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Upper Valley Regional Trails Plan

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Plan Concept
The City of Leavenworth Department of Community Development is the lead agency on development of a Regional Trails Plan which will integrate existing planning processes occurring in the upper valley area of the Wenatchee River.  The City intends to build a community in which residents and visitors, in a safe and enjoyable manner, can travel for leisure or work, from corner to corner by their own force.  This plan is envisioned to incorporate multiple modes of travel through four seasons and will include, but not be limited to:  pedestrian, bicycle, equestrian, and cross-country ski travel.   This plan will link and enhance existing and planned trails and determine the necessary locations for new trails--all within urban, rural, and public lands settings. Where possible, this will also include development of pathways pursuant to Smart Growth initiatives such as “Green Infrastructure”.  This plan will include the creation of capital improvement plans and goals and policies for the City of Leavenworth, Peshastin Community, and Chelan County Comprehensive Plans, and will also involve the creation of development standards for each jurisdiction.  Ultimately this plan will further each partner’s goals for development of open space, recreation, and healthy communities. 

Planning Process Background
Two years ago, the City of Leavenworth Community Development Department staff noted that a large number of trail-related planning processes were occurring in the upper valley area and felt that it was essential that this work be integrated into one plan.  The City and County applied for and received competitive grant funding from the Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) for the development of a Regional Trails Plan.  The Community Development Department has finalized the grant contract with CTED and has formed a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the Leavenworth City Planning Commission and City Council, Peshastin Community Council, Chelan County Planning Commission, U.S. Forest Service, Trail Washington, Chelan Douglas Land Trust, and the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club.  The following planning processes are those which are currently underway and which, at a minimum, are to be integrated within this planning process:

1. City of Leavenworth:

   1. The City of Leavenworth is currently engaged in a Transportation Plan update and also a Parks Plan update.  It is expected that the Regional Trails Plan will inform and support both of these planning processes.

2. Peshastin Community Council:

   1. Peshastin Community Plan and the Valley Trail Plan

3. Chelan County:

   1. Valley Trail Project

4. US Forest Service:

   1. Alpen Park/Ski Hill Development and Improvement Plan

5. Trail Washington: 

   1. Mountain Bike Master Plan and Bike-Friendly Community Designations

6. Chelan Douglas Land Trust:

   1. Valley Trail Plan

7. Leavenworth Winter Sports Club

8. Barn Beach Reserve:

   1. Interpretive Trail Plan

Objectives
Expected outcomes of implementation of this plan shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Identification of transportation access/connection nodes

2. Coordination with the Safe Routes to School assessment and integration of concepts therein

3. Up-to-date development standards with requirements for dedications, improvements, and possibly impact fees related to the development process

4. Capital Improvement Plans with anticipated project costs to be used for budgeting purposes

5. A model project which demonstrates partnership building and interagency communication with local recreational organizations, land trusts, local and regional governments, and other entities

General Scope of Work
Attached is the CTED grant contract with a generalized scope of work.  A scope of work will be further negotiated between a selected consultant and the Steering Committee.  At a minimum, the following items are anticipated to be included within the future scope of work:

1. Review and analysis of appropriate background materials

2. Tour of the geographic scope and additional site visits as need is determined

3. Meetings with the staff via phone or in person to discuss the project throughout the course of preparing, drafting, and finalizing the plan

4. Meetings with the Steering Committee via phone or in person to discuss the project throughout the course of preparing, drafting, and finalizing the plan

5. Public outreach to a variety of stakeholders and the general public (Priority)

6. Production of a written text, capital improvement plan, and development standards per the requirements detailed in the “Deliverables” element of this Data Sheet

7. Completion of the SEPA analysis and required noticing to prepare for the adoption of the final plan

8. Presentation of the plan to the Leavenworth City and Chelan County Planning Commissions, Leavenworth City Council, Peshastin Community Council, US Forest Service Forest Recreation Staff/Forest Leadership  and to the Chelan County Commissioners

9. Attendance at public hearings as need is determined. 

Participant Roles
A consultant will work with stakeholders as well as the Steering Committee.  The Steering Committee will assist in guiding the development of the plan and public outreach strategy and will review the draft and final versions of the plan. 
 

For more information regarding this planning process, please contact:

Connie Krueger, AICP
Community Development Director
 at 509-548-5275 or by email at cddirector@cityofleavenworth.com.
 

Click Here for GMA-CTED Grant Application in PDF

Click Here for CTED Grant Contract in PDF

 

Click on the links below to view additional resources: