9.1.A. PRSR 06-13-2007Item: 9. I .A.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Chris Leeseberg, Park Planner
DATE: June 13, 2007
SUBJECT: Trials and Easements along County Roads
As you may know, there was considerable discussion at the May City Council meeting
regarding whether or not the city should ask for additional trail easement outside of the
right-of--way with a project they were reviewing. Staff had a follow up meeting to discuss
where trials can be placed along County Roads.
Two issues were clarified:
1. If the County Road has or will have a Rural Section, the County indicates there is not
enough space for trials in the 100-foot right-of--way, as this area potentially will be
needed for ditches and side slopes.
2. If the County Road has or will have an Urban Section (curb and gutter), a trail
typically can be situated within the 100-foot right-of--way.
a. The City will contribute considerable amounts financially to convert the
County Road to an Urban Section.
There are two County Roads that have been indicated they might be upgraded to Urban
Sections sometime in the future; they are County Road 13 and County Road 12.
When a project is before the city for review and includes a County Road with a Rural
Section, the city should be requiring additional easement for trails outside of the right-of-
way. If the project includes an Urban Section County Road, the city should work with the
county to include trails within the right-of--way.
A trail easement on a property does not guarantee that a trail will be on that side of the road,
it is just an insurance policy should it happen to need to be on that side. The trail easement
will typically coincide with the required drainage and utility easement along the front
property line. The easements have no affect with the setbacks of structures.