Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 12/12/1996

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Development of a 72-mile trail will contribute to a continuous linear trail and open space system along the Mississippi River. Regional implementation efforts entail three goals, the first of which is to develop a video simulation that incorporates and develops an understanding of the MNRRA Comprehensive Management Plan's (CMP) policies and visions related to trails and open space planning, design, and development. The project is being done in two phases. Phase one was completed in August 1996 and is the prototype which illustrates a variety of landscapes and trail planning treatments that will be presented at the river planning workshops of the Mississippi River Regional Trail. Phase one also includes a multi-objective data base containing approximately 565 funding sources. Phase Two is to be completed in 1997 which will include an expanded version and more broadly represent the land use and site development policies of the MNRRA CMP. Ms. Overson provided various slides of the Visual Simulation of Proposed Trail/Open Space Corridor Through the MNRRA. It was not the intent of the slide presentation to get site specific because of various resident concerns. Included in the slide presentation were a boundary map of the MNRRA corridor, purpose statements, proposed policies and actions including criteria used based on ratings from various participating communities, examples of regional trails and connector trails, and other visual simulation of trails. Slides representing the "Trails for Ail Americans" concept were presented. There are two goals of this concept as follows: 1) Trails will be within 15 minutes of most Americans; and 2) There will be an interconnected system of Federal, state, local, and private trails. As well, the impact of trails on property values is an additional consideration. Mr. Boos inquired about any priorities on decisions (state versus Federal) in place. Ms. Overson responded that more outlying areas would have a trail on one side o the river. Optimally, however, trails would be on both sides of the river. If communities have a preference and there's an appropriate access, communities might help determine the trail location. Mr. Boos inquired about the type of fiscal help available for operations/maintenance of a trail system if the ratio of non-resident use was higher than resident use. Ms. Overson responded funding for maintenance and/or enforcement is not allowed at this time. Funding for buildings and or activities is allowed, however. The City Administrator added there is no real specific direction the City is headed at this time. In closing, Ms. Overson emphasized the slide presentation is available for loan. She is also available to make additional presentations on an as needed basis. Case #3: Recommend Park Dedication for Ramsey Commercial Park 2nd Addition. Mr. Boos informed the Commission that Charles Christian is requesting sketch plan review of a minor subdivision to be named Ramsey Commercial Park Second Addition which is located at 153rd Avenue and Highway N.W. This minor subdivision would be the result of a replat which would achieve a smaller lot for the buyer of the existing structure on Lot 1, creation of two additional commercial lots from the remainder of Lot 1 and Lot 2, and creation of a new lot and block for the Park and Recreation Commission/December 12, 1996 Page 6 of 9