HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutesNovember 29, 2012
ITEM NO.: 1.2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: MSP12-06
30 residential structures for emergency vehicles. (Either a second access must
be provided or the homes will have to be sprinkled). They also noted the lack of
north -south connectivity in the vicinity. The removal of Wellington Plantation
Drive would further reduce north -south connectivity. (There would be no north -
south connectivity from Bowman Road to Kirk Road).
It is desirable to distribute the traffic to reduce any impacts on any one area.
The completion of Wellington Plantation Drive would distribute some traffic off of
Wellington Village Road. Both of these streets are Collectors on the Master
Street Plan and both have single-family homes fronting them. In both cases the
roads were shown as Collectors prior to construction of the roads and the
adjacent homes. Reductions in connectivity only increase traffic volumes on
other streets and often result in long trip distances for the driver.
The loss of connectivity and the creation of a single access to the area with more
than 30 residential units, may hurt the City with any future reviews for fire ratings.
For future Planning issues it is important to attempt to improve the situation for
the overall City and area, not just look at an issue with localized concerns.
Connectivity benefits public safety and the traveling public.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENTS:
Notice was sent to the Villages of Wellington Community. Staff has received no
comments by the time of writing this item.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff believes the change is not appropriate.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (NOVEMBER 29, 2012)
It was agreed to talk about items 1, 1.1 and 1.2 together. After staff reports on
items 1 and 1.1, Walter Malone of Planning Staff addressed the Commission on
item 1.2. This is the request to remove the portion of Wellington Plantation Drive,
that has not already been constructed, from the Master Street Plan. Mr. Malone
showed the Commission the segment we were discussing. He indicated the two
major reasons Staff cannot support the request is the connectivity issue and the
concern of how this might be seen related to the fire code requirement.
There are two proposed Collectors that serve the Wellington area to the north
and northwest, one is Wellington Village and one is Wellington Plantation. Both
of these roads pre -date the subdivision of Villages of Wellington and both have
homes fronting them. Staff believes it is better to distribute the traffic between
these two roads not concentrated it all on Wellington Village.
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November 29, 2012
EM NO.: 1.2 (Cont.) FILE NO.: MSP12-06
The Master Street Plan requirement to build Wellington Plantation assures two
accesses to this portion of Villages of Wellington. There are currently 85 homes
off of Wellington Plantation Drive. Since this is a code requirement, Staff cannot
support losing a known access for a 'possible' access that may be provided in
future development.
The applicant addressed the Commission, as well as supporters of the three
applications and those against the applications (see items 1 and 1.1 for
additional minutes on this item).
A representative of the Villages of Wellington neighborhood did speak in support
of the Master Street Plan change. There were residents who spoke to the
Commission about Beckenham and concerns of traffic impacts along that road
with the land use and zoning applications making those impacts greater.
Mr. Peters, Traffic Engineer for the applicant, did discuss Wellington Village as a
second access and the low volumes expected on Wellington Village and
Wellington Plantation if build. He further stated that with the connection of
Wellington Village to Kirk Road, the need for Wellington Plantation was lessened.
Mr. Daters also noted the possibility of a 'short-cut' along Wellington Plantation to
Wellington Village to Wellington Boulevard and Chenal Parkway, rather than
continuing along Rahling Road to Kirk Road and on to Chenal Parkway as a
reason not to build the continuation of Wellington Plantation Drive. In response to
a question, Mr. Spivey and Mr. Daters for the applicant did explain how a second
access could be done and would be done with the review of any future
subdivision or site plan review application of the land north of Wellington
Plantation Drive.
A motion was made to approve the Master Street Plan amendment as requested.
By a vote of 3 for, 5 against, 1 abstention (Nunnley) and 2 absent the motion
failed.
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