12-17-2002 PTRC Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Arden Hills Parks,Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 2 November 26,2002 • 3. HIGHWAY 96 RECONSTRUCTION/RICE CREEK CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT DISCUSSIONS Mr. Parrish presented the Rice Creek Corridor Master Plan Amendment. He requested comments from the Committee. Greg Mack, representative of Ramsey County, answered the Committee's questions regarding access issues. Committee Member Henry stated he agreed with putting the wildlife corridor where it was,but he objected to a road going through it. He stated it was sensible to run the road north/south along 35W to County Road I. Council Member Larson stated it was possible for the City to build a crossing that was sensitive to wildlife, if they needed a north/south connection. He noted he did not want to foreclose on that idea. He stated Council did not know if they needed it or not at this time. Joan Galli, DNR representative, stated the DNR did not want a north/south connection through the wildlife area. She noted the DNR did not have a good design or any assurances that it was possible to have a connection that was sensitive to wildlife. She encouraged a connection where it would not impact the wildlife. Committee Member Crassweller stated he was against a tunnel or an elevated roadway and precluding the possibility of a north/south access. He noted he was all for Ramsey County to have access, but he was sympathetic to the City's argument regarding access across the area without restriction. Committee Member Henry pointed out there was plenty of other options to put in a road and from the standpoint of the Parks, Trails Committee, it made no sense to support a road through the wildlife area. Committee Member Crassweller stated he agreed to give up control of the wildlife corridor to Ramsey County provided the City had some assurance that the potentially landlocked piece of property had at least the option of some kind of a connection through it at some future time. Committee Member Thompson stated they needed to look at what the goals were and it was not a matter of control,but how would the land be used and what were the priorities for that land. MOTION: Committee Member Henry motioned, Committee Member Messerly, seconded to "gleefully" recommend the Rice Creek Corridor Master Plan Amendment. Committee Member Crassweller requested a friendly amendment on page 2, first paragraph, last sentence add the following sentence: "However, the City recognized that it is possible that road access to the Tracer site may require the City to have access to the south across site C and D. Therefore, our approval of this amendment is contingent upon the City maintaining with Ramsey County the