11/08/2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• e • MEMORANDUM October 6, 2000 to: City Council from: Jeff Smyser subject: West Shadow Ponds cc: Brian Wessel, Rick DeGardner, John Powell You will recall we discussed the West Shadow Ponds project at the September 6 work session. The City Council agreed that the extension of West Shadow Lake Drive should be extended to the 62nd St. right of way with a barricade constructed. Removing the barricade to allow the new road connection to 62nd will be determined in the future. Several Councilmembers expressed concern over the trail location and preferred that it be moved into the drainage easement. At the time, it seemed feasible. We received a letter from the developer stating that further analysis reveals that moving the trail to the easement would require additional wetland fill. This is undesirable from both an environmental and a regulatory perspective. The trail as proposed does provide for connection to a longer trail. It creates a nice loop using Fox Road. The developer proposes screening and landscaping options to provide privacy for existing lots in Birchwood Acres. This was anticipated in the creation of the trail corridor. To accommodate screening, the corridor was made 30 feet wide instead of the standard 15 feet. I discussed this trail with Rick DeGardner, Director of Public Services. Rick concluded that the trail should be included and should be in its proposed location. Considering the environmental impact and the usefulness of the trail as a neighborhood amenity, I agree. The attached drawing shows that moving the trail down one lot would require crossing (and filling) additional wetland. The attached plan for Birchwood Park shows the planned trails. attachments: Letter from Mattke and Carlson Drawing showing additional wetland fill if trail is moved Plan for Birchwood Park Park Board minutes, October 5, 1998