CCP 10-12-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . County Road E Trail Improvements October 6, 2004 Page 2 Pub lie Process In an attempt to solicit public opinion and communicate the project to the residents, a neighborhood meeting was held on Thursday, April 1, 2004. As a result of comments and questions raised at that meeting, a second neighborhood meeting was held on Thursday, May 6, 2004. Meeting notices were sent to 257 residents living on Arden Oaks Court, Arden Oaks Drive, Arden Place, County Road E (from the bridge to Old Snelling), Forest Lane, Glen Arden Court, Glen Arden Road, Hamline Avenue, Lake JohamJa Boulevard, Oak Avenue, Pascal Avenue N, Ridgewood Court, Ridgewood Road, Siems Court, Skiles Lane and Snelling Avenue inviting them to both meetings. Approximately 17 residents attended the first meeting and nine residents attended the second meeting, The response was generally very positive with the exception of a few residents living along County Road E who are directly impacted by the potential sidewalk. The project and feasibility study were presented to the Council on March 8, 2004. On January 26, 2004, the City Council authorized the preparation of a feasibility study for pedestrian improvements along the south side of County Road E between the TH 51 bridge and Old Snelling Avenue. At the February 17, 2004 Council Work Session, the City Council was presented with three different bridge options. The Council reached a consensus to proceed with Option B, At the May 17, 2004 Work Session, the Council was presented with a recap of the two neighborhood meetings. The Council reached a general consensus to move forward with the improvements, however staffwas asked to come back with options with regards to the layout of the sidewalk, such as sidewalk next to street with and without a boulevard. At the August 23, 2004 Council Work Session, the Council indicated to staff that they would like to proceed with the Option C and to seek funding from the State of Minnesota. If the City does not receive funding from the State of Minnesota, the Council would like to proceed with Option B. In addition, the Council agreed to have this project placed on a future City Council Meeting. The following options will be given to the residents affected by this project: 1) 6-foot sidewalk with 2-foot concrete maintenance strip (i.e. Highway 96 median) and 2) 8-foot sidewalk. As a result of feedback from public meetings, staff evaluated an alternative route for a trail. This included a trail that would connect Lindey's Park to Freeway Park via Arden Place. This route would be favorable to those traveling from the south, but would be less attractive for pedestrians from the west or north. For those coming from the west or north, it would provide them a sidewalk, but would be "out of the way" and would still result in pedestrian traffic along County Road E. The steep slopes at Freeway Park would not meet ADA requirements and, due to the additional length of sidewalk, would result in a project cost approximately $120,000 greater than a sidewalk along County Road E. A trail constructed just through the Freeway Park area ending at Arden Place would cost approximately $60,000