05/03/1984 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MAY 3 , 1984
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission was called to
order by Chairman Martin at 7:15 P.M.. All members were present. Ken Vraa,
Director of Parks & Recreation; Administrative Assistant, Liz Witt; and Parks
and Recreation Intern, Jim Sturm, were also present. Developers and residents
were in attendance to speak on particular items on the agenda.
AGENDA
Informational items were added to the agenda by Parks & Recreation Director,
Vraa. On a motion by Carroll, seconded by Jackson, the Commission approved
the agenda as amended.
MINUTES
Chairman Martin moved, Alt seconded, that the minutes of April 5, 1984 be
approved as presented.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. Lexington Place South
Bill Allen of U.S. Home Corp. addressed the Commission. He said the developers
were withdrawing their request for park credit for the private park amenities
associated with Lexington Place South. Chairman Martin moved, Kubik seconded,
to recognize the withdrawal of the request for park credit and to accept a
cash dedication for Lexington Place South. The motion carried.
B. Peace Reformed Church
Parks & Recreation Director, Vraa noted for the Commission that two (2) issues
needed to be considered - the outlot to be platted and the church site. (The
Peace Reformed Church planned to outlot a parcel for future development and
build a church on the remaining parcel). He said that communities surveyed do
not have a policy regarding park dedication from churches. The Commission
would have to decide if there should be dedication and, if so, what kind -
commercial/industrial or residential?
Chairman Martin said he was opposed to requiring dedication from churches.
Commission Member Bertz voiced concern with those "churches" that are not
"traditional". Further discussion resulted in the issue being delegated to
the Special Issues Committee for development of a policy. Commission Member
Kubik raised the possibility that the property could be sold and another use
made of it. In that case, the Commission should review it for park
dedication.
Commission Member McNeely moved, Ketcham seconded, to:
1. not require park dedication from the church site.
2. The outlot is excluded from the motion and therefore, subject to a
dedication at time of the platting.
3. If the church usage changes in the future, then the Commission will review
for park dedication. The motion carried unanimously.
C. Cinnamon Ridge 7th; Cinnamon Ridge P.U.D.
The director explained that Can-American Realty Corp. has purchased Outlot A,
Cinnamon Ridge, and proposes to build 230 apartment units on the site. The
original P.U.D. Agreement with Zachman Homes provided for two (2) land
dedications. Also required was the grading, seeding, trail construction and
hard surface area within the park. A cash dedication was determined with
remaining credit from the park land dedication to be applied against the cash
requirement for this outlot. The P.U.D. had dedicated the land, however, of
particular concern is the grading and seeding which has still not been done.
He had communicated with a Zachman representative several times and received
assurances that the grading would be done by the summer/fall of 1983. He went
on to explain that the City has a "Performance Bond" to pay for the work, but
was uncertain that it was large enough to cover the cost or could be done in
an expeditious manner.
After additional discussion, on a motion by Kubik, seconded by Bertz, the
Commission recommended certain conditions be met before platting be approved.
1. Grading and seeding of the 2 1/2 acre park be completed.
2. The 5' connecting trailways should be installed.
3. A blacktop mat for a basketball court should be laid.
4. The entire cash dedication required for Cinnamon Ridge 7th and remaining
credits be withheld until the agreed to park work has been completed. The
motion was approved unanimously.
D. Pheasant Knoll, Blackhawk P.U.D
John Bossardt spoke for Dunn Realty which proposes 80 units for construction.
Thomas Lake Road will provide access for 66 homes with the rest of the units
to be served from County Road 30. The developers propose to utilize the same
roadway access for the 14 units as for the proposed park. A cul-de-sac is
proposed with a parking area and boat launch for park purposes and access to
the living units.
Director Vraa reminded the Commission that park dedication for Pheasant Knoll
was Heine Lake and very little land. The Master Parks Plan has Heine Lake as
a site for fishing and boating (no gas motors). The park road access was to
be of minimum width to allow for the greatest amount of green space. Making
the road public and wider would negate any savings of land. The proposed cul-
de-sac is large and lies very close to the water's edge. Director Vraa is
concerned about a rise in the lake level and loss of access to the lake.
A lengthy discussion followed these opening remarks. Ron Williams, a resident
of Heine First Addition, asked if the development provided for an
Environmental Impact Statement. He also wanted to know who determines the
street setbacks from the water's edge. He went on to say that he objected to
having a public road on park property and using park funds to pay for the park
for which the developer benefits. Resident Shirley Kline expressed a great
deal of concern about erosion problems and the quality of the lake water. She
did not feel the developers were careful about erosion control, citing
existing erosion problems. Another resident noted the proposed access road
off County Road 30 was located in a dangerous, often slippery, area.
Chairman Martin and Commission Member Kubik said Heine Lake must be kept clean
and there has to be a complete erosion plan submitted with the development.
They did not like the idea of having a public road on park property, reducing
the park space still further.
John Bossardt said the previous proposal had no plans to develop this lower
area so the road for the park had been placed farther to the west.
Commission Members Carroll and Bertz did not think the plan layout was
accurate. They had visited the site and said there was not much room between
the proposed road and Heine Lake, as shown on the sketch plan. Mr. Carroll
questioned how the City would be able to develop the small amount of remaining
land. He reminded the Commission that when County Road 30 is widened, the
park will become smaller still.
Ralph Wagner of Probe Engineering noted that the City's Consulting Engineer
was studying the high water mark and that 873.5 is the fixed control point.
He said the high water mark will not be greater than 883.5 and the level is
now about 373. Mr. Wagner said an envirofence will be used to control
erosion. Such a "fence" is more stable and durable than straw bales.
Commission Member Bertz felt that envirofence was a preferred erosion control
method. She did not like the road on City property or to have the City pay
for the road, for that matter. Chairman Martin asked that an annual rye grass
be seeded to help hold the soil until a permanent seeding can take place.
John Bossardt said that when the developers learned the City planned road
access to the park they adjusted their plans in order to best utilize the
entire parcel. He said the developer will pay for the cul-de-sac and the road
beyond the park access to serve the 14 homes. The City should pay for park
access, the parking lot and boat launch.
Commission Member Kubik and other members recommended that the City engineers
monitor the erosion conditions. Director Vraa was asked to write Engineering
a memo and include residents concerns about other erosion conditions in the
vicinity. Mr. Kubik said the layout as proposed would limit public family use
because of the small amount of remaining park land space.
There was additional discussion concerning the limiting of parking space in
the park, posting of "No Parking" signs, road alignment and safety, trail
needs and road width.
Chairman Martin then moved, Kubik seconded, that the item be returned to staff
for additional review with the following comments:
1. The preferred park proposal is one similar to the concept plan for Heine
Lake as prepared in the Systems Plan.
2. City staff should closely review the size and location of the cul-de-sac
and road. It was the opinion that if the road were narrower and the
cul-de-sac further to the west, perhaps the proposal could be
considered.
3. The road should not be on property to be dedicated to the City.
4. Erosion control must include the envirofence and seeding with an overlay
to prevent further erosion as soon as possible. The developer must
maintain erosion control measures at all times. The motion carried
unanimously.
Commission Member Carroll moved, Kubik seconded, to have a trailway from the
cul-de-sac to Thomas Lake Road be a part of the discussion with the
developers. The motion was approved.
E. BIRCH PARK/WINDCREST
Director Vraa presented information on this item. Sienna Corporation has
purchased the remainder of the Windcrest P.D., revising plans to put in single
family and twin home units. A park was deeded with the first Windcrest plat.
Sienna has changed the plat and taken out a road by fronting homes on
Deerwood. This will create an outlot of open space. He continued by saying
that it is possible this outlot may be given to the City for parks open space.
Commission Member Thurston moved, Kubik seconded, to accept the open space as
a gift. No park dedication credit will be given for the open space on this
development or any other proposed Sienna developments shall it be offered.
The motion was carried.
NEW BUSINESS
TRAIL CONNECTION HEINE STRASSE - CLEMSON COURT
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa recounted for the Commission that a trail
dedication was to take place with the platting of Heine First Addition. The
trail was to be on a 10' easement on the easterly edge of lot 8 to connect to
Clemson Court. However, the plat was filed without the trail dedication.
Keith Olson, owner of lot 9, questioned the need for a trailway. He observed
that the portion of trail already in place is not well layed out or maintained
and is hazardous.
Commission Members Martin and Thurston noted that trailway connections were
part of the circulation plan of the trail system. Chairman Martin said
perhaps deterrants to bicycles could be put in place to keep the trail safer.
He said that erosion control was necessary too. Director Vraa said that the
part of the trail in place could be removed, regraded and reinstalled to get a
safer connection angle.
On a motion by Thurston, seconded by Carroll, the Commission recommended that
the trail be installed as was originally intended, giving full consideration
to minimizing hazards and erosion problems. The trail should be as safe as
possible. The motion was unanimously approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. PARK BOND REFERENDUM
Informational meetings on the upcoming Park Bond Referendum will be held May
5, 9 and 10. Chairman Martin asked Commission Members to sign up for one
1 1
meeting each. The schedule is as follows:
May 5: Thurston, Jackson and Ketcham
9: Martin, Carroll and Bertz
10: Alt and Masin
Members McNeely and Kubik will be unable to attend any of the meetings due to
prior commitments. All members agreed to distribute flyers prior to the
referendum date as may be necessary.
Bill Jackson reported on the Task Force and said that about $400 had been
received in donations. Buttons promoting approval of the bonds had been
purchased. Flyers will be distributed by interested groups such as softball
teams and athletic associations. There will be "door knocking" and a
telephone campaign on May 21.
B. REQUEST FOR STORAGE SPACE FROM EAGAN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Director Vraa said he had been contacted by the Eagan Athletic Association for
possible storage of equipment on City property. Director Vraa suggested that
the Patrick Eagan House might be a possibility. He asked the City Inspections
Department to assess the building for any dangers. The Commission felt it was
better for the building to be used rather than boarded up. The consensus was
to allow the association to use Patrick Eagan House for storage.
C. L.A.W.C.O.N. APPLICATIONS
Applications for L.A.W.C.O.N. grants were submitted on April 30. The amounts
were:
Coachman - $ 199,600
Capricorn - 270,000
Schwanz Lake - 221,000
D. SUCCESSFUL PARK BOND REFERENDUM
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa asked the Commission to think about what
they expect the Commission's role to be if the Park Bond Referendum is
successful. He noted there will be issue and answer problems that will arise
in the implementation of park development and the Commission must be prepared
to deal with them.
ADJOURNMENT
Commission Member Carroll moved, Jackson seconded, that the meeting be
adjourned. Time of adjournment was 10:40 P.
Dated:
74 dvisor Park & Recrea ecretar
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