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Council orders Woodshire neighborhood reconstruction despite concerns about narrower street width
Summary
Council voted to proceed with the Woodshire reconstruction project (11120), ordering plans and assessments while several council members expressed concern about proposed narrower neighborhood street widths and winter parking impacts.
The Mankato City Council on Feb. 24 voted to receive the feasibility report and order the Woodshire neighborhood reconstruction (capital improvement project 11120), approving plans preparation, assessment preparation and setting an assessment hearing date despite objections from one council member.
City staff said the roadway in Woodshire scored 27 in the city's 2023 pavement management rating (100 = new; 0 = destroyed), which staff said meets the threshold for reconstruction. Staff also told the council that replacing handicap ramps at Madison and two driveways means significant sidewalk removal and replacement is necessary.
Council member Deacon voiced concern about proposed narrower neighborhood street widths, emphasizing winter snow-plowing and parking. Deacon said, “my biggest concern is snow and then, parking,” and urged the city to keep a wider cross-section. Other members noted the city's standard for many residential streets is 32 feet and that narrower streets have been used elsewhere in the city without widespread complaint. Staff explained the proposed 32-foot standard reduces impervious surface and stormwater flow while lowering construction and long-term maintenance costs.
Council member McLaughlin and others described that narrow local streets have worked in other neighborhoods and can provide traffic-calming benefits. Staff said the proposal keeps the hill portion at 28 feet (with parking prohibited on one side of the hill) while the neighborhood section would be constructed at 32 feet rather than the existing 36-foot width.
During the roll call on the motion to order the improvement and prepare assessments for project 11120, Council member Deacon voted no; the motion carried with the remaining members voting yes. Staff said final assessment calculations, curb/driveway adjustments and a formal assessment hearing will follow.
The motion orders preparation of plans, specifications and proposed assessments and sets a date for the assessment hearing; staff will return to council with the finalized assessment roll and bid results before construction.
