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Council backs trails on both sides of Excelsior Boulevard after debate over costs, trees and property impacts
Summary
After a lengthy presentation and public engagement review, Minnetonka councilmembers expressed support for reconstructing Excelsior Boulevard with trail on both sides, directing staff to minimize property and tree impacts and pursue utility burial where feasible; staff warned a single‑side compromise would save roughly $5 million but could delay construction and add inflation costs.
Minnetonka city staff presented a detailed plan to rebuild Excelsior Boulevard from Highway 101 to Williston, including full roadway replacement, pedestrian refuge crosswalks and a proposed paved trail on both the north and south sides. The Feb. 12 study session included detailed cross‑section options, easement estimates and public outreach results showing mixed but generally positive support for trails.
Staff said the full project with trail on both sides carries an estimated total trail cost of roughly $15 million (all trail components) and that building trail only on the south side would save about $5 million but would reduce connectivity and force some north‑side residents to cross a busy roadway to reach destinations. Staff also warned that delaying the north‑side trail to a later, standalone project could increase costs by about $1 million due to inflation and potentially lose coordinated county or partner funding.
Public engagement numbers were cited from outreach to approximately 2,100 households. Of respondents who commented on trails, staff reported 9 comments supporting trails on both sides, 8 supporting a single side and 5 explicit oppositions; staff noted that supporters often do not comment, skewing comment counts toward opponents.
Council members voiced a mix of concerns and priorities. Several members — including Councilmember Kimberly Wilburn — argued that dual‑side trails provide safer, more direct access for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce mid‑block crossings and better serve school and village destinations. Wilburn said, "as a cyclist...it's more dangerous trying to cross that road; it's more dangerous trying to cross that road." Others, including Councilmember Paula, urged extra care for a small number of highly impacted properties where yards back directly onto wetlands and where a trail would be very close to homes, asking staff to explore narrower footprints, additional screening, tree replacement and buyout or mitigation options for severely impacted residents.
Staff summarized council direction at the end of the discussion: the council expressed support for building trail on both sides of Excelsior Boulevard, and instructed staff to continue efforts to minimize property impacts, refine the typical section to reduce tree loss where feasible, work with utility partners about burial of overhead power lines, and proceed with engagement and easement outreach. Staff also noted scheduling implications: selecting only a single‑side trail would shorten immediate easement and construction needs but would push a potential north‑side project into a later bid window and add inflationary costs.
Council asked staff to return with updated exhibits and a clarified schedule and cost breakdown that reflects measures to reduce tree impacts and support for adjacent homeowners, and to pursue any available funding for utility burial where possible.
