06/07/1979 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EAGAN ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
JUNE 7, 1979
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee was
held on June 7, 1979 at the City Hall. Those present were
Chairperson Lundsten, Thurston, Loken, Martin, Coates, Gits,
Radl. Also present were City Planner Dale Runkle and Park
Director Schmidt. Absent were Committee members Carroll, Lucke
and Carroll.
MINUTES
In a motion by Coates, seconded by Loken, the minutes of
the May 3, 1979 meeting were unanimously approved as corrected.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Loken moved and Gits seconded a unanimous motion to
adopt the agenda as presented.
REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Park Director Schmidt reported on City Council approval
for the hiring of Tom Schuster as tree inspector for the 1979
season and approval of the change order for a 10 foot asphalt
pathway on the south side of Wescott Road.
Chairperson Lundsten requested that additional research be
done regarding trail widths before the committee again recom-
mends a city wide policy regarding trails and sidewalks to the
Council.
WINDCREST ADDITION
Jim Hill, representing Niakwa, presented the plat for
Windcrest Addition, an 80 acre development north of Deerwood
Drive. City Planner Runkle discussed the staff recommendation
of park dedication of a greenway which would provide for a
trail connection from the City community center property in
the direction of Patrick Eagan Park and would ultimately be
part of a loop connection with the trail in Hilltop Estates.
The proposed change in location of land to be purchased
as an addition to Patrick Eagan Park was also explained to
the committee by staff.
A number of residents from Deerwood Drive were present
and concerns were raised about the wildlife habitat which would
be lost as well as the number of trees which would have to
be cut to allow for this development. The committee was asked
Park Committee
'Page Two
June 7, 1979
to consider park dedication on the north side of Deerwood Drive
rather than through the center of the plat. Committee members
explained the charge of the committee to provide for both active
and passive park needs throughout the City through the park
dedication requirements and expressed the opinion that additional
land along Deerwood Drive would not meet these needs.
Residents present also spoke in favor of bike trails along
Pilot Knob Road. Coates moved and Loken seconded a motion to
recommend approval of the park dedication for Windcrest as
proposed. All members present voted in favor with the exception
of Radl who voted in opposition. The motion carried.
After additional discussion Loken moved and Martin seconded
a motion to reconsider the park dedication for Windcrest due
to the fact that it appeared to be in excess of the amount of
land required to provide a trail link through the development.
All members present voted in favor except Coates who voted no.
The motion carried.
Jim Hill expressed the opinion that the amount of land
should be dedicated as shown to provide adequate space for the
possibility of more than one trail to accomodate the large
number of people who could park vehicles on the City property
and use this trail link for access to Patrick Eagan Park. He
also noted that the eastern pond shown in the proposed dedica-
tion could be filled with the runoff directed into the City
storm sewer system.
After additional discussion, Chairperson Lundsten directed
staff to evaluate the actual amount of credit which would be
given for park dedication under this proposal and to consider
cutting down the amount of land proposed to be dedicated to
only that necessary to accomodate the trail with the remainder
of the park dedication to be satisfied by cash in lieu of
land. She further directed staff to review with the City
Engineer the probable high water levels of the two ponds in
the proposed dedication and to report back to the committee
at their next meeting.
WINDTREE ADDITION
Jim Hill presented the plat for Windtree Addition, a 101
acre development in Section 13 located east and north of
existing South Hills development. He explained that Windtree
is a large lot development on heavy rolling terrain. Mr. Hill
also explained that staff had requested consideration of park
dedication adjacent to the park previously committed in the
Gopher Eagan PUD.
City Planner Runkle presented a concept plan for develop-
ment of a neighborhood park encompassing land in the Gopher
Eagan PUD as well as additional acreage within the Windtree
Park Committee
Page Three
June 7, 1979
Development. The concept plan shows adequate facilities to
provide for neighborhood park needs within this section in the
event that additional industrially zoned land is converted to
residential use.
Chairperson Lundsten expressed a concern about accepting
ponds as park dedication when they do not serve a park purpose.
She also expressed concern about the future high water levels
of all ponds within the park as presented and the resulting
impact on the park land if the ponds increase in size beyond
current estimates. Jean Loken questioned the land parcels
included in the proposal which would have no public access.
Roger Martin asked what guarantee exists that ponds will be
controlled at the stated levels.
After considerable discussion, Martin moved and Gits
seconded a motion to recommend approval of park dedication as
presented with the exception that the two parcels of land
which have no public access not be included but be platted into
the lots, that the south access be redrawn as shown on the con-
cept plan and further subject to staff verifying that the
water levels shown for the ponds are accurate. All members
voted in favor and representatives of Niakwa expressed agree-
ment with the recommended changes. Mr. Hill also agreed to
provide additional fill material for the park area if excess
becomes available during development.
THOMAS LAKE HEIGHTS
Dale Runkle reviewed the plat for Thomas Lake Heights
which is part of the Blackhawk PUD. There was discussion
regarding Heine Pond as future park dedication. Park Committee
members expressed approval of the trail connection to the trail
within the Heine Addition which will provide walking access to
Thomas Lake Elementary School. Chairperson Lundsten recommended
that this connection be dedicated in the form of a trailway.
In addition, City staff was directed to evaluate the value of
Heine Pond as a part of a park system and relative to the overall
Blackhawk Park PUD. No formal action was taken.
CANTERBURY FOREST
Dale Runkle reviewed the plat for Canterbury Forest which
is part of the Lexington South PUD. No action was taken as
there were no park matters to be resolved, however, it was
requested that if the plat changes substantially that it be
returned to the committee for additional study relative to
possible trailway connections.
Park Committee
Page Four
June 7, 1979
CHES MAR II AND III
Staff was directed to review trail connections provided
within the plats for Ches Mar II and III.
THOMAS LAKE TRAIL SPUR
Park Director Schmidt reported on approval from the State
Planning Agency and the City Council to proceed with a grant
amendment and negotiate a change order to construct a trail
link into Thomas Lake Park. It was noted that specific pro-
visions regarding protection of the native prairie elements on
the site should be written into construction specifications.
FY 19809 GRANT PROPOSALS
Potential grant proposals were discussed and the committee
recommended submission of a grant for additional acreage in
Section 9 if suitable land is available or pursuit of grants
for other community athletic complex needs. Staff was requested
to provide the committee with a rough Sketch of the Section 9
proposal.
In a motion by Martin, seconded Gits, the updated five year
action plan was unanimously approved with the understanding
that it continue to be a flexible plan subject to review and
change.
NEIGHBORHOOD 14 STUDY
City Planner Runkle reviewed the neighborhood study for
Section 14. He discussed the possibility that land within
this section will be down zoned in the future. Mr. Runkle will
field check this section for suitable park locations and the
status of the previous Dreyfus park proposal will be reported
on at the next meeting.
RECREATION COMMITTEE
Recreation Committee Member Radl mentioned problems which
are presently occuring in Carnelian Park and expressed the
need for programming to provide supervision for youngsters
from the Hillandale complex. Staff was requested to reevaluate
Carnelian Park as a future location for the summer in the park
program. It was suggested that notice of activities in Woodhaven
Park be posted on the Carnelian Park warming house.
Chairperson Lundsten also requested park department staff
to evaluate the need for future additional Tiny Tot programs
due to the overwheln`iing response to that offering.
Park Committee
Page Five
June 7, 1979
Lack of athletic benches at Heine Field and Pilot Knob
School was also mentioned.
TRAIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
The next meeting of the Trail Subcommittee was set for
June 21 at 7:15 at the Park office.
CHANGE IN PARK COMMITTEE MEETING DATE
The next meeting of the Park Committee was scheduled for
July 12 rather than July 5 due to the 4th of July holiday.
In a unanimous motion by Loken, seconded Gits, the meeting
was adjourned at 11:30 p.m.