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Dellwood officials weigh Lake Links trail plan as Highway 244 funding, safety and property issues loom
Summary
City Engineer Cara Geheren presented a Lake Links Trail study noting funding deadlines, right‑of‑way, wetland and safety constraints. Council members and residents raised concerns about private property ownership, a no‑eminent‑domain city policy, and the high cost of burying power lines; next steps were deferred for more analysis and outreach.
City Engineer Cara Geheren presented the Lake Links Trail study (memorandum dated Sept. 30, 2024), telling the City Council on Oct. 8 that the report highlights funding questions, potential trail routes, roadway crossings, tree removal, right‑of‑way width, wetland constraints and safety concerns, particularly on Highway 244 near the White Bear Yacht Club.
"There are significant problems associated with a trail on Highway 244's ROW in the White Bear Yacht Club area," Geheren said, and she outlined constraints that could limit where a trail can be built and how much property would be affected.
Council Member Greg Boosalis noted the number of private driveways: eight on the east side and 21 on the west side of Highway 244 between the city line and Highway 96, and the council observed that most of the former railroad right‑of‑way is now privately owned. Geheren said it is not known how many landowners would be willing to donate easements; roughly 20 properties are involved. The council also recalled a 2018 resolution in which Dellwood stated it would not use eminent domain to acquire private land for trail purposes.
Resident Phoebe Leonard asked whether burying power lines could be incorporated with trail construction; Geheren responded that burying lines would be "extremely expensive." The council discussed safety concerns about trail crossings of Highway 244 and the possible need for a traffic signal or other substantial mitigation at any crossing. Leonard suggested a stoplight as one potential mitigation.
Geheren told the council there is a deadline embedded in appropriation bills that requires a plan showing acceptance of funding, capital improvement plans, proposed use of funds and project timing; she said she will compile a milestone trail timeline to align the city's work with those deadlines. City Clerk Joel Holstad will retrieve a letter Geheren sent two years earlier to adjacent landowners and prepare a current letter for outreach; Mayor Mike McGill said he supports meeting with residents. Resident Nick Myhre (57 Apple Orchard Road), a member of LLTA, requested that any outreach letter include a definite plan for trail usage and expenses.
The council did not adopt a specific trail alignment or funding acceptance at the meeting. Staff were directed to gather more information and return with additional details, including a conceptual design or survey of Highway 244 between the city limits and Dwinnell Avenue, and a milestone schedule to satisfy funding deadlines.
