Fairhope, Alabama
ALONG NORTH US HWY 98
The Times has learned the new biking/walking trail along the east side of N. Hwy 98 is being held up over objections from The Woodlands neighborhood about its location -- and concerns it may bring what another area-resident calls "undesirables" wandering into their neighborhood.
The two mile long, 8' wide, multi-purpose, asphalt path first-proposed in 2013 was to connect Montrose Woods Dr. north of Rock Creek with the existing Eastern Shore Trail on Scenic 98 at Hwy 104.
A federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant for $500K was applied for in 2013 (granted 2014); the city's matching share was to be $100K for the original design including an 80 ft. steel arch-truss bridge over Fly Creek with 150' boardwalks on each side.
RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS DENIED?
According to a discussion at a previous council work session, The Woodlands homeowners association is denying the use of some of their right of way (green in the photo below) for the trail in an existing electrical utility easement south of their entrance, Woodlands Drive. The city owns the property north of the road.
Mayor Kant recently told the Times he is bringing two new alternative designs for the trail to the city council for its consideration/decision, which could be much more costly than the original design.
The city would have to pay the additional costs.
At a work session late last year, councilman Burrell mentioned moving it to the west side of the highway.
(Possibly item 4 on Monday's 4:30 PM work-session agenda. Look for updates here).
ALONG NORTH US HWY 98
Proposed Hwy 98 trail (green line) |
The two mile long, 8' wide, multi-purpose, asphalt path first-proposed in 2013 was to connect Montrose Woods Dr. north of Rock Creek with the existing Eastern Shore Trail on Scenic 98 at Hwy 104.
A federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant for $500K was applied for in 2013 (granted 2014); the city's matching share was to be $100K for the original design including an 80 ft. steel arch-truss bridge over Fly Creek with 150' boardwalks on each side.
RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS DENIED?
According to a discussion at a previous council work session, The Woodlands homeowners association is denying the use of some of their right of way (green in the photo below) for the trail in an existing electrical utility easement south of their entrance, Woodlands Drive. The city owns the property north of the road.
Mayor Kant recently told the Times he is bringing two new alternative designs for the trail to the city council for its consideration/decision, which could be much more costly than the original design.
The city would have to pay the additional costs.
At a work session late last year, councilman Burrell mentioned moving it to the west side of the highway.
(Possibly item 4 on Monday's 4:30 PM work-session agenda. Look for updates here).
Woodlands HOA property in green (north is up) |
Comments
The situation is still developing and we are monitoring it closely ... .
Maybe Woodlands is being set up as snobby before the latest Planning Board meeting where the Publix apartment is being brought up again without changes by the Fairhope "powers that be" Evidently, it doesn't matter what tax payers want... apartment dwellers use without contributing to funding the infrastructure.