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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/16/2002 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 045, 2002, AUTHORI AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 7 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: April 16, 2002FROM• Craig Foreman SUBJECT; Second Reading of Ordinance No. 045, 2002, Authorizing a Grant Agreement with Colorado State Parks and Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the Conservation Trust Fund Trail Acquisition and Development Project. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Poudre Trail presently ends at Taft Hill Road. The Laporte Trail connection will start on the wesl side of Taft Hill Road where the trail will follow the abandoned rail line north and west for about 3/4 of a mile. At this point, the trail will enter the Hyde Natural Area. The trail right-of- way along the rail line will be nearly 100-feet in width and will allow for the trail to meander and provides room for landscaping. The La Porte Trail connection was presented to the Natural Resource Advisory Board at its April 3, 2002 meeting. Park Planning and Development staff will attempt to obtain additional right- of-way for the trail from the landowner just west of the Hyde Natural Area. If successful, this would allow the trail to be located with a greater buffer from the Poudre River than the existing trail easement allows. This adjustment would reduce the impact of the trail on the River. Staff will complete these negotiations before construction starts on the trail in late 2002, early 2003. Park Planning and Development staff will continue to involve and seek input from the Parks and Recreation and Natural Resource Advisory Boards on the trail placement. The Colorado State Trail. grant has a completion date of December 31, 2003. MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 N. COLLEGE April 3,2002 For Reference: Randy Fischer,NRAB Chair - 226-5383 Ray Martinez, Council Liaison - 484-0181 Mark Sears, Staff Liaison_ - 416-2096 Board Members Present Kelly Ohlson, Reagan Waskom, Steve Ryder,Nate Donovan, Linda Knowlton, Don Rodriguez, Randy Fischer, Phil Murphy Board Members Absent Staff Present Natural Resources Dent: Terry Klahn, Mark Sears, Michelle Pawar, Karen Manci Parks Planning: Craig Foreman Guests Eric Hamrick, Councilmember • Several CSU students Ray Martinez, Mayor Jerry Kaltenhaus, citizen Agendas Review Change "Wrap-up of Long Term Funding Discussion" item to immediately follow the Laporte Trail agenda item. NRD Staff Introductions Karen Manci provided a brief personal and professional background. She also detailed the various aspects and responsibilities of her position in the Natural Resources Department. Laporte Trail Connection, Craig Foreman Foreman provided a power point presentation of the proposed trail project. Disucs:ion • Ohlson: What are the plans for restoration? We'll get with Karen Manci and see how far we can make the budget go. We'll do the best we can. There will be crusher fine trails next to the concrete trail. It helps separate users. • Waskom: Are you going to regrade?In some places we will, but I don't know the details yet. • Ohs Ion: The 150 feet you were talking about, was that trail running along the river bank? Yes. • Fischer: Will you have rip-rap along that stretch? I don't know yet. When I work with consultants I give the direction that we want the softest approach possible. But, when we find willing sellers, sometimes we have to be creative. • Ohlson: Originally when we asked to see this we heard that there weren't any issues involving the placement of the trail. Now, I think it's way more serious than I ever envisioned. I thought we were just crossing the river vertically, but to run parallel to the river for 150 feet; we wouldn't allow a private developer to do that. I agree with some people who say the City shouldn't do things they wouldn't allow the private sector to do. It's not a good thing. We tried everything to get up higher on the property, we spent eight months to a year trying. They owner said "take it or leave it". • Murphy: When you get there, will it be the same 10 foot concrete trail? The side trail will go away. • Martinez: Kelly and I don't always agree on everything,but I'm concerned about this too. How wide are the bridges? Ten feet wide. • Martinez: At the end of the trail, at Lyons Park, is that public parking? Yes, we'll be doing something to provide a handicap stall. • Hamrick: Did you look at going straight across at the point, instead of using all of that river frontage? We had unwilling sellers on the other side. • Fischer: I do appreciate your coming to the board. My recollection at the trails meeting was that there wasn't any valued habitat along this stretch of the river. Now that I see the photos I have some major concerns. Kelly's right, we wouldn't let a private developer do this. From an engineering perspective I don't think it works. The river hydraulics will be affected. • Ohslon: My suggestion is for this board to advise Council, and let the chips fall where they may. We should send a memo expressing board concerns. We should ask them to advise staff to take another run at this • Fischer: Is the Army Corp of Engineers going to let you do this? We have a consultant walking us through that piece. A recommendation will be sent to Council expressing concern,and asking that Craig and his group go back and see if there's another way to do this. AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 13 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: March 19, 2002 STAFF: Craig Foreman SUBJECT: First Reading of Ordinance No. 045, 2002, Authorizing a Grant Agreement with Colorado State Parks and Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the Conservation Trust Fund Trail Acquisition and Development Project. RECOMME14DATION: Staff recommends the adopti of the inan o first Rea g. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City of Fort Collins has been awarded a grant of $90,000 from Colorado State Parks for the development of the Poudre Trail from Taft Hill Road to Lions Park in Laporte. The total project cost for the 1.5-mile trail is est aothep is Table for the City's share of the project in the ConservaC Tru h i an es receiving a Great Outdoors Colorado Legacy grant of$3 000 on e compl and which will be used to offset City appropriated funds. EXECUTIVE' SUMMARY: The City's Parks and Recreation Policy Plan identifies the extension of the Poudre River Trail to Laperte as an important extension of the Ci 's trail s stem. Efforts to build this trail have been ongoing since 1985. Recent ri t- -wa c isr n na a the City to build the trail in 2002-2003. The Parks and Recreation Policy an (adop ed by ity Counci in 1996) identifies trails that link Fort Collins to surrounding communities, including Laporte. The Laporte Area Planning Commission supports the trail connection. Residents of the Laporte area have expressed support for the trail as a needed recreation facility and as a pedestrian/bike friendly route to access Fort Collins. Existing roads in the area have very limited shoulders and create safety concerns for pedestrian or bicycle use. The Poudre Trail presently ends at Taft Hill Road. The Laporte Trail connection will start on the west side of Taft Hill Road where the trail will follow the abandoned rail line north and west for about 3/4 of a mile. At this point, the trail will enter the Hyde Natural Area. The trail right-of- way along the rail line will be nearly 100-feet in width and will allow for the trail to meander and provides room for landscaping. DATE: March ITEM NUMBER: 13 The trail will enter the Hyde Natural Area and will be located along the south and west edge of the natural area to minimize disturbance to the 20-acre site. The City was able to purchase the Hyde Natural Area through a funding partnership between Park Planning and the Natural Resources Department. Trail funding in the amount of $60,000 was added to the Natural Resources funding to accomplish the acquisition. The site provides an important link for the trail from the rail line to private land adjacent to Overland Trail Road. From the Hyde Natural Area, the trail will cross the Poudre River from the south bank by means of trail bridges to the north bank. At this point, the main trail will go under the north abutment of the Overland Trail Road Bridge and terminate at Lions Parks. Access from Overland Trail Road will be made to the trail oapeaeW si e The trail will be 10-foot wid oncrete ith j ent 5-fo ide gravel path. The trail width will allow for safe usage by w n �k droll es. The trail will also be ADA accessible. The gravel path will be available for walkers, runners, bikes, and equestrian use. The concrete and gravel trails allow for users to "spread out" and minimize conflicts. The Parks and Recreation Board reviewed the Laporte Trail Connection, and expressed support for the trail. Minutes of the February 27, 2002 Board meeting are attached. By adopting this Ordinance, Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a grant agreement with Colorado State Parks and app(!(I grant for-this trail project.