12/06/1984 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 6, 1984
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission was called to
order by Vice-chair, Carolyn Thurston, at 7:15 P.M.. Members present were
Alt, Thurston, Bertz, Fedde, Masin, Carroll and Ketcham. Chairman Martin had
notified the Commission he would be out of town and Commission member Kubik
had indicated he would be late. Parks & Recreation Director, Ken Vraa;
Landscape Architect, Steve Sullivan; Planning Assistant, Greg Ingraham; and
Administrative Assistant, Liz Witt; were present. Jim Hill, speaking for
Royal Oak Circle, and Maynard Ohm, representing the Eagan Snowmobile Club,
were also present.
AGENDA
Commission member Alt moved, Bertz seconded, the agenda be approved as
presented. All voted in favor.
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER-1,1984
On page three's heading, the year should be 1984 and on page five, an "s"
should be added to "building" in the third line. On a motion by Bertz,
seconded by Ketcham, the minutes were approved as corrected.
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 1984
On page two, paragraph four, line one, "must" should be changed to "much". On
page one, number four, the word "preservation" is misspelled. On a motion by
Fedde, seconded by Carroll, the minutes were approved as corrected.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. CTC BUSINESS CAMPUS - SCOTT ANDERSON
Planning Assistant, Greg Ingraham, explained that part of the development lies
within the Blackhawk Park P.U.D., but that this portion is being proposed for
residential development. The residential portion will be platted as an
outlot. A trail is proposed along both sides of Pilot Knob Road. The
commercial area will have one building which will house an assembly business.
There will be no chemicals or manufacturing on the site. Greg Ingraham did
state that the developer had a good landscaping plan, but that he did not
bring it to the meeting.
Carolyn Thurston commented that she would like to see the loading dock area
screened from the roadway. She made the motion, seconded by Bertz, that the
Commission recommend commercial/industrial cash dedication, trail R/W
dedication and erosion control with the loading dock screened from Pilot Knob
Road. The outlot will be reviewed at the time of platting. The motion
carried.
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ADV PARKS & REC
DECEMBER 6, 1984
B. ROYAL OAK CIRCLE - RICHARD ASP
The proposed development is an R-4 parcel south of Surrey Heights. Ten
buildings are proposed on 21 acres to house 297 apartment units. Jim Hill
said the developer was given approval to reduce parking to two (2) per unit,
thus decreasing the amount of impervious surface. He noted there is
landscaping of parking islands and there are sidewalks to connect the
apartments to the westerly portion of the site area.
Members noted the uneven distribution of open space and concentration of
housing with the plan. Member Ketcham questioned if the open space could be
improved to provide for some additional amenities for the residents. Mr. Hill
indicated the developer has suggested a trail in the open space area at some
time into the future. A tennis court has also been discussed, but no definite
plans. Mr. Hill continued, saying the developer would provide the tot lot,
pool, internal sidewalk and central building as shown on the plan.
Commission member Ketcham said he'd like to see a strong commitment to
developing the passive area for recreational purposes. Commission member
Thurston added there should be a schedule for construction of the recreational
area and a concept plan should be submitted. There was discussion by the
Commission relative to the planning of the construction and if there would be
other opportunities to review the phases.
Members questioned if the development met the City ordinance for providing
open play space which Mr. Ketcham had calculated at two acres. Mr. Hill
responded that he felt the open space area more than met that requirement.
There was a lengthy discussion by the Commission relative to usefulness of the
open space, what improvements could be made, grading lines matching adjacent
property, erosion control measures and the timing for providing trails, tot
lot, etc..
Commission member Alt moved, Carroll seconded, the following recommendations:
1. Cash dedication for the apartment units.
2. A trail on Federal Drive to be completed when the apartments on Federal
Drive are complete.
3. A tot lot located in the central area.
4. Erosion.control on the westerly slope.
5. A concept plan be developed for a recreational area to include an internal
path and usable play area.
6. The recreational area should be completed and available for use when the
last building is under construction or, in five years, whichever comes
first.
7. Sidewalks as shown in the preliminary plan which will connect to the
"recreational area."
8. Maximize green space and open area.
9. Utilize plantings on the slope as an aid to erosion control.
The motion carried unanimously.
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ADV PARKS & REC
DECEMBER 6, 1984
C. WHISPERING WOODS - HILLA CONSTRUCTION
Whispering Woods is a preliminary plat and rezoning of 5.8 acres from A to R-1
for ten (10) single family units. There are no trail considerations for the
development. After discussion, Commission member Fedde moved, Carroll
seconded, to accept cash dedication for the ten (10) units. All voted in
favor.
D. PILOT KNOB SHOPPING CENTER - FEDERAL LAND COMPANY
Federal Land Company is proposing to rezone 20 acres from R-4 to CSC and add
the parcel to the Pilot Knob Shopping Center. This is a rezoning request and
not a preliminary plat; no action is required. The Commission voiced no
concerns, but will review the proposed development at the time of preliminary
platting for parks dedication.
E. EAGANDALE INDUSTRIAL #7 - ALSCORE AND NW MUTUAL LIFE
The proposal is a rezoning and replatting from research and development to
light industrial. The replat is subject to cash dedication. Commission
members noted there is a great deal of blacktop with the run-off to go into
Lemay Lake. They felt a sedimentation pond should be required to filter out
the run-off before it gets into the lake.
Planning Assistant, Greg Ingraham, noted the quantity of plantings exceeds
normal requirements. He suggested the Commission consider a green space
requirement similar to the building space requirement as it would serve to
decrease the amount of impervious surface. Commission member Kubik says it is
important to continue emphasizing the Commission's displeasure with the vast
amount of hard surface area being proposed by many of the developers.
Commission member Kubik moved, Carroll seconded, to recommend cash dedication
for the site. The Commission expresses its concern with the lack of green
space, the run-off which could harm Lemay Lake in the future.. The motion was
unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
A. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PARK DEDICATION
The director stated this item was deferred to this meeting by the Commission
to obtain additional information. He then distributed copies of material
proposed by Mark Parranto concerning the values and recent sales of
residential land in Eagan. The City is presently using a base of $10,500 an
acre to determine park dedication. The Commission discussed percentage
and dollar increases. Commission member Kubik moved, Fedde seconded, that the
City keep abreast of current land values and recommend to the Council that a
base of $11,000 an acre be used to calculate dedication amounts in 1985. All
voted in favor.
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ADV PARKS & REC
DECEMBER 6, 1984
B. BLACKHAWK PARK - BLACKHAWK P.U.D.
The director presented an informative update on the study and issues
concerning Blackhawk Park. He indicated that Ed Dunn, Blackhawk Park P.U.D.,
owes approximately 12-14 acres in parkland dedication. He pointed out other
parcels owned by Associated Families, Leo Murphy, and by Kathy Walden,
priorities for acquisition, the south access, etc.. He said that an
acquisition and development grant is a good candidate for LAWCON funding.
There were several questions regarding land value, acreage amounts, access to
the park, park plans, etc.. The director indicated Plan Consultant, Tim
Erkkila, is working on concept plans for Blackhawk Park which may be ready in
January. Members suggested that the City Council be informed of the access
issue and need for additional acquisition beyond the required dedication
amounts.
C. SYSTEM PLAN UPDATING
Written comments on the various system plan sections should be submitted to
Director, Vraa, by Monday, December 10. A review of the update material is
to be presented,to the Commission in January.
NEW BUSINESS
A. EAGAN SNOWMOBILE CLUB - TRAIL REQUEST
Maynard Ohm was present to request the use of City sidewalks and trails to
connect the now bisected Highline Trail. The club is also requesting the use
of the boulevards on Johnny Cake Road to get to other trails south of Eagan's
border. Director of Parks & Recreation, Vraa, reviewed the request and
responded to questions regarding existing laws and ordinances controlling
snowmobiles. Commission member Alt suggested the Highline Trail should no
longer be used by motorized vehicles, citing the City's growth, danger in
crossing Blackhawk Road, and trail use conflicts. Commission members Fedde and
Kubik did not want to route snowmobiles along City streets or across highly
traveled roadways such as Blackhawk Road. Commission member, Bertz, pointed
out that until the City forbids snowmobiles completely within the City, they
will be on the streets, in the parks, and on the school grounds. The Highline
Trail is an appropriate place for them, so let them use it. Commission
member, "Thurston, noted that Blackhawk is curved with restricted sight lines
near the crossing point and she has great concern for the safety of
snowmobilers, motorists, and the liability for the City. Commission member,
Carroll, felt the City Attorney should comment on the City's liability if the
Commission were to tacitly approve a known safety hazard, i.e. the crossing of
City streets for snowmobiles. Members questioned if a trail could be
maintained safely for snowmobiles in light of the fact that snowplows will be
pushing snow into the area proposed for snowmobile use. The Commission further
discussed the pros and cons of snowmobile usage in the Highline. Members
agreed that the Highline Trail could continue to be used by snowmobiles, but
that they did not care to designate the trail along Blackhawk Road and
crossing it as a designated trail. They preferred to grant a one-year
extension of multi-use designation for the Highline Trail, but not a crossing
on Blackhawk Road.
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ADV PARKS & REC
DECEMBER 6, 1984
On a motion by Bertz, seconded by Kubik, the Commission recommended:
1. There will be two (2) sections of the Highline Trail which will be signed
"Snowmobile Trail Ends Here" on either side of Blackhawk Road.
2. The pathway on Blackhawk will not be maintained for snowmobiles in the
winter months.
Motion approved, Alt voted "no".
Commission member Masin moved, Ketcham seconded, the recommendation to allow
snowmobile use of Johnny Cake Boulevard from Cliff Road to the Eagan border.
All voted in favor.
PARKS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
A. CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE
Steve Sullivan said the light poles and fixtures are in place at Northview
Park. The backstops and fences are also in. Playground equipment has been
installed at River Hills, Peridot and Cinnamon Parks. Color coating of the
tennis courts will be delayed until spring.
B. BUILDING AND STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Director Vraa outlined the analysis and worksheet process for the Commission
citing the necessity of describing purpose and activity of each building and
then refining that process further. Working through the process should
produce agreement as to the desired structure. There was some discussion by
Commission members resulting in the decision to hold a special meeting on
December 13 to work on the architectural program.
C. PARK PLANNING PROCESS
Because of the late hour, this item was deferred to the January agenda.
OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS
A. FALL/WINTER RECREATION PROGRAMS - DOROTHY PETERSON
A report of fall recreation programs was included in the packet. Dorothy
Peterson previewed new activities which are included in the winter program,
e.g. tots' dance, Red Cross babysitting course, tours and a major activity
weekend in February consisting of an ice fishing contest, cross-country
skiing, sliding and a picnic. The Commission was pleased with the proposed
program and would like an update in the early spring.
B. The maintenance report will be given at the January meeting.
C. There will be an EAW on Pilot Knob Road. Ken Vraa will notify the
responsible agency that a trail is planned along both sides of Pilot Knob
Road, not one side as they have depicted.
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ADV PARKS & REC
DECEMBER 6, 1984
D. Kehne House - Director Vraa told the Commission that the renters have
purchased a house and will vacate Kehne House shortly. He said that repair
work will proceed as scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Carroll, seconded by Kubik, the meeting was adjourned. Time of
adjournment was 11:30 P.M.-
Dated:
A visory Parks & Recreation Secretary