In work session on February 8, 2011 staff discussed a design constraint associated with City project #11-21; Armstrong and Bunker Lake Boulevard intersection improvements.  This project includes additional infrastructure to support the Legacy Christian Academy development and other improvements as directed by the Council on December 14, 2010.  Final plans are being prepared and the Council directed trail segment along Armstrong Boulevard, from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Alpine Drive, has presented some design concerns.  There is limited space at the south end of the project limits to fit this trail within the existing right-of-way, which would require the purchase of additional land and/or easements.  An existing temporary construction easement across the property, as identified by PID#20-32-25-44-0003, would need to be converted to a permanent easement and/or acquired to allow construction of this trail segment.

 

Staff met with the property owners to discuss this potential acquisition, and they were open to negotiations but they wanted to understand the long term use of their property and whether the City would consider purchasing the entire parcel.  This matter was discussed at a special meeting on February 22, 2011, at which time the Council approved a formal offer to purchase the permanent easement, and also authorized the undertaking of an appraisal for the entire parcel.  The property owner has responded to the City's permanent easement offer and stated that they are waiting to hear on the potential offer for the entire property, and they are also not in agreement on crediting all of the compensation they have already received for the temporary easement.  The property appraisal has been completed and will be made available under separate cover.  Staff is looking for feedback on a potential offer for the entire parcel and/or a response to the property owners counter-offer for the permanent easement.

 

Another issue that has been discovered during the design phase is related to the paving of Puma Street.  The existing dirt road is approximately 19' wide; which is proposed to be widened to 24' and paved along with a bituminous trail on the west side.  The cross section for Puma Street has a total right-of-way width of 73', of which 33' is on the west side (see attached).  With the proposed roadway widening and the inclusion of a boulevard and trail on the west side the improvements will now extend to within 0.5' of the existing in-place right-of-way, and additional grading will be required outside of the right-of-way to tie the grades back into the existing topography of the property.  It is expected that another 20' to 25' of temporary easement will be required for such grading activities.

 

Staff is looking into reducing the boulevard width from 10' to 6' and potentially the trail width from 10' to 8', but private property impacts cannot be avoided.  Staff is looking to secure a temporary easement for this grading impact, along with a small permanent drainage and utility easement to maintain existing drainage patterns and a culvert crossing.  With some revisions to the cross-section widths we will ultimately need a 20' temporary easement along the west side of Puma Street from Bunker to Alpine for matching existing grades, and a 40' x 40' permanent easement around the culvert crossing (see attached plan sheets).  We have met with the property owner and he was open to the discussions for these easement acquisitions, but wanted to consult with his attorney and review a formal proposal from the City.

If the property owners are unwilling to sell the easements outlined above it would be extremely difficult to construct the trail segments without significant deviations from standards.  Additional information will be available at the meeting, as these matters are dealing with property acquisition and are therefore confidential.

Based upon discussion.