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Council defers East End Trail decision after split public input; asks staff for hybrid sidewalk-and-trail costing
Summary
After extensive public letters and an extended council debate over privacy, flood risk and connectivity, council voted to defer a final decision on the East End Trail and asked staff to return with costing for a compromise: sidewalks where the developer committed and a naturalized trail for the remaining link to a proposed parking area.
Hanover council on June 15 deferred a final decision on the East End Trail project after weeks of public letters, petitions and a lengthy staff briefing on options and costs.
Staff presented the history of the project and a financial analysis showing multiple alternatives. Council was told developer-funded sidewalks inside the Sagging Cedar Heights West subdivision could be completed by the developer at no additional cost to the town, while town-led sidewalk work along the county road and elsewhere carried material cost estimates. Staff provided three cost scenarios: sidewalks everywhere (estimated about $296,416), a mixed approach with sidewalks in the subdivision and an ashphalt/packed path along 24th Avenue (about $265,613), and a concrete‑only option limited to the subdivision (developer-funded) with parking and trail head tie‑ins completed by the developer at their cost.
Mayor Sue Patterson proposed a compromise — accept developer‑constructed sidewalks where already agreed, and build a naturalized trail from 22nd Avenue A east to a proposed parking lot (block 115) — calling it a “middle ground” that would not satisfy everyone but would respond to both neighborhood privacy concerns and broader community trail benefits. "A compromise will not satisfy everyone, but it will partially satisfy most people," the mayor said, urging a balanced solution.
Residents who wrote to council argued strongly on both sides. Supporters — including a petition introduced at council, the parks advisory committee and the Sagin Triathlon Club — described recreational, safety and community benefits of a shaded, natural trail. Opponents and nearby homeowners cited privacy, bank erosion and flooding concerns and asked council to choose sidewalks instead or an alternative route. Technical claims in written submissions included surface‑temperature measurements and drainage assessments.
Staff also advised that switching fully to the sidewalk option could forfeit a portion of an earlier grant: the original project value for the grant was stated at $159,500, with 30% of that eligible (maximum $47,800); staff said only about $8,000 of the original grant scope would be retained if the scope moved solely to sidewalks because many grant elements were tied to trail construction.
After debate the council voted, in a recorded unanimous vote, to defer final direction and to request a staff report that costs the mayor’s hybrid option (sidewalks to 22nd Avenue A and from 22nd A to 24th A; and a nature trail from 22nd A to the parking lot). Councillor Brandon Cable moved the deferral; Councillor Carol Hudson seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Next steps: staff will return with a detailed costing for the hybrid sidewalk‑and‑trail option and with clarification on grant implications and developer contributions before council makes a final decision.
