10/11/1979 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission (2)
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EAGAN ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 11, 1979
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee was
held on October 11, 1979, at the Eagan City Hall. Those present
were Chairperson Lundsten, Members Coates, Dandurand, Loken, Martin
and Thomas. Also present were City Planner Runkle and Park Director
Schmidt. Absent were Carroll, O'Neill, Radl and Thurston.
City Administrator Hedges appeared briefly and administered
the Oath of Office to recently appointed Committee Member Dandurand.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
City Administrator Hedges reported that the Federal Revenue
Hearing Funds allocation for 1980 had been committed to pay for the
new police facility and to pay for a portion of the cost for the
20 acres of land purchased as an addition to the Community Center
site. He also noted that the Council has approved approximately
$85,000 in matching funds for park grants to be paid from surplus
funds.
At the request of Committee Member Coates, City Administrator
Hedges further explained the City Council's request for explanation
of reasons for abstention votes to be written in the minutes. He
noted that the Council would also be interested in reasons being
expressed for minority votes so that they may also consider all
factors reletive to proposals.
MINUTES
Coates moved and Loken seconded a motion to approve the minutes
of the 9-13-79 Advisory Park Committee meeting.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
In a motion by Thomas, seconded by Martin, the agenda was
unanimously adopted with the addition of Letter to Governor Quie
under Administrative Business.
WEDGAOOD ADDITION
City Planner Runkle presented the plat for Wedgewood Addition
which is part of the Lexington South.P.U.D. A number of Outlots
are proposed to be dedicated for park purposes in accordance with
the PUD agreement. Park Committee members expressed concern over
the potential continuation to the South of trails from the Outlots
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES J~
OCTOBER 11; 1979
PAGE TWO
which form connections around small ponds.
It was noted that park land for the Lexington South PUD was
negotiated when the City was taking fee title to ponds and.the
land adjacent to them if they were a part of the storm water ponding
system.
It was further noted that the developer is not willing to trade
land previously designated for park dedication for other park land
and that.in the event the City no longer desires the dedication, that
the developer requests a quit claim deed'to the involved parcel and
the subtraction of that amount of acreage from the overall park
dedication requirement for the PUD.
Committee members expressed a number of concerns regarding the
park dedication shown on the plat including the following points:
1. The Outlots as shown on the plat are not in conformance
with the. PUD exhibit for park land.
2. The East boundary of Outlot C, North of Wilderness Run Road,
is no longer in line with the East boundary of Outlot B, South of
the road; and, therefore, a direct trail crossing at that point
is not possible.
3. When the Outlot areas were originally proposed for park
dedication, access was provided for on either side of the involved
ponds.
4.. The West boundary of Outlot E no longer provides for access
around the pond.
Committee members directed staff to pursue the above concerns
with the developer and to report back to the Committee at the next
meeting, November 1, 1979.
35E TRAIL CROSSING
The order of the agenda was changed to allow a presentation by
Al Hylland, of MnDOT, regarding alternatives for crossing 35E for
the High Line Trail.
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Mr. Hylland noted that the original plans for 35E, as approved
by the Federal Highway Department, included a 300 foot culvert under
35E and a 200 foot culvert under Blackhawk Road. New environmental
laws now require noise abatement measures and the resultant noise
berm will require that the length of the culvert under 35E to be
increased to more than 400 feet which MnDOT sees as a potential
problem.
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
OC'T'OBER 11, 1979
PAGE THREE
Mr. Hylland mentioned that he had met with City Staff and, at
their direction, had contacted the Federal Highway people regarding
the possibility of an overpass and that they appear open to considering
possible alternatives.
He then presented a number of alternatives to the Committee
including the underpass, overpass and two deviations from the corridor
involving crossing under the Blackhawk Road bridge or crossing
Blackhawk Road at grade. He requested evaluation of these alternatives
by the Committee.
It was noted that financing for 35E is 90% Federal Funds and
10% State Funds with no cost to the City but that future maintenance
of whatever trail crossing is provided will be the City's responsibility.
Committee Member Martin noted that even the cost of the most
expensive alternative is insignificant in terms of the total cost
of the project.
Mark Dandurand emphasized the importance of the linear continuity
of the trail and expressed concern that any alternative which required
substantial deviation in direction would defeat the purpose of the
corridor trail and result in lack of use.
The Committee referred consideration of the alternatives to the
Trail Subcommittee in conjunciton with an evaluation of potential uses
for all segments of the trail. The Committee expressed appreciation
to Mr. Hylland for the opportunity to provide input into the matter.
TOLLEFSON BUILDERS
City Planner Runkle presented the plat for Tollefson Builders
in Section 20 which contains approximately 20 acres to be developed
as 3.7 four-plex lots or 138 total units.
City Staff has recommended that an internal trail be installed
to allow for easy access to Woodhaven Park which serves this neighbor-
hood. The developer will be providing a tot lot in the Common Area.
Loken moved and Martin seconded a unanimous motion to recommend
to the City Council that park dedication for the Tollefson plat
be satisfied by cash per unit with the developer constructing internal
trails in the common area to provide for access to Gold Trail and
Woodhaven Park.
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES .
OCTOBER 11, 1979
PAGE FOUR
RAHN ADDITION
City Planner Runkle presented the plat for Rahn Addition in
Section 20 which consists of approximately five acres to be developed
as 15 single family lots.
Martin moved and Dandurand seconded a unanimous motion to
recommend that Park dedication for Rahn Addition be satisfied by
cash per unit. It was noted that a sidewalk will be installed on
Blackhawk goad in accordance with the requirements of the Subdivision
Ordinance.
The Committee requested that City Staff investigate the feasibility
and/or desirability of extending the sidewalk along Carnelian
Park to Carnelian Lane in conjunction with this project.
MEADE ADDITION
City Planner Runkle presented the proposed plat for Meade Addition
in Section 31.
Coates moved and Martin seconded a unanimous motion to recommend
to the City Council that Park Dedication for Meade Addition be
satisfied by cash per unit.
HIGH LINE TRAIL
Discussion was held regarding an official name for the High
Line Trail. The matter was referred to the Trail Subcommittee.
Committee Member Thomas reported that the new routing for the
horse trail is almost completed with the work being done by the
Diamond T Riders Saddle Club.
PARK CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT
Park Director Schmidt noted that several items are still not
corrected in the Park Development Contract and that final repairs to
the High Line Trail have not yet been completed.
FALL PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Park Director Schmidt reported that both sessions of Tiny Tots
were filled by noon of the second day of registration. Committee
commented on the need for this type of program.
It was also noted that registrations are also being taken.for
men's, women's and couple's open volleyball sessions and for two
sessions of CPR training.
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PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 11, 1979
PAGE FIVE
RECREATION REPORT
Committee members discussed a report prepared by Recreation
Programmer, Dorothy Peterson, regarding after school recreation
programs in area elementary schools and advised against the City
being placed in the position of providing these programs. The Com-
mittee felt that such programming should be the responsibility of the
School District Community Services Departments and further noted
that limited staff and budget would prevent the City from assuming
this responsibility at this time.
DREXEL HEIGHTS PARK ACCESS REQUEST
A request from the engineering department to consider allowing
up to three driveway accesses over Outlot A in Drexel Heights was
next considered. Park Committee members expressed willingness to
consider the sale of Outlot A to Henry Braun to allow for access
to the rear of his property since the trail around Fish Lake is no
longer a possibility but had reservations about allowing three drive-
way accesses across park property due to the fact that the property
would be made unusable and that maintenance could present problems
in the future. Park Director Schmidt was requested to pursue the
possible sale of Outlot A with other City Staff and report back to
the Committee.
TOT LOT REQUIREMENTS
City Planner Runkle reviewed the provision in the zoning
ordinance which requires that developers of multiple residential
housing provide minimum recreation areas related in size to the
number of bedrooms per unit. He noted that installation of play
equipment is generally required as a part of the platting process.
DAKOTA COUNTY TRAIL POLICY
Park Director Schmidt informed the Committee that Dakota County
is developing a policy regarding trails along County roads.
Chairperson Lundsten discussed a letter from the Trail Subcommittee
which was directed to Commissioner Kennedy regarding this matter.
Loken moved and Martin seconded a unanimous motion to adjourn
at 11:20 p.m.
DATED: OCTOBER 11, 1979 BS