FORSYTH COUNTY NORTH SUBAREA Trails Master Plan JULY 2019 VOLUME 1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Molly Cooper, District 1 Dennis T. Brown, District 2 Todd Levent, District 3 Cindy Jones Mills, District 4 Laura Semanson, District 5 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM FORSYTH COUNTY STAFF Vanessa Bernstein-Goldman, Department of Planning and Community Development Heather Ryan, Department of Planning and Community Development Tim Allen, Department of Traffic and Transportation Engineering Matt Pate, Department of Parks and Recreation Mary Jo Black, Forsyth County GIS Tim Amerson, Forsyth County Schools CONSULTANT TEAM Eric Bosman, Kimley-Horn and Associates William Zeh Herbig, Kimley-Horn and Associates Allison W. Galloway, Kimley-Horn and Associates STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE Robbie Caesar John Carroll Ty Davis Bill Dunford Adrian Flack Todd Jones Brian Korosec Alan Neal Poncho Wilson 2
CONTENTS 5 Plan Intent 7 Project Background 8 1 10 PREVIOUS PLANS EXISTING CONDITIONS 18 FIELD VISIT 23 Plan Development 24 2 RECOMMENDED TRAIL NETWORK 32 PLAN PHASING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 42 Policies & Implementation 51 GENERAL PRACTICES 52 TRAIL TYPES PROJECT COORDINATION 54 3 TRAIL AMENITIES FUNDING 60 66 68 3
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PLAN INTENT Beginning in 2015, Forsyth County began a planning process that spanned multiple years focused on developing an expanded bicycle and pedestrian trails network for the North Subarea. Between 2015-2018, local community members joined County staff and a team of consultants to gather data, provide opportunities for public input, and develop a vision for the future of bicycle and pedestrian activity in the area that would link residential, commercial, and recreational assets in the County. In late 2018, the County engaged Kimley-Horn and Associates (referenced in this document as the Consultant Team) to detail and prioritize a trail system for the North Subarea, using the data and input collected previously as a starting point. Keeping in mind the importance of developing a trail system that met the County’s goals of prioritizing safety, fiscal responsibility, and community consensus, the Consultant Team worked with a targeted group of stakeholders (referenced in this document as the Stakeholder Committee) as well as the general public to develop a trail network concept that embodied the community’s vision for connectivity of residential, commercial, and recreational assets. This was accomplished through a process that included meetings with the Project Management Team (made up of County staff and the Consultant Team), meetings with the Stakeholder Committee, and a public open house. This process occurred over the course of several months, spanning December 2018 to June 2019. This document is an account of the planning process, containing information organized into three chapters: project background, plan development, and policies and implementation. Map depicting Forsyth County’s boundary, outlined in red, and the North Subarea, shaded in light grey. 5
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1 PROJECT BACKGROUND Previous Plans Existing Conditions Field Visit 7
PREVIOUS PLANS Bicycle Transportation & Pedestrian Walkways 2025 Plan: 2015 Update PROJECT BACKGROUND The 2015 update to the Bicycle Transportation & Pedestrian Walkways 2025 Plan follows a similar outline to that of the 2008 update; however, it has one key difference. The 2015 update, following Unites States’ trends, focuses on the health, safety, environmental, and quality of life benefits of a bicycle and pedestrian program, whereas the 2008 plan focused more exclusively on air quality benefits. Through data collection, research, inventory, public outreach, and evaluation, the update seeks to determine the best direction for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways in Forsyth County. Ultimately, it determined that the best option was a combination of multiuse paths and sidewalks, but the financial expense of this scheme was burdensome and ultimately determined to be unachievable. Therefore, bicycle-friendly shoulders were identified as the best option in areas with lower populations and traffic volumes to work within budget constrictions. Recommended Trail Types Greenways Multiuse Paths • 10- to 15-foot width • 10-foot minimum width • 3.5- to 6-foot buffer on • 2-foot buffer from either side roadway lanes 8
Forsyth Transportation Plan: Recommendations Report PROJECT BACKGROUND (2018) This plan includes both an inventory of existing conditions and an assessment of current and future needs. The policies and projects it recommends come out of the previous analyses. Recommendations are broken down into the following categories and sub-categories: • Roadway: capacity (widening), capacity (new location), reclamation, operational, intersection, watch list • Transit: dial-a-ride, GRTA Xpress • Active Transportation: sidewalks, multiuse trails, combined multiuse trails and sidewalks, bike lanes, signed share the road Of these categories, the most relevant is active transportation, as it directly pertains to this plan’s intent. Trail Standards The Recommendations Report adheres to many of the design guidelines identified in the Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways 2025 Plan: 2015 Update. These include: • Sidewalks: 6-foot recommended sidewalk, minimum ADA requirements • Multiuse Trails: 8- to 10-foot • Bike Lanes: 4-foot minimum width, white line to separate from vehicular traffic, regular maintenance, green friction paint 9
PROJECT BACKGROUND EXISTING CONDITIONS Data & Maps In addition to conducting a field visit to investigate the North Subarea, the Consultant Team also reviewed available County GIS data to confirm existing conditions as well as to review information for specific locations in the Subarea that are not conducive to physically access. Full-size versions of each map are included in the document appendix (Volume 2). Environmental Features Flood plain, utility easements, and undeveloped land all represent unique opportunities for trail placement when developing a trails master plan. While undeveloped lands located along paved roadways are relatively easy to evaluate in the field, other areas, particularly flood plain or densely forested areas, are more challenging. Mapping the area’s topography, flood plain, and other physical features allowed the Consultant Team to develop a comprehensive understanding of physical opportunities for trails in the North Subarea, particularly for off-road greenway trails. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES TOPOGRAPHY, FLOOD PLAIN, WATER BODIES AND OPEN SPACES LEGEND LEGEND Water Features Water Features FEMA Flood Plain Water Bodies Water Lines FEMA Flood PlainTopographic Elevation 990-1020 1020-1050 1050-1090 Water Bodies 1090+ Water Lines Topographic Elevation 990-1020 1020-1050 1050-1090 1090+ 10
Land Use PROJECT BACKGROUND The predominant land use in the County’s North Subarea is single-family detached residential, followed by agriculture and undeveloped parcels. Commercial nodes exist at primary intersections along Highway 369 and Highway 306, clustered mainly in the eastern portion of the Subarea but also appearing sporadically between nodes. Public parks/ recreation land is dispersed throughout. Industrial sites at both ends of the Subarea are connected by Highway 369, suggesting its usage as a freight thoroughfare. Government- Owned parcels (hatched in grey) include public parklands, institutional/public school sites, and conservation lands surrounding Lake Lanier in the southeastern portion of the Subarea. LAND USE holson Rd Silver City Rd D unrove nWay Dawsonville Hwy Nic Jewell Bennett R Jot Em Down Rd Cantrell Rd Jett R d Westray RdMount Tabor R d A C Smith Rd s Roads R d Lake Rd Bannister Rd Riley Rd d Concord Rd P FORSYTH COUNTY MASTER PLAN - EXISTING LAND USE d Anderson DC369 Mockingbird Rd Settingdown Rd ea Ridge R Cros Old Federal Rd Wh itmire Rd Oak Gr ove Cir Jot Em Down R Matt Hwy Wallace Tatum Rd Elmo Rd Burruss Rd B e nnett Rd d Namon WallaceRd Hubert Martin View P t Grindle Rd Molly Westbrook Rd John Burruss Rd Rd B uckne ll Trce t t ingDC400 Mayfield Dr Anti oc DC369 Hopewell Rd down Cir Martin Rd Se Wright Bridge Rd amblett Rd Cantrell Cir Little Mill Rd mers Dr D r Br Heardsville Cir Watson Rd Green Burnt Bridge Rd Millwood bee Rd Bethelview Rd Sum Rd Hendrix Rd Hur t Bridge R d Holbrook R d Lake Oak Lndg avitt R d Burruss Mill Rd in Lakes Rd Picklesimer Rd ll RdPisgah Rd Karr Rd Mountain Rd Gr DC9 Tribble Rd Shadburn Rd Heardsville Rd Frix Rd Sewe Pleasant Grove Rd Tw Ald rich Dr Parks Rd 1 1.5 LEGEND McCoy Cir Browns Bridge Rd LEGENDExisting Trails DC306 G*ovReYrHnUmQPenHtQ-OW2wZnQeHdGParcels McConnell Rd 7D[3DUFHOV Single-Family Detached Rd Roper Government-Owned Parcels&XUUHQW/DQG8VH Keith Bridge Rd (/8BSingle-Family Attached Spot Rd Hughe s Dr Holtzclaw Rd M3uXltEifOLaFm3ilDyUNV5HFUHDWLRQ Dahlonega Hwy Aaron Sose Friendship Cir Bettis Tribble Gap Rd Freedom Pkwy C3oUmLYmDWeHrc2iaSlHQ6SDFH DC20 Chattahoochee R d Single-Family DetachedCantonHwy O&fRcQeVHUYDWLRQ h Rd In7dUDuQstVrSiaRlUWDWLRQ&RPPV8WLOLWLHV Tanglewood Cir Single-FamilyIn&sLtWi\\tuRtIio&nXalP/PPuLbQlJic Attached Pilgrim Rd Pilgrim Mill Rd MultifamilyP5ubLJliKcWPRaIr:ksD/\\Recreation Goldmine Dr S hady Grove Rd 8QGHYHORSHG Heard Rd Private Open Space Sawnee Dr MPilgrim Lake Lanier $JULFXOWXUH ill Cir DC400 F2 Greenwood Acres Dr Dahlonega Rd Miles CommercialC,oQnVsWLeWXrvWLaRtQioDnO3XEOLF amblee Gap Rd DCA$gWrWiDcuFKltHuGre6LQJ37O1H)DPLO\\ Atla n ta R m Point Rd Canton Rd Ch Post Rd Hyde Rd OfficeC'ityHWoDfFCKHumG6mLiQnJgOH)DPLO\\ Lake Dr Tribble Gap Rd Lanier 400 Pkwy inclair Shores Rd Pilgri Pine Tr0aXnOsWpLo)rDtPatiLoO\\n/Comms/Utilities DC9 IndustrialR&igRhPt-PofH-WUFaLDyO Drew Rd nier Dr d UDr,2enwQCdIGaImeLXpFgvVrHoeuWnUldoLRDdpOed S La A Rd FA Kelly Mill Rd Buford Hwy Turner Rd 0.5 0.25 0 0.5 Institutional/Public Public Parks/Recreation Private Open Space Conservation Agriculture City of Cumming Transportation/Comms/Utilities Right-of-Way Undeveloped 11
PROJECT BACKGROUND Data & Maps (continued) Community Assets To prioritize trail connections in the North Subarea, the Consultant Team created the following map of community assets including community centers, libraries, parks, schools, trailheads, and fire stations. This map shows the underlying grid of destinations the trail network would need to attempt to connect in order to be a success, making it a foundational basis for developing the recommendations in this document. COMMUNITY ASSETS COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES, PARKS, SCHOOLS, TRAIL HEADS LEGEND LEGEND ** Community Center Library Park * Library **CenterSchool Community Trail Head * Park ** School Trail Head 12
Existing Neighborhoods PROJECT BACKGROUND Using the County’s land use data, the Consultant Team created a map illustrating the parcels designated as residential land uses, including single-family detached, single-family attached, and multi-family residential. With one of the primary goals of this plan being to connect community assets, this map was used in tandem with the Community Assets Map on the facing page to inform an understanding of the daily destinations residents in the North Subarea needed to access. This relationship was key to understand in planning for trail users - whether their aim would be to use trails in lieu of an automobile to commute to different destinations, or they were interested in strictly recreational usage of the future trail network. In general, residential subdivisions are dispersed throughout the Subarea and mostly coincide with locations of community assets identified on the facing page. EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS FORSYTH COUNTY MASTER PLAN - EXISTING LAND USE LEGEND LEGEND Single-Family Detached Single-Family Attached Multifamily Single-Family Detached Single-Family Attached Multifamily 13
PROJECT BACKGROUND Data & Maps (continued) Potential Future Neighborhoods Currently, there are increasing amounts of development activity in the North Subarea, a trend that is expected to continue into the future. To ensure the recommended trail network not only connects to existing neighborhoods, but also to areas likely to become future neighborhoods, the Consultant Team created the following map to depict land tracts with characteristics conducive to subdivision development. This analysis was performed by filtering for parcels coded as agriculture or undeveloped, then layering on a minimum acreage criteria of at least 20 acres. This yielded the pattern depicted below, showing significant opportunity in the northwest corner of the Subarea surrounding Eagle’s Beak Park, as well as pockets along GA 400. FUTURE NEIGHBORHOODS FORSYTH COUNTY MASTER PLAN - UNDEVELOPED PARCELS LEGEND LEGEND Undeveloped Tract > 20 Ac. Undeveloped Tract > 20 Ac. 14
Opportunities PROJECT BACKGROUND To further capture opportunities in the area that could be leveraged for trails, the Consultant Team developed an Opportunities Map to show locations of culverts, easements, and government-owned parcels. Easements represent open land where development is unlikely to occur, making them ideal places to locate trails. Similarly, existing culverts (box, bridge, or arch shaped and a minimum size of 8-foot by 8-foot) present opportunities to avoid at-grade road crossings and instead route a trails beneath roadways, increasing trail user comfort and improving safety for trail users and motorists alike. Finally, parcels that are publicly-owned and may be conducive to trailheads, or other amenity areas were identified from the County’s land use data. OPPORTUNITIES CULVERTS, EASEMENTS, GOVERNMENT-OWNERSHIP LEGEND LEGEND Sanitary Sewer Gravity MainSanitary Sewer Gravity Main Culvert • Box, Bridge, or Arch shape Culvert • > 8’-0” width and height Government-Owned Property • Box, Bridge, or Arch shape • > 8’-0” width and height Government-Owned Property 15
PROJECT BACKGROUND Data & Maps (continued) Bicycle and Pedestrian Walkways Projects Forsyth County’s 2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Walkways Plan includes several projects, mapped below, in and around the North Subarea. These projects are symbolized by type, with solid lines indicating projects that are constructed or in-progress, and dotted lines indicating projects that are future or aspirational. One trend illustrated by this map is the concentration of multiuse paths, sidewalks, and combinations thereof on the eastern side of the Subarea, while the western side is predominately bicycle signage or bicycle friendly shoulders, with the exception of the greenway planned from Eagle’s Beak Park to Sawnee Mountain Preserve and beyond. BICYCLE + PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS FORSYTH COUNTY BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION & PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS 2025 PLAN LEGEND LEGEND Constructed / In-Progress Constructed / In-ProgressSidewalk Sidewalk + Multiuse Path Bicycle-Friendly Shoulder Sidewalk Future / Aspirational Multiuse Path Sidewalk + Multiuse PathSidewalk + Multiuse Path Greenway Bicycle Signage / Sidewalk + Multiuse PathBicycle-Friendly Shoulder Future / Aspirational Multiuse Path Sidewalk + Multiuse Path Greenway Bicycle Signage / Bicycle-Friendly Shoulders 16
County Transportation Plan Projects PROJECT BACKGROUND Using the County’s data from the recently updated Comprehensive Transportation Plan in 2018, the map below depicts improvements that are constructed, in-progress, future, or aspirational. The near-term or current projects are all classified as roadway widening projects, including a section of Highway 369 from Highway 9 to Highway 306 at the heart of the Subarea, as well as projects on GA 400 and Pilgrim Mill Road to the south of the Subarea. Of particular importance to this plan is the roadway widening on Highway 369, which is currently funded and in the design phase, planned to have a 5-foot sidewalk on the north side of the roadway and a 10-foot multiuse path on the south side. TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FORSYTH COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN (2011) LEGEND LEGEND Constructed / In-Progress Roadway Widening Constructed / In-ProgressFuture / Aspirational Capacity Improvement Roadway Widening Future / Aspirational Capacity Improvement 17
PROJECT BACKGROUND FIELD VISIT Purpose and Findings Review of Plan Progress One important purpose of conducting a field visit as a part of the project background phase was for the Consultant Team to review the plan’s progress from 2015-2018 prior to developing a recommended trail network as a part of this effort. Visiting the North Subarea allowed the Consultant Team to experience the proposed trail connections firsthand. As a part of refocusing the project and creating a new scheme of trail connections that would most benefit the North Subarea community, the Consultant Team used the following criteria to evaluate potential trail locations, both those included in the plan to-date and in new potential locations. Evaluation Criteria 1. Does it connect community destinations such as parks, schools, libraries, commercial nodes, and community centers? 2. Does it connect places of residential activity including neighborhoods and future neighborhoods on undeveloped land? 3. Is the existing physical environment conducive for a trail? Is it physically/ economically feasible to construct? Data Validation Although the County provided the Consultant Team with GIS data that was used to create the maps on the previous pages, the field visit was a valuable part of forming a comprehensive understanding of the North Subarea. Time spent on site yielded a qualitative base line for understanding existing conditions, that when paired with quantitative data, creates a powerful and nuanced framework. This framework serves as the plan’s foundation, which is built upon in the following phases of the this process. 18
Community Investments PROJECT BACKGROUND Photos in left column: Playground facilities and restrooms at Matt Community Park, overlook/deck at Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitors Center; in center column: Challenge course, tennis courts, and trail head area; in right column: Overlook boardwalk at Sawnee Mountain Preserve. 19
Commercial Nodes - Keith Bridge at Browns Bridge PROJECT BACKGROUND Intersection at Keith Bridge Road and Browns Bridge Road showing utility poles, low-density commercial and freight traffic. Easements Photos from left to right: Utility easement along GA 400; utility easement along Highway 369; Etowah River access through culvert beneath Highway 369. 20
Trail Entrance Locations PROJECT BACKGROUND Trail entrance locations in the Subarea including Matt Community Park, Central Park, and Eagle’s Beak Park. Signage and Wayfinding Examples of existing signage and wayfinding in the Subarea today. 21
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2 PLAN DEVELOPMENT Recommended Trail Network Plan Phasing Community Engagement 23
PLAN DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDED TRAIL NETWORK Trail Network Development Taking into account information gathered in the project background phase, input and involvement from the committee members and community, and adherence to the plan goals set forth at the beginning of the project process, the Consultant Team developed the recommended trail network consisting of approximately 35 miles of trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, and other community destinations in Forsyth County’s North Subarea. Two primary routes — an off-road greenway trail mostly through flood plain and a side path along Highway 369 — form the backbone of the network, while north-south connections and secondary loops are dispersed throughout. In its entirety, the trail network provides an important bicycle and pedestrian connection in the North Subarea between the Etowah River to the northwest and Lake Lanier to the southeast, both of which have existing trails systems and are considered to be key natural resources in the region. 24
25 PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Segment Detail Matrix The following chart outlines each segment of the recommended trail network including the approximate alignment, length, priority and estimated construction cost*, as well as any major opportunities and challenges associated with each trail segment. SEGMENT SEGMENT TYPE ALIGNMENT LENGTH BIKE PED PLAN TRANSPORTATION ESTIMATED NAME (MI.) & PRIORITY PLAN & PRIORITY CONSTRUCTION Etowah Greenway Off-Road; 1 road 1.18 Mid Term Long Range COST* Greenway crossing (2020-2025) (2031-2040) $4,200,000 - Not included in plan $5,800,000 PLAN DEVELOPMENT Eagle’s Beak Greenway Off-Road; 2+ road 1.52 Not included in plan Connector crossings; potential Long Range (Assumes 50%-100% (2031-2040) boardwalk) on-road within development $5,400,000 Poole’s Mill Side Path South side of 369 2.29 Mid Term (Assumes50%boardwalk) Link and west of Poole’s (2020-2025) Mill Road; 1 water $4,300,000 crossing and 1 road crossings Sawnee Greenway Off-Road; 3 road 8.10 Mid Term Long Range $15,000,000 Mountain crossings (2020-2025) (2031-2040) Greenway (Assumes10%boardwalk) Sawnee/ Off-Road; 2 road 1.86 Not included in plan Not included in plan $9,200,000 Thalley Creek Greenway crossings (Assumes 100% Link boardwalk) Settingdown Greenway Off-Road; 1 road 1.93 Not included in plan Not included in plan $9,500,000 Creek Trail crossing (Assumes 100% boardwalk) Alternates between north/south (north at far east and west 369 Spine Side Path (25%); south in the 7.75 Not included in plan Mid Range $18,000,000 Trail (2023-2030) mid-section (70%)); 2 (Assumestrailcostwithout GDOT participation) water crossings and 3 road crossings Wallace Side Path South side if possible; 1.70 “Proposed” status Short Range $4,000,000 Tatum Link 1 road crossing (2018-2022) - Sidewalk Long Range (2031-2040) - Signed Shared Road Coal Side Path Interior to the loop 4.56 Short Term Short Range $8,800,000 Mountain (80%)/ exceptoneportionof (2014-2019) - (2018-2022) - Highway 9 (20%); 4 (Assumestrailcostwithout Loop Greenway Browns Bridge section Browns Bridge section GDOT participation) (20%) road crossings Mid Term Mid Range (2020-2025) (2023-2030) (utility easement not in (utility easement not in plan) plan) Keith Bridge Side Path North side of Keith 1.23 Short Term Mid Range $3,000,000 Link Bridge Road; 1 road (2014-2019) (2023-2030) (Assumestrailcostwithout crossing GDOT participation) Browns Side Path South side of Browns 2.61 Short Term Mid Range $6,000,000 Bridge Trail Bridge Road; 1 water (2014-2019) (2023-2030) crossing and 2 road (Assumestrailcostwithout GDOT participation) crossings *Above estimates exclude right-of-way, engineering, and utility costs **Based on information provided in the Forsyth County Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways 2025 Plan: 2015 Update 26
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES STATUS • Unencumbered flood plain with no vehicular conflicts • Potential boardwalk surface needed TBD • Access to water • Potential topography issues • Gives a greenway alternative to 369 along Etowah River • Along Brewton Creek - potential flood plain challenges • Proximity to River Hill for subdivision access • Coordinatingaconnectedalignmentthroughnewdevelopment TBD • Facilitates a larger overall area for private development trail coverage southtotieintoWallaceTatumLink(afullconnectionsouthisnot PLAN DEVELOPMENT planned at the time of this plan) • Adjacent properties are currently favorable land uses including public • Residential properties along Poole’s Mill Road parks/recreation private open space (River Rock Subdivision) • Link through Etowah Trails subdivision via Saddle Trail TBD • Large undeveloped parcel along the waterway • Road crossing at Wallace Tatum Road • Traverses an existing bridge that will need to accommodate the trail • Providesaviablealternativetoasidepathroutethatestablishesaneast-west • Potential terrain issues connection in North Forsyth • Further investigation of property ownership will be needed TBD • Links three major parks, two schools, and numerous residential areas • Potentialneedforboardwalkinareaswithlimitedtrailwidthdue • Minimal conflicts with intervening streets and vehicles to proximity to water way • Timeline is not as dependent on future development • Connect Sawnee Mountain Greenway, the SawneeVisitors Center and the • Further investigation of property ownership will be needed eastern portion of the system while avoiding Spot Road • Potentialneedforboardwalkinareaswithlimitedtrailwidthdue TBD • Continues to leverage flood plain trail opportunities to proximity to water way • Creates a mid-system north-south connection • Further investigation of property ownership will be needed • Continues to leverage flood plain trail opportunities • Potentialneedforboardwalkinareaswithlimitedtrailwidthdue TBD • Bridge replacement at Highway 369 included as proposed project in to proximity to water way Transportation Plan • Potential terrain issues • Right-of-waypreservedthroughtheexistingutilityeasementallowingfora • Utilities alternate between north/south location relative to the bufferedsidepathwithrollingtopographythatisrelativelymildcomparedto roadway surrounding areas • Areas of challenging topography • Adjacenttonumerousresidentialsubdivisionsandfuturesubdivisions/future • Existing subdivisions and residential close to the roadway TBD development potential • Crossings at intervening streets • Connects several other destinations including schools and parks to • 369 Crossings when the trail changes sides commercial activity in the southeast portion of the area • Creek crossings: Etowah River and Settingdown Creek Partially BOC • Ability to leverage greenway south of schools and provide a mid-section • Possible redundancy with 369 trail to the north connection between 369 side path and Sawnee River Greenway • Potential terrain issues Funded • Adjacent to several residential subdivisions • Limited right-of-way with existing subdivision developments • Reinforcestheconnectionbetweenschools,MattCommunityPark,andthe Commercial properties along Highway (~$7,500,000 fire station Ownership of easement along GA 400 **) Crossings at commercial nodes • Opportunitytoleveragegaslineeasementtoavoidthenorthernsectionof • Highway 9 • Partially BOC • Uninterrupted trail section adjacent to several neighborhoods • Funded • Highway9plannedtobeasidewalkandmultiusetrailinTransportationPlan ($1,972,000 **) BOC Funded • Connects Central Park amenities and green space as well as GA 400/306 • Ensuringtimelinecoincideswithroadwaycapacityimprovement commercial node with 369/306 commercial node • Adaptingtrailtobetteraccommodatemultipleuseswithlimited (~$1,849,584 • Ties into Freedom Parkway sidewalk project and Pilgrim Mill beyond • width available/planned **) • Agriculture and undeveloped land uses adjacent to the north • Limitations of current trail as-designed • Leverage opportunity for a grade-separated crossing of GA 400 • Multiple curb cuts in western portion BOC Funded • Provides the needed connection to 369/306 commercial node • Narrowing right-of-way and properties close to the roadway • Connects eastward to Lake Lanier and beyond Topography issues as the trail nears the lake ($12,930,720 • Access to Charleston Park and interior trails system **) 27
PLAN DEVELOPMENT Connected Projects North Subarea Investments In addition to priority trail segments, the North Subarea Trails Master Plan provides potential connectivity to other County trails and regional trail projects. These connections were identified from the 2015 Bicycle and Pedestrian Walkways Plan and the 2018 Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update. The table on the following page contains greater detail for each connection in grey shown on the map. 28
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Segment Detail Matrix SEGMENT SEGMENT TYPE ALIGNMENT LENGTH BIKE PED PLAN TRANSPORTATION ESTIMATED NAME (MI.) & PRIORITY PLAN & PRIORITY CONSTRUCTION A Freedom Sidewalk East side of roadway 1.60 Short Term Complete COST* Parkway (2014-2019) $929,280** B Pilgrim Mill Side Path TBD 1.29 Short Term Mid Range $2,111,472** Road (2014-2019) (2023-2030) $4,650,000** Short Range PLAN DEVELOPMENT C Canton Side Path TBD 2.84 Mid Term (2018-2022) Highway (2020-2025) D Big Creek Mid Term Long Range $6,000,000** Greenway Greenway Off-Road 5.68 (2020-2025) (2031-2040) Phase V E Potential Gas Greenway Off-Road TBD Not in plan Not in plan TBD; County to LineEasement Not in plan purchase easement Mid Range Coal (2023-2030) $9,500,000 Mountain Off-Road; 1 road F Connector Side Path crossing TBD Not in plan (Assumes 100% boardwalk) Road $3,752,000*** G Bettis Tribble Side Path TBD TBD “Proposed” status $7,558,000*** Gap H Shady Grove Side Path TBD TBD “Proposed” status Mid Range Road (2023-2030) *Above estimates exclude right-of-way, engineering, and utility costs **Based on information provided in the Forsyth County Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways 2025 Plan: 2015 Update ***Based on information provided in the Forsyth County Transportation Plan (2018) 30
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PLAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN PHASING Implementation of the trail network in its entirety will be a process that will occur over time. The following phasing plan is intended to guide this implementation based on public and committee input, current funding allocated to trail segments, and system connectivity over time as the trail system is constructed. This plan breaks the network into four phases, depicted on the following pages. Phase 1 Phase 1 includes segments that are currently funded and to be implemented as part of programmed roadway projects. While several of these segments will be narrower than recommended, they have been approved at this size as add-ons to the major roadway projects. Browns Bridge Trail Keith Bridge Link Coal Mountain Loop (North/South) 32
Phase 2 PLAN DEVELOPMENT Phase 2 prioritizes the greenway trail segments that connect Poole’s Mill Park to Sawnee Mountain Preserve. These segments were highly prioritized by the North Subarea committee and the public. 2A: Sawnee Mountain Greenway (South) (Matt Community Park to Sawnee Mountain Preserve) 2B: Sawnee Mountain Greenway (North) (Poole’s Mill Park to Matt Community Park) 33
Phase 3 Phase 3 focuses on trail segments that create connectivity from segments in Phases 1 and 2 to the Etowah River/Eagle’s Beak Park and to other community schools and parks along Wallace Tatum Road. 3A: Etowah River Greenway PLAN DEVELOPMENT / 3B: Poole’s Mill Link/Eagle’s Beak Connector (One of the these two options, depending on implementation time-frame) *Due to private property ownership constraints, the planned Eagle’s Beak Connector does not presently have a coordinated connectionfullyextendingsouthtotieintoWallaceTatumRoad. 34
3C: Sawnee/Thalley Creek Link PLAN DEVELOPMENT 3D: Wallace Tatum Link 35
PLAN DEVELOPMENT Phase 4 Phase 4 includes recommended trail segments along Highway 369 and between Highway 369 and greenway trail segments. These trail segments may be implemented incrementally through private development with county funding to fill remaining segments and trail gaps. 4A: Highway 369 Spine (South) (Matt Community Park to Coal Mountain) 4B: Highway 369 Spine (North) (Eagle’s Beak Park to Matt Community Park) 36
4C: Settingdown Creek Trail PLAN DEVELOPMENT 4D: Coal Mountain Loop (East/West) 37
PLAN DEVELOPMENT Full Trail Network By Phase 38
PHASE 1 PLAN DEVELOPMENT PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4 FUNDED UNFUNDED 39
Funding Breakdown By Phase PHASE SEGMENTS TOTAL TOTAL COST BIKE PED PLAN TRANSPORTATION MILEAGE PLAN • Browns Bridge Trail 1 • Keith Bridge Link 5.78 $12.7M Included in plan Included in plan • Coal Mountain Loop (North/ (without GDOT) South) 2A • Sawnee Mountain Greenway 4.05 $7.5M Included in plan Included in plan (South) (10% BW) PLAN DEVELOPMENT 2B • Sawnee Mountain Greenway 4.05 $7.5M Included in plan Included in plan (North) (10% BW) 3A • Etowah Greenway 1.18 $5.8M Included in plan Included in plan (75% BW) 3B • Poole’s Mill Link/Eagle’s Beak 2.29/1.52 $4.3M/$5.4M Included in plan/ Included in plan/ Connector Not included in Not included in plan (0% BW/50% BW) plan 3C • Sawnee-Thalley Creek Link 1.86 $9.2M Not included in Not included in plan plan (100% BW) 3D • Wallace Tatum Link 1.70 $4M Included in plan Included in plan (without GDOT) 4A • 369 Spine Trail (south) 5.45 $12.7M Not included in Included in plan (without GDOT) plan 4B • 369 Spine Trail (north) 2.30 $5.3M Not included in Included in plan (without GDOT) plan 4C • Settingdown Creek Trail 1.9.3 $9.5M Not included in Not included in plan plan (100% BW) 4D • Coal Mountain Loop (east/ 2.62 $5.1M Included in plan Included in plan west) (without GDOT) (exception of utility (exception of utility easement portion of easement portion of Coal Mountain Loop) Coal Mountain Loop) *BW = Boardwalk or other specialty surface material conducive to flood plain conditions 40
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PLAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT As a part of the plan’s development, several rounds of meetings were held to engage a group of project stakeholders and the community at-large. Three Stakeholder Committee meetings and one public open house allowed the Project Management Team, consisting of County staff and the Consultant Team, to gain important feedback and input on the direction of the plan, helping shape the recommended trail network. Project Management Team meetings occurred prior to each Stakeholder Committee meeting to review project progress, set meeting agendas, and identify key decision points. Process & Schedule Project Management Team Meeting #1 Dec. 3, 2018 Stakeholder Committee Meeting #1 Jan. 14, 2019 Project Management Team Meeting #2 Feb. 20, 2019 Stakeholder Committee Meeting #2 Mar. 11, 2019 Public Open House Mar. 28, 2019 Project Management Team Meeting #3 Apr. 29, 2019 Stakeholder Team Meeting #3 June 4, 2019 42
Stakeholder Meeting #1 PLAN DEVELOPMENT On Monday, January 14, 2019, the Stakeholder Committee held its first scheduled meeting. The Consultant Team outlined a potential 35-mile trail network. Proposed Trail Network The trail network includes two primary trail routes: 1. Side Path Trails (Along Matt Highway/Highway 369) • Eagles Beak Park to GA 400 • GA 400 to Charleston Park (Lake Lanier/Bike Trails) 2. Greenway Off-Road Trails (Following the floodplain south of Matt Highway 369) Trail Network Discussion Summary Following the presentation, the Stakeholder Committee discussed the strengths and challenges associated with the proposed trail network. Strengths • Streamlined network • Connects to transportation plan projects • Connects parks and amenities • Two trail types (on- and off-road), each having distinct character and potentially different funding mechanisms Challenges • Actual and perceived safety of side path trails along major corridors • Need to mitigate vehicle noise along major corridors • Potential road crossings across Highway 369 • Need for emergency access and areas of refuge in off-road sections Other Key Themes Other key themes expressed by stakeholders pertained to safety, connectivity, and cost. In terms of safety, it was emphasized that the plan minimize highway crossings and maximize visibility of users, consider emergency access to off-road trail locations, and physically and visually separate the trail from travel lanes. With regard to connectivity, the plan should interface with other bicycle and pedestrian projects in and around the North Subarea and coordinate with the implementation of roadway and private development projects. From a cost perspective, the plan should leverage existing road widenings and development projects, as well as have a phased approach that is implementable in manageable portions over time. 43
PLAN DEVELOPMENT Stakeholder Meeting #2 Meeting Summary On Monday, March 11, 2019, the Stakeholder Committee held its second scheduled meeting. The meeting followed a collaborative work session format with Stakeholder Committee discussion interspersed throughout the Consultant Team’s presentation. The two primary trail routes were broken down and presented as a series of trail segments. For each segment, the consultant team identified opportunities and challenges in each trail segment, potential trail heads/access points, distances, and anticipated costs. The Consultant Team then outlined critical design considerations for each multiuse trail type including various greenway options and critical buffer distances and elements for side paths, sharing visual examples from peer communities. Finally, the Consultant Team discussed the potential to utilize and build from existing signage, amenities and facilities at existing locations along the trail network (existing parks, fire stations, and public facilities). They also shared inspirational images of trail amenities for vertical signage and wayfinding which may serve as models as the County considers updating its signage standards. Committee Recommendations Stakeholder discussion focused on two primary issues related to implementation policies and standards. Trail Connectivity Implementation Policies A need to define implementation policies for how the trail system (both the main trail segments and connections to those segments from surrounding areas) would be implemented over time as part of public improvements and private development. Policy sections/recommendations to be considered include public infrastructure/roadway projects, private development (likely major subdivisions), and utility easements. Standards for Each Trail Type The Trail Plan will need sufficient detail to advance and guide future implementation efforts: • Identification of priority trail segments (opportunities/challenges, constructibility, and order of magnitude costs) • Standards for each trail type (including desired widths for each): • Side paths • Greenways (paved sections and boardwalk) • Spur connectors (policy recommendations for applicable distances from major trail segments) • Recommendations for desired trail amenities including signage, wayfinding, mile markers, and other elements • Identification of trail head/access points spaced approximately 3-4 miles apart 44
Public Open House PLAN DEVELOPMENT Meeting Summary The public open house for the plan was held on Thursday, March 28th from 6:00-8:00pm at the Forsyth County Administration Building in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room. The open house was a drop-in opportunity for attendees to participate in several interactive stations and provide valuable feedback to be incorporated into the planning process. The open house was attended by 40 people. Outcomes and trends from each activity station are described in greater detail in the following sections. A more detailed summary of the public workshop results is available in the appendix to this document (Volume 2). Agenda Activity Stations PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE Proposed Trail System March 28, 2019 Attendees could preview the trail network, 6:00 - 8:00 PM understand details including time-frame, trail type, and cost, and see the progression from Forsyth County Administration Building when the initial process began in 2015 to Commissioner’s Meeting Room where we currently are today. AGENDA Future Connections & Amenities Provided an opportunity to provide input on INTERACTIVE STATIONS the trail network by suggesting spur trails, PROPOSED TRAIL SYSTEM STATION connections, trail heads, or other features FUTURE CONNECTIONS STATION that are important or needed in the Subarea. TRAIL TYPES STATION PRIORITIZATION STATION NOTES/COMMENTS: Trail Types Understand the specific concept design of the different trail types through trail cross-section graphics, as well as precedent case studies in neighboring communities where similar trail types have been applied successfully. Budgeting & Prioritization Guided by the preliminary cost budgets developed, attendees provided input by prioritizing segments of the trail network by allocating funds according to the most important or needed projects in the system. 45
PLAN DEVELOPMENT Public Open House (continued) Results As the feedback from the public meeting was compiled and analyzed, the following recurring themes emerged— Trail Connections • The Sawnee Mountain Greenway Link was indicated to be the trail segment attendees would find the most useful, particularly the portion from Matt Community Park to Sawnee Mountain Preserve. • Residents of Etowah Trails and River Rock subdivisions were not in favor of trail user traffic through their residential area. For the Poole’s Mill Link, they overwhelmingly preferred the eastern option over the western option. • A number of attendees were disappointed the trail system did not extend further eastward towards Lake Lanier and beyond. • A desire to connect to the residential concentration in the northeastern portion of the map area, specifically the Hampton area and further north to Dawson County. General Trail System • A desire for future development to accommodate possible future trail facilities and connect into the larger planned network. • A comfort level with primary amenities sited every 2 to 3 miles along the trail system, including restrooms, parking, and seating. • A concern about safety for side path trail facilities and the feasibility of a trail alongside Highway 369/Matt Highway. • A need for a more robust signage and wayfinding program to be incorporated into the trail system. Trail Design • Questions about paving materials and the longevity of wood boardwalk surface as an option for greenway trails that lie within flood plain area. • Concerns about the sufficiency of the buffer between the trail and the roadway on Highway 369/Matt Highway. • What are the standards for the greenway trail as the most supported trail type, and what are the standards for the side path trail, particularly with its higher degree of visibility based on its nature and location? 46
Budgeting & Prioritization Activity At the public open house, participants were given an opportunity to help identify priority trail segments. Attendees were given a hypothetical $15 million dollars to prioritize the trail segments (based on personal preference and project cost) from the proposed trail system. Below are the segments that attendees prioritized, in three groups from highest priority to lowest priority. LD FEDERAL R O OAD AD Eagles Beak Park MT TABOR RO EL PLAN DEVELOPMENT WH ITMIRE R MO ROAD OAD 38 11 MATT HIGHWAY / HIGHWAY 36 POOLES MIL R O A L AWALLACE TATUM ROAD6 D Matt Community Park Poole’s Mill 9 7 Park JOHN BURRUSS ROAD DR B R AMBLETT ROAD 2 HURT RIDGE ROAD 1 Sawnee Mountain Greenway (Matt Community Park to OAD Sawnee Mountain Preserve) GA 400 / US 19 2 Sawnee Mountain Greenway (Eagle’s Beak Park to Matt HENDRIX R Community Park) HEARDSVILLE ROAD 1 306 Bennett SON RO Park 3 Etowah River Greenway 9Coal Mountain HIGHWAY Park 4 Browns Bridge Trail ROWNS BRIDGE OVE RROAD/ SHADY B HIGHWKEAITYH36B9RIDGE B 5 SDaucwktownn ee/Thalley CrAeD ek Link 10 ROAD / Community TatumWALT ink Sawnee 5 Central Park Park Mountain Park 6 Wallace 4 7 369 Spine (Matt Community Park to Coal Mountain) SPOT ROAD HIGHWAY 9 / DAHLONEGA HIGHWAY AD FREEDOM PARKWAY 8 Poole’s Mill Link BETTIS TR HO LTZ Six Mile CLAW RO Creek Park IBBLE GAP RO D CANTON HIGHWAY / HIGHWAY 20 Sawnee Mountain Preserve Charleston Park 9 Keith Bridge Link 10 Coal Mountain Loop PILGRIM MILL ROAD GR OAD 11 369 Spine (Eagle’s Beak Park to Matt Community Park) Next Steps Continuing the Planning Process Taking the public input gathered at the open house into account, the Project Management Team and Stakeholder Committee refined the plan’s details relative to the items below: 1. Define the standards for the greenway trail type. 2. Define the standards for the side path trail type. Specifically, differentiating between designing for Highway 369/Matt Highway today and making recommendations for the future of the corridor, with the expectation that it would change and evolve as the area develops/redevelops. 3. Identify the best connection to make from Eagle’s Beak Park to Poole’s Mill Park. 4. Maintain future opportunities to connect across Lake Lanier. There is a community desire to connect further to the east than the current terminus of Charleston Park. 47
PLAN DEVELOPMENT Stakeholder Meeting #3 Meeting Summary The final Stakeholder Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. After reiterating the refined and refocused plan for a streamlined North Subarea trail network, the Consultant Team recapped the results of the public open house, particularly, the results of the activity stations designed to gain community input on the plan. Additional trail connections were discussed, including the Settingdown Creek Trail proposal and multiple potential options for the Eagle’s Beak Connector. The Consultant Team also presented a proposed phasing plan dividing the trail system into four phases (ten, including sub-phases). Phases were determined based on prioritization results from the public open house, current funding allocated to trail segments, and system connectivity over time as the trail system is constructed. Policy recommendations were reviewed, including design standards, project coordination/ implementation, and trail amenities. Design standards included a presentation of the side path trail type and the greenway trail type, illustrated with cross section graphics, as well as recommended surface material, trail width, buffer width, and vegetative recommendations. The presentation concluded with an overview of potential funding sources, which included SPLOST funding, a potential Green space and Trails Bond, Parks and Recreation Impact Fees, or allocations from the County’s existing Solid Waste Fund. Recognizing the distinction between the Parks and Recreation Impact Fees and Transportation Impact Fees was emphasized, as Transportation Impact Fees are currently limited by County legislation and cannot be used toward stand-alone pedestrian projects. Committee Recommendations At Committee Meeting #3, the group provided direction that Eagle’s Beak Connector and Settingdown Creek Trail be shown as projects, but as a later priority following the 369 trail segments. The group also advised retaining the Poole’s Mill Link in the plan, but identifying that project as a “previously identified investment” as it was included in previously adopted Forsyth County Master Plan documents. The committee also recommended showing future connections to Cherokee County and east across Lake Lanier as “Other Regional Connections.” Related to project phasing, the committee noted that the Etowah Greenway segment has been identified for potential funding through the County’s Solid Waste Fund, which could result in its implementation in Phase 1 instead of Phase 2. The group also discussed that the Wallace Tatum Link is funded from Matt Community Park to the schools site, but is receiving 8-foot sidewalks due to topography and right-of-way constraints, and that the greenway portion of the Coal Mountain Loop could be compromised by planned interchange construction and embankment. 48
The committee also discussed a series of policy recommendation including: PLAN DEVELOPMENT • Requiring 8- to 10-feet subdivision interior trail widths • Removing wood chips as a surface material due to maintenance and ADA challenges • Encouraging native species as preferred landscape materials • Including shrubs and understory trees as landscape buffers along 369 The committee also discussed that implementation of the trail system as part of roadway projects will require coordination including the recognition that trail widths may be decreased due to topography or other conditions on a case-by-case basis for roadway projects. The team also noted that in terms of utility easement routes, right-of-way is preferred for County constructed, owned, and maintained facilities. 49
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