Minutes 09-19-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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22 David Stancil said outside of the initial mailing, staff has only notified those on the master list of those expressing interest in the trail, or the OWASA list. He clarified that this was simply a report item tonight. Commissioner Price said all people affected should be notified. David Stancil said now that there are more refined lines on the map, those in need of notification should be a smaller amount; perhaps 75 property owners. Commissioner Rich said she thinks there are two separate proposed paths: the MTS, and the Rails to Trails path. She said the greenways in Orange County do need to be enhanced, but there should be a focus on the MTS mission versus what a multi-modal path would be. She said she has heard about the MTS forever, and it needs to start moving forward. She said there seems to be a lot of people willing to help. Commissioner Jacobs said a greenway system was proposed 30 years ago, and was met with great resistance. He said when the MTS was raised a decade ago, survey markers were put right next to people's homes, which was a mistake. Commissioner Jacobs said he has been to many meetings over the past years, where people have come and had concerns, and staff has responded promptly. He said it would be a good idea to look at OWASA's land and their restrictions, and he is intrigued by the idea of using mitigation property. Commissioner Jacobs said the greenways and the MTS are two different projects. He said a multi-modal path is much better in the right of way, as it is an urban construct. He said trails are better for rural areas, as multi modal paths in rural areas would invite All Terrain Vehicles, which are destructive and noisy. Commissioner Jacobs said the focus should be on getting started on the part of the trail closest to Hillsborough, while smaller groups can look at sub-sections of the trail and advertise that to nearby property owners. Commissioner Jacobs said it is a terrible idea to put a fire ring in a remote location. Commissioner Price asked if the way station is an idea or a concrete plan. David Stancil said it is an idea at this point. He said work is going on at seven-mile creek, and the idea of a way station could involve a well, or water source, a port-a-john or composting toilet, and maybe a place to camp with a fire ring. Commissioner Price said if a multi-use trail is pursued, it should be wheelchair accessible, as much as possible. Commissioner Rich asked if OWASA's various restrictions are consistent with rules across the state and counties, and if hikers will be able to know the varying restrictions from place to place. David Stancil said one of the most important things that is incumbent on sponsored jurisdictions is signage, and when one enters a trailhead in Orange County there will need to be clear, frequent, obvious and concise information about what is/is not allowed. Commissioner Marcoplos said the wilderness trails they create today will be the most valuable in the future, and he agreed with Commissioner Jacobs about starting work on the trail closest to Hillsborough. He said he would like the trail to go closer to the reservoir, and he agreed with talking to OWASA about its restrictions. Commissioner McKee asked David Stancil to put up a map on the screen. David Stancil put up a map of"parkland and conservation areas in Orange County". He said to look at the orange areas of the map, which are County-owned lands or open space; and the light green areas of the map, which are parkland and open space owned by other entities. Commissioner McKee said he is asking about this because residents contacted him about the possibility of using the rail line. He said there is enough right-of-way to run a multi- modal trail. He said he does not see as this being practical, as he doubts there will be enough