PLATTING BOARD MEETING - Municipality of Anchorage

PLATTING BOARD MEETING Page 20
May 4, 2005
MEMBER WALSH asked if the Council hopes that trails can be dedicated throughout
the area to public parks, while respecting individual property owners’ rights. MS.
HOLMES hoped there would be some compromise because the Trails Plan shows the
trail and Anchorage 2020 calls for connectivity. BOARD MEMBER WALSH recalled
from prior testimony that the public is currently using private land on Mt. Baldy. MS.
HOLMES stated the Council would like access that works near where the trail has been
historically located.
CHAIR PHELPS asked if the Council's suggestion is to resolve the location of a
connecting trail or in general resolve the location of a trail somewhere in this area. MS.
HOLMES was not privy to what is occurring with respect to testimony offered by other
persons in this hearing. She felt a trail should be located in the general vicinity of the
arrow shown on the Trails Plan. CHAIR PHELPS asked the location of the Saddle Trail.
MS. HOLMES replied that it comes from Paine Road and travels north/south. MS.
SCHANCHE referred to an aerial photograph with an overlay of trails to locate the arrow
from the Trails Plan, to the "right" of the Homestead Trail. She stated she met with Mr.
Burnham and the Traffic Director regarding traditional use trails on private property.
There was, at that time, discussion of using section line easements, which would extend
from Paine Road south. The Traffic Director mentioned that the original intent of the
Trails Plan was to try to connect trails from Paine Road to trails from the Steamboat area.
They were going to try to work within easements rather than go on private property. The
Municipality did not want to pursue the Saddle Trail at this time because it cuts through
two properties, but was relying on the fact the roadway would be a public use easement.
There was no intent to encourage vehicle access to the trail, but to allow pedestrian use.
The trail eventually leads to Chugach State Park, but the route down the road might never
be realized. A hole was put into the Saddle Trail so that people could not use it. The
Municipality is attempting to find a solution that will work for everyone.
BOARD MEMBER SHRIVER asked if wording condition 5 to resolve the location of
the 20-foot trail would mean that Ms. Schanche would work with private property owners
to locate trails on section lines as much as possible and that there would be a trail,
satisfying the Rabbit Creek Community Council's concerns. MS. SCHANCHE believed
this was the case, so long as the roadway can be allowed for pedestrian use. She was
encouraged that one of the testifiers is using Land Design North to design a trail on the
section line, which would be helpful and likely gain support from the community
councils. BOARD MEMBER SHRIVER asked if there should be language regarding
pedestrian use of the roadway. MS. SCHANCHE indicated that a phrase could be added
“to allow pedestrian use.” She stated it is not desirable for people to park and then hike.
BOARD MEMBER SHRIVER thought perhaps the condition should not be changed, if
the desire is to discourage parking and hiking.
JEFF BROWN stated if Paine Road were followed straight to Chugach State Park, the
slope would be extreme. He stated there is a desire to locate trails for recreational use. He
stated that the road with hairpin turns will not be accessible by emergency vehicles. This