City Council Meeting Date: April 16, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Resolution Designating Mill Towns State Trail Location in Northfield
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution designating the Mill Towns State Trail Location in the City of Northfield.
Summary Report:
In 2004, the City Council designated bike routes on Fourth Street, Fifth Street, and Union Street as part of Mill Towns State Trail. These bike routes currently exist, however this route does not meet the MN DNR State Trail Guidelines. To become designated as a state trail, the trail needs to be off the street or a protected bike lane.
As part of the City's Strategic Plan, a Pedestrian, Bike, and Trail System Plan update was completed. A focus area of the plan was to identify the location of Mill Towns State Trail in Northfield. Two options were presented to the public to receive feedback, Route A through downtown on Fifth Street, Union Street, and Fourth Street and Route B along TH 3 frontage road, Jefferson Parkway, and Spring Creek Road.
Respondents provided the reasons below for why they selected an option.
Participants that chose Route A stated the following reasons:
? It is the most direct
? It would serve the most people and the most businesses
? It would connect important cultural centers in the city (such as Carleton College)
Participants that chose Option B stated the following reasons:
? It has fewer negative impacts on Downtown Northfield
? If Route A were selected, people anticipate a loss of business in the central core during construction and a permanent decrease in the number of parking spaces
? Serves more recreational uses
? Connects to more parks and schools
? Construction impact would be less disruptive
? Provides a far safer bicycling option on Jefferson Parkway
? Allows the existing on-street bicycle lanes to be maintaine...
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