Laserfiche WebLink
6 <br />and the survey indicated that walking was the number one recreational activity in <br />Falcon Heights. <br />• <br />Impact on Adjoining Landowners <br />The location of the proposed trail is a quiet wooded setting with the University of <br />Minnesota Les Bolstad golf course on the north and private homes on the south. <br />The majority of these private homes are separated from view of the trail by a <br />steep wooded hill. There are three homes that would have a view of the path and <br />these residents would be offered the option of vegetative screening. The City of <br />Falcon Heights is committed to a planning process that involves all stakeholders <br />and is sensitive to property values, safety, and privacy. <br />There is a forty-foot buffer of trees and brush between the golf course and the <br />proposed trail. <br />Neighborhood meetings will be an integral part of the planning process so that all <br />stakeholders will have an opportunity to have input. <br />Project Readiness <br />The Kestrel Design Group Inc., 5136 Hankerson Avenue, Minneapolis, MN <br />55436, has completed initial cost estimates. This location is a nexus between <br />Lauderdale, Falcon Heights, St. Paul, the University of Minnesota, and will <br />require public meetings to reach consensus on final design. The availability of a <br />matching grant will be an incentive to these various groups to cooperate on this <br />project that has broad general support. It is estimated that meetings would be <br />held in late summer of 2003 with final design, master planning, and construction <br />to take place in summer 2004. <br />Provides for Year Round Use <br />Improvements to this trail will permit the use of snow removal equipment. The <br />City of Falcon Heights routinely plows ten miles of public path when two inches of <br />snow has fallen. This proposed trail is within 30 feet of a plowed path making it <br />cost effective to add to our plow route. <br />Attention to Potential Environmental Impact <br />The City of Falcon Heights is committed to a planning process that takes into <br />account any environmental impact. <br />The removal of woody invasive species from remnants of oak savanna will be <br />included in this project. This work will be in conjunction with this project but is not <br />included in the proposed budget. The City of Falcon Heights would do this work <br />