10/12/1978 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 12, 1978
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee was held at
7:00 p.m. on October 12, 1978 at the City Hall. Those present were Chair-
person Lundsten, Martin, Loken, Thursten, Coates and Thomas. Also present
were City staff members Dale Runkle, Zoning Administrator; Barbara Schmidt,
Park and Recreation Director; Tom Colbert, Director of Public Works; and
City Administrator Tom Hedges. Absent were Committee Members Hagen, Cooper
and Brown.
MINUTES. Park and Recreation Director Schmidt stated that the
September 14, 1978 Advisory Park Committee minutes are under review and
recommended that the minutes be approved at the November Park Advisory
Committee meeting.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA. Upon motion by Loken, seconded Martin, all
members voting in favor, it was RESOLVED that the October 12, 1978 agenda
be approved with one amendment to add an item of discussion relating to a
study of the use of horse mounted law enforcement officers throughout the
trail systems in the City of Eagan.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. City Administrator Hedges reported that the
park dedication fee schedule as revised and recommended by the Park Advisory
Committee, was given approval by the City Council and will be effective
October 1, 1978.
BEACON HILLS ADDITION. Zoning Administrator Runkle reviewed the
Neighborhood 31 study that was prepared to consider future park land develop-
ment as it relates to Neighborhood 31 (Section 33) and more specifically to
the Beacon Hills development. Park and Recreation Director Schmidt discussed
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three proposed site locations for a neighborhood park within Neighborhood
31. After review of the three proposed site locations, Outlot A, as included
in the Beacon Hills development, was eliminated from consideration. After
reviewing and studying all the proposals it appeared that the northeast
site within Neighborhood 31 was most suitable for a future active neighbor-
hood park site. After further discussion on the park land considerations for
Beacon Hills and the Neighborhood 31 study, a motion was introduced by
Coates, seconded Thomas, all members voting in favor, that a cash donation
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be bird. for the proposed Beacon Hills Addition based on the Neighborhood
31 study further recognizing the need for a 15 acre park east of the proposed
Beacon Hills Addition, which appears to be more suitable for park land due
to the fact that it will not be impacted by Thomas Lake Road, a collector
street, and due to the excessive grading that would be required for the
other sites, and further that this area would provide for active rather than
passive park land use.
VIENNA WOODS. Zoning Administrator Runkle described Vienna Woods as
a proposed development isolated by major roadways with an estimated population
saturation of approximately 700 people. Park Director Schmidt stated that
the Mission Hills PUD agreement requires a park land donation for cash in lieu
of park land dedication. She further stated that since the area is isolated
and due to the anticipated density,an active park land use is desirable for
Vienna Woods as proposed. Since a cash donation is required it was the
recommendation of the staff and by discussion of the Park Committee that
the Unisource Corporation dedicate a 2 -1/2 acre park area in the area lying
east of Vienna Woods and west of future I -35E. The cash donation plus
interest paid to the City for the Vienna Woods development could be paid to
the Unisource Corporation to acquire the 2 -1/2 acres which would also
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satisfy park land donation for the approximately 13 acre residential area
east of Vienna Woods and west of I -35E. The 2 -1/2 acres would be dedicated
to the City when the area is platted or within three (3) years unless the
City Council desires to terminate the agreement and use the cash escrow
account for other park purposes. Park Committee members expressed concern
about the original intent of the Mission Hills South PUD agreement relating
to park land dedication. There was considerable concern as to whether the
original agreement was changed from park land dedication to cash donation
upon either PUD review or execution of the PUD agreement. Committee members
expressed desire to have legal counsel review the existing PUD agreement as
it relates to park land dedication and draft an agreement to designated 2 -1/2
to 3 acres of suitable flat land for an active park land and further that the
City Council consider a method in which the developer will be required to
dedicate the 2 -1/2 to 3 acres such as a performance bond or invalidation of
the PUD agreement. After further discussion and in a motion by Committee
Member Lundsten, seconded Thomas, all members voting in favor, the staff was
directed to prepare an agreement for the park land dedication of Vienna Woods
as proposed accepting cash in escrow to satisfy the Mission Hills South PUD
agreement including further dedication of a 2 -1/2 to 3 acre parcel of property
suitable for active park land and to insure said dedication that a performance
bond be required per City policy or invalidation of the Mission Hills South
PUD agreement be approved guaranteeing dedication and that no further action
be taken until the agreement is approved and signed by all parties including
the following six points outlined by the Consulting Planning, John Voss:
1. With the filing of the final plat for Vienna Woods Addition, B K
Properties Company (petitioner) will satisfy park dedication requirements
with the City by paying the established cash donation for each vacant lot
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in the plat to the City (approximately $27,000).
2. The City will place the above cash donation in a separate interest
bearing cash escrow account.
3. Unisource Corporation (General Partners for Link Partnership who
owns Mission Hills Planned Development) will agree to dedicate to the City,
a 2 -1/2 acre park area in the area lying east of Vienna Woods and west of
future I -35E, (See Exhibit "B either when that area is platted or within
three (3) years whichever shall occur first.
4. When Unisource Corporation dedicates the 2 -1/2 acre park area
described above, the cash donation plus the accumulated interest shall be
paid to the Unisource Corporation. In addition, park dedication requirements
shall also have been satisfied by this land donation for the approximate 13
acre residential area (east of Vienna Woods and west of I -35E).
5. At any time, prior to the dedication of 2 -1/2 acres of land by
Unisource Corporation, the City Council at their sole discretion, may
terminate this agreement and use the cash escrow account for park purposes.
6. Assessments for public improvements on and adjacent to the 2 -1/2
acre park area shall be paid in accordance with City Police (Exhibit "C"
attached).
THOMAS LAKE FIRE STATION. A discussion was held concerning the use
of a portion of Thomas Lake Park for the location of a new fire station. The
City Administrator recommended that a planning and development study be
performed by the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee to determine whether
a fire station is compatible with the proposed use plan for Thomas Lake Park.
He further stated that close coordination with the Fire Department Site
Selection Committee is important as the report is compiled to explore joint
parking, joint use of facilities, and other considerations. After further
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discussion on the matter, in a motion by Loken, seconded Martin, all members
voting in favor, a planning and development study was initiated to determine
future development within Thomas Lake Park and in addition as to whether
said development is compatible to a fire station use and that the staff be
directed to recommend a planner for conducting such a study.
PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT REPORT. Park and Recreation Director
Schmidt gave a progress report on the park construction contract and also
the completion of the Pilot Knob bikeway project. She further gave status
reports on the Halloween party and Saturday morning recreation programs that
are being planned this month. Park and Recreation Director Schmidt discussed
a park curfew for tennis lighting, recommended further work on a long range
plan for the use of the Kehne house and discussed a letter from the Wilderness
Run 2nd and 3rd Homeowner's Association regarding development of a playground
area in Oak Chase Park. These items were taken under advisement by the Park
and Recreation Advisory Committee.
TRAIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING. Committee Member Loken recommended that
the next Trail Subcommittee meeting be held at 7:15 p.m. on October 30, 1978
at the Park Department office.
ROSEWOOD AGREEMENT. Park and Recreation Director Schmidt reported that
the Rosewood Corporation preliminary plat for Coachman Oaks 1st Addition was
approved at the October 4, 1978 City Council meeting subject to the developers
signing the park agreement within 30 days. She further stated that the
developer has concerns about some of the wording and has returned a revised
copy of the agreement to the City which is currently under review by the City
staff. Park and Recreation Director Schmidt stated that a revised copy of
the agreement will be available for review by the Park and Recreation Advisory
Committee at their next meeting.
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OAKWOOD GATES. Zoning Administrator Runkle stated that the Oakwood
Gates Addition preliminary plat was approved at the October 3, 1978 City
Council meeting subject to the installation of utilities. Park and Recreation
Director Schmidt requested that the Advisory Park Committee again review
the plat if it is revised into smaller lots due to the installation of
utilities rather than the five acre lots which were originally proposed. The
Park and Recreation Advisory Committee was acceptable to reviewing the
Oakwood Gates Addition preliminary plat for reconsideration of the park land
dedication.
WARMING HOUSE LIGHTS. Park and Recreation Director Schmidt reported
that at a previous park committee meeting concern was expressed about parents
dropping children off at closed warming houses during the ice skating season.
She stated that the Park Foreman, Mr. Jim McGuffee, has suggested that a
small light be placed on the top of the warming houses wired to the electric
system so the lights will go on automatically when the warming house is open.
She stated that the lights are currently used as warning lights at City
pump houses and would cost the City approximately $11 to operate for the
entire skating season. The lighting system was found acceptable by the Park
and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Park Director was directed to
proceed with the installation of the lighting system.
PARK COMMITTEE RESIGNATION. Park Committee Member Brown submitted a
letter of resignation to be effective November 1, 1978 stating that he is
moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to accept a position of golf course
superintendent in that city. Chairperson Lundsten commended Mr. Brown's
involvement and dedication as a Park Committee Member and suggested that a
letter be sent to Mr. Brown on behalf of the committee.
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With there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 11:15 p.m.
Dated: October 12, 1978
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