ITEM 5.1 67th Street sidewalkF
Otsego
MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Request for
City Council Action
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
REQUESTOR:
MEETING DATE:
Planning
City Planner Licht
11 March 2019
PRESENTER(s)
REVIEWED BY:
ITEM #:
City Planner Licht
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
5.1-67 th Street sidewalk
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS:
I THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
X
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
No
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
on 25 February 2019 to request an exception from the requirement to clear snow from the sidewalk
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends no action be taken regarding the sidewalk on the south side of 67th Street between
Marlowe Avenue and Mason Avenue and that abutting property owners maintain the sidewalk in
accordance with the City Code.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?
IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Mr. Brad Hackenmueller, who owns the property at 12267 67th Street, attended the City Council meeting
on 25 February 2019 to request an exception from the requirement to clear snow from the sidewalk
abutting his property. Section 5-2-2.A of the City Code requires property owners to remove snow from
sidewalks abutting their properties within 12 hours after a snow event.
Mr. Hackenmueller's property is on the south side of 67th Street between Marlowe Avenue and Mason
Avenue. There are sidewalks on both sides of 67th Street, which is unique as the Subdivision Ordinance
only requires a sidewalk on one side of local residential streets. The sidewalk on the south side of 67th
Street was constructed when 67th Street was improved to a paved roadway with development of the
Otsego Preserve subdivision (east of Mason/south of 67th). When the Remington Coves subdivision (north
of 67th) was developed, a sidewalk was constructed on the north side of 67th Street as part of the overall
pedestrian plan for that neighborhood.
The City Council directed City staff to contact property owners abutting the south side of 67th Street for
input regarding the sidewalk. City staff mailed a letter to the four property owners and requested any
feedback in writing by 7 March 2019. City staff outlined three potential options that may be considered
regarding the sidewalk:
Require snow removal from the sidewalk as required by the City Code.
Post the sidewalk as "closed" from November to May and not require property owners to remove
snow.
Remove the sidewalk and restore the boulevard with grass with property owners being responsible
for the costs.incurred by the City. The City Engineer estimates that the cost for removal of the
sidewalk would be $4,300.00 not including mobilization or restoration of the right-of-way.
City staff did not receive any responses from the other three property owners abutting the south side of
67th Street prior to completion of the City Council packet for distribution.
While the situation with sidewalk on both sides of 67th Street is unique, the sidewalk on the south side
remains part of the public right-of-way. The sidewalk on the south side of 67th Street is in-place
infrastructure with remaining useful life. If in the future, the condition of the sidewalk deteriorates or 67th
Street between Marlowe Avenue and Mason Avenue is reconstructed, removal of the sidewalk section may
be considered. The abutting property owners may also petition for removal of the sidewalk at any time.
Until and if any of those circumstances arise, the sidewalk needs to be maintained as prescribed by the City
Code, including snow removal.
I SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: I
■ Site location ma
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE ITTO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
No action is required.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
NA
Tami Loff
From: DDL@PlanningCo.com
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2019 2:3S PM
To: Tami Loff
Cc: Adam Flaherty; 'MacArthur Andy'; 'Wagner Ron'; Ross Demant; Kevin Lamson
Subject: FW: [FWD: RE: Sidewalk on 67th ST NE, Otsego]
Tami
Would you please make copies for the CC meeting tonight. Thanks.
DDL
From: tpc@planningco.com <tpc@planningco.com>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2019 2:33 PM
To: ddl@planningco.com
Subject: [FWD: RE: Sidewalk on 67th ST NE, Otsego]
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Sidewalk on 67th ST NE, Otsego
From: Lisa Blanchar <lblanchar00qmail.com>
Date: Wed, March 06, 2019 11:16 am
To: "TPC@PlanningCo.com" <TPC(d)PlanningCo.com>
To Whom it May Concern;
In response to the letter dated 27 February 2019 regarding Mr. Brad
Hackenmueller's request for an exception on snow removal of the south 67th ST
NE sidewalk, I would like to state my opinion on the matter...
After reviewing the three proposed options, I prefer option 1, but I could be
swayed to go with option 2. I am NOT in favor of option 3 and any incurred cost
to property owners. When we moved to 67th last summer, we proactively
replaced several sidewalk sections that had erupted from poorly removed tree
roots and to now remove those would be very disappointing and even more costly
to us.
I work from home and view multiple joggers, dog walkers, and childcare folks
with strollers daily on the sidewalk, both in summer and winter. Many of these
folks seem to do a loop' around the Zimmer Farm Park using the sidewalks, and
shutting down the south side sidewalk would force them to cross the street (67th)
twice to make that loop. Currently I have 2 elementary -aged children who
attend Prairie View School and are currently forced to cross the street twice to
get to their bus stop on the corner of Mason and 67th, due to the currently
1
uncleared sidewalk in question. Additionally, I believe that the larger issue with
forcing folks to use the sidewalk on the north side of 67th (in winter) is that
currently it does not go to the street at Mason, which causes a kiddy -corner'
cross needed from the closest driveway to get to the corner of Mason and
67th. This is definitely NOT ideal in winter weather with slippery roads and
(currently) high snow piles making viewing down the street a challenge.
If shutting down the south side sidewalk is the solution (option 2), I would
strongly suggest a curb sidewalk to Mason be constructed (from the north side
sidewalk) sooner than later, and suggest the south side sidewalk be required to
be maintained until that happens, for the safety of all.
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions regarding my position on this
matter.
Thanks,
Lisa Blanchar
Property Owner of 12257 67th ST NE, Otsego, MN
612-298-5270
2