Agenda - Council - 03/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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conversely, a historic structure, such as the barn in the above example, could not be disqualified from consideration because it was not adjacent to a particular Federal -aid facility, as long as some other relationship to surface transportation could be established. It is not necessary to have a TE activity function as an active transportation facility, either past or current, to qualify as an eligible TE activity. For example, a scenic or historic site may have a relationship to transportation but not function as a transportation facility. Once a relationship to surface transportation is established, TE activities can be implemented in a number of ways. For example, they can be developed as parts of larger joint development projects, or as stand-alone projects. RESPONSE: This proposed trail project is itself a surface transportation project that will expand the modes of surface transportation possible in this corridor by providing a trail for pedestrians and bicyclists where none exists today. The Mississippi River Regional Trail implements qualifying activity #1 - provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. The construction of this segment will complete Metropolitan Council, and Anoka County's Mississippi River Regional Trail from the City of Minneapolis in Hennepin County to the City of Elk River in Sherburne County. 4. The project must be included in, be part of, or address a transportation problem or need identified in one of the following: 1) an approved local or county comprehensive plan found to be consistent with Metropolitan Council plans; 2) a locally approved capital improvement program; 3) an officially adopted corridor study (trunk highway studies must be approved by Mn/DOT and Metropolitan Council); or 4) the official plan or program of the applicant agency. It also must not conflict with the goals and policies in these adopted regional plans; the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan (2010), the 2030 Regional Framework (2004), and the 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan (2010). The applicant must reference the appropriate comprehensive plan, CIP, approved corridor study document, or other plan or program and provide copies of the applicable pages. RESPONSE: This trail project is a segment of the Mississippi River Regional Trail, which was designated as a Regional Trail by the Metropolitan Council in 2006 when adopting the Regional Trails Policy Amendment to its Regional Recreation Open Space Development Guidelines/Policy Plan. This trail has been adopted by both the City of Ramsey and Anoka County in their 2030 Comprehensive Plans, which were updated in 2008. Copies of the applicable pages from each plan have been provided in Appendix 2. The proposed Mississippi River Regional Trail is consistent with the goals and policies in adopted regional plans. As identified in the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan, the proposed project seeks to develop a regional multi -use trail to serve the needs of both pedestrians and bicyclists. The project involves interjurisdictional coordination as the project involves right-of- way from the City of Ramsey, Anoka County and MnDOT. The project strives to be cost- effective through the use of existing right-of-way as much as possible. 5. Typically a transportation project involves mitigation, work in addition to immediate construction activities, that is negotiated with permitting agencies and local governments as a condition of obtaining permit approval. Activities that are normally part of the mitigation of a transportation project are not eligible, such as required stormwater mitigation or basic bicycle and pedestrian accommodation on bridges to be constructed or reconstructed. 12