Loading...
04/19/2004 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission Approved June 14.2004 ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION EAGAN, MINNESOTA MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2004 A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on April 19, 2004 with the following Commission Members present: Terry Davis, Dorothy Peterson, Joe Bari, Margo Danner, N. Mark Filipi, and Elizabeth Perry. Staff present included Jeff Asfahl, Superintendent of Recreation; Paul Olson, Parks Superintendent; Cathy Bolduc, Program and Events Supervisor; Paula Nowariak, Recreation Supervisor, Colleen Callahan, Youth Development Coordinator, Beth Wielde, Research and Special Projects, Gregg Hove, City Forester, Eric Macbeth, Water Resources Coordinator, Shawn a Skovbroten, Youth Development, Lisa Piccolino, Teen Development, and Cherryl Mesko, Administrative Coordinator/ Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA N. Mark Filipi moved, Dorothy Peterson seconded to approve the agenda, amended to pull 'Revised Tree Ordinance." All attending members voted to approve the agenda as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2004 Member Perry moved, Member Danner seconded, with all present members voting to approve the minutes of March 15,2004, with one amendment, adding "Joe Bari" to the attendees. VISITORS TO BE HEARD A group of teens, with spokesman Alex Kanwischer from Eagan High School, expressed concern that bikes are not allowed in Eagan Skate Park. They disagree with the policy, and want to work with City Council to find out how to take action on the issue. They argue that there is less damage with bikes that skateboards in the parks. They have been to the dirt bike parks, but note that they are unable to do tricks on a dirt course. The youth suggested sharing the Skate Park with the skateboarders. They note how they shovel snow off the ramps in the winter for their use, and that a parent has plowed the parking lot so they could practice their sport. Chair Davis noted that the APrC had seen the petition prior to the meeting, and that they were hoping the youth would appear before the commission. He noted how changing the use of a facility often takes time. He said the Skate Park had been designed for skateboards, and there would need to be investigation into different use. He informed the bikers that a new bike or skate park had been considered in the ClP for 2005, and during the ClP study next year the APrC will look to the youth for help. He told the youth that they have done a great service by bringing the petition forward, showing community interest in a bike park. He said the process would limp along this summer, the dirt parks will still be available, but the future might bring new opportunity. Member Peterson suggested meeting with staff to determine what the youth would like in a dirt bike park, location, and youth involvement in helping to plan the layout. Peterson said the APrC could work with City Council to determine if something could happen through the ClP. Member Danner asked the group if they had used the dirt bike park. Kanwischer said they had, but it doesn't lend itself to the tricks a biker can do on a paved facility. He said the youth had been using the Skate Park, but would rather work within the system to get something developed for bikers. Member Peterson thanked the group for coming. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS Recreation Superintendent Asfahl reviewed activities of the Recreation Division, including: . Eagan Fun Run and Duckie Dash . Basketball and Volleyball seasons have begun . Adapted tumbling and the commencement of . Softball schedules are complete adapted track . Spring session of preschool has 361 children . Golf lessons beginning signed up . Senior involvement with the Red Hat Society Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2004 Page 2 Parks Superintendent Paul Olson reviewed activities of the Parks Division, including: . Work is wrapping up on the Thomas Lake Pavilion . Vandalism issues . Responses to playground RFPs . DNR grant applications submitted on March 31 . Preparation of soccer and ball fields . No tree sale in 2004 . Arbor Day events . Contact information for groups wanting to participate in park clean-up projects. . Disc Golf course installation Member Bad asked Olson what happened when vandals are caught. Olson said generally retribution- the department recently got an $800 check for damage to a slide. Member Danner asked about the disc golf course, whether anyone can use it. Olson said yes, noting the discs used in disc golf are slightly different than those used for regular Frisbee; they are weighted differently. People can purchase them in area stores. RECREATION UPDATE- PAULA NOWARIAK Nowariak provided statistics and information about winter programs, reviewing staffing levels (49 staff and 3 program assistants for 45 hours per week), buildings used, the difference between Class A and Class B sites, and attendance. She cited attendance at almost 17,000 visitors for the 2003-2004 winter season. She reviewed the season at Trapp Farm Park Sliding Hill, noting the $2 fee and punch car offer has not deterred visitors from coming. The sliding hill was open 28 days in a row. Group reservations were offered. Attendance was up from 2003, with 4,047 visitors. Family trips were offered, going to see the Minnesota Wild play at the Excel Energy Center, the Timberwolves play at the Target Center, and to see Sesame Street Live. Special events included Halloween events and Don't Break the Ice Fest. Over 80 applications were received for summer staffing; limited openings remained. Nowariak said there were 26 returning staff. Member Peterson asked if Ridgecliffe Park is as busy as it has been in past years, and suggested "talking up" winter sites. RECREATION UPDATE - COLLEEN CALLAHAN Callahan introduced the Youth Development and Teen Development staff. She said the division is looking at collaborations and working with apartment complexes and other cities on programming and overall communications, including groups such as EAA and EAH. She introduced her staff members by commenting that recreation offers an opportunity to play together. Shawna Skovbroten, Youth Development staff, discussed after school programs, the Pilot Knob after- school program, shared the participation numbers for the quarter, and future growth, including the desire to add 2 new sites. Summer plans include Wescott Commons. Callahan said one of the biggest challenges for all the programs is funding. Lisa Piccolino discussed her eight month involvement with Teen Development, noting the Teen Center has increased participation from 549 participants to 641. She said the teen dances are becoming very popular, a recent dance had 82 attendees. High school dances are starting in April. Upcoming summer events, including Wheel Jam, What's Kickin', Battle of the Bands, and the Film Festival, were highlighted. Member Peterson asked if there was success with CDBG funds. Callahan said they are involved each year with the review. They will continue to stay "plugged in." Member Danner asked whether there are more kids during the day or evening. Callahan said it is very unpredictable. Danner asked if hours will expand in the summer. Callahan said yes, to some degree they would. Danner asked who monitors the Teen Center during it's open hours. Callahan said it is Lisa Piccolino, college students, high school students. RECREATION UPDATE - CATHY BOLDUC Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2004 Page 3 Recreation Supervisor Bolduc provided updates on winter programming, including adapted basketball, with 33 participants, Rink Rats youth hockey with 46 participants, Don't Break the Ice Fest with 277 attendees, and Breakfast with Santa, with 113 participants. Bolduc described senior activities, noting how very active and involved they are. She discussed the Lone Oak Room, which has become a hub of senior activity, and accomplishments of the year such as activity of the Senior Advisory Board, acquiring a tax exempt number and bank account, a successful membership drive, and the start of evening and weekend programs. She detailed some of the recent and upcoming spring activities, such as Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Eagan Fun Run, Evenings in Central Park, SORR Corporate Challenge, adapted programs, nature/ environmental programs, babysitting and latch key clinics, and senior activities. She also described sport instruction and skill development for golf, tennis, and in-line skating. CONSENT AGENDA Elizabeth Perry moved, N. Mark Filipi seconded with all present members voting to approve the Consent Agenda, except the Revised Tree Ordinance that was pulled from the agenda. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS EVERGREEN ENCLAVE - EPIC DEVELOPMENT Planner Sheila Cartney provided background into the Evergreen Enclave development proposed by EPIC Development. Paul Olson described the proposed trail system and the donation of an Outlot A and a cash dedication. City Forester Hove reviewed the tree preservation issues association with this development. He showed an aerial photo of the site and reviewed the site plan. He shared photos of the site from several vantage points. He reviewed the forestry inventory, and alternatives for the APrC to consider. He noted that the developer did a great job with the site. Member Danner asked about the slope in relation to the roadways, whether it slopes downward, which was affirmed. Water Resources Coordinator Eric Macbeth said the original plan resulted in a significant review. The extremely steep topography of the site would have made it nearly impossible to meet water quality requirements by constructing a retention area and trenching stormwater pipes without significant impacts to the site and very high risks of erosion. In the resubmitted plan, there is no ponding on the site. Instead, a series of rainwater gardens is proposed, which eliminates the need for ponding. Macbeth said this situation is unique. Member Peterson asked what the rainwater gardens would look like. Macbeth deferred to the developer to speak to that. Rich Raggatz of EPIC Development said this is a special site, with 2 private drives. He detailed the rainwater gardens, the conservation easement in the center of the site, the donation of the outlot, and the retaining wall that will allow additional tree preservation. Chair Davis said he appreciates all the work EPIC has done with the site, and to please describe the water gardens. Raggus said they resemble low grassy areas. Randy Hedlund, also from EPIC, said it was a challenging site, and looked at a 'no storm water' scenario. He said there are 10 sub-watersheds on the property, the largest being 1/3 acre. He said the City of Maplewood has a detail plate that demonstrates what the rainwater garden might look like. He said there is a garden on each lot line, and each garden is made up of 1-1.5"of clear river rock, fabric, topsoil and plantings. The proposal indicates the rainwater garden will be designed with each house on the site. The idea is a new philosophy of re-charging ground water and eliminating piping. Chair Davis asked how, after initial gardening, there will be protection against erosion. Hedlund said there are very strict grading and erosion specifications. Member Danner asked who would be responsible for the rain gardens. Hedlund said that it would most likely be the association, and it is important to make sure the gardens continue as a functioning system. Chair Davis asked how long they have been used in other communities. Hedlund Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19,2004 Page 4 said about 5 years, noting Maplewood has been actively, and very successfully, using them for a period of time. Member Perry suggested looking at including water gardens in the conservation easement so it is not changed. Member Peterson moved, Member Bari seconded with all present members voting to make the following recommendations to the City Council relative to the Evergreen Enclave development. 1. The Development shall be responsible for a cash trails dedication. 2. The Development shall be responsible for a cash parks dedication. 3. Recommend the acceptance of the donation of Outlot A to the City for park purposes. 4. To require that Tree Protective measures (i.e. orange colored silt fence or a 4' polyethylene laminate safety netting) be installed at the Drip Line or at the perimeter of the Critical Root Zone, whichever is greater, of significant trees/ woodlands to be preserved. 5. To require that the applicant contact the City Forestry Division and set up a pre-construction site inspection at least five days prior to the issuance of the grading permit to ensure compliance with the approved Tree Preservation Plan and placement of the Tree Protection Fencing. 6. To meet City water quality requirements, the development should create a series of "rainwater gardens" or "infiltration basins" to collect and infiltrate stormwater runoff from both streets. Technical designs and details of such structures should be acceptable to and approved by Eagan Water Resources and Engineering staff. 7. A cash dedication in lieu ofponding should be applied to impervious area of the development that contributes stormwater that is not captured in, the "rainwater gardens" or "infiltration basins." OLD BUSINESS SYCAMORE PLACE - WETLAND REPLACEMENT PLAN Eric Macbeth provided some history of the development review; On January 15,2004, the APrC adopted recommendations to Council regarding the development, with the exception of the wetland issue. The wetlands issue was postponed due to conflicts found in wetland delineation reports. On February 24, Eagan's Wetland Technical Evaluation Panel (WTEP) reviewed the conflicting wetland reports, recommending the City require the developer to provide additional information from historic and current sources that supports the claim of fewer wetlands, smaller sizes of wetlands, and different types of wetlands compared to the findings of the most recent delineation report. Because of disparities in the reports and the timing of the issues needing to be resolved, the City told the developer it would deny the exemption they requested without additional information by March 14,2004. The developer voluntarily withdrew the exemption application on March 4, 2004, and submitted a wetland replacement plan application on April 14, 2004. Macbeth exhibited the most recent delineation. He showed the I acre of wetland and the proposal to replace it with a banking site outside of Eagan. There was no proposal for on-site replacement, nor a proposal for replacement within Eagan. Macbeth stated the wetlands on site are not considered high-quality wetlands based on water quality standards. He said the developer is, however, required to show alternatives to avoid impacting them. He said the area of Eagan is low; to get stormwater to flow off-site, fill will be required. He then explained wetland banking. He said the developer proposes to withdraw up to 2.48 acres of credits from the state wetland bank, which is an option that state wetland conservation rules allow. Chair Davis asked how the wetlands are being protected with the community losing wetlands. Macbeth said there is a priority order of siting- there is an attempt to create a replacement as close as possible to the original impacted area. Chair Davis asked if there was room to make some adjustments to the plan as proposed; Member Peterson recalled the previous approval of stormwater ponding on site. Macbeth said stormwater pond remains in the plan and meets City requirements. Chair Davis asked if the person banking the wetlands needs to own both the delineated wetland and the banking site. Macbeth said no, they would only need to have an agreement with the owner of the replacement site. Chair Davis asked if the replacement could be made within the City. Macbeth said possibly. Member Filipi asked why the wetland replacement! delineation increased from the original report. Macbeth said the difference related to the differing consultants' judgments of the wetlands on the site. The first survey, which indicated less wetland coverage, was done on April 25, 2002, and the second survey, which indicated more wetland coverage, was done on Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19,2004 Page 5 April 24/25, 2003. Macbeth said second survey provided support for the climatological conditions to be considered "normal," whereas the first survey could be considered to have taken place during "dry" conditions. Macbeth said the Advisory Planning Commission would be reviewing the proposed wetland replacement plan on April 27, and the City Council would consider it for a decision on May 18. Comments on the wetland replacement plan need to be received by the City by May 17. Subsequently ,the Advisory Planning Commission could review the plan on May 25, and City Council could make a decision on June 1 or 15. He noted City Council makes decisions on proposed wetland replacement plans, but staff administers the details for implementation, monitoring, and guaranteeing final acceptable completion. Member Filipi asked about questions from the public about flooding and traffic. Macbeth said these should be addressed by the Advisory Planning Commission or the City Council. Filipi specified that the only question that the Advisory Parks Commission should be addressing in regards to the Sycamore Place development are the wetland issues. A question arose about how the easement for Broadmoor was acquired. Macbeth said it was not land ownership. Assistant City Engineer John Gorder said it was property condemnation that the City ofInver Grove Heights went through the process for sanitary sewer and drinking water. A representative from EPIC development, Rich, said the site was challenging. He shared photographs of the water drainage from the Western Hill site. Chair Davis noticed the water coming from the street, and asked if the street floods, whether there's enough grade in the pipe to take it away from the site. Rich said the elevation of the site would need to be raised. Member Peterson asked where else in Eagan EPIC had looked for areas to replace the wetland. Rich said they have not come across anything to date. Chair Davis asked how recent the search was. Rich said nothing had been done recently. Wetland Consultant Ron Peterson said there are only 2 other mitigation sites; Burnsville and Cannon Valley. He said priority qualification is for on-site mitigation (same watershed), same major watershed, or within the same county. He said the Replacement Plan has been built and would be monitored this summer. He said if the City desired, it could 'condition' the mitigation. Craig Murray, 4812 Weston Hills Drive said it is a difficult site, and noted it was a broad interest in having it developed properly. He said it is hard to differentiate the wetland issues from the other site issues such as storm drainage. He said fewer lots and lessening wetland impact would mitigate the overall impact. He asked that another lot layout be considered. He asked if the presentation reflected the actual, accurate amount of wetlands. Chair Davis asked what the difference in the wetland acreage was. Peterson replied that the current figure is based on the beginning of the growing season. Macbeth said the 1.24 acre figure includes fill and evacuation. He expressed comfort with the 2003 report. Tom King, also of Weston Hills Drive, expressed his desire that the APrC vote 'no,' expressing concern about tree removal, replacing wetlands outside of Eagan, and the figure shown at the January 15th meeting of 40,000 cubic yards of fill. He claimed that was the equivalent of 3,333 dump trucks of dirt. He expressed concern about traffic on the site and wear and tear on the roads. He expressed the desire to keep the wetlands within Eagan, and create fewer lots. Jeanne Park, 4816 Weston Hills Drive noted that rainfall had flooded out a functioning wetland. Bonnie Sogge, 4830 Sycamore Court shared the topography of the lot, currently 952', and the development would raise it to 954.5'. She encourages less development on the site. Bev Hannon, 4804 Weston Hills Drive, said she would like to see wetland mitigation on the site rather than removal of the wetland. Tom Nelson, 4204 Weston Hills Drive said his household enjoys the wetland area, it is pristine and should be maintained. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2004 Page 6 Donna Tjornhom, 4820 Weston Hills Drive showed a picture taken in April showing the drainage of the site. She said she noted wetlands being minimized on the site, and expressed concern for fill on the site. Her concerns focused on the drainage issue. Member Danner asked if someone could address the questions offill and water flow. Tom King noted that the grade was proposed to be raised 6'in some places. Assistant City Engineer John Gorder said a pipe would be constructed at a flat grade, with a stormwater pond it would fill. He said City standards are based on a 100 year storm event and the proposed ponding meets this standard. Chair Davis asked if there had been discussion of decreasing the number of lots to preserve the wetlands. Rich Raggatz of EPIC Development said any development will raise the land, that the other way to handle water would be a pumping station, which the City doesn't want. Tom King asked whether only developing a portion of the property would result in greater preservation. Superintendent of Parks Olson reminded the APrC that they had previously recommended approval of the development, that the APrC's responsibility at this time is to look only at the proposed wetland replacement plan. Donna Tjornhom expressed her opinion that the proposal needs to be dismissed and the developer needs to start over. Chair Davis noted that the proposal showed the same driveways, the same lots, the only difference is how the developer is dealing with the wetlands. Member Perry noted the plan had not changed, that the wetland replacement issue is the only one on the table at this time. Rich Raggatz from EPIC Development noted that fill won't change the problem. Member Filipi moved to recommend denial of the proposal regarding the wetland replacement issue, citing a desire for the developer to make a better effort to keep the replacement wetlands in Eagan. Dorothy Peterson seconded, with all present members voting unanimously. Chair Davis commented to the developer that these functioning wetlands should be left intact as much as possible. Member Danner expressed a desire to "do this right." Member Perry agreed with Member Filipi, that they would like the wetland issue explored further. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business for the Advisory Parks Commission to discuss under this agenda item. WATER RESOURCES UPDATE There were no Water Resources issues presented to the Advisory Parks Commission under this agenda item. OTHER BUSINESS AND REPORTS The Advisory Parks Commission received a copy of the Parks and Recreation Annual Report. There was no action required under this item. ROUND TABLE A meeting of the Natural Resources Subcommittee will be held May 5, 5:30 pm at the maintenance facility. The group will discuss the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Member Peterson mentioned the possibility of recognizing the efforts of Friends of the Farm members Don Holz and Maynard Ohm. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to conduct Dorothy Peterson moved, Mark Filipi seconded with all members voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 p.m. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2004 Page 7 p~~~~/) Secretary Date Minutes drafted by Beth Wielde