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Mattke Surveying & Engineering, Inc. 7671 Central Ave. N.E. • Fridley, Minnesota 55432 • (763) 783 -0300 September 21, 2000 City of Lino Lakes City Council Members and Staff 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 re: WEST SHADOW PONDS -- Trail Location Dear Council Members and City Staff: The purpose of this letter is to inform the City of the problem associated with moving the trail corridor to the south of its present location, and to provide two alternative solutions to address neighbors' privacy /security concerns associated with that trail corridor. In 1996, concerns were raised about the location of the proposed trail corridor from West Shadow Lake Drive into the park land just west of the above project. Residents adjacent to the trail were concerned that teen -agers would enter the park at that location for drinking parties, and were also concerned about their own back yard privacy /security. To address the teen -age drinking issue, it was agreed by the City, that there would be no driving entrance and no parking provided for the park at that location. And in deference to adjacent residents, the trail access was made 30 feet wide rather than the standard 15 feet, so there would be room for a row of evergreen trees along the north side of the trail for increased privacy /security. In recent meetings and workshops, it was suggested that the trail be moved to the south, and go between some of the new lots (that will be created in the above project.) The problem with moving the trail is we would have to cross wetlands. The Wetland Conservation Act requires avoidance of wetlands whenever possible. This wetland impact is not necessary with the trail in its present (already dedicated) location. And, it was with the "avoid wetlands when possible" restriction in mind, that the park access corridor was placed where it is in 1996. Thus we can not now say that avoidance is not possible. Consequently such an impact will not be allowed, and the access location can not be moved to the South. The question to be decided by the City is whether a trail connection at the existing location is desirable or not, in light of residents' privacy /security concerns. If not, the City could abandon that trail corridor, and it would revert to Mr. Carlson (owner of the original piece of property that the corridor was dedicated out of), and it could be incorporated in the lots of the plat. If a trail connection is still desirable at the existing location, then alternatives for ensuring the privacy /security of the adjacent residents should be discussed. In view of past discussions regarding trails and this particular trail connection, we believe that this connection is desirable. It would provide a short walking loop through the park and back via Fox Road, and would provide direct access to the park for West Shadow Lake Drive residents. In Land Surveying • Civtl Engineering • Municipal Residential & Commercial Development