9.2.A. PRSR 02-14-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment D-10112106 The City of Elk River's Woodland Park and Top of the Work Park are located directly along the railroad corridor and the City's trail system provides a variety of recreational uses including hiking, bicycling, and skiing. In acquiring and paving the necessary properties, eventually anon-motorized transportation route linking the Cities of Elk River, Zimmerman, and Princeton would be created. By connecting the trail systems of these municipalities and adjacent townships, access to a variety of city-owned parks, trails, housing developments, and the future Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail would be feasible. Also of importance is the current and future reliance of the abandoned railroad corridor by school children as a safe route to public schools. Meadowvale Elementary School in the City of Elk River is located very near the abandoned railroad corridor and the trail would serve as an effective transportation system for young students and adults going there, to work, civic events, and social gatherings. 4. Describe adjacent land use and the relationship to the proposed project. 0-10 POINTS Adjacent land use consists primarily of residential, commercial, and public establishments, uplands, lowlands, wetlands, and woodlands with connecting trail systems already in existence throughout many of these areas. The project would connect many of these areas and create a major corridor for pedestrian traffic. Since trail users are already within a desirable distance for accessibility the completed project would facilitate immediate use and benefit to the community. The project will have minimal adverse affects to the environment and/or land. The construction of the proposed 10-foot wide trail would occur over the existing railroad bed within the abandoned railroad corridor and therefore would not require any significant changes to the existing landscape. Embankments along the existing corridors would be preserved and maintained for the protection of the trail and natural resources nearby. The project would actually protect and/or restore, if necessary, some of the prairie remnants that have been identified along the corridor. 5. Explain the project's relationship to transportation system (e.g. function, proximity, impact) 0-25 POINTS The project establishes a safe and much-needed non-motorized transportation route and recreational resource that would eventually create additional opportunities for linking local parks, agencies, cities, and various amenities. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and growth projections for the county indicate a continued trend with 1990 population figures tripling by 2030. US Highway 169, located approximately 1 mile east of the railroad corridor, is considered a major transportation route serving local and statewide needs. Some of the County's primary roads (CSAH #4, CSAH #9, Co. Rd. 45) are adjacent to or intersect with the proposed trail enhancing the value for alternative transportation by creating safe, accessible pathways that are sought now and will continue to grow in demand. Establishing anon-motorized trail route in this vicinity with the anticipated population growth will have immediate benefits to the local communities and long-term economic benefits to adjoining counties and cities. Providing a safe, non- motorized transportation route will connect communities and adjacent county's and create an intangible resource that is difficult to develop any other way. The trail's relationship to 10