4. Engineer Review - Better Place Forests 06012020Better Place application for memorial forest on Lakamaga Trail / City Engineer Review
Merritt,
Does City Code anywhere require driveway/parking lot to be bituminous or concrete material versus
proposed gravel?
Can you verify all the trails are existing or they building new trails? Plans states existing trails but I
thought they had new trails to construct?
Will a landscaping plan be required?
Is any parking lot lighting be proposed ... if so we should review with levels of lighting versus adjacent
properties?
What are hours of operation if not open during night how will they control access?
I have completed my review of the project narrative, proposed site plans, and traffic analysis and
provide the following comments for Better Place Forests:
• The properties are still recorded to Janice I Reirmann, City shall obtain proof the applicant has
agreement for proposed improvements or sale of property. More information on this could be
provided by City Attorney.
• Prior to placement of trails/site improvements final wetland delineation need to be completed
and approved by Washington Conservation District.
• Construction equipment/material trucking shall avoid Maxwill Ave because of the current
condition.
• Project narrative states the proposed improvements will be ADA accessible, however the
proposed parking lot is showing gravel. This will take a lot of maintenance to ensure routing and
washouts don't occur after rain events to allow for ADA accessibility. This should be discussed
in greater detail at the Planning Commission.
• Future building/pathways to parking lot assume will include additional
detail/elevations/materials with a later submittal?
• 1 didn't see anything on dates of operation, will facility be open when snow fall might be a
possibility? If so, that will provide difficulty if roadway is all gravel and if closed during winter
will they be proposing some sort of fencing barrier/gate at the right-of-way?
• Signs — show/Install one-way sign around parking lot loop, show/install locations of handicap
parking signs.
• On page C4-1 Details/Raingarden Section:
o Plans need to show/identify locations of proposed raingardens.
o Detail may need to be revised as it shows ribbon curb and pavement, however site plans
just currently show gravel.
• Driveaway Access to Lakamaga Trail N:
o Driveway access permit shall be required. Additional information (survey elevations)
need to be submitted for review to determine if a driveway culvert would be required.
o Shall connect at the location of Meadowridge Trail N so we don't create an offset
intersection, the plans need to show/verify this.
o Proposed 15' radius at driveway/Lakamaga Trail N connection need to be revised to a
minimum of 20'.
o Proposed width of driveway from right-of-way to Lakamaga Trail N shall be revised from
20' to a minimum of 24'.
o First 50' of driveway off Lakamaga Trail N needs to be bituminous pavement to help
prevent the traffic dragging gravel material out on the public roadway.
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Better Place application for memorial forest on Lakamaga Trail / City Engineer Review
Driveway
o Proposed driveway section is pretty thin unless the subgrade material is already
sandy/gravel, may have to add additional gravel to support emergency vehicles. Did not
see any soil boring reports within the submitted application, just a note on the plans
about soil conditions and type.
o Proposed culverts (2) under driveway do not have a lot of cover and proposing a HDPE
storm pipe, cover thickness needs to be reviewed or may have to install RCP storm
sewer pipe.
• NPDES permit may be required.
• Watershed District permit may be required.
• Septic system we will be permitted by the authority of Washington County. Recommend the
applicant least receive written confirmation from the County the site is able/adequate to
provide onsite sewer treatment but not a full complete designed septic system at time of CUP
application submittal.
• Well system will be permitted by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Thanks,
Ryan J Goodman P.E.
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
2035 County Road D East
Maplewood, MN 55109-5314
Mobile: 612-597-7140
Bolton-Menk.com
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