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2019-156 Pec 4 SurveyDate: August 9, 2019 Report No. 2019-156 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Summary of the process required, benefits, and potential impacts of a multiuse path along the Pecan Creek Drainage Project (PEC-4). PURPOSE: The purpose of this Informal Staff Report is to provide a high-level overview of the benefits, challenges, impacts, and solutions of the potential use of the PEC-4 right-of-way easements for a bicycle and pedestrian pathway. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The PEC-4 project consists of installing approximately 4,700 linear feet of box culverts along the Pecan Creek 4 Upper Tributary between Wainwright and Bernard St. The original Pecan Creek drainage infrastructure was constructed under the Work Progress Administration (WPA) program, initiated by President Roosevelt in 1935. Council Member Davis requested that staff develop a plan to document the historical WPA-era culverts before PEC-4 construction begins. Staff is currently working with the Denton County Office of History and Culture to establish a process for documentation; more information on the documentation plan was provided in the August 2 Friday Report. The proposed box culverts are to be completed in four phases. Phase 1 is scheduled to begin July 2019 and phase 4 is scheduled to be complete by July 2023. The project, once design is complete, is expected to cost approximately $20 million. This cost estimate includes right-of-ways, temporary easements, and all construction costs. Council Member Meltzer inquired about the possibility of installing a multiuse trail- a trail designed for use by pedestrians and cyclists- on the new box culverts and what the process would be to survey property owners about their interest in such a trail. To determine if a multiuse trail could be installed along the proposed box culverts, staff would conduct a feasibility study to determine if the space created by the box culverts would meet engineering requirements for a multiuse trail. The minimum width of a multiuse trail is ten feet; however, Parks and Recreation recommends a minimum of twelve feet. If the minimum width requirements were met, the drainage requirements would then need to be evaluated to ensure that the multiuse trail would be compatible. The City currently has drainage easements along PEC-4 and would need to acquire additional public use easements to include a multiuse trail along the proposed box culverts. Initial assessments by the project manager lead staff to believe that not all segments of the PEC-4 route meet both the width and drainage requirements for a multiuse trail. Staff is awaiting formal direction from a consensus of Council to proceed with a formal feasibility study. If the installation of a multiuse trail was found to be feasible and compatible with all requirements, staff would move forward with surveying property owners. Engineering staff would coordinate with Public Affairs staff to set up an electronic survey for all residents in the project area and all business owners that would be impacted by the project. Date: August 9, 2019 Report No. 2019-156 On May 15, 2019 the Project Manager for the PEC-4 project, Jim Jenks, visited and informally surveyed the following property/business owners: • Daniel Peugh, owner of The Peugh Law Firm (721 W. Mulberry St.) • Angela Juliet Shangmu, owner of Juliet’s Jewels (315 W. Sycamore St.) • Jim Gilliam, owner of Cadillac Art and Frame (510 S. Locust St.) • The Ravelin’s, owner of Ravelin Bakery (414 S. Locust St.) • Suresh Bhagwat, owner of Denton Plaza (508-516 S Locust St.) Business owners indicated they would be in favor of general enhancements of bike and pedestrian pathways along the route of the PEC-4 project, especially if such enhancements would increase their customer bases. However, concerns were expressed about the exact path of the trail. Residents are generally opposed to such a trail going through side yards or in between homes. If directed by Council, staff will formally survey all affected residents in order to better understand viewpoints and concerns. Staff is committed to expanding the City’s multiuse trail offerings. Parks and Recreation Director, Gary Packan, stated that multiuse trails are the number one requested item for his department. The upcoming parks and recreation master plan contains an entire section dedicated to multiuse trails. The department is working with UNT to determine the best placement for these trails in the City and will include recommendations for areas surrounding the PEC-4 project route. As part of this planning, the department is holding public meetings to get input from both pedestrians and cyclists. The department is also participating in mobility committee meetings to ensure that any multiuse trail plan is aligned with the larger mobility needs of the community. ATTACHMENT(S): Request 2019-260 Sidewalk Map and New Line STAFF CONTACT: Todd Estes Director of Capital Improvement Projects, City Engineer Todd.Estes@cityofdenton.com Gary Packan Director of Parks & Recreation Gary.Packan@cityofdenton.com REQUESTOR: Council Member Meltzer and Council Member Davis PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Capital Projects, Public Affairs, Parks and Recreation, City Manager’s Office, and Development Services STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 80 hours