The cities of Medina and Corcoran are in the planning stages for future improvements to Hackamore Road from west of County Rd 116 to east of County Rd 101.  Improvements being considered include widening, turn lanes and trail connections.  It is anticipated that improvements will be constructed in phases over multiple years, potentially beginning in 2021.

You are invited to help guide the design of these improvements and provide your feedback.  To maintain the health and safety of the community and respect CDC guidelines regarding public gatherings due to COVID-19, two online opportunities are available:

• A virtual public meeting was held on May 19, 2020.
  • Recorded Virtual Open House
• Complete an online mapping activity (open from May 14^th to June 4^th ) showing two alignment options with the ability to provide comments and thoughts.

For questions or comments, contact Dusty Finke, Planning Director, at 763-473-8846 or dusty.finke@medinamn.gov or Steve Scherer, Public Works Director, at 763-473-8842 or steve.scherer@medinamn.gov

Over the past several months, Three Rivers Park District has been working with Medina and other communities to collect feedback on the master plan for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail (DLRT). This master plan contemplates a future north-south regional trail in western Hennepin County, including potentially through Medina.

Establishing a master trail plan with identified preferred routes will help local officials secure the land for the trail as development occurs over several years or decades. The Diamond Lake Regional trail will be constructed in segments over the course of many years as development occurs and land can be secured along the trail route.

In response to the public feedback and the direction of the Medina City Council, Three Rivers is no longer evaluating any regional trail options which would extend south of the Hamel Road right-of-way in Medina.

The Medina City Council and Park Commission have requested that Three Rivers Park District instead study and seek public comments on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City.  The routes currently under consideration are on this map for quick reference.

The City Council and Park Commission desire to collect feedback and gage support for a regional trail which could serve the growing and more densely populated neighborhoods of northeast Medina with a paved, multi-use trail for walking, running, biking and in-line skating.

The regional trail would be envisioned to provide a grade-separated crossing over Highway 55 and provide a connection to Baker Park Reserve.  Along Hamel Road, the trail would be adjacent to the roadway and predominantly be located within right-of-way.

Next Steps from Public Engagement

All community feedback from the public engagement period on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City have been put into one comprehensive summary for Park Commission and City Council review and consideration, which can be found in the linked Park Commission report below.  Staff will be sharing the results of the planning efforts to the Park Commission at its regular meeting on May 19, 2021 and the City Council at its regular meeting on June 1, 2021. The City Council will continue their discussion on the Diamond Lake Regional Trail at the June 15, 2021 meeting.

Regular Meeting of City Council:  Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Virtual Meeting Link:  Click here to join the meeting

For telephone audio only:  Dial 1-612-517-3122; Enter Conference ID: 632 071 137#

• Agenda
• June 15th Meeting Packet

• June 1st Meeting Report

Park Commission Meeting information from May 19, 2021 Meeting

• Diamond Lake Regional Trail Summary – Report to Park Commission – This report includes engagement summary and public comments received
• Meeting Visual Presentations from Staff
• Meeting Visual Presentation from Three Rivers Park District
• Video from May 19, 2021 Park Commission Meeting

Online (interactive map, message board, email at https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan) (comment period closed on May 12th)

Questions on the project, email DLRT@threeriversparks.org or call Stephen Shurson, Three Rivers Project Manager, at 763-559-6766

Information from Past Meetings regarding this topic (the original proposed trail routes south of Hamel Road in the meeting information below are no longer being considered):

• Video from 2/16/21 Meeting
• Video from 2/23/21 Meeting
• Video from 3/2/21 Meeting
• Maps (high resolution) – showing original three route options
• Public Comments from first engagement period as of 03.02.21
• Presentation from 2/16/21 Meeting – on project overview, route analysis, and preferred route
• Presentation for 3/2/21 Meeting – meeting between Park Commission & City Council to discuss alternative options/next steps

A study is underway for the Tamarack Drive corridor from Hamel Road to Meander Road. The study includes defining a future road connection between Highway 55 and Meander Road. The purpose of the study is to create a cohesive plan that can be provided to property owners and developers guiding the look and feel of the corridor, street section, right-of-way needs, public utilities, and vehicular access spacing as this area develops.

We would like your input to help define the overall look and feel of Tamarack Drive between Highway 55 and Meander Road before the area develops.

Virtual Open House – Held on April 14th

View Recording of the Virtual Open House

Presentation for Tamarack Drive Visioning Study Open House

How to Participate in Survey

1st Survey and Idea Wall closed on April 20. Thank you for your responses.

2nd Survey Available until May 18th

The Storm Water Utility is an independent City fund devoted to managing Medina’s storm water issues.  Monies in this fund cannot be used for other purposes, similar to the management of the City’s existing water and sewer utility funds.

For more information on the City of Medina’s Storm Water, please visit the Stormwater Utility Page.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently completed a multiyear project to re-examine flood risks throughout Hennepin County and develop electronic flood hazard maps, which will become effective on November 4, 2016.

Federal law mandates that any federally regulated or insured lender require any property with a structure within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on these maps to carry flood insurance.

Most mortgage lenders will check their loans when the updated maps become effective on November 4, 2016. Lenders will likely send a letter to all properties in SFHA, and other properties that are even close to the SFHA, to notify them that they must purchase flood insurance within 45 days. If a policy is not purchased within this time period, the lender will “force place” a policy, which is normally much more expensive.

Flood insurance is available through your agent or one of the agents listed by searching the “Agent Finder” section of FEMA’s Flood Insurance website, FloodSmart.gov. If you have any kind of risk for flood damages, both in or out of the floodplain, the city encourages you to purchase flood insurance.

If you live near a lake, stream, or large wetland, you are encouraged to investigate whether your property may be “newly mapped” within the SFHA. View the floodplain map  to find your property on the map.

What to do if you believe you’ve been inadvertently included in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA)?

There are often scenarios where the boundaries of the floodplain do not accurately reflect the true topographic characteristics of a site. In addition, it is likely that lenders will be fairly conservative when determining if a property may require flood insurance.

In much of the county, the boundaries of the floodplain have not been updated with better elevation information since they were originally mapped in the early 1980’s. This newest map update merely digitized these areas – making them easier for everyone to view. If you believe your structure and/or parcel is higher than the actual flood elevation, there is a procedure for appeals known as a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). Traditionally, a LOMA involves hiring a surveyor to verify the lowest ground touching the structure, deck or stairs is above the 100-year flood elevation.

Under the right circumstances, the city may be able to assist with collecting data rather than hiring a surveyor. City staff may be able to use LiDAR-derived contour elevations from the Minnesota DNR to verify that a structure is above the 100-year flood elevation.

If you have any questions, please contact City Planner Dusty Finke at 763-473-8846 or dusty.finke@ci.medina.mn.us.