03/01/1984 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, 'MINNESOTA
MARCH 1, 1984
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission was
called to order by Chairman Martin at 7:15 p.m. All members were present with
the exception of Doug McNeely. Commission member George Kubik had previously
notified the Commission he would be late. Also present were the Director of
Parks and Recreation, Ken Vraa; Administrative Assistant, Liz Witt; and Parks
and Recreation Intern, Jim Sturm.
AGENDA
Parks Director Vraa added a few minor items to Other Business and
Reports. Commission member Carroll moved, seconded by Thurston, the agenda be
accepted as amended. The motion carried.
MINUTES
The minutes of February 2, 1984, were not included in the packet so
action was deferred to the April meeting.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. Holmes Addition
Parks Director Vraa briefly described the Holmes Addition - the platting
of one acre into two single-family lots. He recommended a cash dedication be
accepted.
There was some discussion about a possible trail around the lake.
Director Vraa stated that most of the land has already been platted around the
lake. A pathway easement would have to be acquired from many property owners
in order to get the trail all the way around.
On a motion by Carroll, seconded by Jackson, the Commission agreed to
recommend a cash dedication for the property. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Rose Hill Addition
This proposal consists of 14 single-family lots on a cul de sac placed so
as to provide access to Blackhawk Lake. Director Vraa recommended that a cash
dedication be a condition of plat approval. Commission member Thurston moved,
Bertz seconded, that a cash dedication be accepted. The motion carried.
C. Safari Estates
Director Vraa noted that Ridgecliff is the neighborhood park for the
area. Access to the park from this development would be down Covington, or a
proposed trail through Dakota County Park. Commission member Alt moved, with
Ketcham seconding, to accept cash dedication for Safari Estates. The motion
carried.
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
March 1, 1984
Page 2
D. Oak Cliff Addition
Director Vraa explained that this parcel is within the Winkler/Jackson
PUD and was first proposed for multiple housing. The proposal now is for
single-family. The Winkler/Jackson PUD originally provided for the dedication
of 4.4 acres for park and grading to fulfill park dedication requirements.
With fewer units proposed, there may be less monies for grading. (There was
also a turn-back agreement with MnDot to acquire an additional 4+ acres and
the 8+ total acres would form a neighborhood park.) After review and
discussion, Chairman Martin moved and Carroll seconded to accept the proposed
park property and to recommend the PD agreement calling for dedication with
the first phased development, be completed. Further, that grading of the park
be completed as previously agreed to. The motion carried unanimously.
E. Lexington Square
This proposal calls for 372 single-family units on a 132 acre site. The
north half is phase I with construction anticipated in 1984. The westerly
part is phase II and would go up the following year. Completion of the
development is scheduled for three years. The parcel is part of the Lexington
South PD and was recently down-zoned to R-2. Parks & Recreation Director Vraa
noted for the Commission that Outlot A is not part of the PD and there must be
a separate cash dedication and agreement when it comes in for platting.
Commission members voiced their concerns with the Lexington Square
proposal. Issues raised were sidewalk and trailway requirements, access to
park via Northview Park Road being hampered by parked cars of adjacent
homeowners, drainage of the area particularly as it affects the potential
parking area within the park, and lighting and screening for the ball fields.
Director Vraa noted that Northview Park Road will have 70' R/W with a 44' road
surface. Engineering has proposed to shift the road 10' to the north and put
the bike trail on the south side of the road. Thus, residents from within
Lexington Square, as well as elsewhere, will have access to the park. There
was a lengthy review and discussion by the Commission of the proposed plat.
Chairman Martin moved, Thurston seconded, that the following concerns
must be addressed while considering park dedication for Lexington Square:
1. Surface drainage should be shifted to the north so that the park pond
level is not affected by any run off.
2. The proposed 5' sidewalk along Lexington Avenue be changed to an 8'
bituminous trail. Members noted that there will be an 8' trail along the
west side of Lexington, which is part of another PD. It was noted that
Lexington would be similar to Pilot Knob Road, therefore, trails on both
sides should be included.
3. The City should require a 15' trail easement within the 50' NSP ease-
ment along the eastern edge of the development.
4. The developers should be notified that the City intends to light the
ball fields -and that screening-of theba11 fields will be necessary by
the City and developer.
ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
March 1, 1984
Page 3
5. Parking on Northview Park Road should not obstruct access to the park
or residential driveways. Concern was expressed for possible traffic
congestion on Northview Park Road after ball games. Staff was asked to
review the possibility of extending the parking area within the Park or
for parallel parking adjacent to Northview Road and the soccer field.
The motion was unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Meadowland Park
Parks & Recreation Director Vraa and Intern Sturm reviewed the three
concept plans for Meadowland Park. They cited grading costs, compatibility of
various uses and saving vegetation which resulted in a fourth concept plan.
In this plan, the ball fields would be in the east, the park entrance would be
shifted to the north, the roadway and plantings would separate usages.
Commission members suggested moving the tot lot away from the hard ball court
and leave the knoll as a sliding area. Commission member Carroll moved, Bertz
seconded, to recommend approval of concept plan 4, with the modifications
mentioned. The motion was approved.
B. Park Names
The City Council had set aside some park names requesting background
information from the Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission. Discussion
started with Northview Park which would be named Downing. The Commission
listed their reasons for changing the name:
1. The Commission prefers an identity separate from Northview School.
There is no access to the park from the school but park users expect
there to be a connection because they think the park is part of the
school grounds.
2. There is a Northview Park in Burnsville aggravating an already
confusing situation.
Park Name Committee Chairman, Dick Carroll, was directed to write a
response to the Council outlining Commission reasons for the submitted park
names. The Commission also wanted to keep the names Stonecutters, Robbers
Ravine, Barleycorn and Logger's Trail. Committee Chairman Carroll will
include the historical perspective for these names. Trapp Farm will be
referred back to the Park Name Committee. Discussion concluded with the
suggestion that each park have a plaque explaining the name.
NEW BUSINESS
A. LAWCON/LCMR Grants
Commission members discussed priorities for FY '85 grant applications.
The Commission reviewed Coachman Park, Schwanz Lake and Capricorn Park as well
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
March 1, 1984
Page 4
as other possibilities. Director Vraa noted that Schwanz Lake will be a
community park and the City will need to acquire additional property from
three private homeowners. He said the Capricorn request could be reduced now
and returned later for a second request. On a motion by Thurston, seconded by
H asin, the Commission recommended to the Council the following priorities
for FY 1985 LAWCON/LCMR:
1. Coachman Park 2. Schwanz Lake 3. Capricorn Park
Further, that staff be directed to begin the acquisition of the private
property on Schwanz Lake.
B. Parkland Review - Section 14
Parks & Recreation Director Vraa noted for the Commission that there is
interest in development in the area now that sewer is coming in. In order to
get a 10-acre park in Section 14, 2 to 6 acres would have to be purchased.
Director Vraa commented that the most desirable land for park is probably the
most desirable for the developer, making it more difficult to obtain. The
Director displayed several graphic illustrations showing locations for
possible siting of a park. He explained the ramifications of each as to their
limitations and means of acquisition. The Commission had numerous questions
and a lengthy discussion, after which Thurston moved, Bertz seconded, to have
Director Vraa spell out where the park site is wanted before a plat comes in.
The City should be ready to purchase the needed acreage up front. Encouraging
the developer to locate the park where the City desires. The motion carried
unanimously.
C. '84 Commission Objectives
The Commission agreed to the following objectives while deferring
implementation until after a possible park bond referendum.
1. Park bond referendum
2. Tour special-use facilities
3. A Recreation Plan
4. Review park dedication fee
5. Tour Eagan parks before summer meetings
6. Update Systems Plan in the fall.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Task Force
Task Force Chairman, Carolyn Thurston, reported that two information
meetings had been held; that they have been well-attended; the people are
interested and want to be informed. She expected that the task force would
soon decide the dollar amount, whether there will be one or two parts and a
referendum date. There will probably be a special Advisory Parks & Recreation
Commission/City Council meeting to formally set the referendum in motion.
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION HINUTES
March 1, 1984
Page 5
B. Sperry Field
Parks & Recreation Director Vraa has been notified that Sperry will be
requiring more ball field time for company teams. This means the City may
have to turn down requests that have heretofore been honored. Vraa said there
are no plans to convert youth ball fields to adult ball fields. He said the
City has already received 16 new team requests for 1984. This item was
informational and no Commission action was necessary.
C. Special Issues Committee
Roger Sjobeck, Eagan resident and architect, reviewed the Kehne House for
the Special Issues Committee at a meeting on February 23. He said the
structure is sound but he would need to remeasure to get an accurate cost
estimate for repair. He would look at the structure as a home, rental
property or a place of recreation. The Sub-committee, after hearing Mr.
S jobeck's report, requested he prepare a cost estimate for his time to do a
more detailed review of the house. Members suggested that it would appear
that the preliminary reviews warrant further study because of the value of the
home. The Director responded that a cost-not-to-exceed basis would cost
$1,200 and would cover the major areas of concern:
1. Remeasure and develop floor plan
2. Review hallway revision; prepare an analysis
3. Determine,restroom alternatives
4. Review utilities, i.e., heating, lighting & plumbing
5. Cost estimating for house repair.
Chairman Martin moved, Carroll seconded, to recommend Roger Sjobeck be
retained for up to $1,200 to draft proposals for the Kehne House. The motion
carried.
D. Recreation Committee
Mr. Kubik reported the Recreation Committee had met to review the-on-
going recreation programs. The Committee considered resources such as staff
time involvement, self-sustaining programs, etc., as well as the people being
served. The Committee felt that any increase in recreational activities would
require additional staff The Committee is scheduled to
meet again on March 14.
E. Field Use Policy And Fees
The Director of Parks & Recreation stated the Commission had previously
approved the use and fee policies in March of 1983, requesting a re-review in
1984. Program Director, Dorothy Peterson, sent a memo citing no changes are
necessary norhave there been problems in policies or fees at this time.
Commission member Carroll moved, Jackson seconded, that the policies and fees
again be accepted without change. The motion carried.
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION C0IIMISSION MINUTES
March 1, 1984
Page 6
F. Bluebird Houses In Patrick Eagan Park
Director Vraa informed the Commission that a 4-H group received his
permission to place bluebird houses in Patrick Eagan Park for a bluebird
trail. Commission members were very enthusiastic about the project.
G. Seniors Group Meeting
Sixty-eight people returned responses to the Seniors Survey indicating a
great interest in a seniors program. The Recreation Committee will address
senior wants and needs at a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Jackson, seconded by Ketcham, the Commission voted to
adjourn at 10:25 p.m.
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Dated: Z 'z
//Advisory Parks--& Rec Sec ary