Consider Recommending City Council Approval of Pedestrian Trail Easement Vacation on Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider recommending City Council approval to vacate the 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 a 7½-foot wide pedestrian trail easement along the east edge of the property.  Attached is a figure depicting this easement area.  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.
 
Attached 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 existing and future neighborhoods north and west of the subject property.
 
Since the pedestrian trail easement agreement was executed, a private party purchased the large property north of the subject property, which was owned by the State of Minnesota and is largely undevelopable due to numerous wetlands and low-lying areas.  Staff therefore projects that a trail connection is much less likely than previous conditions might have allowed for.  In any instance, a trail connection through this property would require significant sections of boardwalk, which costs at least 4 times more than 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 to private property.  Staff supports the request of the subject property owners, and have identified an alternative pedestrian trail connection route should future conditions align to warrant exploring a trail connection from the Wildlife Sanctuary subdivision to the north and/or west.  Attached is a map showing this alternative route.
 
The City Council is authorized to vacate the existing pedestrian trail easement pursuant to Minnesota Statute 412.851 and City Charter Chapter 12, which are attached to this case.
 
On November 28, Staff plans to ask the City Council to adopt Ordinance #17-15 to vacate this 7.5-foot wide pedestrian trail easement pursuant to City Charter Chapter 3.  Attached is a copy of draft Ordinance #17-15, as well as a copy of City Charter Chapter 3.

Approximately 10 minutes should suffice to present this case and respond to questions.

Observations:
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.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion recommending City Council approval to vacate the pedestrian trail easement on Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition.
 
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.

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

Staff recommends alternative #1.

Motion recommending City Council approval to vacate the pedestrian trail easement on Lot 6, Block 3, Wildlife Sanctuary Third Addition.