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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/07/2002 - POSTPONEMENT OF SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 04 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 8 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: May 7, 2002FROM: Craig Foreman SUBJECT: Postponement of 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 to May 21, 2002. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends postponement of the Ordinance on Second Reading to May 21, 2002. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan (adopted by City Council 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. The Natural Resource Advisory Board will discuss possible trail alignments at its May 1, 2002 meeting. Ordinance No. 045, 2002, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on March 19, 2002, is being postponed to May 21, 2002, allowing time for the Natural Resources Board to make a formal recommendation to Council. Staff may be directed to contact the landowner requesting additional land for the trail. This contact and result would be made prior to the May 21 Council meeting. i 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. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the adopti Cof Copy 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 es1puW4 at is dable for the City's share of the project in the Conservat' Trn nd. i an es receiving a Great Outdoors Colorado Legacy grant of$31 000 on the p 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 Laporte as an important extension of the Cit 's trails stem. Efforts to build this trail have been ongoing since 1985. Recent 'or tQ fist n na a the City to build the trail in 2002-2003. The Parks and Recreation Policy an ( tty 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 19, 2OU2 2 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 oApemW si e The trail will be 10-foot wideUncreve ith a j ent 5-fo We gravel path. The trail width will allow for safe usage by wn rk d roll des. 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 appro e e 000 t fo s t project.