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Council approves nearly $450,000 in park fees to build trail link from Bristol Valley to Stoneleigh
Summary
Council authorized use of $449,596.51 in park development fees from two Bristol Valley subdivisions to construct roughly 1,400 linear feet of off‑site trail and related work connecting to the Stoneleigh trail, contingent on easement acquisitions and a formal contract.
The Heath City Council unanimously approved a request from Bristol Valley developers to use park development fees — $449,596.51 in total — to construct off-site trail segments that will connect the Estates of Bristol Valley and Bristol Valley Phase 1 to the existing trail near Stoneleigh.
City staff said the fee amount derives from $3,540.13 per unit for 127 units in the two developments; the applicant showed a preliminary cost estimate of roughly $444,092.46 for the primary work, leaving a small balance in fees should the estimate hold. The work would include trail construction, relocation of pipe fence, retaining walls, minor utility relocation and landscaping at the Falcon Point entrance.
Ryan Joyce of Michael Joyce Properties said crews working on the subdivision could complete infrastructure and that construction of the trail section itself — about 1,400 linear feet — would take about 90 days once preconstruction activities and easement acquisitions are complete. "This will probably take about 90 days to get done," Joyce said of the actual trail installation, noting about four months of preliminary work.
Staff and the applicant noted easement acquisition is required for segments that cross private property; the applicant and the city will seek recorded easements before construction begins. The council approved the expenditure and directed staff to execute a contract with the developer. City staff said any final cost increases beyond the fee total would be returned to council for resolution.
What happens next: Staff will work with the developer to finalize engineering, secure the necessary easements, bid or negotiate construction, and execute a contract. The council’s approval authorizes use of the collected park-development fees for this specific trail connection.
