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Board approves trail plat; members debate route and sewer-line implications
Summary
After lengthy debate over whether the proposed greenway should follow an existing loop or a more direct route tied to a county sewer evaluation, the Lake Ridge board approved the trail plat and easement for the bridge and trail alignment.
The Lake Ridge board voted to approve a parks department plat that designates the proposed trail route through the bridge site and adjacent open space, despite objections from several members who urged preserving LRPA urban forest amenities rather than opening the area more widely to the public.
Board discussion focused on which sewer corridor the trail should follow. One member argued a straight, more direct route would follow a newly considered sewer alignment; others countered that county engineering had presented only an evaluation of an existing force main and that the county may not excavate or replace the old line unless it fails inspection. A speaker noted the county is seeking an easement for a county-owned line that previously lacked an easement.
"This is the proposal we have in front of us," one member said during the exchange, urging the board to rely on county engineering recommendations. Opponents said a straight route could open LRPA forested areas to greater public access without firm maintenance commitments.
After discussion, a motion to approve the plat, the easement and the trail designation was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. Board members noted that the county attorney must finalize easement language and that the item may return in July as a multi-step amendment process to the trail agreement.
The board asked parks staff to circulate the final easement language once the county attorney completes it; staff said they will pursue consent‑agenda approval with the necessary legal review.
