Resolution 4492 - Laserfiche WebLink

Public Ownership--Other Agencies: Through its many agencies, the City of Everett owns and controls many acres of land. Other agencies which own and manage property include Snohomish County (Parks and Public Works), Washington State (Department of Transportation, State Parks, P.U.D.), and various Federal agencies (Department of Natural Resources,the Housing Authority). Many opportunities exist for joint use of these properties. Transportation rights-of-way can be altered to accommodate different trail types; utility rights-of-way also offer logical trail corridors, such as the South End Sewer Interceptor route. The Growth Management Act has spurred increased coordination of planning efforts between local agencies. It is through such coordination that interagency agreements can be created. Additionally, city agencies are in the process of transferring their information base onto the computer based Geographic Information System (GIS). This will allow joint planning to an extent not previously possible; parcels owned by the various agencies can be easily identified, and overlaid with the trail plan to discover areas of joint interest. This will aid the process of developing interagency agreements for the joint use of land. ACTION STEPS: 1. Map trail plan using a format consistent with other city agencies. 2. Distribute the trail plan to aid in interagency planning efforts. 3. Create a forum to discuss joint use of land between agencies. Private Ownership: While public ownership of all trail corridors is preferable, financial limitations make this impossible. Accordingly, creative strategies are needed to build public-private coalitions and partnerships that promote the implementation of the trail plan. Examples of such strategies include: recreation easements across private property, possible tax advantages gained by designating private properties as "open space," donation of private property, and designation of trail corridors through neighborhood agreements. Neighborhood groups can successfully develop partnerships with local businesses for funding and support of trail and park projects, especially if such projects are identified in their neighborhood master plans. Corporations should be encouraged to provide trails across their property, providing benefits for their employees, as well as the general public. The comprehensive trail plan can greatly enhance such partnerships by providing a community vision for groups to follow. The trail plan can also be used to guide mitigation for new development by delineating trail corridors, connections, and facilities. ACTION STEPS: 1. Develop a public information system to publicize the trail plan, building a citizen- based constituency for trail development, and encouraging private donations. 2. Publicize trail plan to businesses, developers, etc.,to encourage the development of partnerships which would promote a comprehensive trail system. 3. Use the trail plan in permit review to assure that service level deficiencies are being met as the city grows. PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT W:\PLANNING\TRAILS\COMP96.DOC 34