Minutes - Public Works Committee - 12/16/2003

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Alpine Meadows, Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sunflower Ridge. All of these subdivisions are within the two-mile walking distance to Ramsey Elementary School. Roughly three fourths of a mile of new trail has been constructed in the last year extending off -road trail from Alpine Drive to the northern boundary of River Pines 5th Addition. This segment of trail is complete, except a length of 233 feet in front of 15700 St. Francis Boulevard. The trail immediately north and south of this property has been constructed 10 to 20 feet west of the western T.H. 47 right-of-way. The simplest and least costly method of completing this trail would be to connect the existing end points of the existing rail. This would require a twenty -foot trail easement across this property. This trail connection could be accomplished without significant tree loss. Several small spruce trees could be transplanted from the path alignment to provide additional screening of the highway and trail. However, the property owners have indicated to City staff during informal conversations, that they were opposed to the trail extension through their property. An alternate to connecting the end points of the existing trail would entail using the highway right-of-way. At this location, the highway right-of-way is 60 feet from centerline. There is 14 to 16 feet of pavement and a roadside ditch to accommodate drainage. The remainder of the right-of-way could be used to accommodate the trail, however, there are a number of issues, which would need to be resolved. (1) If there is a substantial grade difference (about 7 to 10 feet) between the existing trail and the bottom of the ditch. It may be necessary to construct a retaining wall, which would require a temporary construction easement from the property owners. An alternative may be to fill in the ditch and install a curb section along this segment of the roadway. (2) Sections of the existing trail would need to be removed, so that the alignment could be transitioned from the easement to the right-of-way. (3) If the highway is widened to four lanes, the separation distance between the traffic and trail would be reduced to 26-foot or less. The existing trail is approximately 60 feet from the edge of the roadway. The purpose of this case was to solicit direction on what action, if any is desired by the City to complete this trail connection. Possible actions may include: (1) Obtaining an appraisal for the trail easement and formally approaching the property owners. (2) Directing Staff to meet with MnDOT to determine their requirements for locating into the right-of-way. (3) Numbers 1 and 2 of the above. (4) Do nothing at all. Councilmember Elvig inquired as to why the landowner was reluctant in allowing the right of way. City Engineer Jankowski explained that staff has only had informal conversations with the property owner at this time, but apparently there were a couple of reasons they were not happy with the City. Public Works Committee/December 16, 2003 Page 3 of 6