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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 01/06/1986 ` .:. .. ;.. �.� .r_ 'rl-.. i��.d. _.L .a.,� .w1 u`11i1.2rfSf.'•:n..:aC'J`"h ,,:y.•.� !y f� r 1986 JANUARY 6 MINUTES t CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE j AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1986 7:30 P.M. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - BOARD ROOM COMMISSION MEMBERS: Marty Jessen, chairperson; Raiford Baker, Pat Breitenstein, Moe Cook, Gary Gonyea, Jerry Kingrey, Charles Shaw COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services 7:30 I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 7:35 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 16, 1985 71 IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS None V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS None VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS AND STAFF A. Report of Director of Community Services 7:40 Resignation of Stu Alexander B. Reports of Athletic Coordinator 7:45 1. Season Ending Reports a. Touch Football - 1985 b. Co-Rec Broomba 1 - 1985-86 c. Table Tennis Winter 1886 d. Men's Hockey - Fall 1985 C. Community Education Advisory Council Monthly Report D. City Council Meeting Report VII. OLD BUSINESS 7:50 Proposed Softball Field Complex - Spring Rd & Co Rd _1 VIII. NEW BUSINESS None 9:00 IX. ADJOURNMENT APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, January 6, 1986 7:30 p.m., School Board Room COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Marty Jessen, chairperson Bud Baker (late), Pat Breitenstein, Gary Gonyea (late), Charles Shaw COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Moe Cook, Jerry Kingrey COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by chairperson, Marty Jessen. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Lambert added Item 1. , Introduction of Rick Bolinske under VI. Reports of Commissioners, Boards and Staff, A. Report of Director of Community Services. MOTION: A motion was made by Breitenstein to approve the agenda as amen -e3. Baker seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. .3 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 1985 MOTION: A motion was made by Shaw to approve the minutes as printed. Baa er seconded the motion and it passed 3-0. Breitenstein abstained. t IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. None V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS None VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Community Services 1. Introduction of Rick Bolinske Lambert introduced Rick Bolinske, new Superintendent of Recreation. He gave the Commission a background of Rick's experience and said he feels he is well qualified for the position. i APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Jan. 6, 1986 -2- 2. Resignation of Stu Alexander Refer to memo dated January 2, 1986 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Lambert said that Stu will be the Athletic Coordinator with the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. The City is taking applications for the position through January 17, 1986. MOTION: Breitenstein moved to recommend that a letter of appreciation be sent to Stu Alexander from the Parks and Recreation Commission commending him for the work he has done. Baker seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. B. Reports of Athletic Coordinator 1. Season Ending Reports t a. Touch Football - 1985 This is an information item only. b. Co-Rec Broomball - 1985-86 This is an information item only. c. Table Tennis Winter 1986 This is an information item only. d. Men's Hockey - Fall 1985 This is an information item only. C. Community Education Advisory Council Monthly Report There was no report. D. City Council Meeting Report There was no report. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Proposed Softball Field Complex - Sering Rd. & Co. Rd. 1 i Refer to memo dated January 2, 1986 and letter dated December 17, 4 1985 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. i I i - i APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Jan. 6, 1986 -3- Lambert said that a needs study committee was formed last spring to review the need for athletic facilities in Eden Prairie. They felt that the city should have 4-6 lighted softball fields by the year 1990 based on population projections at that time. The initial plan was to acquire 30 acres south of the existing park for a facility which would include four softball fields, five soccer fields and four youth baseball fields. The Needs Study Committee was concerned with the number of fields not being sufficient for our future needs. Although the plan was reviewed and approved by the City Council, they requested that sites outside of the MUSA line be reviewed. When the City received the alignment of Hwy. 212, any expansion to the south was restricted so the plan had to be changed. The present plan shows the acquisition of approximately 24 acres to the east. This plan would satisfy the request of the City Needs Study Committee on the amount of fields requested. This was one of four sites under consideration by the Parks and Recreation Commission who felt that this site was the best choice for the following reasons: the facility would be kept as far to the north as possible with the majority of access from Spring Road. It would also provide north-south alignment in order to share lighting and most of the parking would be interior.. The memo listed a number of concerns that staff felt property owners would have. Lambert said he received only one call from a representative of Lynn Charlson. Charlson did not either support or oppose the plan, but had some concerns regarding trespassing on the golf course. Lambert said three concerns staff expects the residents to have are: glare from lights on the site and the amount of traffic that will be generated; the residential structure located in the northeast corner of the site; and the Hone's concern about relocating their fresh produce stand. Lambert said that 60, light stands are projected for each ballfield. There will be some glare from these light fixtures, but they are equipped with shields and an extensive amount of berming is planned which will help cut down the glare from the site. Regarding traffic, Lambert said the majority of traffic will be Monday thru Friday evenings from about 5:45 to 10:00 p.m. There will be about 250 cars for the first game with a turnover after the first two games. This would be approximately 750 trips per day which would be the same amount of trips per day as a single family development. The residential structure on the corner is not high a quality building and Lambert would recommend that the City acquire the property and give the resident lifetime estate privileges. i i i i APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Jan. 6, 1986 -4- Lambert added that staff has no comment on the produce stand or storage of outdoor equipment. Total estimated development costs for the site would be about $778,000. Staff anticipates acquisition costs of $6,000-$6,500 per acre based on recent sale of comparable property. Larry Simenson of 16199 Valley Road was present at the meeting to speak in behalf of six out of nine residents on Valley Road. Simenson said residents feel that Eden Prairie Road is already extremely hazardous and would require major improvements if this facility were approved. Also, since the City will be using tax dollars to purchase this property at a monumental cost, residents feel this use would be detrimental to the land. Simenson said they agree that ballfields are needed; however, they feel staff should look at a site where sewer and water are already available. He added that residents are also concerned with the noise level since ' they can already hear noise from the BMX track now. In conclusion, Simenson said the residents are opposed to the plan. Ernie Hone of 9001 Eden Prairie Road said that he has owned his land since the 1940's and the price the City is offering to pay to acquire it is ridiculous since it is part of their business and they are changing it from wholesale to retail. Hone said he is surprised that the City would go this far on a plan without consulting the property owners. He said the City should have extended the courtesy of talking to residents first. Jessen asked how much land Hone's own. Hohn said they own 6.5 acres of the proposed site. Hone said that the house on the corner is not on the property grade and is extremely high and would have to be brought down. Jessen asked how much grading would have to be done. Lambert said grading costs would be approximately $200,000. He showed the area that would be graded on the concept plan. Jessen said he feels we need costs on improving Eden Prairie Road before this concept plan can be approved. i Another resident asked if it was normal for the Parks and Recreation Commission to go this far on a plan without talking to the residents. Jessen said yes, but he expressed concern with locating a facility on a site closer to the airport since this site has excellent access and he feels it would meet the needs of the community. l ; i I i APPROVED MINUTES i EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Jan. 6, 1986 -5- A resident asked who actually makes the final decision on whether to approve the plan. Jessen said that the City Council gives final approval. j Steve Gehrke of 16570 Valley Road said he is concerned with the traffic and is against the plan. Brett Hope, representing Lynn Charlson, said he is concerned with the number of people who will be wandering around in the area. He said that a majority of time is already spent policing the property. A resident asked how park facilities of this type usually affect the value of property. Lambert said that the majority of developers charge more for a lot abutting park property. Hone asked if any other parks in Eden Prairie have 601 lights. Jessen said that Round Lake will have them and he added that the City is in a pinch at the present time to meet requirements for recreation areas. Hone asked if the fields at Franlo Park are also filled to capacity with league games. Lambert said yes, they will be scheduled to their maximum capacity. A resident asked about Hidden Ponds. Lambert said the fields there are being used four nights a week for girls softball and youth baseball. i i Simenson said that a site which came to mind as a good location for the facility would be east of Hwy. 169, south of Prairie Dairy. Lambert said that this site was considered, but because it is owned by the airport and the lease can be cancelled with a 90 day notice and because staff feels that enough money has been spent on temporary facilities, the site was rejected. A resident said that the site plan is used a lot for snowmobiling and he feels a snowmobile trail should be considered if the plan is approved. Hone asked what the time frame is on the plan and asked if it would come before Miller Park. Lambert said that if approval is recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Council would vote on it on January 21 and a referendum would have to be passed before actual work was started. No date has been set for a bond referendum. A resident asked if games are stopped at 10:00 p.m. Jessen said games are played to completion. i �I APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Jan. 6, 1986 -6- It was asked how it is determined how many fields are needed. Jessen said it is based on the projected population and how many participants there are in leagues. Hone asked how Eden Prairie's athletic facilities compare to Bloomington. Lambert said that Bloomington has 120 fields with a population of 80,000. I Simenson asked when the Commission would be voting on this issue. Jessen said they could vote tonight or wait until more information t is received on improvements of Eden Prairie Road. He suggested that this be done. Hope said he is concerned with the Atkins corner since it is already hazardous. Baker said he feels work needs to be done on Eden Prairie Road whether this facility is approved or not. Breitenstein asked Hone if his stand could be moved across the road. Hone said that it is not being considered since his land is not for sale and he feels there is other property available. Baker asked what the time frame would be if the Commission approved the concept plan or decided to wait for further information. Lambert said that complete traffic information would take about six months to compile and a possible referendum date has been set for March 25. A preliminary study could be completed in about two weeks. Jessen asked if there is time for a study to be done with a date of March 25 for the referendum. Lambert said yes. Breitenstein said she does not feel comfortable with approving the concept plan at this time. Baker said he feels that a great deal of work has already gone into finding an appropriate site for this facility and he does not feel that waiting will make a difference. Hone asked what is the significance of locating outside the MUSA f line. Lambert said this is the line that can be served by sewer and water and that land outside this area cannot be developed before the year 2000. I Residents asked what the Commissions feelings are on the location of the athletic facility. Jessen said that he feels a worse use could be made of the land. If ;j APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Jan. 6, 1986 -,- Hone said that he feels Eden Prairie has reached a time when a ridiculous price will be paid to buy land just to get it. MOTION: A motion was made by Gonyea to table the issue until the Commission has a chance to discuss the residents' concerns further until the basic feasibility study for improvement of Eden Prairie Road is received and staff speaks with Hone's about the possibility of land being for sale. Shaw seconded the motion and it passed 4- 1. VIII. NEW BUSINESS None ' r IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Baker moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Shaw seconded titee motion and it passed 5-0. Respectfully submitted, `` DD Lois Boettcher Recording Secretary i I i i I .