City Council is being presented with the Rimrocks to Valley Bike/Ped Feasibility Study for the Council to make a recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC).  The Council received information regarding this study at its July 5 Work Session.  
 
The Rimrocks to Valley Bike/Ped Study is a planning study that evaluates alternatives for the development of separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities from Highway 3 atop the Rimrocks to existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities below (Rimrock Road, etc.) between North 27th Street and Zimmerman Trail.
 
The Goals and Expectations of the Study include:

1. Identify routes that safely convey bicyclists and pedestrians addressing the needs of both recreational users and commuters.
2. Evaluate the feasibility of achieving ADA compliance.
3. Identify access points and place-making opportunities.
4. Consider the unique geology of the Rimrocks in the evaluation of alternatives.
5. Maintain consistency with existing community plans.
6. Identify and engage all relevant stakeholders, particularly the Rimrock neighborhoods.
7. Enhance recreational and anesthetic opportunities from atop the Rims.
8. Provide a key connection within the proposed 26-mile marathon loop trail around Billings.
9. Develop a prioritized list of short-term and long-term projects.

The development of the study was managed by a project steering committee comprised of representatives from Planning, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Billings TrailNet, City Parks and Recreation Department, Rimrock Neighborhoods Task Force, Federal Highway Administration, and the Montana Department of Transportation.  The planning process included a public participation element that developed the Project Oversight Committee that held monthly meetings throughout the planning process to guide the direction of the feasibility study.  This included a walking tour at the onset of the project.  Neighborhood meetings were held adjacent to the proposed trail routes to discuss design concepts, ideas and concerns of nearby property owners.  A Rimrock Neighborhoods Task Force meeting was attended and a project overview was provided. Two public meetings also were held. The first was to introduce the feasibility study and identify issues important to stakeholders.  The second presented route alternatives and requested input on various access points and amenities for each route. 
 
The Technical Advisory Committee comprised of City, County and MDT staff reviewed the document on May 5, 2016 and is forwarding a recommendation of approval.  The Yellowstone County Board of Planning reviewed the document and held a public hearing on May 24, 2016.  No one spoke during the public hearing.  The Planning Board is forwarding a recommendation of approval to the PCC.
 

↵City Council may:

• Approve the Rimrocks to Valley Bike/Ped Study and forward that recommendation to the PCC via the Council representative.
• Approve the Rimrocks to Valley Bike/Ped Study with modifications and forward that recommendation to the PCC via the Council representative..
• Do not approve the Rimrocks to Valley Bike/Ped Study and forward that recommendation to the PCC via the Council representative..

There should be no direct financial impact from the adoption of this study. However, it will assist with future planning, funding, and design for incorporating bike/ped facilities in the corridor between North 27th Street and Zimmerman Trail along the rimrocks.

Staff recommends the City Council approve the Rimrocks to Valley Bike/Ped Feasibility Study and forward that recommendation via the City's representative to the PCC at its July 19 meeting.