17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Benedict Drive EVA connection. As a result, the 51 custom home sites have a significant number of lots located to the easterly side of the site, where an EVA to Grey Eagle Court would be most beneficial. The purpose of an EVA is to provide emergency vehicle access to the site. It also serves as a secondary public egress point should the primary entrance become obstructed for some reason. Realistically, an EVA provides a way out, as well as a way in, should a primary entrance become obstructed. In the context of the Oak Grove project, Hearst Drive will be the primary access point for emergency vehicles, as well as the way out for residents. The Grey Eagle access to the site will be only a secondary access point. Moreover, given the 28-foot width of Hearst Drive and the other public streets and courts in Oak Grove, it seems remote that residents would need to use, or even think to use, the Grey Eagle access. In that the City has an existing 20 foot public access easement from Grey Eagle Court to the project site, only a portion of which has been improved, there are conditions of approval and language in the development agreement that will require the developer to improve this easement with an all weather surface but that access to and from the project site will be gated and opened only in case of a fire or other emergency. Following the Planning Commission meeting, discussions concerning this access easement occurred between the project developer's representatives and the Grey Eagle Estates property owners. They have suggested a compromise which City staff has considered and could support. Rather than the easement being twenty foot wide and improved with an all weather surface, the easement would be improved to accommodate a four wheel drive fire vehicle of the type required to be purchased by the developer. The location, width, and surface material of the easement would be determined in context of the development plans of the property owner (Allen Roberts) on whose property the easement currently exists but with the express understanding that the location, width, and surface material must be acceptable to the fire department. Otherwise, staff's recommendation would stand. If Council finds this alternative acceptable, staff will modify the conditions of approval and the development agreement to reflect this alternative. It should be pointed out, and as will be described further below, in either case, the Grey Eagle Estate property owners are still requesting (and staff is recommending) that the City indemnify those property owners for any claim arising out of the public's use of their private streets during an emergency. The City, in turn, would tender defense/indemnification of such claim to the Oak Grove Home Owners Association. One additional requirement that has been added to the Oak Grove project is for the developer to construct a "fire road" from the Benedict Drive water utility road/tank to Lot 51. This will be a narrow road designed for an all-wheel-drive fire truck to access the westerly part of the site primarily for wildland fire fighting. In that it will connect to Page 18 of 27