Consider Vacating Pedestrian Trail Easement on Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider vacating an existing 7½ -foot wide pedestrian trail easement on Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition.

Background:
In June of 2013, the City of Ramsey and the property owners of Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition (15620 Krypton Street NW) jointly executed a Pedestrian Trail Easement Agreement establishing 7½ feet of pedestrian trail easement along the east edge of the property. The property owners agreed to this in exchange for the City removing a portion of a pedestrian trail through their rear yard and restoring the area with turf.

Attachment 2 is historical information explaining these past actions in detail. This information discusses the intent of the City to maintain this pedestrian trail easement with the hope of extending the trail through the easement to connect to future neighborhoods outside of the subject property, and to the north and west.  Since then, one of the properties, which was owned by the State of Minnesota and was primarily undevelopable due to numerous wetlands and low-lying areas, was sold to a private party.  Staff therefore projects that a trail connection is much less likely than previous conditions might have allowed for.  In any instance, a trail connection would require significant sections of boardwalk, which are at least 4-fold in cost over a bituminous trail.
 
The subject property owners are now requesting that the City vacate this pedestrian trail easement to prevent random pedestrian use of the easement, which now directs pedestrians onto private property. Staff supports the request of the subject property owners, as an alternative exists should future conditions align to warrant exploring a trail connection from the Wildlife Sanctuary subdivision to the west.  The first attachment shows this alternative.
 
Note: The underlying platted drainage and utility (D&U) easement would still exist allowing City Staff to access and maintain all existing and proposed trunk sanitary sewer lines north of the subject property.

If the Park and Recreation Commission and the Public Works Committee support the trail easement vacation, various public notifications will be made as part of the required Ordinance to vacate the easement.
 

All costs associated with vacating the easement are the responsibility of the City.

Staff recommends that the Commission support the trail easement vacation.

Motion to recommend/not recommend to City Council, vacating the 7½-foot wide pedestrian trail easement on Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition.