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Commission opens discussion on street connectivity policy; steering committee to be formed
Summary
Planning staff brought forward potential street-connectivity code changes drawn from the Comprehensive Plan 2035; commissioners, developers and engineers discussed trade-offs between connectivity, topography and lot yield, and agreed to form a steering committee to study guidelines and exceptions.
Planning staff opened a policy-level discussion on street connectivity during the March 10 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, citing the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan 2035 which suggests raising the city’s street connectivity index. Commissioners, developers and private engineers discussed trade-offs, and staff and volunteers agreed to form a steering committee to study guidelines and reasonable exceptions.
Staff explained that the comprehensive plan recommends a connectivity range of 1.5 to 1.8, while staff is considering a target nearer 1.4. Using the Stonebridge subdivision as an example, staff said the local subdivision yields a links-to-nodes ratio of about 1.06. The presentation noted research tying higher connectivity to improved safety and multimodal access.
Speakers emphasized practical constraints. Commissioner comments and developer remarks stressed topography and market feasibility: one developer said voluntary annexation and recent infrastructure costs (tap fees and runoff controls) mean the city should weigh additional developer requirements carefully. An engineer, Cameron of Wonderlic Survey and Engineering, recommended the topic be discussed in a steering committee or workshop to account for local geography, design trade-offs and lessons from other jurisdictions.
Operational concerns also arose: public works and fire officials reported that steep cul-de-sacs and single-access subdivisions make snowplowing and emergency operations difficult. Commissioners suggested a case-by-case approach with topography-based exceptions; several attendees volunteered to participate in a steering committee. Staff said it will start organizing the committee and report back as the comprehensive plan approaches its one-year anniversary in May.
Ending: The commission did not adopt a code change. Instead staff will convene a steering committee, with volunteer participants including private engineers and developers, to draft options for connectivity standards and exceptions and return findings to planning and zoning.
