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04/13/1978 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionREGULAR MEETING PARK COMMITTEE. EAGAN, MINNESOTA CITY HALL 4 -13 -78 7:00 P.M. AGEN I. 7:00 - Call to Order 7:05 - Approval of 3 7:10 - Establishment II. 7:15 - Receptions of Reports and Other Communications A. Council M 1. Park 2. Plann B. Consultan s C. Park Depa 1. Discu Goals 2. MN. D 3. Park 4. Play 5. Kehne 6. Sprin 7. Carne D. Special M 1. Repor March 2. Repor Meeti 3. Eagan E. Other A Pledge of Allegiance 14 -78 Minutes of Agenda r=% eting - Tom Hedges evelopment Contract ng Commission Appearance (4- 25 -78) tment sion of Park Development Guide - and Objectives t Bikeway Grant ommittee 5 Year Action Plan 1 quipment Purchases for 1978 4 House Recreation Programs ian Park Sewer Line Crossing lr° etings from Trail Subcommittee Meetin 23, 1978 - Jean Loken Metro Council Equestrian g March 27, 1978 - Mike Thomas Valley Ranger's Meeting April 19 ' III. 8:00 - Development Pioposals A. New Applebaum Plat - John Klein B. Oak Pond Hills C. Don Christenson Development - Dale Runkle IV. 8:30 - Old Business A. Review of Eagan Hills East and Eagan Hills West Park Dedication - Dale Runkle B. Review of Rustic Hills Cameron and Carriage Hills Plats V. 9 :00 - New Business VI. 9:00 - Visitors to be heard (persons not on agenda) VII. 9:45 - For Your Information VIII. 10:00 - Adjournment The 3 -9 -78 Park Committee meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum. The agenda items, with the exception of those handled at the 3 -14 -78 Special Meeting, have been delayed to, this meeting. Please refer to the Park Committee Packet for the 3 -9 -78 meeting which you previously received for the necessary background information. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PARK COMMITTEE AGENDA BACKGROUND INFORMATION 4 -13 -78 II. A. Planning Commission Appearance Rescheduled for April 25, 1978 The Park Committee will be on the agenda from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The Park Director has prepared a review of the Park Development Guide (attachment # 1) and all Park Committee members are asked to be present if possible to represent the Committee and to answer questions and hear comments from the Planning Commission members. Any comments on the review would be appreciated. C. 1. MN. Dot Trail Bob Rosene has received City Council approval to prepare plans for this trail and a letter has been written to all affected property owners informing them of this project. Several favorable comments . have been received and one person has expressed opposition. The County Board, at its meeting of 4- 11 -78, gave approval to the trail concept within County Rd. 31 right of way subject to approval of the plans by the County Highway Engineer. The plans will be submitted to the Eagan City Council for approval at the April 18nth meeting. 7. Carnelian Sewer Crossing At the Council Meeting the City Council took action to approve a compromise proposal for the sewer line proposed across Carnelian Park. (see attachment #2) However, the matter is not totally resolved at this time and there is now a possibility that the houses needing utilities can be served from another direction. D. 1. Trail Meeting Jean Loken will report on the Eagan Trail Meeting. The Park Committee may wish to consider a responce to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regarding the plans for Fort Snelling. (see enclosed memo attachment #3) The Committee may wish to set a date for the next Trail Meeting. 2. Park Committee member Mike Thomas attended a Metropolitan Council Informational Meeting on Horse Trails. He has prepared a report on the meeting. A copy is enclosed for your review. Attachment #4. 3. Snowmobile Club Meeting The Park Director has been asked to attend a meeting of the Eagan Valley Rangers Snowmobile Club at the Lost Spur at 8:00 P.M. on April 19, 1978. The Club is interested in learning how they can work with Eagan in an effort to provide access out of the City to designated snowmobile trails in the Southern portion of Dakota County. Development Proposal John Klein representing Ken Applebaum, will discuss the proposed development of 40 acres east of Duckwood: the area south of the previously dedicated DeBoer Park. The proposal includes approximately 12 acres of parkland suggested for purchase by the City. Mr. Applebaum would sell it to the City for $5,000.00 an acre. It includes shoreline on the larger lake and several low lying areas and would connect with Duckwood Drive. It is suggested that the purchase could be financed over a 14 year period. City Staff has reviewed the proposal and makes the following comments: The area has some potential for passive park use. However, the park needs in this section which have not been satisfied are for the active neighborhood park. A trail connection throughout the area would be desirable and perhaps should be considered though as yet the City has not purchased land for trails and it would be difficult to arrive at a price B. Oak Pond Hills II Oak Pond Hills II is apart of the Lexington South PUD. Two areas were planned to be dedicated for parks within this plat. City Staff has met with Ed Dunn and determined' that park dedication to accomodate a walking trail along the pond on the western edge of the plat would require only a 30 foot wide area at some points. This is less than shows in the PUD agreement. City Staff.also feels that the pond east of the plat and the connection to that pond would not be of particular benefit to the park system but would result in additional maintenance responsibilities without providing usable land for development. There are sections of very steep terrain within this area. City staff recommends working out a compromise with the developer. Mr. Dunn is agreeable to eliminating this area from his park dedication committment and would pay cash in lieu of the dedication however that cash would be based on the value of the land.'He has offered $4,000.00 and would expect to have credit deducted from his overall dedication requirement. The area that the City prefers not to accept equals 5.76 acres while the cash may seem small in respect. to the number of acres of the land the following points should be considered: It is in the City's best interest to drop the proposed park area. Mr. Dunn's total overall dedication is in excess of the 10% requirement. In Eagan Hills West compromises were .made which were definately in our favor. The .cash could be used for the installation.of the trail within the development. Council action would be required to change the park dedication committed.in the PUD agreement. If the Park Committee agrees with the suggested compromise then a recommendation to the City Council would be appropriate. The trail areas should be shown as outlets on the plat and deeded IV. A. Dale Runkle will review the park dedication for Eagan Hills East which includes trail to be installed by the developers as part of the park dedication requirement. He will also review the park dedication for Eagan Hills West for the benefit of those Park Committee members who were not at the Special Meeting. B. Dale . will review three small plats for which cash per unit has been recommended by staff. Two items in For Your Information should be discussed; the discontinuance of providing seedlings for park border plantings and the policy of allowing garden plots on undeveloped parkland. VII. to the City by separate documents when the final plat is filled. C. Dale Runkle will discuss a small plat being developed by Don Christenson near Fish Lake. PARK COMMITTEE PHILOSOPHY The Park Development Guide provides: organized objective approval to park development framework of criteria and standards spells out goals and objectives for a total system should be reviewed 3 -5 years major update ('very 10 years Park Planning must keep pace with changes in: open space standards recreational preferences amount of leisure time available the community shifts in age profile changes in expectations Our Goals and Objectives currently place more emphasis on acquisition than development because of: escalating land values possible loss of select areas call for development first, of parks which serve the most densely populated areas place great emphasis on co- operation with school districts call for fairly large well spaced parks to minimize present and future maintenance costs Current recreational standards call for 25 acres of all types of parkland per 1,000 population Of these 25 acres, 12.5 acres represent local parks and 12.5 acres are met by regional parks (See chart pages 7 -8 in Park Development Guide) are divided into categories as follows Neighborhood Parks are areas for active play purposes; skating, sliding, ball fields, courts and playground equipment should contain level land suited for the above activities with some passive area desirable should be from 10 -20 acres in size serve 4,000 -8,000 population within approximately 1 sq. mile, or within an area bounded by Natural barriers, and therefore be within 3/4 mile walking distance of each home Eagan has 34 neighborhoods 16 of them have neighborhood parks at this time or have community par4 to serve this function 4 have pending dedications in the remainder, neighborhood park sites still need to be determined With the assistance of Zoning Aid Dale Runkle, the Park Committee is selecting preferred locations for neighborhood parks within each of these remaining neighborhoods, this will be of great value when dealing with developers in the future. In some cases, we may have to pucbase 14114 from one property owner with cash required from other developers within the neighborhood. Community Athletic Fields are: chiefly for organized athletic events such as football, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and similar activities should be about 80 acres unless adjacent to a High School serve approximately 6 neighborhoods Examples are Rahn Park and Northview Park The total need for athletic fields for Eagan will be evaluated and additional locations selected. Obtaining these sites will require a bond issue or grant assistence Community Parks should be not less than 50 acres in size serve between 3 -6 neighborhoods within a 2 mile radius provide for passive recreation such as hiking, nature study, picnicking areas, shoesnowing, cross country skiing should contain a variety of interesting terrain, tree cover, and water courses, wildlife habitat Examples are Patrick Eagan, Blackhawk, Holland- Jensen, Burr Oaks Community Parks and Community Athletic Fields can serve also as the neighborhood facility for that neighborhood in which they are located. Trail Systems should link residential with schools, shopping, employment and recreation centers should provide for both transportation and recreation with safety of primary importance This is a very complex system which can include: on road bike lanes off road bike paths hiking and biking trails within neighborhoods trails which traverse the community trails within existing parks sidewalks The Park Committee is currently preparing a Master plan for exact locations for a variety of trails Regional Parks Our regional park needs can be met by areas either within or outside of our community and are not actually part of our system. Dakota County currently owns 1300 acres of land within Eagan which will be developed and easily accessible to all residents of Eagan Fort Snelling State Park currently owns approximately 1 square mile in Eagan but most of this land will not be intensely developed and will offer limited use to our residents. Cross' country ski trails, snowmobile trails, etc. will be located in the Eagan portion. However, the total Fort Snelling Park contains 2,500 acres and will offer a variety of activities within easy reach of Eagan people. We are extremely fortunate to have these two facilities on our borders. In addition the State has purchased 760 acres in Eagan for the Minnesota River Valley Trail. Open Spaces and Special Purpose Parks Total required is very difficult to estimate. Depends on special circumstances within and outside our community. An example is the Minnesota Zoological Gardens. Another example would be an ice arena, swimming pool, civic center or a nature center. In Summary - when dealing with the 10% dedication by developers we are attempting to provide neighborhood parks which: are centrally located within the neighborhood when possible are within 3/4 mile walking distance are 10 -20 acres in size contain flat land usable for active play purposes with some passive amenities when possible We are also attempting to provide for major elements in the trail systems with paricular emphasis on the all purpose trail on the East - West Highline and on links to Fort Snelling and Holland- Jensen and to our community parks. Community Athletic Complexes such as Northview Park and Rahn Park and natural areas like Thomas Lake, Blackhawk and Patrick Eagan, we expect to purchase either by passing another park bond issue or by obtaining grants from whatever sources possible. Map Planning document shows existing parks shows pending dedications for both parks and trails will also show future sites as determined can easily be revised Additional planning currently being done by Park Cor4miittee 1. Update park dedication procedure and policies 2. Revise Park Development Guide 3. Prepare Trail Plan a. recreational biking b. transportation biking c. horseback riding d. 4. Coordinate sidewalk plan PARK PLANNING When preliminary plans are complete the Committee will review them with the Planning Commission. The Park Committee would also like your input and ideas now to consider at this phase of the planning effort. North • - - _ CARNELIAN -„, _ . „.. 19- L LNE 1 44-4- CA--( - $ Memo To: Eagan Park Committee From: Mike Thomas Re: Metropolitan Council - Informational Meeting on Horseback Riding Trails Date: March 27, 1978 Meeting was to be held in Council room E at Metro Square Building, St. Paul. Overflow crowd, of over 100 concerned citizens arrived, causing change of meeting room to the Main Metro Council Meeting Chambers. Introductory Speaker, Jack Costello, gave some of his personal views and outlook on Public Trails, stating that the Metro Council is interested in input from Minnesota State horse owners and trails users. Jack Costello made it very clear that if the horse owners are to be heard, they MUST organize and use local Government to its fullest. Mr. Costello introduced Marty Jessen, Chief Planner - Metro Council. Mr. Jessen spoke on the 7 different kinds of park units for trail use by horses. Mr. Jessen noted that there are now 44 miles of designated horse trails - and the long range plan is to be 450 miles!', As he spoke on, it was getting clearer and clearer that about 90% of the trails he was referring to were old railroad beds. Mr. Jessen did mention that there would be a public hearing in June. If we were to look at the tentative schedule for Regional Trails Policy Plan Review, we would find that by June most of the hearings and planning would already be done. There are meetings 7n 4 -3 -78, 1 -7 -78, 4- 17 -78, 4- 20 -78, 4- 27 -78, 4- 28 -78, etc. Mr. Jessen did also agree that for the council to move in a certain direction, concerned groups must unite and be heard through proper channels, especially local Government Committees and citizen groups. Mr. Costello introduced Bill Morrisey, Acting Trail Planner Supervisor - Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Morrisey spoke on funding of trails throughout the state and grants that are available to groups and local governing bodies. Mr. Morrisey started in on telling us how good it would be to get all the abandoned railroad beds for all purpose trails - referring to Equestrian Trails - noting that snowmobiles have 450 miles of trails now. Mr. Morrisey also noted that if we want action, congressmen and public officials, especially elected officials, should be written to and encouraged to vote on trail matters the way we want them to vote. We must be heard to get HELP. Then Mr. Costello introduced Ted Orosz, Planner - State Planning Agency. Mr. Orosz spoke on background of the State Planning Agency, future and implimentation of planning in regards to trails. Mr. Costello then opened the meeting for questions and discussion. Early in the question section, it was noted from Mendota Heights Trail Representative, that Fort Snelling was going to be off limits to horse- Continued back riding. No reply from D.N.R. only that there opposition to having horse trails in the park at th June 1977. Note: Eagan being bordering city on the park, not being notified of meeting or outcome of d duly noted. Several trail riding clubs and represen the state were voicing opposition to keeping horseb many state parks. Also, that horseback riding trail elaborate groomed trails the D.N.R. and Metro Counc need. It was brought up that 95% of the trail rider trail meandering through or around park areas. West America Trail Representative also brought up that t horse owners in the state and many trail riders hav large park outlying areas so they could have and ri these scenic areas. Now D.N.R. is planning on remov these areas. The Park and Recreation Trail Sub - committee Re Eagan asked what the reasoning was on removing hors Snelling riding area on the south side of the river for the future, also reflecting back on the questio Mendota Heights Trail Committee member on the same Snelling. The D.N.R Representative did not answer he started talking of several different parks in th talking about Fort Snelling or horse trails he brou trails and hiking trails and still did not reflect The horse people did note, as a body of concerned c must combine forces such as Minnesota Horse Council Owners, Quarter Horse Owners Association, W.S.C.A., Minnetonka brought up that railroad beds are very e incorporate and to maintain, also that snowmobiling with equestrian trails which is very disconcerning An applause arose when another member of a Northern annQunced that equestrian trail riders only need a trail, not a 100 foot blacktop strip, just land aqu and not a highway like some people think. Toward the end of the meeting Mike Thomas, of Recreation - Trail Sub - committee, addressed the who that if the committee members would take ahold of t Flag and hold it out so they could see the State Se could all see the horse and rider in the center of snowmobile, not a hiker, not a cross - country skier, not a 4 wheeler. There was complete silence for a m Mr. Costello recognized a couple more questions and addressing the citizens to get organized and use th get heard and noted that the Metropolitan Council w m st have been some public hearing in south side of the cisions, should be atives from all over ck riders out of so do not involve the 1 seems to think we prefer an old deer rn Saddle Club of ere are 157,000 moved out to the e their horses in ng horse trails from resentative from trails from Fort in the master plan brought up by ubject of Fort he question. Instead state, and not ht up snowmobile ack to Fort Snelling. tizens that they Arabian Horse etc. Horse Owners of pensive to is always brought up o horseback riders. Suburb Saddle Club 0 foot meandering sition of 10 feet he Eagan Park and e meeting stating e Minnesota State 1 on the flag they he State Seal, not a not a motorcycle and ment or two, then closed with proper channels to 11 listen. P OND POND WATER EIE Y[71O• 862.7 p•TM C 5r E NGnE -RANG CONSLT[NT MR FLO•D FORSBERB, • E N[[ l[YCR[ lul[ [ .-V RCM[ Paint .s4 II 377 -71.'S ATy N N 'y 5! • R +�� Se + or n; n.•' a'. ll Z1, • N O 1 BC A 1 1 • n rE / SC C -••.• y t ti S 5 .5 sr .! sl ` t1 i y am - t "i l 1 4 A Planned unw Development NM Owen &awry war 11118w. MesIagenlaa► wa uwvaerea a.111m411n.. 11r.. OMNI 3. Park and Circulation Plan PM aACTIVE PARK P•P= PASSIVE R Total Pork & Open Space Credited 32.6 ac. unil faseanowld "MM. is ..aaai .wa; - _,- .-.u s 4 -. _`. . .I.&.cwt•rw�A�r iM M�r F�I.4r...... .. T� s ,..r'r . 1 j • g Y 1 I i �°- i 4 v, ` i I 5 a ! : 1 fi r- (i.. .t I ! �' " --- - e ,' • ,. ,; Pt, 0 q 1144 4 • rpose trail • 1 • • • Zi States vows Cp. t =` a ''" so - � . � .- e � , •j• • i -- Proposed Land Dedication NSP Easement, '2 credit (12.12ac./2) 6.06 acres Passive Park (Pp) 5.67 Area south of NSP (Full credit -south end of C) 0.44 Pipeline Easement (2.2ac./2) 1.10 Park and Wetland B (Park 4.68 + .61/2) 4.98 Active Park (Pa) 13.49 Trail linking park areas (30' wide) 0.86 TOTAL 32.60 acres PARK COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 1978 FOR YOUR INFORMATION In past years we have made available planting material to property owners to define the border between private lot lines and city park land. We have obtained this material free of charge from the State of Minnesota. We have experienced a number of problems with this service. People have used the material elsewhere in their yards, have not cared for the seedlings and have been extremely difficult to deal with in terms of what materials they wished to plant and when they would be home to receive the material etc. Further, this use of the material is not strictly within the bounds of the conditions placed on its use by the State. I plan to discontinue this practice and instead, refer property owners directly to the State or to the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district which has seedings available for private parties to plant as they wish at a very nominal cost. In the past the City Council has allowed certain park neighbors to have garden plots on park property. The Park Director has instituted a form to be used to give City permission for this use subject to appropriate conditions which will include that the disturbed earth be provided with adequate ground cover when this use is discontinued. This use will be considered only in undeveloped parks and will be permitted when it will not interfere with development or use of the park area. Page Two I recently checked with the State Planning Agency about the possibility that B.O.R. funding would be available for covered swimming pools or arenas and learned the following: According to B.O.R. regulations 100 of a States funding allocation could be made available for this purpose, at the States discretion. For the State of Minnesota this would mean $320,000.00 for the Metro and outside areas. Splitting this would result in $160,000.00 for each area. Since this is a minimal amount which would result in an extremely small number of projects and would require the development of new criteria and a ranking system, the State Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources determined that Minnesota would not allocate funds to these purposes at this time. It is estimated that this situation will remain the same for at least the next five years. The Legislative Committee believes that Minnesota currently has other higher priority park needs such as land acquisition which should be satisfied before funding is made available for covered structures. Memo To: Fagan Park Committee From: Park Director, 'arh ''chnidt Re: Fort Snelling Development Plan Pate: April 7, 1275 According to the information received by the Fagan Park Committee at a recent Trails meeting, the Department of 'datural Resources has Prepared a development n1an for Fort ` "tato Parr:. A p rbl is hearing was i,el(' on that elan in June of 1277. As a result of some of the comments exnressec'. at that public meetings the long range plan for Fort 2nellinw Park includes fazing out snowmobiles and horses as a permitted use. This would expect to occur at a)proxlr•ately the time of the development commences for the ra.gnn portion of Port `'nelling State Parr. The City of f 1''rrl.n. was not notified, or at least the Parl- Pe '!art`` ent was not nog i'ri e ' t} at such a public hearing was being held. As a result we were not in attendance to express our concerns about the proposed development or i' "tate Par }' As an adjacent community, '70 reel t 't t (: sb.ould have been in of the meeting, in tact, ` er'1?s ' ` ; ' (mn a draft of tl'c ' ro')osed development Ilan so tit w o" .l' t. .`v t- c "'71 a'A e to Il'!ve i? Tlit into t'_, total plan for that area. evelo -, F , 1fri as revisf•t' a,ftor t1-. lie t,earin7 is currently at t.'; .c q.. _ : will available in the 7_r " Stu e. Par Co7 to `or`7al.ly r_,ss its concerns to the t'' innosota y.c..,,trt „ ent of 'at P.eso'vrcn r the effect of t'lis r'eci sion or . Sv 'i t y trail ')1 ?ail ?I.' r;' 'tact . a ar orn'aortunity to provide in »an to 1 e' rr'. r ,, th i.sec n c +L .'1i%lcent Part: are;'.