HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-018
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~~HILLS
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 03-18
APPROVING THE RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN
AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, the Arden Hills City Council approved the Rice Creek North Regional Trail
Corridor Master Plan January 21't, 1998; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County has submitted an amendment, attached as Exhibit A, to
incorporate an additional 49 acres into the plan generally referred to as the "wildlife corridor";
and
WHEREAS, City of Arden Hills staff have reviewed the plan; and
WHEREAS, the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee reviewed the plan at their November
26tlt, 2002 meeting and are recommending its approval; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the plan at their December 4th, 2002 meeting
and are recommending its approval.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arden Hills,
Minnesota, that the City of Arden Hills approves the attached amendment to the Rice Creek
North Regional Trail Master Plan;
BE IT FlNALL Y RESOLVED; that the City Council of the City of Arden Hills, Minnesota,
has made the determination that the proposed amendment is consistent with the City's
Comprehensive Plan based on the following findings:
I. The proposed park plan amendment is consistent with the future land use designation of
park preserve.
2. Section B., Future Transportation Needs, of the amendment satisfies the intent of the
Comprehensive Plan's Transportation Element.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
THIS 27th DAY OF JANUARY, 2003.
ATTEST:
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EXhfbitA
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO lHE RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL
MASTER PLAN
The following amendment to the Rice Creek North Regional Trail Master Plan (June 1998) has
been prepared and is being proposed by the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation
Departm"ent. Acquisition of the land included in the proposed amendment will preserve a
corfidor which links the Rice Creek corridor with the 1500-acre preserve under the management
of the Minhesota National Guard. The corridor will preserve a hydrological and wildlife
movement functions, as well as future trail connections to the large preserve, The property is
Currently part of the lwin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCMP) and an "Excessing Process"
has been initiated to dispose of the property,
Amendment to Section VIII ACQUISITION DETAILS
A. Parcellrlformation
The 1998 MasterPlan identified two parcels for acquisition; Parcel A, 113 acres from TCMP
and Parcel B, 11 i'lcres from MnDOT. (See enclosed Boundary Map),
1. Amendment Action: lhis amendment proposes that the acquisition boundary for the
regional! trail corridor be expanded to include an additional 49 acres of TCMP
property', The properly has been identified as Parcel C and Parcel D.
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PatCelC: U.s. Dept. of Defense, 42.75 acres
ParCel D: U.S. Dept. of Defense, 6,25 acres
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2. Amehdlment Justification: The proposed amendment will enable Ramsey County to
acquire an important natural corridor between the existing boundary of the regional
trail and the large nature preserve licensed to the Minnesota National Guard.
Preservation of the wildlife corridor is consistent with the 1996 "Vision for the Future"
plan (a,k,a. Vento Reuse Plan) adopted by the TCMP Reutilization Committee
appointed by the late Congressman Bruce Vento. The Minnesota Department of
NaturalResources (DNR) has identified the wildlife corridor as an integral ecological
link between Rice Creek on the west and a future regional park reserve on the east.
lhe ad(litioMI area has been identified as two separate parcels. Parcel D has
cohtamination, which must be c1eane(l up prior to a transfer to Ramsey County. (See
attachea map). Parcel C is free of contamination and could be transferred as soon as
the excessing process is complete. The relative size of each parcel (C and D) is
subjecUo further characterization of the contaminated area.
3. Restoration/Development: The area contains several small buildings, roads and a
railroad spur. The buildings will be removed within five years. It is anticipated that the
roads and railroad will be removed in conjunction and cooperation with development
of the properties to the north and south.
The U.S. Department of Army is responsible for clean up of the contaminated area
(Parcel D). Ramsey County expects that the wildlife corridor will be cleaned up to a
degree that allows for public use before the land transfer of Parcel D is effectuated.
Restoration of the natural drainage corridor and vegetation will be accomplished by
Ramsey County. All restoration activities will utilize native planl material and be .
coordinated with Ihe Minnesota National Guard to assure consistency throughout the
corridor and the nature preserve.
The only recreational development anticipated will be a future trail connection
between the Rice Creek corridor and the property licensed to the Minnesota National
Guard. This trail connection will be subject to agreements for use of the National
Guard property for trail uses such as Nordic skiing. The property will be available for
informal, non- consumptive outdoor recreation activities such as nature study and
birding,
In order, to accommodate future development north of the wildlife corridor, Ramsey
County .will grant easements across the wildlife corridor to the city of Arden Hills for
underground public utilities.
B. Future Transportation Needs
preliminary transportation plans for TCMP call for a north/south road extending from Highway
96 to County Road I. The county anticipates providing to the city road and utility easements
acroSs Rice Creek near 1-35 (in the approximate location of the existing County Road H bridge)
in dimensions that will allow for construction of this arterial street. The road and bridge design
will be SUbject to review and approval by the county and are expected to accommodate
unrestricted wildlife movement, drainage functions, and human recreational travel under the
bridge. The Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department will not be responsible for the
Cdst of design and construction of the road and bridge.
111 addition, a norfh/south road across the wildlife corridor may be necessary to accommodate
USe of the property lying immediately north of the wildlife corridor (a.k.a. the Primer-tracer Area)
or as the alternative connection between Highway 96 and County Road I. The county prefers
not to have a road across the wildlife corridor and will join with the city to request that the
Minnesota Army National Guard provide the city with a road easement from County Road I to
the Primer-Tracer Area. However, if transportation plans, prepared jointly by the city and county,
identify a road across the wildlife corridor as a necessary transportation element, the county will
provide a road easement to the city in the general alignment of the existing north/south road.
The road design will be subject to review and approval by the county and are expected to
incorporate an elevated sectiOn (bridge) of sufficient height and width to accommodate
unrestricted wildlife movement, drainage function, and human recreational travel under the road.
The RamSey county Parks and Recreation Department will not be responsible for the cost of
design and construction of the road and bridge.
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Attachments:
Attachment A - Boundary Map Illustrating Approved Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor
Attachment B - 2000 Aerial Photo of Wildlife Corridor
Attachment C - Wildlife Corridor, Vegetation
Attachment D - Wildlife Corridor, Existing Man-Made Features
Attachment E - Wildlife Corridor, Proposed Development
Attachment F - Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor Development
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Attachment A
:~ice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor
, Boundary Map
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Regional Park
Amendmenl Parcels
Wildlife corridor
MN National Guard (AHA TS)
Regional Trail Corridor
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2 Miles
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Ramsey County
Parks and Recreation Department
October 2002
Attachment B
Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor ,.
Amendment Parcel - Wildlife Corridor
2000 Aerial Photo
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1000 Feet
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(0 Parcel C and 0 BoundaJ
Ramsey County .
Parks and Recreation Department
October 2002
AttaChment C
. Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor
Amendment Parcels - Wildlife Corridor
Vegetation
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1000 Feet
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Nongrass Vegetation
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_Treesand Shrubs
Ramsey County
Parks and Recreation Department
_ Wetlands
October 2002
AttaChment D
Rice Creel( North Regional Trail Corridor.
Amendment Parcels - Wildlife Corrid,or
Man -made Features
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RamseyCour\ty .
Parks and Recreation Department
October 2002
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Attachment E
Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor
Amendment Parcels - Wildlife Corridor
Proposed Development
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1000 Feet
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Ramsey County
Parks and Recreation Department
October 2002
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Attachment F
Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor.
Development Concept
COUNT'i'~J
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1
2 Miles
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0 Amendment Parcel
Wildlife corridor
0 MN National Guard (AHA TS)
0 Regional Trail Corridor
0 Ramsey County
Regional Park Parks and Recreation Department .
C Canoe launch October 2002
P Parking lot