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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-23 PRC packetIwa ter V, E e. N VI ° A f p, M I N N ESD I A CITY OF STILLWATER STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION NOTICE OF MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 AT 7:00 PM The City of Stillwater Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday, March 23, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Stillwater City Hall, 216 North Fourth Street. AGENDA 1. Approval of the February 23, 2015 Minutes 2. Open Forum - The Open Forum is a portion of the meeting to address the Board on subjects which are not a part of the meeting agenda. The Board may take action or reply at the time of the statement or may give direction to staff regarding investigation of the concerns expressed. Out of respect for others in attendance, please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. Action Items 3. Introduction of the new Stillwater City Administrator Tom McCarty 4. Trails Master Plan Information Items Commission Items/Topics CITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING February 23, 2015 Present: Acting Chair Rob McGarry, Commissioners David Brandt, Scott Christiansen, Don Stiff, Council Liaison Mike Polehna Absent: Chair Linda Amrein, Commissioners Solveg Peterson and Sandy Snellman Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore, City Planner Abbi Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Christiansen, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to approve the December 22, 2014 meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS Friends of Stillwater Parks There were no representatives present. This item was postponed to the next meeting. Brown's Creek Preserve Update and Park Use Request City Planner Wittman stated that a response to the City's request to allow mountain bikes at Brown's Creek Preserve has been received from the Department of Natural Resources. DNR Regional Director Keith Parker expressed serious reservations about the proposed usage, though he did indicate a reserved willingness for further consideration with more detailed information and examination. The SASCA (Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Association) would like to proceed with Phase 2 located north of the Brown's Creek Trail, which does not require DNR approval. Phase 2 would be a 2.5 +/- mile system largely following newly created and existing pathways, designed for bicycle use only. The trails would be approximately 1.5' wide on the surface, with 3-4' cleared airspace. Minimal assistance would be required from the City. Hank Gray, Assistant Coach of Stillwater Area High School Mountain Bike Team and SASCA Board Member, requested that the City follow up with the DNR on Phase 1, so the issue can come to a conclusion. The high school mountain bike team is starting to work with VAA to involve the younger kids. Brown's Creek would be an appropriate place for the beginning levels of mountain bike riding. He reviewed Phase 2 plans. Acting Chairman McGarry asked if Phase 2 would be worth doing without Phase 1. Mr. Gray replied yes, 2.5 miles of beginner to intermediate level biking is more than adequate. If Phase 2 is approved, the group would postpone or forego Phase 3. He still Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting February 23, 2015 believes the City should pursue a walk-through of the site with the DNR to consider Phase 1, if it doesn't require too much effort. Council Representative Polehna indicated the dog walkers have expressed concerns. Mr. Gray responded that dog walking could be on the south side where there would be no bikes. Motion by Acting Chair McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Christiansen, to approve proceeding with Phase 2 as proposed and direct staff to schedule a public information meeting on Phase 2. All in favor. Richlind Subdivision Parks and Trails Fee -In -Lieu City Planner Wittman stated that Thad Rich plans to develop 7.82 acres of land located at 13310 Boutwell Road. A total of eight lots, to be known as Richlind, are proposed. A combined total of 3.30 acres of the site is unable to be developed due to wetlands and associated wetland buffer. Conservation easements will be placed on these areas. Because the Comprehensive Plan's park chapter shows no parks or trails planned for the property, the contribution to the park system should be in the form of a fee which would be $2,000 per lot(total$16,000). The developer would also be responsible for a contribution of $500 per lot ($4,000 total) toward the City's public trail system. Staff recommends a cash dedication of 20,000 for Richlind's park and trail obligations. Motion by Acting Chair McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Brandt, to require a cash dedication of $20,000 for the development, in lieu of land. All in favor. Thad Rich, developer, noted an existing trail on Boutwell will serve the development. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Public Works Superintendent Moore stated he received email from Allison McGinnis indicating that the dog park is being heavily used. He also noted that work is progressing on the Lowell Park Bathrooms. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Council Representative Polehna noted that the Bridgeview Park plan will hopefully be done for the next Council meeting. Also, the City is still working on public access to the St. Croix River as part of the bridge project. City Planner Wittman stated the DNR has requested permission to use City property near the old depot for a kiosk for the Brown's Creek Trail. In addition to the kiosk, a trash receptacle, water, and bench may be installed. Commissioner Christiansen mentioned results of a survey he heard about in conjunction with the school district's potential bond issue, indicating that the public feels the City of Stillwater hasn't historically provided sufficient community facilities. Page 2 of 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting ADJOURNMENT February 23, 2015 Motion by McGarry, seconded by Christiansen, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3 Date: March 23, 2015 To: Parks Commission Tim Moore, Public Works Superintendent Bill Turnblad, Community Development Director Abbi Wittman, City Planner From: Melissa Douglas, Planning Consultant Re: City of Stillwater Draft Trails Master Plan Update At the Commission's March meeting, we will review the first complete draft of the updated Trails Master Plan for the city. . The information in the draft plan is the culmination of your efforts and the input of city staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council over the last year. The draft updates the existing Comprehensive Trail Plan to: • Recognize changing conditions and resulting needs and opportunities. • Outline a new bicycle facility network for the community. • Continue to improve pedestrian connections. • Document specific corridor and other unique needs. • Address maintenance requirements. • Promote awareness of the city's trail system and amenities. The information in this draft was reviewed and discussed by the Commission at prior meetings and workshops. The implementation section summarizes the action items from the plan, so please review carefully and give consideration to priorities so we can discuss at the Commission meeting. I look forward to reviewing the draft plan with you and receiving your suggestions for additions and improvements. If you have any questions that you would like to ask prior to the meeting, you are welcome to contact me via e-mail at mjdouglas comcast.net or at 651-894-3376. Thank you again for all your hard work on this project. Draft Stillwater Trails Master Plan Pathway to 2040 CITY OF STILLWATER, MINNESOTA March 11, 2015 Draft Stillwater Trails Master Plan Pathway to 2040 Acknowledgements This plan is the result of the dedication, skill and effort of many people. The City of Stillwater wishes to give special thanks and recognition to the following individuals: Planning Commission Park and Recreation Commission Ryan Collins Linda Amrein Jenna Fletcher David Brandt Sean Hade Scott Christensen Eric Hansen Robert McGarry, III Cameron Kelly Solveg Peterson Michael Kocon Sandy Snellman Chris Lauer Don Stiff Gim Middleton Abbi Wittman, City Planner Anne Siess Shawn Sanders, Public Works Director/ City City Council City Staff Ted Kozlowski, Mayor J. Thomas McCarty, City Administrator David Junker Bill Turnblad, Community Development Doug Menikheim Director Michael Polehna Abbi Wittman, City Planner Tom Weidner Shawn Sanders, Public Works Director/ City Engineer Tim Moore, Public Works Superintendent Quinn Williams, Planning Secretary Beth Wolf, Engineering/ Public Works Secretary Planning Consultant Trail Mapping Melissa Douglas Pack 114, Webelo Den Cover Art Jane Dierberger a Table of Contents 1.0 Planning Context..................................................................................... 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 LO 0 N C) C d NU) c6 cc i H a) cc +c U) U 1.0 Planning Context 7 Stillwater is a vibrant small city known for its notable role in early Minnesota history, beautiful location along the scenic St. Croix River and historic, walkable downtown. The Stillwater Lift Bridge is a major landmark, crossing the St. Croix River between Stillwater and Houlton, Wisconsin. Beyond the riverfront, Stillwater is a truly diverse community. Residential neighborhoods range from downtown condominiums to historic homes to new housing developments. Commercial services vary from small storefronts to neighborhood shops to large shopping centers. The city's natural setting includes river bluffs, ravines and steep topography to the east extending to small lakes, gentle hills, wetlands and grasslands to the west. Part of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and the county seat for Washington County, Stillwater borders the state of Wisconsin to the east. The predominantly rural communities of Stillwater Township, Grant and Lake Elmo lie to the north, west and southwest, respectively. Highway 36, an arterial connecting Stillwater to St. Paul and Minneapolis, lies along much of the city's southern border. The suburban community of Oak Park Heights directly abuts Stillwater to the southeast and extends along the south side of Highway 36. The Highway 36 corridor in both Stillwater and Oak Park Heights is developed predominantly with auto -oriented commercial areas and office buildings. A new St. Croix River bridge is under construction at Highway 36 with completion planned for 2016. w LO Q x - a x Q Va. 'D IL) '° O x CU U) 4- O 1.1 Benefits of Community Trails Stillwater has long recognized trails and pathways as important community connections. Early development included stairs and sidewalks that traversed ravines and bluffs to connect housing to lumber mills and businesses along Main Street. Stillwater's trail and sidewalk system continues to provide many benefits to residents and visitors: ■ Offers affordable, close -to - home recreation for individuals and families. ■ Builds a sense of community by bringing people together. ■ Preserves character and natural heritage, offering people a new way to discover the special places within their community. ■ Provides safe transportation routes to walk or bike to work, school and local stores. ■ Improves community health by promoting active transportation. ■ Creates an economic development tool for attracting tourist and new businesses and �'Oi 0 maintaining residential property values. ■ Allows people of all ages and abilities to experience the outdoors and to learn about the natural world. a ■ Connects open space and natural areas to create habitat corridors for wildlife. ch 1.2 Changing Conditions and Related Plans cc Formal trail planning in Stillwater began with the city's 1918 Comprehensive Plan and 2 remains on-going. The most recent trail plan was adopted in 2000 "to develop and maintain 3 n a city-wide interconnected network of trails to provide valuable recreational and transportation opportunities for city residents and visitors." ej []© _ awcTWN - Stfflwater ....._. _ C] This update to the city's trail plan was prompted by two major additions to the regional trail system, connecting to downtown Stillwater: the Brown's Creek Trail completed by the Minnesota Department of Natural LO Resources in 2014 and the Loop Trail under construction aspart of the m St. Croix River crossing at Highway 36. Together, these two new regional trails add over 10 miles of scenic, ch dedicated hiking and biking trails centered on downtown Stillwater. CU 75 This Trails Master Plan builds not only on the previous trail plan but on continuing local, CO regional and state planning efforts (see References). Stillwater's 2008 Comprehensive Plan acknowledged the importance of providing an accessible, safe and attractive trail system with the riverfront as the focus of the open space system and as a significant cultural and Cn historical amenity. To align this Trails Master Plan with the next Comprehensive Plan update, the planning horizon is 25 years, from 2015 to 2040. The adopted Trails Master Plan will also provide context for the 2015 Stillwater Downtown Master Plan. 1.3 Regional Setting County, state and regional trail plans include future projects that, if implemented, offer the opportunity for Stillwater to serve as a central destination for a large regional trail network. Timing for these projects is not specified but many may be completed within the timeframe for this plan. These projects include: ■ Munger Trail System. Willard Munger Trail System was authorized by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2007 and is being developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This system includes the new Brown's Creek Trail. The Brown's Creek Trail joins the Gateway Trail that currently extends from St. Paul to Pine Point Regional Park north of Stillwater. The Munger Trail System is also complete from Hinckley north to Duluth and Lake Superior. ■ Gandy Dancer State Trail. The Gandy Dancer State Trail runs 98 miles from St. Croix Falls to Superior, Wisconsin, with about 30 miles crossing into Minnesota. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has proposed connecting the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail to St. Croix Falls to create a 130 -mile trail corridor. ■ St. Croix Valley Regional Trail. The regional Metropolitan Council recently added the Middle St. Croix Valley Regional Trail Corridor to its system plan. This proposed trail would extend south 7.4 miles from the new St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail at Highways 95 and 36 to connect to the St. Croix Valley Regional Trail in Lakeland. Currently terminating in Afton, the St. Croix Valley Regional Trail will ultimately extend an additional 20 miles south to Hastings, Minnesota. ■ Central Greenway Reg onal Trail. Washington County plans include a Central Greenway Regional Trail from Big Marine Park Reserve in Marine -on -St. -Croix to Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. In Stillwater, this trail exists along Manning Avenue, the city's western border, and connects to the Brown's Creek Trail. • St. Croix County Trail Connections. St. Croix County, Wisconsin was recently awarded a grant to complete a bicycle and pedestrian plan for the county. Priority trail segments identified for study include connections to both Hudson and Willow River State Park from the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail. LO 0 N m cc a a) cccc cc F CO CO J - CO 0 �j 1.4 Planning Process The revision of the Trails Master Plan was led by the Planning Commission in consultation with the Parks Commission and the City Council. The process began by gathering information -- reviewing related plans, policies and other documents, doing site visits and mapping existing trails and pathways. As part of this initial information gathering, agency staff and stakeholders were consulted. After a draft plan was developed, public meetings will provide additional opportunities for input. After revisions based on comments and public input, a final plan will be recommended by the Planning and Parks Commissions, adopted by the City Council and reviewed by the regional Metropolitan Council. Review related Identify needs documents. and issues. Consult with Develop vision Submit for stakeholders. and guiding Metropolitan principles. Council review. Ij a 2.0 Vision and Guiding Principles Long-range planning can only be successful if a community establishes a vision and values (guiding principles) that outline its aspirations for the future. A vision statement establishes an ideal, developed with input from citizens, business owners and community leaders. Guiding principles expand on the vision by stating community values and priorities. This plan will guide trail and transportation planning for the next 25 years. The world will change over that time in ways impossible to anticipate. The vision and values establish the lasting framework for the community trail system and serve as a touchstone for making decisions, establishing priorities and resolving conflicts. The vision statement was developed through an initial visioning workshop and subsequently refined throughout the planning process. Build on Stillwater's history and natural setting to become a leading active transportation community and one of Minnesota's premier trail destinations. Community A destination trail system that serves the people of Stillwater as well as visitors, businesses and employers. Promotes tourism, job creation and economic vitality. Provides access to nature and understanding of the city's history. Accessibility A trail system that is easily accessed and accommodates a mix of users inclusive of all abilities. Information about the trail system is readily accessible and easy to understand. Safety A trail system that ensures safe recreation and travel for all trail users regardless of age or ability. Encourages activity and wellness. Connections A trail system that links neighborhoods, schools, employment opportunities, commercial areas, regional trails and public transportation and connects members of the community to each other and the landscape. Communication A trail system that educates and interprets the landscape and natural setting, uses technology to make information widely available and includes signage that is clear and informative. LO 0 N m c� a a� cc m M cc a) co 3 4f CO 0 �j n 3.0 Goals and Policies The following goals and policies for the Trails Master Plan are consistent with the city's Comprehensive Plan park, trails and transportation goals and are established based on existing conditions, Council and Commission recommendations and public input: 1.0 Develop a regional interconnected trail system with other local governments, the school district, Washington County, the Metropolitan Council, Wisconsin communities and Minnesota and Wisconsin state agencies. 1.1 Develop a comprehensive trail system that traverses the community both east - west and north -south and links the local trail system to existing and proposed regional trails. 1.2 Encourage regional and state agencies to promote enhanced design standards and coordinating signage for regional trails passing through the city. 1.3 Coordinate local improvements with those of outside agencies. 1.4 Promote compatibility on multi -use trail using proper etiquette guidelines. 1.5 Advocate for future regional trail projects that expand and improve the trail network connecting to Stillwater. 1.6 Serve many types of users through all seasons. 2.0 Use the trail system to connect significant environmental, cultural and historical amenities throughout the community. 2.1 Reinforce the riverfront as the focus of the downtown Stillwater trail system. 2.2 Maintain the historical and natural setting of potential trail corridors such as rights-of-way, ravines, open spaces and greenways. 2.3 Provide safe pedestrian/bicycle access to the historical district and the riverfront by connecting downtown and the city's residential neighborhoods. 2.4 Protect, restore and manage natural resources during trail development, use and maintenance. 3.0 Increase bicycling trips for commuting and local travel as a cost-effective, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative in the transportation system. 3.1 Expand and link the trail system between neighborhoods and work centers and local destinations throughout the city. 3.2 Where adequate, uninterrupted right-of-way is available, use separate bicycle paths to provide long, continuous routes for commuting trips. 3.3 Integrate bikeways, transit lines and pedestrian paths. 3.4 Route pedestrians and bicyclists off major or congested roadways wherever possible. 4.0 Make pedestrian travel fun, safe and enjoyable by developing a continuous comprehensive "walkable community" trail system. 4.1 Maintain existing sidewalks and add new facilities in residential areas where demand exists. 4.2 Ensure construction of sidewalks and trails in new development consistent with the adopted Trails Master Plan. 4.3 Complete sidewalk links in neighborhoods lacking sidewalks. 4.4 Provide pedestrian access to both active and passive recreational areas, as well as access to Stillwater's natural areas. 4.5 Develop and promote traffic safety and education programs. 5.0 Plan and construct a city-wide bikeway system to connect major activity centers, scenic open space and recreation areas and regional trails. 5.1 Include bicycle lanes on new and upgraded bridges, crossings and overpasses and the Highway 36 Frontage Road. 5.2 Require bicycle facilities according the adopted Trails Master Plan as part of the development review process. 5.3 Provide trailheads, restrooms, parking locations and attractive bicycle racks at key locations including parks, downtown and commercial centers. 5.4 Establish and maintain appropriate use and safe standards and guidelines for bicycle facilities, programs and projects. 5.5 Provide adequate road width on new streets to accommodate bicycles. 5.6 Retrofit existing roadways to accommodate bicycles recognizing right-of-way width limitations where applicable. 6.0 Promote use of the trail system and make trail information readily available. 6.1 Develop and implement uniform signage for the city's trail system for safety o and way -finding. CN 6.2 Increase awareness of the city's history and unique natural features using M signage, maps, technology and other communication tools. — 6.3 Promote economic growth by advertising the trail system to increase tourism, a attract new visitors year-round and link to local businesses. 7.0 Ensure accessibility of the trail system in accordance with the spirit and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. t a) J - CO 0 4.0 Existing Conditions 4.1 Local Trail System Figure 1 shows the existing trail system that includes over 25 miles of paved trails, 57 miles of sidewalks and about 10 miles of natural surface trails. The City of Stillwater and the Stillwater Cross Country Ski x W H z_ 3 z x a W W a z x Association together maintain over four miles of cross country ski and hiking trails in Brown's Creek Park and Nature Preserve at McKusick Road and Neal Avenue. See Figure 2, Brown's Creek Preserve Trail Map. The city has also developed maps and materials for pedestrian routes of historic interest (Historic Downtown Walking Tour) or for fitness (Step It Out! with Washington County). See Figure 3 for existing sidewalks. Stillwater does not have any striped on -street bike lanes. In 1972, the City Council designated a bike route along West Laurel Street, south on North Second Street, east on 0 Mulberry Street and then south along Water Street. The route is poorly signed and not shown on the city's trail maps. Cyclists regularly use local streets, mixing with motor vehicle traffic. Serious cyclists train on the city's hills, most notably Chilkoot Hill, on Second Street S between Pine and Olive Streets. Chilkoot Hill annually hosts the Stillwater Criterium, part of the North Star Grand Prix, reputedly one of the hardest races in North America where racers repeated climb the 24% grade. 4.2 Regional Trail System Two new major regional trails extend from downtown Stillwater. The Brown's Creek State Trail is a 5.9 -mile route that connects to the Gateway Trail at Duluth Junction. The new St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail connects the pedestrian/bicycle-only Lift Bridge with the new bridge on both the Wisconsin and Minnesota sides. The entire loop is 4.8 miles in length with 1.2 miles in Stillwater. Other significant regional trails include a segment of the Central Greenway Trail along Manning Avenue and the county multi -use trail along 75th Street that connects to the Lake Links Trail Network to the west. co 4- i In w _ � � \ \ owl I 1 -1 .z in w -u CL 3 'o Lj®i� ice: 111. 11; MT, ��� fie+ .I _ ����� �� - a�r� i� r•- - °I —_ lee+ .� 4 _ I� i - • ' ��1 6 hk lllll■�■■■■ 14 LO 0 N co n n 5.0 Needs and Opportunities 5.1 New Regional Trails With the new Brown's Creek and the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trails, Stillwater will become a regional trail destination. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources estimates 75,000 people will use Brown's Creek Trail annually. The Minnesota Department of Transportation did not develop use projections for the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail but noted the trail has the potential to become a destination trail similar to the Stone Arch Bridge Trail in Minneapolis. A 2009 University of Minnesota study on economic impacts of recreation trails determined that Metro area walkers and hikers spent $289.5 million annually while bicycle riders spent an additional $137.3 million. This spending does not include visitors from outside the Metro region. Since both trails terminate in downtown Stillwater, they will bring new visitors to the historic district and patrons for local businesses. Other studies have shown that easy access to recreational trails supports and increases residential property values. Additional trail improvements and facilities are needed to accommodate these potential new visitors. The Brown's Creek Trail and St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail do not intersect. The city will construct a local trail in phases through 2017 to connect the terminus of the Brown's Creek Trail with the Lift Bridge and the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail. Bicycle traffic must be routed and controlled to avoid conflicts with � pedestrians and motor vehicles. Trailheads °n must be developed including vehicle parking and possibly other amenities such as W restrooms or water stations. More bicycle racks will be needed as well as safety, interpretive and way -finding signage. Specific locations and design for these amenities within downtown will be further defined as part of the 2015 Downtown Master Plan. Outside of downtown, facilities will be implemented based on the adopted Trails Master Plan. 5.2 Local Bicycle Connections Stillwater has some wonderful existing trails such as the Lake McKusick trail but lacks a connected system for cyclists. Local streets have no bikeway facilities (such as bike lanes or bike routes). In general, Stillwater roadways are not bike friendly. There is a need for safe facilities for the family and average bicyclist. Existing motor vehicle traffic patterns are expected to change with the opening of the new St. Croix River Crossing. With closure of the Lift Bridge, through bridge traffic from the east and south will no longer travel through downtown or adjacent neighborhoods. Streets like Chestnut, Third and Myrtle are currently congested during peak weekday travel hours and on weekends. These streets may see a significant reduction in motor vehicle use creating more opportunities for bicycle facilities. Available traffic projections and their associated assumptions are dated and unreliable. At this juncture, a wait-and-see approach is most practical for major investments in new bicycle facilities so that new traffic patterns can emerge after the new bridge is open. Flexible, lower-cost improvements such as pavement markings and signage are best suited to changing conditions. LO 0 N m cc a cc 2 M a) co n J - co 0 Topography and traffic LO barriers currently 3 ,.. prevent many people x from riding. Steep terrain and existing o development limit wopportunities to connect the riverfront with the abluff to and makes P U U bicycling uphill more o challenging. Parts of Stillwater are isolated by x busy roads with on -street and no trails, xparking sidewalks or shoulders. Specific corridors of concern include Highways 5, 36 and 95 as well as parts of Myrtle and Greeley Streets. Bicyclists are forced to either take non -bike friendly roads or go out of their way to find a less traffic intense option. Especially for visitors, routes off of main roads are difficult to navigate. Existing motor vehicle traffic patterns are expected to change with the opening of the new St. Croix River Crossing. With closure of the Lift Bridge, through bridge traffic from the east and south will no longer travel through downtown or adjacent neighborhoods. Streets like Chestnut, Third and Myrtle are currently congested during peak weekday travel hours and on weekends. These streets may see a significant reduction in motor vehicle use creating more opportunities for bicycle facilities. Available traffic projections and their associated assumptions are dated and unreliable. At this juncture, a wait-and-see approach is most practical for major investments in new bicycle facilities so that new traffic patterns can emerge after the new bridge is open. Flexible, lower-cost improvements such as pavement markings and signage are best suited to changing conditions. LO 0 N m cc a cc 2 M a) co n J - co 0 0 Climate also limits bicycle trips in winter months. With the advent of "fat tire" bikes (led by Minnesota companies Surly and Salsa) riding year-round has become more common and should be considered when developing and maintaining bicycle facilities. 5.3 Completing the Pedestrian Trail and Sidewalk System Pedestrian facilities in Stillwater residential areas vary depending on the era of development — some neighborhoods have sidewalks on both sides of the street, some neighborhoods have sidewalks on one side of the street and others have no sidewalks or sidewalks on major (collector and arterial) roadways only. Areas without sidewalks can benefit from their addition to finish the system as part of street reconstruction projects. As new development or redevelopment occurs, sidewalks and trails should be required as shown on the adopted Trails Master Plan and implemented through the zoning and subdivision ordinances. Sidewalk standards should reflect differences in neighborhood character. One way to achieve that goal would be to link sidewalk standards to zoning districts. At a minimum, sidewalks on one side of all residential streets will be required in the less dense RA — One - Family Residential, TR - Traditional Residential and LR - Lakeshore Residential zoning districts. Areas with higher densities and smaller lots would have more use and need sidewalks on both sides of residential streets. Sidewalks should be installed on both sides of the street in the remaining residential districts. Sidewalks or multi -use trails should also be provided in commercial areas and along any collector or arterial roadways. The city should have flexibility to tailor sidewalk requirements in larger planned developments. Stillwater contains large tracks of right-of-way and greenway corridors with little designated public access. Public access and trails should be established through greenway corridors such as the open space area around the east side of Long Lake where possible. 5.4 Safety and Accessibility Another concern is the degree to which existing sidewalks comply with the Americans' with Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards. Many existing sidewalks do not meet these standards and should be modified or rebuilt if hazards exist over time as projects occur. ADA design standards should be met in new projects. Stillwater School District walking areas are currently one-half mile for elementary schools and one mile from secondary schools. Stillwater has four public elementary schools, one public junior high school and three private/charter schools within the community. Walk boundaries vary from year to year and were 3/4 -mile at the time of the previous trail plan. In any case, it is clear that most of the city falls within school walking areas. Providing safe and comfortable walking routes to and from schools should be at the forefront of future sidewalk and trail improvements. Law enforcement resources will be needed to patrol trails, parking areas and scenic overlooks. Public safety and public works staff will have on-going roles in planning, enforcement and education to ensure a safe trail system. Effective methods must be developed to communicate information about proper trail use, seasonal trail closures and trail etiquette. Public safety and public works departments should coordinate in the collection and annual evaluation of crash/safety data so that areas of concern can be identified and addressed as needed with the expected increase in use related to the new regional trails. 5.6 Mountain Bike Trails For all its outdoor opportunities, the Stillwater area has few places for mountain biking. The Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates (SASCA) has proposed building a new mountain bike trail in the Brown's Creek Park and Nature Preserve. Under the proposal, SASCA would enter into an agreement with the city z to build and maintain a beginner- to intermediate -level mountain biking trail 12 inches wide and 2.25 miles long. SASCA would pay for trail construction and maintenance. Bicycling is not presently a permitted use in the 2005 Brown's Creek Preserve management plan, and there is a Conservation Easement on the nature preserve property. The city will continue to work with SASCA and the state on project feasibility, construction and maintenance. LO 0 N m CL a� in in cc2 M n 4f CO 0 �j LO 0 N m Q) CU CU n 5.7 Awareness and Outreach The intent of connecting trails is to increase their utility as transportation corridors and value as recreational amenities. Generating publicity for the Stillwater trail system will be important in building support both locally and regionally. To promote awareness, trails must be easy to find, access and follow. Trailheads should be well -signed and visible from main roadways. A system of way -finding signage is needed along with trail and bikeway system maps and other information at trailheads, on-line and at key community places. Since trails in Stillwater are a combination of local, county, regional and state trails, coordinated signage and a unique Stillwater trail system logo will help create a sense of place and promote community identity. In additional to trail and route locations, signage, internet and print materials should include itinerary planning information such as: ■ Parking options and directions ■ Location of amenities such as restrooms, points of interest, restaurants and lodging ■ Distance, difficulty and time for different trail segments ■ Special event information as available. The city should work with partners such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Washington and St. Croix counties, nearby communities, the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors and Convention Bureau to promote and increase awareness of the local and regional trail systems. Annual user counts for the trail system will be vital to engage media, advertisers and grant - funding agencies, build support for new projects and to plan for needed infrastructure. 5.8 Maintaining the Trail System Proper maintenance is critical to the usability of a trail system. Due to budget constraints, Stillwater must plan carefully to provide appropriate resources to maintain the current and expanded trail system. Volunteers have been instrumental in supplementing City efforts to maintain and improve the trail system. Maintenance needs include: ■ Repair and restoration as needed ■ Enforcement of trail use regulations ■ Surface maintenance ■ Slough and berm removal ■ Drainage maintenance ■ Mowing and vegetation clearance ■ Structure maintenance such as culverts, switchbacks, retaining walls, wash crossings, overpasses, bridges, etc. ■ Sweeping ■ Litter and waste removal ■ Snow removal Snow removal is a complicated maintenance requirement. If trails are to be utilized year- round by pedestrians and cyclists, snow removal will be needed for some trails, meaning some adjacent areas will be needed for snow storage. In addition, snow removal may be needed to eliminate snow bank sight distance restrictions in some locations. Alternate winter time uses of trails such as cross country skiing or snowshoeing should also be considered. Stillwater Public Works has developed a snow and ice removal policy for sidewalks and trails. These guidelines should be updated as the system is expanded t; and uses change. _ system expands. To determine needed maintenance resources, the city should develop a maintenance program and schedule for the trails system. LO 0 N c\ -I r -I M co a a� in in m M cc a) COCO CO 3 CO 0 In the downtown district, snow removal needs, roles andqr W responsibilities have been points of 3 _ on-going discussion. Final -� guidance on these issues should be developed in conjunction with the Downtown Master Plan. 0 ` Z Resources (labor, materials and equipment) available for s -_ maintenance should increase as the ° Z system expands. To determine needed maintenance resources, the city should develop a maintenance program and schedule for the trails system. LO 0 N c\ -I r -I M co a a� in in m M cc a) COCO CO 3 CO 0 6.0 Proposed Network Improvements 6.1 Priority Improvements Figure 4 shows proposed improvements to the existing trail and sidewalk network. Having the base trail system well-defined facilities discussions with developers, county departments and state agencies and provides an opportunity for more favorable grant and funding submittals. This figure shows all proposed improvements, but priority facilities are listed below:LO 0 N r\ -I Q) CU U) 4- 0 Greeley Street from Highway 36 to Myrtle Street Highway 5 from Willard Street to Brick Street Off-street multi -use trails Washington Avenue from Curvecrest Boulevard to Highway 36 Osgood Street from City Boundary to Orleans Street Owens Street from Wilkins Street to Sycamore Street Brick Street from Myrtle Street to Pine Street Pine Street from Brick Street to Third Street Fourth Street from Orleans Street to Pine Street Third Street from Pine Street to Laurel Street Chestnut Street from Third Street to the Lift Bridge On -street bike routes Laurel Street from Owen Street to Second Street Second Street from Laurel Street to Hazel Street Hazel Street from Second Street to the Brown's Creek Trail Wilkins Avenue from Second Street to Highway On -street bike lanes Sidewalks 5 Croixwood Boulevard from Highway 5 to Northland Drive. Northland Avenue from Croixwood Boulevard to 75th Street Myrtle Street from Deer Path to Third Street Highway 36 Frontage Road Admundson Drive Olive Drive from Deer Path to Owens Street Owens Street from McKusick Drive to Wilkins Street Trailheads Stillwater Depot Barge Terminal Property Brown's Creek Park Crossings Highway 5 at Pine Street Owens Street at McKusick Drive Owens Street at Elm Street Other improvements Mountain bike trail at Brown's Creek Park 6.2 Specific Corridor Recommendations Highway 36. Highway 36 and the frontage road system serve as a major barrier for pedestrians and bicycles for Stillwater residents seeking to access commercial areas, parks and open space to the south. Related improvements for the new St. Croix River Crossing included a bicycle trail along the south Frontage Road that connects to the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail. This project included no trail improvements along the north Frontage Road. This Trails Master Plan shows a potential bicycle lane along the north Frontage Road. Installation will require restriping the north Frontage Road to eliminate the continuous center turn lane. The north Frontage Road lies within both Stillwater and Oak Park Heights and will require a joint planning effort to complete this improvement as well as generally improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities in this corridor. Highway 95. The city's previous trails plan called for a continuous bicycle path along TH 95 from Oak Park Heights through downtown Stillwater to the Boom Site. The new city and regional trails planned and under construction will complete much of this corridor. Remaining needs include trail heads, parking, bike racks design and location, snow removal and signage as well as a future trail extension to the historic Boom Site. These needs will be evaluated as part of the 2015 Downtown Master Plan. Highway 5. Washington County is currently developing a plan for pedestrian and bicycle improvements for segments of Highway 5— from Croixwood Boulevard to Owens Street and from Linden Street to Highway 96. The adopted Trails Master Plan includes a multi -use trail on the south side of Olive Street from Willard Street to Brick Street and a sidewalk on the north side of Olive Street from Willard Street to Owen Street. Sidewalk and trail sections are also shown north of McKusick Road on Owen Street to Sycamore Street. Crossing improvements are urgently needed on Highway 5 because of traffic volumes, LO 0 N c\ -I r -I M co a a� in in cc cc a) J - co 0 LO 0 N m a a� ch CO 2 A CO 0 Cn adjacent residential use, nearby schools and major trail connections. The Trails Master Plan prioritizes improve pedestrian crossing operations and safety at McKusick Road, at Elm Street near Stonebridge Elementary School and at Pine Street near Lily Lake Elementary School. 75ffi Street/Myrtle Street. This corridor appeals to motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians because it is a direct route to downtown Stillwater and the Lift Bridge from the west. Traffic volumes are expected to decrease with the new St. Croix River Crossing, but these reductions may be offset somewhat by new development in the city's annexation area. There is an existing off-street multi -use trail on the south side of 75th Street that terminates at Brick Street where 75th Street becomes Myrtle Street. Beginning at Brick Street, there are substandard sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the roadway. The volume and speed of motor vehicles on75th Street creates a barrier for pedestrians and cyclists. The Trails Master Plan shows an off-street trail on the north side of the roadway extending to Brick Street. A signalized crossing is planned at Maryknoll Drive in conjunction with the new fire station. The Trails Master Plan also shows an off-street bike route on Brick Street connecting to Pine and Third Street to reach downtown. This route has gentler topography and much less traffic than Myrtle Street, users generally prefer more direct routes to more circuitous ones. To that end, the Trails Master Plan recognizes the need to accommodate bicycles on Myrtle Street by proposing on -street bicycle lanes to Third Street connecting to the on -street bike route to the Life Bridge. Curvecrest Boulevard. Curvecrest Boulevard east of Highway 5 to Greeley Avenue is a horizontally mixed-use area including commercial, office and industrial uses as well as high - and medium -density residential units. There are also a cluster of medical and social support uses including medical offices, a senior center, a rehabilitation facility and social service agencies. Consequently, this area has a high number of special needs users reliant on the sidewalk and trail system year-round to navigate between uses and obtain needed goods and services. However, the trail system in this area is incomplete, inconsistent and lacks adequate crossings. Timely snow removal is a particular concern. Curvecrest Boulevard has ample right-of- way and could be configured better to accommodate users when it is time for reconstruction. Until that time, Community Development and Public Works should jointly develop interim improvement recommendations such as new trail segments or crossings to improve mobility in this area. 7.0 Non -Infrastructure Recommendations Non -infrastructure recommendations include plans, policies and programs needed to achieve the vision, goals and policies of the Trails Master Plan. Many of these recommendations have been discussed alongside in the needs analysis and in recommendations for new infrastructure such as the need for joint planning efforts or coordinated signage for the city's trail system. All non -infrastructure recommendations are summarized on the table in Section 8, Implementation. One additional recommendation not previously discussed is the formation of a special advisory committee to guide implementation of the master plan. A special committee given goals, guidelines, parameters, and restrictions could provide priorities consistent with recommendations of the plan and with design guidelines. The Trail Master Plan in this report shows the system in general terms. The committee would need to refine the system looking at intersections, which side of the road the trail should be on, specific trail widths, and details of coordination within and through parks. Obviously, the work of the group or committee should be coordinated with existing committees, such as Parks and Recreation and the Planning Commission. In addition, the committee can review financing alternatives and assist with grant funding opportunities. The City has used a number of financing methods. Trail segments have been funded through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP)and some have been matched with grants. Funding trails through the CIP does provide an ongoing trail improvement program. Other trail improvements have been constructed as part of street improvements. LO 0 N c\ -I r -I M co a a� in in m M cc a) 3 J - co 0 8.0 Implementation 7 Implementation should be based on funding, priorities, and system connections. Recommended priorities and timing are shown on the following table. Priorities are listed as High, Medium and Low. Timing is shown as Near -Term (within the next 5 years), Mid- term (5 -10 years in the future) and Long -Term (more than 10 years in the future) . However, missing connections, where there is no existing trail or sidewalk and where the trail is a critical element in a loop for recreation or a major trail, need to be highest priority. Traffic volume can be used to help prioritize segments and also to establish priorities between sidewalks and trails where none exist. It is possible that some segments may be adequate for a considerable period of time and would receive a low priority rating. In addition, priorities will be affected by the available funding sources. Trail segments within the corridors will change over time, as some opportunities open and others fail to materialize. Therefore, this plan should be reviewed at least every five years and updated and improved as needed.LO 0 N \ m M .0CU 0 Priority Timing (High, Medium, (Near-, Mid- or Long - Implementation Item Responsibility _ Low) Term) Off-street multi -use trails Washington Greeley Street from Highway County/Public 36 to Myrtle Street Works Medium Mid- to Long -Term Highway 5 from Willard Washington Street to Brick Street County High Near -Term Washington Avenue from Curvecrest Boulevard to Highway 36 Frontage Road Public Works Medium Mid- to Long -Term Osgood Street from City Washington Boundary to Orleans Street County Medium Mid- to Long -Term Owens Street from Wilkins Washington Street to Sycamore Street County Medium Mid- to Long -Term On -street signed bike routes Brick Street from Myrtle Street to Pine Street Public Works High Near -Term Pine Street from Brick Street to Third Street Public Works High Near -Term Fourth Street from Orleans Street to Pine Street Public Works High Near -Term 71 Imnlamantntinn Ito LO 0 r\ -I rI m a a� cc a� co 0 Priority Timing (High, Medium, (Near-, Mid- or Long- Responsibili Low) Term) Washington Third Street from Pine Street County/ to Laurel Street Public Works High Near-term Chestnut Street from Third Street to the Lift Bridge Public Works High Near-term Laurel Street from Owen Street to Second Street Public Works High Near-term Second Street from Laurel Street to Hazel Street Public Works High Near-term Hazel Street from Second Street to the Brown's Creek Trail Public Works High Near-term Wilkins Avenue from Second Street to Highway 5 Public Works Lo -,NT Mid-term Croixwood Boulevard from Highway 5 to Northland Drive Public Works High Near-term Northland Avenue from Croixwood Boulevard to 75th Street Public Works Hi�l� Near-term On -street bike lanes Myrtle Street from Deer Path Washington to Third Street County High Mid-term Highway 36 Frontage Road Public Works Medium Near-term Priority Sidewalks Admundson Drive Public Works Medium Mid- to Long-term N cc cc Olive Drive from Deer Path Washington to Owens Street County High Mid- to Long-term Owens Street from McKusick Washington Drive to Wilkins Street County High Near- to Mid-term New Trailheads Minnesota Stillwater Depot DNR High Near-term Community Barge Terminal Property Development High Mid-term n Minnesota Brown's Creek Park DNR Medium Long-term 0 71 LO 0 N m a_ Q) n 0 Priority Timing (High, Medium, (Near-, Mid- or Long - Implementation Item—A6. Pacnnnaihiliht Low) Term) Priority Crossings Washington Highway 5 at Pine Street County High Near-term Owens Street at McKusick Washington Drive County High Near-term Washington Owens Street at Elm Street County High Near-term Other Improvements Community New mountain bike trail at Development/ Brown's Creek Park Public Works Low Near- to Mid-term Policies, Plans and Programs Trail safety education programs Police/Admin Medium On-going Way -finding signage Community development and installation Development High Near-term Community Stillwater bike route logo Development/ development and installation Public Works High Near-term Develop and distribute trail Community information signage, print Development/ materials and on-line Publco Le ic Works High Near-term Community Creation of Bicycle Facility Development/ Committee Public Works High Near-term Downtown Master Plan Community Update Development High Near-term Comprehensive Plan Community Amendments Development Low Near-term Zoning and Subdivision Community Ordinance Amendments Development Low Near-term Update Snow and Ice Removal Policy Public Works Low Mid-term Develop Trails Maintenance Policy and Capital Improvement Program Public Works Medium Near-term -m- Imnlamantntin Priority (High, Medium, ow) Timing (Near-, Mid- or Long- Term) Community Curvecrest Boulevard Interim Development/ Improvement Study Public Works Medium Mid-term Community Joint Trail Planning with City Development/ of Oak Park Heights Public Works Medium On-going LO 0 N c\ -I r -I M co a a� in in m cc a) coco 3 J - co 0 References LO 0 N c\ -I r -i Co ca a_ 8 U) L Co Co U) w Appendix - Design Guidelines LO 0 N c -I co C d NU) c6 i H &.,iillwater�1� - I -1� THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA March 16, 2015 Greetings. The City of Stillwater will be holding a public information meeting regarding a proposed amendment to the Brown's Creek Park Management Plan. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of Stillwater City Hall (216 4th Street North). A site location map is included in this letter for your reference. The purpose of this amendment is to allow for bicycles to be used in this area, on a designated mountain bike trail system. The mountain bike trail system has been proposed by the Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Association (SASCA). The meeting will include a presentation by City staff on the history of this park and the activities to date. SASCA will make a presentation regarding mountain biking, the local high school mountain bike team and the proposal for the park. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this public information meeting. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at the information listed below. Sincerely, Abbi Jo Wittman City Planner Phone: 651-430-8822 Email: awittman@ci.stillwater.mu.us CITY HALL: 216 NORTH FOURTH STREET • STILLWATER, MINNESOTA 55082 PHONE: 651-430-8800 • WEBSITE: wwwxi.stillwater.mn.us I � � �P y{�tll i1a,, �✓ �51iL< <'- � � I _. ] 't i � ��1� � �� 1 Awl-, jili__RR� y7 I 1_ r a��� �/ ,� r I G coal Los" I OWN - _I Ti I S � 77 I I S[ m �Y L NLL o a ILI O p (j � _0 0 z� air a c o 3 ~ M N L � vJ � U �C � L m maw01 I � � �P y{�tll i1a,, �✓ �51iL< <'- � � I _. ] 't i � ��1� � �� 1 Awl-, jili__RR� y7 I 1_ r a��� �/ ,� r I G coal Los" I OWN - _I Ti I S � 77 I I