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Chapter 03 � Public Input + Participation <br />Areas of Conflict <br />Using the information gathered from the listening sessions, community <br />events, completion of the survey and interactive mapping, the most <br />common feedback was grouped into three categories: <br />FIGURE 7: IDENTIFIED CONCERN CATEGORIES <br />�1 <br />�� <br />3 <br />TRAIL DEVELOPMENT <br />TRAIL DEVELOPMENT <br />..��\�/� <br />• 13 <br />WITHIN THE TRAIL CORRIDOR <br />� . <br />�NQ���1C OWNERsh'lP,���` s �� <br />y <br />��QS N� R �� �,;_ „ ro. `` ° �F. <br />�9/�R�qD P�>�'� <br />There are currently 13 gaps in public ownership along the historic <br />rail alignment. Most of these gaps occur between Princeton and <br />Zimmerman. Some of the property owners have built structures on or <br />near the rail bed that creates significant barriers to trail development. <br />The public agencies implementing the trail made a commitment that <br />eminent domain would not be used, and the long-term vision is to <br />acquire these properties as they come up for sale. <br />44 Great Northern Trail Master Plan � August 2022 <br />There were also concerns from residences that own <br />property adjacent to the rail corridor. Property <br />owners were concerned with impacts due to trail <br />construction, such as vegetation removal and <br />opening views towards their homes. <br />There were also safety concerns with having <br />motorized use along residential neighborhoods, <br />particularly in the stretch south of Princeton. <br />During the first round of public engagement, we <br />heard an overwhelming opposition to motorized <br />use within the corridor. As we began to reach out <br />to snowmobile and ATV clubs we saw a shift in <br />preference for accommodating ATV use within the <br />north half of the trail. The existing trail corridor <br />between Princeton and Milaca is an MN DNR grant <br />in aid snowmobile trail. The route is an important <br />connection for snowmobilers, providing a link <br />between regional trails and destinations. The clubs <br />also have a vested interest in the trail, having made <br />infrastructure improvements for drainage. <br />FIGURE 8: OPNERSHIP GAPS <br />WHO WILL SHARE THE TRAIL? <br />� �_� '��IOTORIZE[�r & <br />MOTORIZED � <br />• <br />� <br />` <br />