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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 04/07/1997 1997 APRIL 7 j MINUTES Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission r CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE j• AGENDA PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 7,1997 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS l COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgeman, Chair, Richard Brown, Frantz Corneille, 1 Don Jacobson,Vicki Koenig,David Kracum,John Wilson STUDENT MEMBERS: Jennifer Freemycr,Melody Hasse i k COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair L I1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ill. APPROVAL.OF MINUTES-MAR FI 17 1997 IV. PETITIONS.REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS J V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Townnlacc Centre VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Trail Priority Rankings for 1997 PrQjcct Construction VII. NEW B ISIN •SS f A. None i Vill. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Parks.Recreation and Natural Res,arc c ( I. Water Rate S:_!-haruc for Lawn Irrivation/Conservation I D. Reports of Manager of Recreation Services 1. Temporay Chanuc of Pool Flours to Accommodate a Spccial Foxiet Rental C. IX. ADJOURNMENT i d i� ,I I l APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MONDAV,APRIL 7,1997 7:00 P.M.CITV CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Richard Brown, Chair; Frantz Corneille, Clair Hilgeman, Don Jacobson, Vicki Koenig, •14" ' X--mcam,John Wilson COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: David Kracum(excused) n COMMISSION STAFF: Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources;Elinda Bahley,Recording Secretary f STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jennifer Frccmyer,Melody Hasse(absent) 1. ROLL CALL } t The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. Commissioner Wilson arrived at 7:15 p.m, t i A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair j MOTION: Koenig nominated Richard Brown as Chair. Corneille seconded the nomination. Jacobson moved,seconded by Hilgeman,that the nomination be closed. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Brown nominated Don Jacobson as Vice Chair. Koenig seconded the nomination. Hilgeman moved, seconded by Corneille, that the nomination be closed. Motion carried 5-0. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Jacobson moved, seconded by Koenig, to approve the agenda as published, y Motion carried 5-0. III- APPROVAL OF MINUTES-MAR tt t7 1997 Koenig noted on page 2,the last two paragraphs,change$400,00 to$400,000. Koenig also noted on page 4,under the motion,the third sentence should read...with the ( funds available and since the major funding source is cash park fees...;the sixth sentence, change build to finish the park system;the eleventh sentence should read...ask the School I Unapproved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Monday,April 7,1997 District and the City Attorney to figure out it way if,in it Joint Powers Agreement to allow the School District... Page 5,first sentence should read...mean recommending moving all competitive... MOTION: Hilgcman moved,seconded by Koenig,to approve the minutes of the March 17, 1997 Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as amended. Motion carried 4-0-1 with abstention by Commissioner Corneille. IV. PETITIONS.REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS None. V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS i A. Townplace Centre Staff referred the Commission to it memo dated April 2, 1997, from Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources;and a staff report dated March 21, 1997, Cfrom Michael D. Franzen,City Planner. Tom Moorse, representing the developer, gave an overview of the development proposal including the site plan,elevations,and landscaping plan. There are two alternative site plans for site B.. The first plan is a Borders Bookstore and restaurant. The second plan is a Borders and strip retail building. The back comer of site A is reserved for the future off ramp from Highway 494 on to Prairie Center Drive. The building materials to be used are consistent with both developments. Hilgcman asked what the tree loss percentage was. Moorse replied 100 percent tree loss. (Commissioner Wilson arrived at 7:15 p.m.) Fox gave background information about the site noting the development plans being submitted are master plans and things can change slightly. They have to meet the parking within the zoning and that's why there is quite a bit of parking on these sites. lie explained the rationale for approval of 100 percent tree loss is that the area is zoned as commercial and this is in downtown Eden Prairie. The first site is a church and the second was formerly single family homes. When you go from that type of usage to it heavy usage such as commercial,you're going to loose 100 percent of the 2 i e Unapproved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Monday,April 7,1997 trees from the center of the site. Unfortunately, there is no way to incorporate randomly planted trees into formalized landscaping. When you look at very structured parking, good access points, you're looking at 100 percent loss of the trees. The developer is planning on putting in almost six trees for each tree that is being lost. There is mitigation for the tree loss on the site,but in addition,they also have a screening landscape requirement in the commercial and industrial zone. This is to screen this site from the Leona Road site and also from 494. This is a situation where you have to look at what's going to be best for the site in terms of the overall development realizing you may sec 100 percent tree loss. There would be no other way to develop commercial or industrial property in the downtown area without substantial site grading. Regarding the outlot,the City is going to be vacating the easterly portion of Leona Road. The other outlot will be used for ponding in the short tern and if the outlot were to be utilized for a ramp for 494, MnDOT would be responsible for replacing the ponding area. r Currently there are sidewalks on both sides of Den Road. Staff recommended that l it sidewalk be placed along the north side of Leona Road to accommodate pedestrian traffic from the two hotel units. This would be constructed concurrent with development of the site. This project was reviewed by the Planning Commissiun at the Nlarch 24, 1997 I meeting and was approved on it unanimous vote. r Hilgeman was concerned that cottonwoods were not being used as a replacement. Fox explained cottonwoods would not be good to replace in this type of formalized landscape area because they would create havoc with the parking areas and the bituminous surface,and it would be totally out of character for this type of area. Hilgeman asked what the percentage is of deciduous to conifers. Fox replied it's t more deciduous than coniferous. Koenig said the staff report mentioned parking areas can be better screened by ' adding a second row of shrubs to the single row proposed along 169 and Leona Road on the existing church site. She asked if that will be done. 'Fox replied he was not sure because pan of the problem is there's a NURP pond along there and was not sure how much roots there will be. This is a catch-22 situation where you're required to handle the surface drainage but also provide screening. Physically when you put all that together you run out of room sometimes. 3 i Unapproved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Monday,April 7,1997 Hilgcman commented site was not comfortable with the tree loss but the fact that the developer will but putting in a good replacement and there are no variances on the project she can accept it. f MOTION: liilgeman moved, seconded by Wilson, to approve the Townplacc Centre development proposal as per staff report of April 2, 1997. Motion carried 6-0. NIL OLD BUSINESS A. Trail Priority Rankings for 1997 Project Construction Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated March 17, 1997,from Bob Lambert, Director of Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources. Fox commented this is the current rankings for the 1997 funding and it's based on the criteria of how desperately the trails arc needed. The trail system is divided into not only the new trails but also repair and replacement of existing trails. He { explained to the Commission how staff prioritizes the expenses noting that safety is the number one priority. Jacobson referred to the Hidden Ponds Trails and asked how much of the replacement costs are going to be by the residents. Fox said it's going to be an issue up for discussion with the City Council as to how much money the City wants to put in these trails. i Hilgcman asked if the City has received a petition about Bryant Lake Drive from Valley View Road to Rowland Road under new transportation trails. Fox replied the j petition on that is fhirly old, about three or four years old. Jacobson asked if any of the money comes out of cash park fees. Fox said some of it would come out of cash park fees and some would be in the budget. Staff makes recommendations to the Engineering Department as to how the trails should be interconnected and have them put it in their general budget. The only trails the park system builds are the new ones within their parks for some of the outlots and those types of things. Koenig referred to Ilidden Ponds Trails and was concerned about what would happen if the homeowners decided to renege and didn't want to pay anything for those trails. Fox said that would be something for the City Council to take a look at. At the public hearing the homeowners made it very clear to the City Council they didn't want to become it financial burden on the City to take over these trails. I 4 1 Unapproved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Monday,April 7,1997 Discussion continued about the Commission's concerns of what cash park fees should be used for and what general funding would cover. Fox said every six to ten months there is an updated Capital Improvement Plan and that shows what the current needs arc in terms of trails and how they are rated. Brown was concerned about spending$20,000 to replace the trail on Bittersweet Drive because he doesn't think it's used very much. Fox said he didn't know how heavily used the trail is but that trail connects to the neighborhood and to Valley View Road. Koenig was concerned about spending$45,000 on the Anderson Lakes Parkway project. Fox explained the dangers of that trail and noted there have been a few incidents where a couple of people actually slid right out in front of cars. Staffs s recommendation is to extend those tunnels to the north and ensure proper safety zone so people arc not competing with the cars. Koenig suggested a cheaper way to make that area safe would be to put up signs that say walk with your bike. Fox replied signs can be put up.however,they would not change the City criteria for safe trail design. The current trail does not meet the eight foot wide criteria and does not give it one foot safety zone on either side of the trail. Koenig commented the budget is so tight and the City is spending a lot of money when the people could take a lot of the burden off the City. }. Brown said he didn't believe this improvement would change a lot of the dangers and suggested building a span bridge because it might be cheaper. Fox said he didn't ; know if the Engineering Department considered a bridge would, but it be more expensive not only to install it,but also to maintain it. 1 Jacobson suggested adding Valley View from Dell Road to Lookout Court under j repair transportation priorities because it has such it high safety rating and only cost $2,000. Koenig commented she was inclined to drop the Bittersweet Drive Trail because there tire it lot of other things that could be done for$20,000. Fox explained the ., future connection and importance of having that trail repaired. Brown asked that in the future staff include it specific reason why each trail should be replaced which would help the Commission in making their decision. Fox said he would pass that on and will have a map trail available for the Commission. MOTION: Wilson moved,seconded by Jacobson,to accept staffs recommendation 5 i Unapproved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Monday,April 7, 1997 for Trail Priority Ratings for 1997 Funding,as amended by Don Jacobson,subject to making sure that all costs come back to this Commission reflecting their concern about the use of cash park fees. Motion carried 6-0. VI1. NEW BII4INF Is A. N"., Vlll. REPORTS OF OMMISc1ONFRS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Parke R reation un' '�t 1 R 1• Water Rate nrcharee for Lawn Irrleatlon/ .one rvatinn i Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated March 18, 1997 from Eugene A. Dietz, Director of Public Works. r Fox noted this was an FYI item. Brown was concerned that two neighbors called him up about this and he didn't have the right answers for them. He suggested the City put a note of explanation in with the water bill so people know what's going on. B. Renortc of Mnnaeer of Recr anon rvl �c 1. Temnorary hanee of Pool Hours to A commo' t S i gcntal Staff referred the Commission to it memo dated April 2, 1997, from Julie I loefl,Aquatic and Fitness Coordinator. Hilgeman commented site is always uncomfortable when a private group requests private exclusive use of community facility even though the City `will make money, She was concerned about the 12 people that normally utilize the pool during those hours and that filet they would be excluded. This is a clinic and people interested in swimming should be able to at least come and listen if they wish to. It would be it good idea if the Foxjcts invited tits public in for an hour autograph session. 6 I 1 Unapproved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Monday,April 7,1997 Jacobson said if the community is invited they would have to pay at the door to pay the expenses of the two gold medalists. Koenigwas concerned this would exclude more than 12 people in May P P Y because more people swim in May than in February. Fox said open pool use tends to get more use in the winter time than in the summer time. Signs will be postal indicating that the Oak Point pool will be open to the public during these hours. Wilson commented he would call Mark Davis and find out if this clinic is open to the public to observe, MOTION: Hilgeman moved, seconded by Koenig, to approve the temporary change of pool hours to accommodate the special Foxjcts rental for the purpose of a clinic,and that signs be posted at the Community Center to inform the general public about the event,including the information that the Oak Point pool is open during those times for public usage. Motion carried 6-0. 1X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Flilgeman moved, seconded by Wilson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. r ,I