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Home My WebLink About1998 04 13 Informational Item B ~COMMISSION AGENDA 11rEM B REGULAR CONSENT INFORMATIONAL X April 13. 1998 Meeting MGR ~EPT Authorizatio REQUEST: The Community Development Department - Planning Division informs the Mayor and Commission that a portion of the Cross Seminole Trail, located within the new Town Center, is proposed to be relocated further east of the intersection of State Road 434 and Tuskawilla Road PURPOSE: To inform the Mayor and City Commission that City staff is requesting the Florida National Scenic Trail/Cross Seminole Trail segment (FNST/CST) be realigned to a new location which is expected to be more beneficial to the community, the local and regional multi-use trail users and the property owners. The existing trail corridor being requested for realignment is located in the newly planned Town Center and occurs between North Tuskawilla Road at the existing trail crossing and approximately 430' south on State Road 434. APPLICABLE LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY: The provisions of 163.3167(11) F.S. which state "Each local government is encouraged to articulate a vision of the future physical appearance and qualities of its community as a component of its local comprehensive plan. The vision should be developed through a collaborative planning process with meaningful public participa.tion and shall be adopted by the governing body of the jurisdiction." The provisions of380.507(2) F.S. which state [The Florida Communities Trust's powers are] "To undertake, coordinate, or fund activities and projects which will help bring local comprehensive plans into compliance and help implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the conservation, recreation and open space, and coastal dements of local comprehensive plans, or which will otherwise serve to conserve natural resources and resolve land use conflicts...(5) To acquire interests in land hy means of land exchanges, and enter into all alternatives to the acquisition of fee interests in land, including the acquisition of conservation easements, life estates, :teases, and leaseback arrangements. CONSIDERA TIONS: The trust may accept donations of any interest in land. (6)To award grants and make loans to local governments and nonprofit organizations for the purposes listed in subsection (2) and for acquiring fee title and less than fee title, such as conservation easements or other interests in land, for the purposes of this part." The provisions of260.012(5)F.S. which states "It is the intent of the Legislature to officially recognize the Florida National Scenic Trail as Florida's official statewide trail from the Florida Panhandle to the Everglades. It is also the intent of the Legislature to encourage all state, regional and local agencies who acquire lands to include in their landbuying efforts the acquisition of sufficient legal interest in the lands oVI~r which the trail passes to ensure its continued existence in a permanent location." The provisions of260.012(3)F.S. which state "The planning, development, operatioltl, and maintenance of the Florida Greenways and Trails System authorimd by 250.011 - 260.018 is declared to be a public purpose, and the Department of Environmental Protection, together with other governments and agencies of the state and all counties, municipalities, and special districts of this state, is authorized to spend public funds for such purposes and to accept gifts and grants of funds, property, or property rights from public or private sources to be used for such purposes." * The City Commission and the Mayor of the City of Winter Springs recently adopted a new Town Center concept plan which defines an interconnecting system of greenspaces and trails. * During the Town Center planning process, it was determined that the current diagonal alignment of the state owned FNST-CST corridor was not compatible with the new Town Center Master Plan and that the proposed realignment is preferred by the City and the property owner. * The existing trail corridor being requested for realignment is located in the newly planned Town Center and occurs between North Tuscawilla Road at the existing trail crossing, and approximately +30 feet south on State Road 434. * A meeting between the City and Seminole County is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., April 15, 1998. It is expected that the specific management and construction responsibilities will be defined at the meeting. * State Statutes require the exchange land be of equal or greater value and at least twice the land area. FUNDING: No fund:> required. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Memo to the City Manager dated February 11, 1998 outlining procedure to relocate the trail. 2. Trail realignment application to the office of Greenways and Trails dated April 02, 1998. 3. Map of proposed trail realignment. ACTION REQUIREH: None required. COM-MISSION ACTION: None required. \.... ./,. . ...J 1If'- . ,. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 1126 EAST STA TE ROAD 434 WINTER SPRINGS. FLORIDA 32708 Telephone (407) 327-1800 COMMl1N1iY DEVaOPMENT DlREcroR MEMORANDUM TO: Ron McLemore, City Manager Charl.es C. c40n, AICP, comni~pment Director Reloc:ation of The Cross Seminole Trail FROM: SUBJ.: DATE: February 11, 1998 On Friday, February 06, 1998, I met with John E. Brown, Jr., Administrator Real Estate, Florida Office of Gmenways and Trails. We met to discuss the procedure to relocate the Cross Seminole Trail within the Town Center. On Saturday, February 07, 1998, I discussed the Town Center concept with the Preservation 2000 Council. The following is a summary of the two meetings. * Mr. Brown advised that the property in question was not purchased for the trail and has no specific conservation value. Therefore, a property exchange is feasible. . The state will require a letter of request from the city and county asking that the trail be relocated. The letter should stress that the requested action is in the best interest ofthc~ county and the city. A formal resolution is not required. The letter should be addressed to: Virginia Wetherell, Secretary Dept of Environmental Protection Office of Greenways & Trails 325 John Knox Road Bldg. 500 W oodcrest Office Park Tallahassee, Florida 32303 - t..l'?"" 4 * The State Statue requires the exchange land to be of equal or greater value and at least twice the land area The proposed trail location must be on uplands. The area to be exchanged can include wetland acreage. Relocation of The Cross Seminole Trail February 11, 1998 Page 2 . Additionally, the package must include "hard" drawings of the affected area, i.e., existing total trail acreage, designated for swap with a breakdown of uplands and delineated wetlands within the proposed trail routing. . City and county support letters must address added trail length as it relates to construction and maintenance. The county must agree to accept the related costs. The city can supplement the expenditures by agreeing to maintain or construct the area in ques;ion or perhaps swap or exchange something to persuade the county to construct and maintain the trail. . The office of Greenways and Trails will then order an appraisal. Cost is usually borne by the state. . The Office of Greenways and Trails Staff will prepare the agenda package. The material will. be presented to the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, and the cabinet aids before the final presentation to the cabinet . Prior to appc::aring before the governor and cabinet, the Preservation 2000 committee Vlrill review the proposal and vote to support or disallow the exchange. 1beir support is important. . The cabinet meets twice a month. If for example, the application package is received by 1he Office of Greenways and Trails by April I, 1998, the matter could be on Ithe May 28 agenda for the governor and cabinet. This schedule allows time for staff review and completion of an appraisal. . The matter will then be placed on the cabinet agenda for a vote. The city and county will need to show support by attending the cabinet meeting. At least two members of the City Commission and the County Commission should plan to attend. A show of support is very important. At this time, it appe~lI'S that we have tacit approval from both the Office of Greenways and Trails and the Preservation 2000 Council. Final determination will be made when the design is complete and application is made. cc: Mayor Paul P. Partyka . City Commissio:o Michael Schrimsher ccc\mgr\lrails2.02-10-98 CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA Ronald W. McLemore City Manager 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434 WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 32708-2799 Telephone (407) 327-1800 April 02, 1998 Mr. Fred Ayer, Director Office of Greenways and Trails 325 John Knox Road, Building 500 W oodcrest Office Park Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4124 Re: TRAfi, REALIGNMENT APPLICATION (Originally Acquired by Preservation 2000, Rails to Trails Funding) Applicant: Ciity of Winter Springs Trail Corridor: Florida National Scenic Trail- Cross Seminole Trail (Viithin the City of Winter Springs Town Center) County Located: Se:minole County, Florida Introduction: The City Commi:;sioners and the Mayor of the City of Winter Springs recently adopted a new Town Center Concept Plan which defines an interconnecting system of greenspaces and trails, a traditionally planned street system and conceptual building layout plan. The Trustee owned Florida National Scenic Trail/Cross Seminole Trail segment (FNST/CST) is aligned through the heart of the Town Center and has been a catalyst for the recent Town Center planning process. The City of Winter Springs is requesting that the FNST/CST be re:aligned to a new location (see attached Realignment Plan) which is expected to be more beneficial to the community, the local and regional multi-use trail users and the property owners. " TRAll.. REALIGNMENT APPLICA nON April 02, 1998 Page 2 What is the reason for realigning the corridor? During the plamting process, it was determined that the current diagonal alignment of the State owned FNST-CST corridor was not compatible with the new Town Center Master Plan and that thc~ proposed realignment is preferred by the City and the property owner. This preferred r,ealignment provides for the desired infrastructure (street. greenspaces, restroom facilitil~s and trail) functions while also providing greater opportunities for a more cohesive building layout The Town Center consultant determined that economic benefits to the Town Center, including greater tax revenues, will be achieved through this realignment whic:h appears to be in the best interest of the State, City and County. What is the greenway c:orridor to be realigned? The existing trail corridor being requested for realignment is located in the newly planned Town Center of Winter Springs and occurs between north Tuscawilla Road at the existing trail crossing, and approximately 430' south of State Road 434. The corridor is approximately 100' wide in this area Existing 'frail Acreage: Proposed Realigned Trail Acreage: 6.5 acres 13.0 acres Note: I1t is expected that this acreage exchange will meet the Statutory requirem(:nts of equal or greater value and at least twice the land area. The proposed re:ilignment accommodates a paved multi-use trail and will become an integral part of tbe Winter Springs pedestrian and bicycle circulation system that will connect to the town square (Magnolia Square). This new realignment provides greater access to environmental preservation areas, including the Wetland Park, which has a spring and creek which feed directly into the nearby Howell Creek. The realignment also includes an unpaved trail route (for equestrians and hikers) which leaves the multi-use trail north of the City and continues eastward along an unimproved county right-of-way and traverses the eastern edge of the town center along the uplands edge of the 100 year flood plane contour and the jurisdictional wetlands. The realigned pedestrian-bicycle trail and the hiking-equestrian trail join back together near State Road 434, at which point they will cross the Florida Department of Transportation right of way on a proposed trail overpass. The realigned trail then quickly reconnects to the Trustee owned right of way to the south. ".......' r' TRAll.. REALIGNMI:NT APPLICATION April 02, 1998 Page 3 What are the benefits to the State and Local green way and trail system with the realignment? Greenways: The existing habitat of the currently owned corridor is degraded, due to the previous railroad use, and has little or no biological significance. The planned realigned corridors have substantial biological significance and provide buffers to existing jurisdictional wetlands, which have been designated by the Florida Greenways Commission as one of the top 20 Ecological Greenways in Florida., the Lake Jesup Greenway. Trails: 1he existing alignment accommodates all trail multiusers, although it does not allow for the diversion of hikers and equestrians around the Town Center urbanization. The planned realigned corridors provide separated trail alignments for the various trail users, eliminating the potential for user conflict. The realignment allows for full public view, access and e:njoyment of the wetland areas and provides for specific trailhead opportunities at Magnolia Square and on Lake Jesup. How is the new alignment to be managed? A meeting between the City and Seminole County is scheduled for 2:00 P.M, April 15, 1998. It is expe:cted that the specific management and construction responsibilities will be defined at the:: meeting and forwarded under separate cover. The County currently has a management agreement with the State for the entire FNST -Cross Seminole Trial. This greenway realignment creates a strong sense of place, community and multi-cultural appreciation by connecting land and community, both rural and urban. This is a community based partnership whic]~ will insure the success of the Town Center and the Florida National Scenic Trail Greenway initiative. It is my understanding that Mr. Rick Halverson of the Office of Greenways and Trail:; will coordinate the Staff Review and will be our initial point of contact in this matter. Respectfully submitted, /f!~W1N~ Ron McLemore, City Manager City of Winter Springs, :Florida . ~' :. ....' '.. ,f:.! .~. :'(; Q l..A j: b.' J Ii S (.: F .'f'~ 1 l' 'c...~ ~""... .-.,....._.""'\. Legend ,," .. . . fU~Sceni:Traj '~.,::"," O(X)~.CiOss5eminole:Trail -- -' - ~'1'lOjX)sOO ReB~ ~-::..-:..,. '1.._- ", ,,".': _.;;;;;' .~ Hiking & Equestrian ~ Local Trail, (connector) ...-~ ','., ........ ., ....-, .. ~1."'" ..;....~ Winter Springs Town Center ~ -16- Dover, Kohl & Partners, et al