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RESOLUTION R-1617-32: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ADOPTING A "PRIORITY GREENBELT TRAIL SYSTEM" AS ADDENDA TO THE ADOPTED GREENWAYS AND PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLANS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL VISIONING SPACE, PARKS, GREENWAYS, TRAILS, RECREATION, AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF NORMAN.
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BACKGROUND: The Greenbelt Commission (GBC) presented a concept for a Greenbelt Priority Trail System at the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meetings on June 25, 2015 and October 16, 2015. A very productive discussion occurred and comments were shared, and the GBC was asked to develop a map and criteria for priority trails for review by the City Council with the idea that this information would be added as an addendum to the Greenways and Parks and Recreation Master Plans. The GBC met with staff from the Public Works, Utilities, Parks and Planning Departments in developing the proposal to evaluate the feasibility of the concepts and potential integration with active/upcoming capital improvement projects and plans. The Chair of the Greenbelt Commission, presented the proposal and background information at the City Council Study Session on June 14, 2016. The proposal and resolution was presented to the Council for public hearing and adoption on September 13, 2016. Based on public comment the item was postponed. Council requested the GBC make revisions to address citizens’ concerns raised at that meeting. The revised proposal was subsequently discussed at the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meetings on October 26, 2017 and at a City Council Study Session on November 7, 2017. Minor changes were suggested based on the most recent meetings and those have been incorporated into the proposal submitted for approval.
DISCUSSION: The Greenbelt Commission unanimously voted to present the attached revised proposal. The overall purpose remains - to develop these trails as essential to the foundation for a more extensive system throughout urban and rural Norman. The GBC wishes to emphasize the following points about the proposal:
1. The proposal will have positive benefits for Norman with respect to quality of life, families and attracting more people to Norman, which is also important for business.
2. Repeatedly in surveys, Normanites have requested more opportunities for walking and biking.
3. The proposal is conceptual with stated visions of trail alignments and is meant to provide guidance but not supersede the design process as specific parcels, easements and rights-of-way are acquired. Public-private partnerships will be necessary to achieve buildout.
4. This will serve as the foundation or backbone for future connections of trails throughout the community. These priority trails allow for multiple trail loops in the community, and they integrate with existing trails and projects.
5. Selection of greenbelt priority trails considered, among other things, existing trails, ongoing capital investments, adopted master plans, and comments of elected officials and citizens.
A detailed description of the trails is included in Attachment A.
At the end of the Study Session on November 7, 2017, City Council requested that staff draft a resolution reflecting this proposal to bring forward to City Council to make the “Priority Trails System” an addendum to the Greenways and Parks and Recreation Master Plans.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff presents this Resolution to City Council as requested at their City Council Study Session on November 7, 2017.