BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Item #17
Title
Archer Braid Corridor Review (Amended)
Amount
N/A
Description
Request to consider Archer Braid Corridor Review and Segment Prioritization
Recommendation
Staff seeks direction from the Board of County Commissioners on the prioritization of the Archer Braid Trail segments for inclusion in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP). If the Board desires to move forward with the Archer Braid Trail, Staff will need permission to approach the various property owners in order to obtain their permission to utilize the existing utility easements.
Alternative(s)
Provide Staff with an alternative direction.
Requested By
Randall Reid
Originating Department
Growth Management
Attachment(s) Description
Archer Braid: A Multiuse path Staff Powerpoint Presentation
Documents Requiring Action
None
Executive Summary
The Archer Braid Trail has been identified as a top priority project in the Bicycle Master Plan and the MTPO Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB). A corridor study for the Archer Braid Trail has been completed to further evaluate the Archer Braid Trail and to identify potential alignments, rough cost estimates, and larger overall issues. Staff has identified several segments for further review and discussion. Staff is seeking direction from the Board of County Commissioners for prioritization of the proposed segments.
Background
The Alachua County Bicycle Master Plan identified a number of proposed bicycle facilities through the County. The Archer Braid Trail (aka Lake Kanapaha Trail and Hull Road Trail) is a proposed bicycle and pedestrian facility from Haile Plantation to the University of Florida. The Archer Braid Trail became the number one off-roadway project during the Transporting Ecologies analysis. Transporting Ecologies was an addendum to the Bicycle Master Plan. A corridor study, conducted by the Florida Community Design Center, for the Archer Braid Trail was developed to further evaluate the corridor, identify potential alignments, provide rough cost estimates, and identify larger overall issues. The trail is proposed to be twelve (12) feet in width. Staff has identified several segments for further review and discussion. Staff is seeking direction from the Board of County Commissioners for prioritization of the proposed segments.
Issues
The portion of the Archer Braid Trail east of I-75 is located predominantly within the City of Gainesville or on the University of Florida campus. The portions of the trail that are within the unincorporated portion of the County east of I-75 are proposed to be annexed into the City of Gainesville through an upcoming referendum. In addition, the City is reviewing a number of proposed projects east of I-75 which could construct portions of the Archer Braid Trail. Staff has focused on the portions of the trail west of I-75. There are four primary segments west of I-75. The land along the portion of the trail from I-75 to Lake Kanapaha is under private ownership. Staff is in discussion with a private developer seeking to develop this property. The developer is aware of the trail and has expressed a willingness to work with Staff on the development of the trail through the development review process. The remaining three segments are broken into the following limits: From the western boundary of Lake Kanapaha to SW 41st Place, From SW 41st to the intersection of Tower Road and SW 46th Blvd, From the intersection of Tower Road and SW 46th to the intersection of Archer Road and SW 91st Street. The primary issues for each segment of the Archer Braid Trail are the land ownership patterns along the proposed trail route. The portion running through Haile Plantation and Stillwind are controlled by the applicable home owners association. The portion through the Greenleaf development appears to be within right-of-way partially owned by Progress Energy and by private property owners. A portion of the trail runs through a private land owner’s backyard, taking up almost the entire back yard. A portion of the trail would run through portions of the City of Gainesville wastewater treatment plant, which is currently fenced in. The portion north of Lake Kanapaha consists of wetlands, floodplain and environmentally sensitive areas. Each proposed segment will have different issues that need to be addressed. Staff will discuss each segment in further detail during the presentation. Portions of the trail along SW 91st and through portions of Haile Plantation exist today. The facility is currently five (5) to six (6) feet in width, with various pavement conditions. A portion of the trail through Haile Plantation runs along SW 46th and connects with Tower Road. The small portion along Tower Road between SW 46th and the Greenleaf development currently consist of a five (5) foot sidewalk that would need to be widened.
Fiscal Recommendation
None
Fiscal Alternative(s)
None
Funding Sources
N/A
Account Code(s)
N/A
Attachment: Archer_Braid_Final_Report_Web_compress3.pdf
Attachment: ArcherBraidPresentation.pdf