11-30-09 -TCAAP WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP WORK SESSION-NOVEM13ER 30, 2009 2 A. Ramsey County Rice Creek Trailhead Concept and TCAAP North- South Trail Connection Concept (continued) Greg Mack from Ramsey County reviewed the proposed trailhead concept with the Council noting this has not gone to the County board to date. He indicated there has been an interest in making a connection to County Road I. Mr. Mack stated that a 500-foot corridor from County Road I down to the northern border of the wildlife corridor would provide an opportunity for road access to the wildlife corridor and AHATS. Mr. Mack explained that he has had conversations with the National Guard about working out a land exchange or lease agreement through the AHATS portion of the proposed corridor. The two parties have also been working jointly to allow the County to secure the west 500 feet of the Primer/Tracer area for the corridor. Mr. Mack indicated that staff at the GSA was supportive of working with the County and would like the wildlife corridor transferred by the County. He noted the proposed trail connection would provide a critical north access into the site while allowing access for winter use within the AHATS property. Mayor Harpstead asked that the proposed trail access be described through the MnDOT land. Mr. Mack explained the current access was through a permit with the MnDOT to have a paved trail that followed Rice Creek off of County Road I. The current corridor is just sufficient to have a trail and could not provide a road access. He stated that in the future a land exchange may take place and this parcel would become County parkland. Councilmember Grant questioned if the proposed 500-foot trail would run through contaminated land. Mr. Mack stated it appears that it would under the western portion of the 500 feet as there were two FOSETS in this area. He indicated that this area would serve as a staging area for events at AHATS. Councilmember Grant asked what the staging area would be used for. Mr. Mack explained that this would be a winter sports staging area or trail access to the Rice Creek corridor. He noted this would be an active use area.