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Agenda Item 22.

City Council Meeting

Meeting Date:

04/04/2017

Subject:

Feasibility Study and Conceptual Plan for Western Extension to The Tracks at Brea Trail

RECOMMENDATION

Approve Amendment #6 with David Evans and Associates to provide a feasibility study and conceptual plan for western extension to The Tracks at Brea Trail.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

The County of Orange is spearheading an effort to create a 66-mile active transportation corridor for people to bike and walk throughout the County called "The OC Loop." The Tracks at Brea is part of that loop. The City of La Habra is attempting to build a trail along railroad rights of way (ROW) in their city and is currently negotiating with Union Pacific Railroad (UP) to purchase an easement for that purpose along active ROW, which is part of the same rail spur that has been used for Brea's trail. UP has stated that while they are receptive to working with La Habra, they will only agree to an easement if Brea also agrees to purchase a similar easement on the portion of active ROW within our city.

The Brea easement would be from the western end of the current trail property which is from the Brea flood control channel west of Downtown to Palm Street at the City's border with La Habra. The easement width would be fifteen feet and the length is approximately 1.3 miles. The Brea and La Habra easement would close an important gap in the OC Loop and mean that bike commuters, joggers and walkers could connect between the two cities and points beyond.

Historically, UP has not been receptive to working with cities for easements along active ROW. In fact, La Habra has been working for years to bring UP to the negotiation table and now with the help of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), negotiations have started. This is an opportunity that may not come again for a very long time. There are, however, challenges to developing the trail on this section of ROW including grade changes, probable soil contamination and the high pressure gas line on the north edge of the property. Therefore, staff is recommending that David Evans and Associates (DEA) conduct a feasibility study and develop a conceptual plan to determine if the trail could be built on a fifteen foot wide easement and if so, the specific recommended location of that easement. Their study would also explore a trail connection to La Habra using City streets and include a cost estimate to construct the trail on the recommended route. The results of their work would provide vital information the City would need to determine if the trail easement makes sense for Brea considering a cost/benefit analysis.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Finance Committee recommended approval at their Meeting on March 28, 2017.

FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY

The cost estimate from DEA to provide the feasibility study and conceptual design is $25,525. Unfortunately, none of our current grants can be used for this purpose, so the work would need to be funded from the General Fund.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Kathie DeRobbio, Economic Development Manager
Concurrence: David Crabtree, Community Development Director

Attachments
DEA Amendment 6
DEA Proposal