The 13.94 acre ‘Gateway to Falconhead’ subdivision property is subject to Planned Development District Ordinance No. 13-147 for mixed use project comprised of neighborhood service retail, restaurant, and office located at the southeast corner of the RR 620 and Falconhead Blvd intersection.  The project, approved in October 2013, is comprised of three lots, Lot 1, Lot 2, and an uplatted 2.9 acre tract. 

One of the PDD requirements included a publicly accessible trail to be built and maintained by the developer.  A portion of this trail was depicted on Lot 1 between the regional water quality/detention pond and the parking lot, from the entrance drive to the southern property line; this 5’ wide, crushed granite trail segment connects to existing trail on both ends and was to be part of the overall RR 620 trail system. 

In December 2014, City Council approved a Site Plan for Lot 1; the aforementioned trail segment was shown in the same location and configuration.  A permit for the project was issued in September of 2015, and construction started in October of 2015.  

In May 2017, City Council approved an amendment to the Site Plan.  A condition of approval was for the Lot 1 owner to provide a pedestrian easement—or consent to an easement—on the 2.9 acre property in order for the City to build and maintain a trail segment as part of its regional system.  

 The agenda item tonight is regarding a City-initiated, site plan showing basic alignment (to be adjusted, as needed, via ‘field engineering’ at the time of construction) for this ~550’ long trail segment.  The segment is will be approximately 10-12’ wide, be of a stabilized surface such StaLok or concrete, and be located between the creek and the water quality pond.  The majority of the trail is anticipated to abut the wall of the water quality pond, but portions may meander to avoid trees. 

There are five associated with pedestrian connectivity over Gateway to Falconhead Lot 1 and the Spillman tract.  The surveys and text has been prepared and reviewed by all parties and, with the exception of some very minor corrections, is ready. 

• Yellow Easement:  refers to a ~10' concrete segment of trail to be built and maintained by the City adjacent to Building A.  Will connect to Building A.
• Dark Blue Easement:  ~4-5' crushed granite and concrete segment already built and to be maintained by Lot 1 owner.  Located on Lot 1.
• Light Blue Easement:  ~4-5' crushed granite segment already built and to be maintained by Lot 1 owner.  Located on Spillman tract.
• Red Easement:  One of two easements directly associated with subject site plan.  ~5-8' crushed granite segment between entrance drive and portion of pond. To be built and maintained by City.  On Spillman tract.
• Purple Easement:  One of two easements directly associated with subject site plan.  10-12' trail described in preceding paragraph.  City responsible for replacing any trees it removes.

All easements are structured to obtain WTC-PUA sign-off because the pedestrian easements will overlap with PUA easements.  Staff has been in communication with PUA staff and received informal, positive feedback on the likelihood of support.

Lot 1 owner is requesting to not be required to build the aforementioned trail segment adjacent to the parking lot because, with the City’s new segment, it is no longer critical to complete connectivity in the larger system.  Furthermore, he is requesting to not be required to replace trees that are removed as a result of the City’s trail segment.  Staff supports both requests.

The Economic Development Board has approved funds in its 2017-18 budget for the entire RR 620 trail, including this segment.  MWM, the City's trail consultant, is in the process of preparing bid documents.