Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/09/1994

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CASE REVIEW RAMSEY°S TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN By: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor Background: As you recalli Staff introduced a rough draft revised trail plan a year ago (at the meeting when we rev~wed Emerald Pond Park). It is expected that the proposed revisions to the plan will not i:liffer greatly from the park and wail plan adopted by City Council in 1991. However, more attention to the commuter or transportation trails may be provided. The City is in theiprocess of updating its Land Use, Surface Water Management, Shoreland Management ~tmd Transportation Plans. Trails are an important transportation element, both in terms of B'ansportation to and from recreational destinations and for traditional transportation purposes. Because of this transportation element and the trails' important relationship tO land use, now is a critical time to provide recommendations on Ramsey's trail system. In part, using Community Development Block Grant dollars, the City has hired Mr. Steven Schwanke from RLK & Associates, to update the City's Land Use Plan and address shoreland regallations. In conjunction with this, the City has also hired Mr. William Smith from Biko A!~sociates Inc. Mr. Smith has worked with City Staff in preparing the proposed amendments to the City's trail plan, bearing in mind the various land use and thoroughfare plan changes that are evolving. Following the Park Commissionts review of the trail plan and the Planning Commission's review of their various elements, City Council is e~pected to approve the plans and incorporate them into the City's Comprehensive Plan. Probably the most immediate use for the updated Comp Plan will be in addressing Metropolitan Council's request for Transportation Plan amendments in resp~onding tol. the City's request for MUSA expansion and Met CounciFs request that all City s update ~eir Surface Water Management Plan. .. A large depiction of the proposed trail system will be available and reviewed in detail at the meeting. If a reProducible map is available in time for inclusion in the agenda, this will be enclosed. Th~ Commission may find it helpful to review the 1991 Comprehensive Parks and Open Space Plan, particularly those sections dealing with trail development in the adopted park and trail map on page 11 of the plan. Enclosed for your convenience are pages 40 throt~gh 44 of the plan dealing with trails. To items gl through #3 on page 40 (pertaining to Underlying reasons for trail development) I would propose adding something similar to "Trail corridors provide natural resource protection, including protection of highly visual :green space and preservation of wildlife habitat and in addition provide corridors for the movement of wildlife". Also attached :with this case is a memorandum from Mr. William Smith which outlines various trail system issues. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends reviewing the draft trail system plan, recommend changes based on discussion and recommend the City Council adoption of the revised trail system plan concurrent with the other plan amendments under consideration.