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05/17/2004 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission Approved June 14.2004 ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION EAGAN, MINNESOTA WORKSHOP SESSION, 6:00 PM, MAY 17, 2004 An orientation/ refresher workshop was held prior to the APrC regular meeting. At this meeting, all attending members voted to re-elect Terry Davis as Chair, Dorothy Peterson as Vice-Chair, and Richard Pletcher as Secretary. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 17, 2004 A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on May 17,2004 with the following Commission Members present: Terry Davis, Dorothy Peterson, Joe Bari, Phil Belfiori, Margo Danner, N. Mark Filipi, Duane Hansen, Muhammed Lodhi, Elizabeth Perry (8:00 arrival), and Richard Pletcher. Staff present included Paul Olson, Parks Superintendent, Beth Wielde, Research and Special Projects, Gregg Hove, City Forester, Eric Macbeth, Water Resources Coordinator, Sheila Cartney, Planner, and Cherryl Mesko, Administrative Coordinator/ Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Dorothy Peterson moved, Muhammed Lodhi seconded to approve the agenda, amended to pull Arbor Day Recognition, the Friends of the Farm Volunteer Recognition, and defer the Eagan Community Center Update to the June 14,2004 meeting. All attending members voted to approve the agenda as amended. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITlON- CITIZEN LAKE MONITORING VOLUNTEERS Water Resources Coordinator Eric presented recognition plaques to two citizen lake monitoring volunteers, Dan Schuller, who volunteers at JP-23, and Mark Brown, who volunteers at AP-4. Chair Terry Davis thanked the two for their efforts. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 19, 2004 Approval of the minutes was deferred to the June 14,2004 meeting due to some technical errors in the document text. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors in the audience that wished to address the APrC on matters not on the agenda. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS Parks Superintendent Paul Olson reviewed activities for both the Recreation and Parks Divisions, including: . Adult sports and concessions are underway. . There are 500 children registered for summer in the Park and Wagonful 0' Fun programs. . Youth Development after school programs are winding down., 433 students participated. . The teen center has had over 1,300 visitors since its opening. . Eagan and Apple Valley Battle of the Bands are full, scheduled to take place May 21. . E-TAB members have participated in a number of community programs and events. . Thresher Fields finishing touches are underway, not expected to be used in 2004. . Arbor Day event was held May 3rd, thanking APrC members Terry Davis, Joe Bari, and Margo Danner for attending. . Park staff has started mowing for the season. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 17,2004 Page 2 . Dandelions are selectively sprayed. Important to note they are not considered a 'noxious' weed. . New structure at Thomas Lake had its final walk-through. . Council approved the 2004 CIP on May 11, only tabled the sun shelter at Wescott Commons. . The DNR walked the Caponi site with staff during a site visit for the Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program. Dorothy Peterson mentioned that the Spring Festival held at Holz Farm had a great turnout. Margo Danner commented on an antique and collectible event that was very popular. She noted the efforts of Cara Lardy and Shirley Amundson in coordinating the event. She also discussed the successful tax preparation assistance program conducted at the Eagan Community Center. Superintendent Olson also briefly discussed the Toro Company's use of Eagan parks and boulevards to test their equipment. He said they will be mowing multiple areas. He also informed the APrC that Parks Maintenance staff Don Buecksler and Paul Watry have become certified playground inspectors. Member Bari asked if Thresher Fields has been scheduled for play in the fall, and whether there would be disruption due to not opening in 2004. Olson said there would not be any play disruption, things had not been scheduled at the site. Member Danner asked how seeding was going at the Festival Grounds at the Eagan Community Center. Member Olson said seeding is going very well. Member Lodhi asked if the reduced mowing will affect the condition of turf. Olson said mowing is in boulevards only, it shouldn't impact parks. Member Davis introduced the new members of the APrC, Muhammad Lodhi and Duane Hansen. CONSENT AGENDA GRAND OAK FIVE Elizabeth Perry moved, N. Mark Filipi seconded with all present members voting to approve the Consent Agenda, Grand Oak Five development. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS STEEPLECHASE OF EAGAN - TOLL BROTHERS Planner Sheila Cartney provided background on the proposed Steeplechase of Eagan development, a request for a rezoning from Agriculture to PD, Planned Development, creating preliminary subdivision to create 102 lots, and a Preliminary Planned Development to create 37 single family units and 82 townhomes at 4889 Pilot Knob Road in the SE V. of Section 36, the former Diamond T Ranch. She noted the property had been extensively manipulated to accommodate ranch activities. She also noted the City has received concerns about the extension of Wellington Way, an issue that will be addressed by the Advisory Planning Commission. She reviewed the timeline for the project, noting it is scheduled for its public hearing on May 25, 2004, and the June 15,2004 City Council meeting. She notes it is a 120 day application. City Forester Hove detailed the forestry issues involved with this development. He noted that the classification systems reflect the condition of trees at the initial inventory. He shared an aerial photo taken in the fall of2002. He described the inventory, including 769 significant trees, condition rated 1-10. He said those trees rated 3+ were left on the inventory. The highest rating was an 8. 4.5 was an average rating on the site. He shared the detail of inventory between the proposed detached and attached units. He reviewed the proposed removal tree mitigation, removal of 624 significant trees. To mitigate this in accordance to the Tree Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 17, 2004 Page 3 Preservation Ordinance, the proposal would need to show a mitigation of 690 Category B trees. The tree preservation plan that had been reviewed at the time of the meeting did not show this mitigation being met. The proposed plan showed 405 Category B trees and 68 Category A trees (creating the equivalent of 541 Category B trees). There was still a balance of 149 required Category B trees or a cash dedication of $44,700. Hove noted that the inventory had been conducted in October of2003, that there may be some changes that need to be addressed. He reviewed the alternatives provided to the Advisory Parks Commission, and explained the CR2 and the need to protect trees during grading, filling, and other site disruption. Member Peterson asked if the County comments should be integrated into the recommendations. Superintendent Olson said the Commission may do so ifit wishes to. Member Bari asked if the tree mitigation plan meets the City's requirements. City Forester Hove said the current plan did not. He said that more information may be presented to the APrC next month. Olson affirmed this, saying the developer will provide further information. Member Belfiori asked if there was flexibility with tree mitigation in a PD. He asked where the highest quality trees were located on the plan. Hove said there are more oak trees located in the southwestern portion of the site. Planner Cartney commented that a Planned Development allows some flexibility with mitigation. Member Danner asked how big a category A tree is, approximately. Hove replied that it is about 4" in diameter and 12' high. Member Danner said it is still under what is required, that they need more trees on the site. Water Resources Coordinator Eric Macbeth described the five stormwater drainage areas on the site, indicating most of the site drains toward Jensen Lake, a state public water body in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. He showed the small area that drains toward Thomas Lake in the northern portion of the parcel. He pointed out wetland areas, A, B, C, D ,and E. He highlighted the drainage issues, the proposed stormwater runoff for treatment. He described the shared piping from the north to the excavated pond, which then goes southeast to the existing basin, then drains off-site toward Jensen Lake. The central park area drains to a pond on-site, immediately to the left drain. Macbeth said he will be working with Engineering to ensure drainage is sufficient. Macbeth discussed the wetland issues related to the site, saying the wetlands generally hold at least 2' of water on an ongoing basis. He noted an error in the packets: It should read "According to the wetland replacement plan, the developer proposes to fill entirely Basins .Q and !;;. Macbeth said the proposed development would be reviewed by the Wetland Technical Evaluation Panel (WTEP) before the City's decision date. Macbeth said the group has not yet met. He said June 9th is end of the 30- day public comment period, which is before the City Council's June 15th meeting date. Member Filipi asked if the area proposed for full mitigation is in a different watershed from the fill area. Macbeth said it is the same watershed, but has a different drainage pattern. Member Danner asked how big Basins D and E are. Macbeth said they are approximately 17,650 and 7,807 square feet, respectively. Macbeth explained drainage of each area again. Chair Davis asked about the significance of Basins D and E, and asked ifthere were concerns for potential lost habitat. Macbeth said all of the wetlands on the site are degraded to some degree, so habitat loss would be small-scale. Chair Davis asked where the animal waste is concentrated. Macbeth said as far as he knows it is concentrated in the north and northwest portion of the site. He said detailed information is not known at this time. He identified an area where much of the waste has been shown, and reviewed the Dakota County Parks concerns regarding this site, particularly the questions about potential flooding. Member Belfiori asked if the applicant is applying for sequencing flexibility. Macbeth said not to his knowledge. Member Danner asked if the plans presented showed extreme and existing conditions. Macbeth said they show extreme conditions and existing conditions, buildings, and ponding to the west of the buildings. Member Peterson asked what the timeline was for the TEP review. Macbeth said the group would start its review in early June, with a recommendation available to the APrC by their June 14th, 2004 meeting. Member Peterson asked if the Advisory Planning Commission would hold the public hearing on this matter, Planner Cartney said yes, the public hearing would be held on May 25 at the Advisory Planning Commission meeting. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 17, 2004 Page 4 Superintendent Paul Olson discussed the parks dedication element and trails dedication element associated with this proposed development. He showed the service areas and parks around the subject property. There are three parks within the service area, two City-owned neighborhood parks and Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Olson also pointed out a common area delineated in the proposed townhouse area that would serve the neighborhood. He also showed the proposed trail area through the neighborhood and the Lebanon Hills Regional Park connection. Member Danner asked Olson to show park accessibility around the development. Olson complied, showing how a resident in the development might visit the nearby parks, including access to parks across Pilot Knob Road via a tunnel that runs under Pilot Knob Road. Member Danner commented that visitors would need to go through the County Parks to get to Ohmann Park. Member Belfiori asked about the reasoning behind taking a cash dedication, and whether the funds can be designated for green space. Olson replied there is very limited space to develop parkland through cash dedication, that funds cannot be dedicated for a specific purpose without going through the inclusion into the Park Site Fund and the formal CIP process. Ron Helmer of Toll Brothers said they have developed in the City of Eagan for many years. He shared the layout with the APrC, and corrected Olson's delineation of the sidewalk, noting it is on the north side of the single family residential street, not the south side. He also stated that an updated tree mitigation plan has been developed, though was not able to be reviewed in time for the meeting. Helmer addressed the manure issue, describing site visits that have located specific manure pile areas. He said at least 4" of topsoil will be scraped on largest spaces and will be removed in several other areas as manure piles are discovered. Chair Davis asked what happens to the manure after it leaves the site. Helmer responded that it is brought to Rosemount, where it will undergo a conversion to fertilizer. Chair Davis asked if anyone has done soil borings to see if the manure has leeched down into the soil. Helmer said they will do a Phase I and Phase II environmental study and participate in the state's voluntary inspection and cleanup (VIe) program. Helmer said the materials will be taken off site, and that a remediation plan will be in place. Sharon Holbeck described her efforts on pond LP-7.2, saying how she has worked with the City to mitigate manure runoff into the pond. She noted that she has engaged contractor services to help clean the pond. Macbeth said he did not see evidence of manure on the southwest side of the pond. Holbeck said there is a tremendous amount of manure storage at that location. Macbeth showed the existing conditions and drainage. He was uncertain about the location of that manure storage. Holbeck said there were numerous piles of manure on the site, that some piles run 12' to 15' deep and about a block long. Chair Davis asked if the exact location of manure piles would be determined. Helmer asked Sharon to show the areas of manure piles, and reiterated the intention to remove the manure. Holbeck expressed a need to be concerned and careful with the water moving into Jensen Lake and other water bodies in County land. Fred Holbeck, 4852 Wellington Court, contended that removal of trees will impact the runoff into Jensen Lake and other surrounding water bodies. He urged the APrC to be very concerned about runoff. Chair Davis affirmed that the APrC has taken a very strong position on the run-off and degradation of ponds. Mike Schelnzer Knottingham asked about drainage that flows to Jensen Lake vs. the flow to Thomas Lake mentioned previously. Macbeth said only a small portion of the property in the northwesterly area of the site will drain to Thomas Lake. Knottingham asked how much additional drainage will occur on the site. Helmer responded that it would be approximately 33% more. The Site Design Engineer said the proposed pond would hold a 2.5" rain event and will serve as flood storage. Chair Davis commented that this would hold in a holding poins and give a chance to move on. Member Peterson asked what might happen in a larger storm event, given Eagan's recent history. The engineer said that the ponds were designed to hold waters from a 100 year flood event, and has actually been overdesigned. Knottingham asked what the land park dedication is vs. what the cash parks dedication is. Superintendent Olson responded it is 3.8 acres, or 10% of the property. Knottingham expressed his desire for the City to request a land parks dedication rather than a cash parks dedication. Helmer noted that there are a lot of dead trees on the property and the quality is degraded. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 17, 2004 Page 5 Member Filipi reminded' listeners that they are not the appropriate body to make recommendations regarding quantity of water, that the APrC handles quality of water. A resident asked if the site could be tested for contamination, and whether the pond would be land locked. Macbeth described the outflow system. The resident expressed concern for the flooding potential of homes around the pond. Macbeth noted that the pond meets the minimum stormwater holdings. The resident asked Macbeth to review the watershed flow. Macbeth described the flow from the ponds in and around the development, and their eventual path to the larger water bodies in the City. Eric Bebe of 1496 Sherwood Lane said there are lots of beautiful trees on the property, and expressed concern about the unmet tree mitigation, the remaining water quality issues, and requests the City require land parks dedication rather than cash parks dedication. He stated his opinion that in regards to trees, water quality, and parks that no one is sticking to the ordinance, that cash seems to be the direction things are going. Chair Davis asked staff to explain cash dedication vs. land dedication, tree mitigation, and water quality mitigation. City Forester Hove reviewed the history of the tree mitigation guidelines, including what conditions need to be met, and if the initial conditions are not possible, options for alternative mitigation. He noted that since 1996, cash dedication has been accepted approximately 68 times. Chair Davis asked how Eagan's tree mitigation ordinance compared to other communities. Hove said that Eagan's policy is very well known and frequently used as a model for other communities. Parks Superintendent Paul Olson described the background of the parks dedication policy. The Park System Plan was designed for a careful, thoughtful way of development. Under the Parks Dedication Policy, the APrC has the option of choosing between a land dedication or a cash dedication. Olson explained how land is acquired vs. cash, noting that it is important to ensure that pieces aren't acquired in small pieces scattered about the City, which would inhibit the City's ability to maintain them properly. In such cases, a cash dedication is acquired, and put into the Park Site Fund, a portion of which is used for acquisition of park land and green space. He said cash dedication is typically substantial. He also noted that another tool available to developers is to apply a conservation easement on the property to preserve green space. He briefly described how a conservation easement works. Member Peterson asked ifher recollection was correct, that a neighborhood park is typically a minimum of 6 to 8 acres. Olson affirmed this was true. Bebe asked how long the dedication policy has been in place. Peterson said it was put in place in 1984. Chair Davis noted the potential for greater parks and open space development with a cash dedication. In a discussion of pond frontage, Mr. Holbeck said houses are located 30' from the pond. Helmer said that the plans show houses at 45' from the pond. Steve Michalson, who conducted the tree inventory on the site, said the average tree condition rating on the site, 4.5 average, is overall on the low side, most inventories reveal an average of about 5 to 5.5. He said he wasn't certain about the impact the manure would have on the trees. He said the inventory had been conducted in November, rather than October as stated. He said the trees were insect infested, and the trees were damaged. Because of evident scars on the trees, he has a concern about oak wilt. He said if nothing is done for these trees, they will continue to die. He said leaving it alone will not solve the problem. He said he should go back to the site to observe the insect species infesting the site. Chair Davis brought the issue back to the APrC. Member Peterson expressed concern over recommendations given that the solution for the manure hasn't been undertaken, WTEP hasn't met, and the tree issues have not been resolved. Member Lodhi asked how the soil borings would be done. Helmer said Braun Forestry would conduct a Phase II environmental investigation. Lodhi asked for further clarification of manure impacts on plants. Helmer commented that most cities don't require a Phase 1 or a Phase II environmental evaluation, but that it will be done anyway in this case. Planner Sheila Cartney commented that Eagan would do what the County requires. Member Lodhi said the insects may be from the manure on site. Advisory Parks Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 17, 2004 Page 6 Member Belfiori asked if a Minnesota Routine Assessment Method (MNRAM), which is a wetland functions analysis, had been completed and if an EA W (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) might be appropriate in this case. Chair Davis asked when an EA W is required. Belfiori estimated that it is undertaken with development of 75-1 00 units, but was unsure of exact threshold. He said a comprehensive viewpoint would help. He said a Phase I and II environmental study is soil based, and not nearly as comprehensive as an EA W. Chair Davis asked if the City does the EA W. Planner Cartney said that this current project does not require an EA W, per City Attorney. Macbeth commented that a MNRAM is a standard process to clarify wetlands values. Member Belfiori expressed that while not a requirement, he feels an EA W could help. Member Peterson said the APrC has heard lots of information, and there are legitimate concerns about tree mitigation and wetland issues. Chair Davis said he wants to see results on the tree mitigation, wetlands, soil sample results, manure mitigation, and an option for a conservation easement. Macbeth said he has not heard form the County about removal. Member Danner asked whether play space can be provided in the open area by the townhouses. Helmer said that the developer was looking into a tot lot for that space. Chair Davis moved to take no action, to wait for more information regarding the concerns about trees, wetlands, and other key environmental factors. Member Peterson seconded with all present members approving. OLD BUSINESS There was no new business for the Advisory Parks Commission to discuss under this agenda item. 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 ROUND TABLE Member Peterson commented on the Walkable Communities presentation on how communities can be more walker friendly. Chair Davis said the intersection near the senior housing units has a difficult pedestrian crossmg. Member Peterson also mentioned that the Men's Chorus is performing at Peace Reformed Church at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 21. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to conduct Liza Perry moved, Margo Danner seconded with all members voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. p~1:[j/J~ Secretary Date Minutes drafted by Beth Wielde