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Home My WebLink About2.b. Shannon Parkway/Connemara Trail CITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SLJMMARY FOR DISCUSSION COMMITTEE OF TI�WHOLE DATE: MARCH 3, 1997 AGENDA ITEM: SHANNON PARKWAY/CONNEMARA TRAII, AGENDA NO. 2. B. WALKING TRAIL PREPARED BY: THOMAS D. BURT CITY ADNIlNI TRATOR , S ATTACHMENTS: MEMOS, MAP Please review the attached memos from the Public Works Department and the Parks&Recreation Department and Committee. Staff will be available for a brief presentation and any questions. RECOMIVV�EIVDED ACTION N�TES: MEMO TO: TOM BURT, CITY ADMINISTRATOR FROM: BUD OSMUNDSON, CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 1997 RE: TRAILS/CROSSWALKS This memo is in regards to requests the City receives for trails and also crosswalks, especially along major collector streets. Mr. Topitzhoefer has discussed the proposal for a trail along the west side of Shannon Parkway from Dearborn Path to Connemara Trail. We have had request in the past for other crosswalks on Shannon Parkway and Connemara TraiL The proposed trail on the west side of Shannon Parkway from Dearborn Path to Connemara Trail from an engineering standpoint is a good idea. The reasoning is that you want people to cross major roads at controlled intersections which would be the case at the four way stop at Shannon Parkway and Connemara Trail. We have had a request from 141 st Court West in the past for a crosswalk on Shannon Parkway to the east side trail. We responded that we would not install a crosswalk because it does not connect to a sidewalk on the west side and it is safer to have pedestrians cross busy streets at a controlled intersection. We also have had a request for a crosswalk at Darwin Way crossing Connemara Trail from the north to the park on the south side. This is a very similar situation where the trail should be constructed on the north side of Connemara leading to the four way stop at Shannon Parkway. This will not prevent people from crossing the road at these points. However, by putting in a pedestrian crosswalk a false sense of security is given to pedestrians. Motorists in these higher speed zones do not recognize the crosswalks soon enough and accidents can result. Staff has discussed that in the future, on all collector streets, sidewalks and/or trails would be installed on both sides to provide better pedestrian access to controlled intersections. 1 think that this is a policy that we should take to the City Council for their approvaL I am getting some information from Eagan which is in the process of adopting a crosswalk policy. In addition, I can hand out some information regarding the 1Vlinnesota Traffic Engineering Manual warrants for crosswalks, pedestrian signals, or warning flashers. This should be a good discussion item with the City Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting. ! � MEMORANDUM DATE: February 28, 1997 TO: Thomas Burt, City Administrator FROM: Jim Topitzhofer, Parks and Recreation Director SUBJECT: New Trail Construction along Shannon Parkway and Connemara Trail The Parks and Recreation Committee requested that I look into the feasibility of constructing a trail along the west side of Shannon Parkway, from 145th Street to Connemara Trail. At a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee on February 24, 1997, I explained the costs and obstacles of constructing such a trail, recommending not to do so (see attached summary). Discussions led to the Committee's desire to investigate the need for a new trail on the west side of Shannon Parkway, from Dearborn Path Street to Connemara Trail. � The reason behind the Committee s interest in this new west trail is better edestrian access to P Connemara Park and Shannon Elementary School from neighborhoods of Dander Court, 141 st Court West, Dane Avenue, and Dearborn Path. Since Shannon Parkway has four lanes of traffic south of Connemara Trail, a safety concern is perceived when crossing Shannon Parkway from the above streets to the existing east trail. The Committee dropped their interest in continuing a west trail through Shannon Meadows to 145th Street because of the impact on existing trees in this area. The Committee asked that I invite these neighborhoods to the next meeting (March 17, 1997)to learn of the resident's interest or concerns of constructing a west trail from Dearborn Path to Connemara. The Development Review Committee discussed the new trail today. Staff noted there may be possible interest in constructing a trail along the north side of Connemara, from Shannon Parkway to Daphne Lane, for the samexeason. i ' CITY OF ROSEMOUNT � EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION PARKS AND RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: February 24, 1997 AGENDA ITEM: Shannon Parkway Trail AGENDA SECTION: Old Business. PREPARED BY: Jim Topitzhofer, Parks & Recreation and AGENDA NO.: Community Center Director 6. D. ATTACHMENTS: Map APPROVED BY: I have looked into the feasibility of constructing a trail along the west side of Shannon Parkway, from 145th Street to Connemara. Staff anticipates the cost of trail construction (grading, aggregate, bituminous) at 520.00 to 525.00 per linear foot, or about 564,000.00 to S80,000.00 for the project. Additional costs would include retaining walls 1if necessary) and tree abatement. There are several obstacles to the project. First, the upper half portion of Shannon Parkway offers only 15 feet of right of way on the west side. This allows only 7 feet of green space between the trail and the street and would pose a concern for snow removaL Another concern is the effect of the project on existing trees. The location of a new trail would lie under the drip line of at least 12 trees which may threaten their survival. At least one significant oak tree i18"diameter► would have to be removed. Lastly, the topography along Shannon Parkway near 145th Street also poses a concern. There is a steep I� decline in this area for about 600 feet, possibly requiring a great amount of fill to support a trail. !� In light of the above cost and obstacles, I do not recommend to construct a trail in this area. I'�, RECOMMENDED ACTION: PARKS AND RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER COMMITTEE ACTION: ■ , . �� //�' / � � . ��/1�� . : � ////A : ,�, � -/ � �� .r � . __ �I i _�: • _i� . 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