Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2015 02 12

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Planning Commission Staff Report February 12, 2015 REQUEST: FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT The proposed final subdivision plat provides a replat of the DELO Subdivision, which was originally platted in 2014 during the approval of DELO Phase 1 and 1 a. Prior to the DELO replat, the property was a portion of two previous subdivisions: The Industrial Area and the Caledonia Place Subdivisions. The Caledonia Place Subdivision plat was originally approved by City Council in 1890. The Industrial Area Subdivision was approved by City Council in 1959. The Industrial Area Subdivision included a replat of portions of the Caledonia Place Subdivision. The properties south of Short Street were originally platted in the Caledonia Place Subdivision, while properties north of Short Street were platted in the industrial subdivision. Blocks The proposed block layout of the DELO Phase 2 development area comply with the MUDDSG and match the scale and style established in the layout of the modified Highway 42 Revitalization Plan's Land use Exhibit A. The block lengths and widths are appropriate. Each development component is accessed by a public right of way, alley or secondary private road. Streets and Alleys DELO Phase 2 completes the formal development of Cannon Street, from the intersection of Griffith Street to the intersection of South Street. Between East Lafayette and South Street, Cannon Street is proposed to be designed as a "Woonerf ". Woonerf Woonerf is a Dutch word which roughly translates as "living streets ". The woonerf (pronounced VONE -erf) functions with minimal traffic control such as, lane dividers, stop signs, or curbing. The point of the woonerf design concept is to raise spatial awareness of all users and to create a public space which encourages human interactions. Woonerfs are often built at the same grade as sidewalks, without curbs. Cars are limited to a speed that does not disrupt other opportunities of other modes of travel of the streets (usually defined to be pedestrian speed). To make this speed natural, woonerfs are normally set up so that a car cannot drive in a straight line for significant distances, for example by narrowing the street and placing curves in the street refocus the motorist's attention to the immediate surroundings and not, "down- street ". Other traffic calming measures are also used. However, early methods of traffic calming such as speed humps are now avoided in favor of methods which make slower speeds more natural to drivers, rather than an imposition. Design schemes reduce the vehicle speeds and create a greater sense of uncertainty, making it unclear who has right of way. As a result all users raise roadway awareness, improving safety. Public Works staff has reviewed the design and is comfortable with the woonerf design given the anticipated low traffic volumes. 5