City Council Update: Cul-de-sac length standards may be the end of the road for a potential development

Some residents want to extend the maximum length of cul-de-sacs from 600 ft to 750 ft. To do this, the council must amend an existing ordinance. This discussion began when Paul Mackley said they wanted to build a home on his property on 1750 N for his daughter Candice Lund and her family. To comply with fire code, a road must connect with the cul-de-sac to make it a through street unless the council adjusts the standard for cul-de-sac length. Mackley said, the through street would cut through their front yard and he doesn’t want to see that happen.

Councilman Ryan Barker who is also the Fire Marshall, said this standard is important for the safety of the residents. He said it can be a problem when emergency responders are trying to access residents on a street where there is one access point.  He also said, sometimes ambulance drivers make wrong turns. The driver must go to the end of a cul-de-sac and flip around to come out the same way they went in. He said this can waste time when time is most important.

Matt Lund suggested the city run this ordinance parallel to the international fire code which would extend the standard to 750 ft. Jim Flynn, from Brigham city, said water pressure loses 5 lbs of pressure per 100 feet, which, he said, wouldn’t have a significant impact on fire hydrants. He said the international fire code can be a good fit for the city.

Other residents in the neighborhood expressed their desire to not have a connecting street built. Pat Ferns said, “The side road won’t benefit us.” Carey Mackley said she wants to keep the play area safe for children and the cul-de-sac will prevent drivers from speeding through. Jim Cole, urge the council to extend it to 750ft.

Rob Scott, the City Planner said the planning commission recommends not making the change to the cul-de-sac standards. “When there is an emergency, we want our responders to have quick access.” He said they need to look at the long term for the city because someday the people who live here now will be gone.

Councilman Phillip Swanson said he would like the planning commission to talk about the possibility of special exceptions for infill developments.

Recycling

City Attorney John Call said 87 percent of the 667 responders on a Facebook poll said they want to keep the recycling program. 61 percent said there is a limit to what they are willing to pay for the program and over half said they would dispose of their own recycling if they needed to. Call also discussed the continued confusion as to what material is accepted. Susan Clements suggested to partner with the other communities that use Recycled Earth to send a uniform message of what material is acceptable. Sean Casey suggested to list this information on the city website.

Other Items

Evan Nelson, sales tax revenues are 4% above what were projected. Coming in under budget for the fiscal year. “Finances are looking good overall”

Maverik beer license, turned in the paperwork and background checks. The council approved the beer license for Maverik after they turned in the paperwork and background checks. The council said the establishment is set to open sometime in June.

 

 

 

 

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