Town to develop access to ravine

In 2007, the Town will issue public notice that it intends to develop two access ways to Hungry Hollow Ravine in Georgetown from Noble Court and from Sargent Rd. The decision follows the councilapproved sale to homeowners abutting a strip of land between two Rexway Drive homes that currently provides access to the Hollow. Proceeds from the sale, $18,700, will go towards Hollow trail development. The land was appraised at $20,000. The topography and location of the Rexway Dr. strip has made access to the ravine impractical due to higher construction costs and the extent of natural area disruption to the sensitive ravine, a staff report stated. The Noble Court residents opposed access from their street when Trails and Cycling Master Plan was being developed in 1999. Staff suggests further consultation with the street residents before an actual trail connection is constructed. Residents' fencing currently blocks the Sargent Rd. connection. The Town had leased the area to three abutting residences in 1986, but did not renew the lease when it expired in 2001. The Town has the right to re-instate its entrance to the ravine through its Sargent Rd. land. --By Cynthia Gamble, staff writer