped five acre parcels to easily connect to sanitary sewer and water, but not the original concept of regional storm sewer pipe and ponding. There are several parcels that developers have been interested in, but most seem unable to get past trying to handle storm water within their specific parcel until a connection can be made to a regional system. Most lose 2-3 lots of immediate development potential with onsite ponding. The latest proposals are showing temporary ponding on the individual parcels (2-3 lots) with an ultimate storm water design utilizing a regional storm water pond.
In 2002, Harpers Street was designated as a Municipal State Aid (MSA) route in accordance with the Northeast Area Plan. In 2006, the first section of Harpers Street was constructed to meet Blaine's standard of 29 feet back to back of curb with parking on both sides. To meet MSA standards, the street needs to be signed with parking restrictions. There are four new homes with driveways on the east side of Harpers Street and four future homes that will front on the west side of Harpers Street in the same area. An area of bump out parking could be constructed with MSA funds on the east side of Harpers Street in the area of the eight homes to meet MSA standards and the rest of the street signed with parking restrictions. There is not an immediate need to add the parking bump out, but the first time MSA funds are requested on this route, the road will have to be widened to allow parking on one side or the entire street signed with parking restrictions.
With the original concept plan, trail was proposed on the west side of Harpers Street and sidewalk on the east side. With the economic downturn, no trail or sidewalk was installed and no developer funds remain to construct these improvements. The trail and sidewalk could be installed with MSA funds if the Council considers initiating a project.
Staff recommends that the City Council consider initiating a project that would acquire easements and construct the regional stormwater system to serve the Harpers Street area identified on the attached drawing, construct the bump out parking in the area of new houses that have driveways directly on Harpers Street, sign the street with parking restrictions on both sides, and construct the trail and sidewalk in the area of the existing urban street section.
Recommendation
1. City Council should discuss the regional stormwater concept for the Harpers Street area (+/- 45 Acres) or if each five acre parcel should design to handle their own storm water onsite.
2. City Council should discuss whether to initiate a project and order a feasibility study to install the regional stormwater infrastructure to allow development to occur in the Harpers Street Area.
3. Council should discuss whether to sign Harpers Street with parking restrictions on both sides and add bump out parking with MSA funds in the area of four existing new homes and four future homes that front on Harpers Street.
4. Council should discuss whether to initiate a project to install trail and sidewalk with MSA funds adjacent to the improved portion of Harpers Street.