07/19/2004 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionApproved August 16, 2004
ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MINUZ?ES OF'REG[JLAR MEETING f)'F JUDY 19, 2(-i
A regulaz meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on July 19, 2004
with the following Commission Members present: Dorothy Peterson, Joe Bari, Phil Belfiori, Richazd Pletcher,
Elizabeth Perry, Margo Danner, Muhammad Lodhi, and Duane Hansen.
Staff present included Paul Olson, Parks Superintendent, Jeff Asfahl, Recreation Superintendent, Gregg
.Hove, City Forester, Eric Macbeth, Water Resources, Sheila Cartney, City Planner, Coordinator, Beth Wielde,
Research and Special Projects, Holly Champlin, Preschool Program Coordinator, Adam Nelson, Pazks and
Recreation Intent, and Cherryl Mesko, Administrative Coordinator/ Recording Secretary.
' ~+ALA .. _.
Richard Pletcher moved, Liza Perry seconded, with all present members voting to approve the agenda as
presented.
APPROV q ~ of MzNu~ESa o~~,rljla~ a~a; rn~a
Liza Perry moved, Margo Danner seconded, with all present members voting to approve the minutes of
June 14, 2004 as presented.
'VISFt'~R~~~BBA
There were no visitors in the audience that wished to address the APrC on matters not on the agenda.
include:
Superintendent of Recreation Jeff Asfahl presented recent events in the Recreation Division. These
• Summer Softball had 30 teams registered and is winding down.
• Tennis program is winding down, and had 557 total registrations.
• Events of the Elegant Eaganites Red Hat Society.
• Events of Evenings in Central Park.
• 900 participants in Summer in the Park programs.
• Friends of the Farm undertaking Lone Oak Days planning (Sept 26).
• Eagan Art House hosted the Art Festival at Central Pazk.
• Successful July 4s` celebration.
• Athletic sites have hosted at least one event every weekend sing May 1.
Member Danner informed the viewing public that the Eagan Senior Board is looking for new members.
She also thanked Superintendent Asfahl and Parks Supervisor Paul Graham for their efforts to make the July Fourth
celebration a success. Member Peterson noted that the Red Hat Society is a great addition to the community.
Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson presented recent events in the Pazks Division. These include:
• Plant harvesting by the Water Resources staff.
• Reminder that phosphorus-inclusive lawn fertilizers cannot be sold in the City of Eagan, and the
conditions related to the sale ofphosphorus-inclusive fertilizers.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 2004
Page 2
• Pied-billed grebe and its young have been spotted at Cedaz Pond Pazk.
• Hockey rinks at Quarry Park aze being prepared for paving.
• The Pazks Division is short staffed, but approval has been given to hire replacements.
• The City was awazded the Natural and Scenic Area grant, $200,000, and is awaiting approval of
the Remediation Grant ($300,000) to be applied toward the purchase of Caponi property.
• An event was held at Patrick Eagan Pazk to celebration the acquisition of the Anderson pazcel.
• Dutch Elm and Oak Wilt aze back, and the City's tree inspector has taken a position with the City
of New York.
Member Danner pointed out an article in the newspaper about the Anderson parcel. Member Lodhi asked
if further prevention measures were being taken to control or mitigate tree disease. City Forester Gregg Hove said
that some fungicides aze being integrated for oak diseases, but removal has been the only treatment for elm.
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM UPDATE- HOLLY CHAMPLIN
Preschool Program Coordinator Holly Champlin provided an overview of the preschool program from fall
of 2003 to summer of 2004. She provided a Power Point presentation describing enrollment rates, locations of
programs, and speuial events such as visits by Eagan Fire Fighters, a Halloween costume parade for the Eagan
Seniors, a visit to the Children's Museum in St. Paul, Track and Field Day, and a Yeaz End family picnic at
Blackhawk Park. A high of 360 children were registered for preschool programs, and many of the programs
operated out of the Community Center.
Champlin also discussed the preschool program staff, noting Judy Forde's 22 years with the program, and
that there aze 11 staff people during the school year, and 15 for summer sessions. Thirteen staff people aze returning
for the summer, and two new people were hired for the summer. She continued with a discussion of the Puppet
Wagon, which has been operative since June 18`x, and appeared in the Fourth of July Parade.
Member Lodhi said his family has benefited from the preschool programs for the past 1 % years, and
compliment the program and its staff. Champlin thanked Lodhi for the compliments.
SONS.` `r
There were no items on the Consent Agenda for the APrC to review.
DEVEIsOP11'I~NT~PRUPOS`A)LS
Steeplechase of Eagan -Toll Brothers
Planner Shelia Cartney provided background regarding the Steeplechase of Eagan -Toll Brothers
development. She reminded the APrC that the issue had been before them in May with a different layout. She said
the applicant is requesting approval for a Preliminary Subdivision to create 1121ots and a Preliminary Planned
Development to create 36 single family units and 73 townhome units at the site of the former Diamond T Ranch.
She described the contact with nearby residents, indicating that resident letters expressed opposition of
extending Wellington Way, and that they would like to see a trail connection from the surrounding neighbors to
Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Residents have expressed concern about dumping on the property and manure build-
up. Residents have also expressed concern with ponding and drainage. Cartney reminded the APrC that their
charge is to focus on parks dedication, trail dedication, tree preservation and mitigation, water quality, and wetlands
issues.
Cartney said the item is scheduled for public hearing at the July 27`~ regular meeting of the Advisory
Planning Commission. It is then anticipated to be scheduled for the August 3, 2004 City Council meeting. She said
it is a 120 day application.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 2004
Page 3
Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson described the nearby parks that would serve the Steeplechase residents,
all within'h to'/< of a mile from the development, specifically George Ohmann Park, Walden Heights Park, and
Lebanon Hills Regional Park. He said that the developer is providing a `village green' or common area, but due to
the private nature of the space, no dedication credit could be given. Because the underlying fee title for the property
would remain as part of the development, no credit would be given.
Olsen then discussed the conservation easement that has been proposed. He noted that easements over the
more sensitive slopes, pond buffers, and the quality of woodlands of a site are very common. Olson showed an
exhibit delineating the conservation easements proposed. He said there are 2 acres of proposed conservation
easement.
Olson then discussed trail location and trail dedication issues, saying that an 8' paved trail connection will
be provided into Lebanon Hills Regional Park, under the street via tunnel. He described how this trail connects to
amenities within Lebanon Hills Regional Park, including a mountain bike area and hiking trails..Dakota County
has indicated preliminary acceptance of the trail connection, which includes access from the transportation trails
along Pilot Knob Road. Should the connector trail be installed, the development would be given trail credit using a
City formula. Member Pletcher asked whether the trails in Lebanon Hills Regional Park were paved or not, and to
clarify that the trail within the development would-be paved. Olson said the trail in the development would be
paved, trails in Lebanon Hills Park are not. He explained that the paved trail would prevent washout of the trail.
City Forester Gregg Hove first corrected information contained in the packet, clarifying that the tree
inventory tally was 755 trees as written, not 769 as stated in parenthesis. Hove reviewed the allowable removal
standards, noting that the property was calculated based one two formulas;'single family formula for the northern
portion (single-family lots) and the southern portion, which is dominated by multiple family dwellings. He
reviewed the condition of the trees on site, stating there is a good mix of trees in the mitigation plan.
Member Pletcher asked how Hove could guarantee conditions related to Forestry shown in the alternatives,
prevention of encroachment on the Critical Root Zone and tree protective measures at the drip line, would be met.
Hove said regular field meetings and communication between staff and the developer.are crucial in this process.
Member Danner asked about tree preservation in the proposed conservation easement. Olson responded that the
conservation easement would ensure tree preservation perpetually. Member Lodhi recalled mention of the
possibility of more trees being removed, and asked if it was known how many and where these trees might be
located. Hove said the developer would have to address that as the issue arises during the actual development
process.
Member Hansen asked for a clarification of the tree classifications. Hove described the diameter and
species requirements to meet Category A, B, or C classification, noting that this is a system the City developed to
aid developers in tree mitigation calculations. Olson said the County is interested in a buffered area adjacent to
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, and the developer is working with the County on this.
Water Resources Coordinator Eric Macbeth reviewed stormwater routes for each section of the property,
and details of proposed drainage patterns. He said staff is comfortable with the stormwater plan. Member Peterson
asked whether existing ponds would be excavated, and Macbeth said no. Member Danner asked about changes to
the plan since the last APrC review. Macbeth said there was actually very little that had changed, aside from some
of the drainage areas near the existing developed residential areas that had become smaller.
Macbeth then described the wetland issues pertaining to the site. He said the Wetland Technical Evaluation
Panel (WTEP) met on June 3 and July 6 and has completed its review of the development proposal. After studying
historical wetland coverage in the area, WTEP noted that certain areas that lie under water aren't under jurisdiction
of state wetland conservation laws. Macbeth then reviewed the Wetland Replacement Plan and indicated the WTEP
recommended its approval
Member Peterson asked about the manure issue. Olson said the manure issue is under Dakota County's
jurisdiction, and pointed out a letter included in their packet stating that the manure may be managed by spreading it
on farm fields. George Kinney, Dakota County Environmental Supervisor said that the County will ensure that it
will be removed and spread. Lodhi asked if they know how much is there. Kinney responded that there had been
some work done, thought the exact amount is not yet known, but it will be moved before the first bulldozer is let in.
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 2004
Page 4
Macbeth addressed runoff into County property, and noted the County has requested the developer to
model phosphorus levels in runoff from the site. Member Pletcher asked about off-site wetland banking. Macbeth
explained how state wetland banking works, and the developers may buy replacement wetland credit from astate-
registered bank account. Member Belfiori asked if sequencing flexibility was considered. Macbeth indicated that
flexibility was not specifically applied. Belfiori asked if the wetlands could be placed within a conservation
easement. Olson responded that additional wetland placement would impact the trees that aze within the
conservation easement proposed.
Member Danner asked whether, once the manure is removed, if it would change the topography of the site.
Olson said that there should be no significant impact.
Joey Zorn of Toll Brothers discussed some of the processes that Toll Brothers has undertaken in this
development; APrC and APC review, DRAP, CCP, Phase I and II environmental assessments, VIC program, VPIC
program. He said they will be taking precautions to preserve natural resources on this property and make it a
positive addition to the City.
Steve Schwanke explained that there are excess trees in the mitigation plan, to err on the side of caution. He said
Toll Brothers will work closely with the County to adequately remove manure and any other foreign substance. He
said off-site mitigation for the wetlands may preserve more trees on the site. He noted that Toll Brothers reduced
the number of proposed unites by 10, 9 townhouse units and 1 single family. He showed the azeas where the
changes were made to preserve tree stands. He showed a townhome unit that had moved farther north from
Lebanon Hills Regional Park to increase the buffer area. He also showed that rather than a through street connection
to Wellington Way, there would instead be two cul-de-sacs with an emergency access easement and trail connection.
Member Bari asked if the `village green' concept had changed. Schwazke said it shrunk a little. Pletcher
asked how faz apart the cul-de-sacs were. Schwazke responded, indicating a gated azea on the west of the property.
Bari asked whether there would be testing of the manure to see if there are contaminants. Schwazke said they
haven't, as of yet, found problematic contaminants associated with the manure. Danner asked how children would
get from Wellington Way to the pazks. Schwarke said it should be a problem with all the trails proposed.
Mary Brogden of 1519 Wellington Way expressed concern that the neighborhood questions aze not being
answers. Her concerns particular to the Parks Commission are tree replacement, such as where new trees will be
placed on the north portion of the parcel, and why the current owners azen't being asked to clean up the site. She
also expressed concern about an asphalt trail being selected because of potential wash-out, and whether this same
wash-out might impact adjacent houses. She also was concerned about wetland banking, and not knowing where
this would be coming from.
Tom Ferber, 1518 Wellington Way expressed concern about how this development would be compatible
with surrounding azeas. He said the City needs to be cognizant of the stormwater issues. He feels cleanup should be
done by the owners rather than making more money for the developer. He requested the City consider removal of
manure and demolition debris, maximum survival of natural trees, removal and disposal of damaged trees,
stormwater issues handled carefully, pond LP2 be protected, and to ensure that there is no flooding to the
neighborhood.
Liza Perry asked about the percentage of impervious surface as compazed to the previous plan. Toll
Brothers responded that creating the cul-de-sac created about 800'X 20' of roadway savings and 10 units at 28' by
50' per unit, and that no new asphalt was added.
Member Lodhi asked if manure removal would impact the underlying soil, and if this is a County issue.
Olson responded that it is a solid waste issue that will be handled by Dakota County. Belfiori asked to what extend
the results would be reviewed, and if there would be some good modeling available to the public. Member Danner
asked about land banking, and whether it would be restored within Eagan, expressing her hope to keep the baked
azea within the City of Eagan. She also expressed concerns for the impact of water into Lebanon Hills Regional
Pazk, and felt that more information was needed.
Member Peterson noted that there were protections built into alternative thirteen (City water resources staff
shall be involved in an on-site pre-construction, pre-grading meeting to review and coordinate approved plans).
Advisory Pazks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 2004
Page 5
Liza Perry moved, Dorothy Peterson seconded, with members Bari, Perry, Pletcher, Lodhi, Hansen, Belfiori, and
Peterson voting to approve recommendation. Member Danner voted `nay.'
OLD' BUSINI~SS
There was no new business for the Advisory Pazks Commission to discuss under this agenda item.
NEW Bi;JS1NESS
There were no items under New Business for the APrC to review.
WA~TI~°I0T3ItCE~':~Ll~~l
Water Resources Coordinator Eric Macbeth discussed plant harvesting on local lakes, with 200+ truckloads
of plant material removed. He also discussed phosphorus-free fertilizer. He showed a picture of a new Cedar Pond
resident, the pied-billed grebe and its young. Member Danner asked about plans at Cedaz Pond. Macbeth said he
has met with the Eagan Garden Club to do fall clean-up of the rainwater gardens, a cooperative effort.
O~~$I~SISfi ~'Al
SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES
Acting Chair Peterson asked if there had been any subcommittee meetings recently. There had not been
any.
NATURAL AND SCENIC AREA GRANT NOTIFICATION
Beth Wielde, Reseazch and Special Projects, provided context to the recent grant award, noting that the
$200,000 awazded to the City represents 25% of the total funding allocation for the program. She also noted that
should the Remediation Grant be awarded, it would represent 40% of that total funding allocation, and that the City
was ranked highly on that awazd recommendation.
EVERGREEN ENCLAVE UPDATE
Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson provided an update on the status of the project, showing an updated
property sketch that illustrated how the lots were laid out.
DIRECTOR POSITION STATUS
Staff updated the Commission on the status of the Director position, noting that the City is undergoing an
organizational review, and has decided to hold off on the search for a director until it is more clear how the director
will function within this change.
FtC1~D.BI~~
Acting Chair Peterson noted a meeting about the Park System Plan update on August 5 at 5:30. She also
noted the departure of Reseazcher Wielde, who has accepted a faculty position at MN State University in Mankato,
and had kind words to say about her work for the City.
ADJOURIVIVIENT
Advisory Parks Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 2004
Page 6
With no further business to conduct, Dorothy Peterson moved, Richazd Pletcher seconded with all members
voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Secr
11-ao - bb
Date
Minutes drafted by Beth Wielde