8.1. EDSR 12-11-2000 ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEMORANDUM
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of
Economic Development
DATE: December 11, 2000
SUBJECT: Snowmobile Trail Request - Update
The EDA Board at the last meeting took action to approve a snowmobile trail permit on the
EDA (Brown)property in the East Business Park. One of the conditions of approval was
final approval by the City Engineer for snowmobile access across Tyler Street.
Attached is a memo from Engineer, Terry Maurer that concludes that the snowmobile
access across Tyler Street is not possible from either the northeast or southeast corner of the
'lir
EDA property. As a result, the snowmobile trail permit for the EDA property will be
limited to an area 300'along the west property line. Access to enter and exit the property
will be limited to the northwest and southwest corner. The Snow Riders Club will be
encouraged to obtain trail permits from the adjacent landowners.
Attachment
• Memo from Terry Maurer, P.E., Howard Green Company
13065 Orono Parkway • P. O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330-1743 •x(612) 441-7420 • Fax (612) 441-7425
Equal Opportunity Housing and Equal Opportunity Employment
Item 8.1.
PP l
Howard R. Green Company
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
December 7, 2000
File: 230000M-0325
Ms. Cathy Mehelich
Director of Economic Development
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
P.O. Box 490
Elk River, MN 55330-0490
RE: SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ON THE EDA SITE
Dear Ms. Mehelich:
As you requested, we have reviewed the issue before the EDA of granting snowmobile
trails along their north and south property lines on the property they own in Eastern Elk
River. As we have discussed previously, at both the north and south property lines of
the EDA site where that property meets Tyler Street, there is no crossing available for
• snowmobiles. There is a barrier curb on the outside and a 20-foot wide median
surrounded by 6-inch high raised concrete curb and gutter. Also, at the north property
line, the crossing of Tyler Street would be right near a curve in the road with not the best
sight distance. The other issue we have talked about is at the south property line the
opportunity to go west has now been removed. Previously, the south property line was
the alignment of 173rd Avenue, which included a crossing of the railroad tracks. As part
of the East Elk River improvement project, 173rd Avenue has been removed along with
the railroad crossing. A new crossing was constructed at 171st Avenue where Tyler
Street meets the railroad. We understand it would be possible for one year for
snowmobilers to continue along the railroad tracks across the old 173rd road to the Eull
property, then continue down to 171st where there is a railroad crossing available.
In conclusion, we have given this issue considerable thought and have not come up with
a way for snowmobiles to leave the EDA site at either the north or south property lines
and get to the east side of Tyler Street where the bituminous trail is located. If you have
any questions or would like additional work done on this item, please call.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
Terry J. Maurer, P.E.
• TJM:tw
C:\windows\TEMP\Ltr 12-07-00 Mehelich.doc
1326 Energy Park Drive • St. Paul, MN 55108 • 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389