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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 03/21/1994 r 1994 MARCH 7 ., 21 MIN- UTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994 7:00 P. M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Diane Popovich Lynch, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Claire Hilgeman, Vicki Koenig, David Kracum, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk STUDENT MEMBER: Mark Bremer COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and i Natural Resources; Barbara Penning Cross, Landscape Architect; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL - Introduce Vicki Koenig II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 31 & FEBRUARY 7 1994 IV. PETITIONS REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS None V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Huber Funeral Horne VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Philip Hill Property Acquisition Status VII. NEW BUSINESS i i A. Wetland Mitigation Pro2gsal B. Approval of Management Study for Community Center VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Revorts of Director of Parkg. Recrgation and Natural_ Resources 1. Update on Department Projects 2. Planning_Process for MU 24 Park Referendum 3. Referendum Fact Sheet IX. ADJOURNMENT parkag/Bob60 w ;1 I 3 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Popovich Lynch, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Claire Hilgeman, Vicki Koenig, Joan Kube-Harderwijk, David Kracum STUDENT MEMBER: Mark Bremer COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Barbara Penning Cross, Landscape Architect I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by chair Diane Popovich Lynch. She introduced new commission member, Vicki Koenig, who was welcomed by the committee. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Moved by Lambert, seconded by Hilgeman to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion passed 7 - 0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 31. 1994 MOTION: Moved by Brown, seconded by Hilgeman to approve the Minutes for January 31, 1994 meeting as submitted. Motion passed 6 - 0, with 1 abstaining. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 7 1994 MOTION: Moved by Hilgeman, seconded by Bowman with a correction that the MOTION under VI.A read "We Can Ride" rather than "Week Can Ride". Motion passed 6 - 0, with 1 abstaining. IV. PETITIONS REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS None C V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Huber Funeral Home - Cross introduced Mr. Paul Huber, the proponent of the funeral home. Mr. Huber requested a reduction of the 50 foot buffer required between the Douglas-More house and the funeral home. Brown asked if this reduction was requested so that additional parking spaces could be provided. Huber stated that a funeral home can always use additional parking and that they could obtain some more spaces from the buffer reduction. He indicated that any events held at the Douglas-More house could use the Huber parking lot. Cross stated that the site is zoned 1-2, and a 50 foot building setback is required by code. A retaining wall and additional landscaping would be needed if the reduction of the buffer were approved. J McGinnis, the General Contractor, indicated that additional parking space would help with large visitations. Code requires 52 spaces and they will have 56 in the current plan. A reduced buffer would add 23 spaces. They would landscape the buffer regardless of the depth. It is a lot of land to own and maintenance which they can't use. He asked for a 25 foot reduction in the setback. ' Hilgeman asked if she would have a conflict of interest since she is on the Historical Society and had asked that Huber be denied a request for a funeral home at this location. Since they are permitted to build, she thinks that a 50 foot buffer isn't too much to ask for given the differences of these two sites and the need to keep the historic value of the house. 7J Kracum asked if the city ever grants sideyard variances. Lambert replied, yes; we need to look at what impact a variance on this site would have on the Douglas-More house. The Commission could consider a reduction in the total buffer, parking could be allowed on the back half and retain the 50 foot buffer on the front half nearest the road. Lambert stated that the setback of natural I space is needed to give the historic Douglas-More house a feeling of isolation from parking lots and new development. Kube-Hardcrwijk stated that she agrees that the funeral home needs additional parking space. There's no place else to park. Bowman asked if utilizing the parking across the street (Miller Park) was an option. Lambert indicated he would not encourage the funeral home to plan on using the parking lots in Miller Park. City activities may be going on when funeral parking is needed. Huber stated that the Planning Commission approved the plan with the 50 foot buffer. Authorization for the buffer reduction was needed from the Parks, Recreation & Natural Resource Commission. I 14 - MOTION: Hilgeman moved to recommend approval of the project based on Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources supplemental memo and Community Development imemo which includes a 50 foot buffer strip. Motion passed 5 - 2. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Philip Hill Property Acquisition Status - Lambert stated that the purchase of two sites were needed for the Riley Lake Park. The Thomas property is acquired. The Hill property is still needed. Hill property is appraised at $36,000 and Mr. Hill wants $150,000 for his property. Lambert further stated that the appraisal value is low because the lot is unbuildablc without water and sewer and there's a road between the lot and lake. Sewer can't be added until a lift station is constructed; and would not be pursued unless the people on the south side of the lake petitioned for it. The cost of water and sewer is estimated to be $15,000. Lambert said Mr. Hill is retired and wants a comparable lot on a lake but he states that he can't find such a lot anywhere in the metro area for under $200,000. Bob checked some real estate sales and contacted realtors. He found a lot on Riley Lake that sold for $110,000 a few weeks ago. He suggested a price of$95,000 to Mr. Hill. $110,000 for a lot, less the $15,000 cost of adding sewer and water to his existing lot. There is another lot for sale on the west side of Riley Lake with an asking price of$119,000. Lambert hasn't heard from Hill. Construction is to start June 1 and can't proceed unless we (City) own the land. Lambert stated that condemnation should be authorized for a "quick take" of the property so construction can start. He will continue to negotiate. MOTION: Moved by Bowman, seconded by Kracum to offer $95,000 for the Hill property and start the condemnation process. Motion passed unanimously. Following the motion, Hilgeman indicated she had a problem with condemning someone's property. Lynch stated that the City has tried to work with Mr. Hill; and Bowman said he thinks $95,000 was a fair offer for Hill to purchase a better lot on the same lake as his lot. V11. NEW BUSINESS i A. Wetland MWeation Proposal - Don Brauer presented his letter/memo and answered Commission questions. He explained how mitigation/wetland banking works and how it was handled in other communities and projects. (` He indicated that Eden Prairie doesn't have a sizeable piece of land for wetland ,I • l banking. We could look at our parks and double the size of existing wetlands within their boundaries or create new wetlands in rural areas with someone else assigned to take care of it. Finding a 200 - 300 acre farm that was drained and return it to a wetland would be the least expensive alternative. Brauer discussed the various bits and pieces of wetland that now exist in Eden Prairie, such as the property across from Rainbow Food. He refers to these existing wetland as "potholes" and/or "cesspools" which exist because of the way we managed the construction of the projects on the land; there isn't any flowing water or running water off of them. They are unnatural and no longer viable. The City or Watershed District can't maintain these existing wetlands in a useful fashion. It's a complicated and expensive method. We should put together a "bank" to be a useable and beneficial wetland. Hilgeman asked if Smetana Lake would be suitable for wetland banking. Brauer indicated it is a floodplain. A dam will be constructed at Golden Triangle Drive to raise the lake four feet and create an open body of water. Brauer stated that 100 - 150 acres of farmland are needed to get 50 - 75 acres of wetland with the right characteristic and to expect about 1/2 of any site to become suitable wetland. Bowman asked what the minimum size of a wetland is for it to maintain itself. Brauer indicated that it's not the size, but the drainage, which must be natural. Brown indicated that if we don't bank wetlands, then we must preserve what's left in Eden Prairie. Brauer indicated that none are salvageable. The urban development in Eden Prairie is mostly completed. Koening asked if wetlands must be functioning as a marsh before we can fill in a wetland. Brauer indicated that it must and that a wetland can be brought back to a functioning status in 6 - 12 months. The quality of the water must be managed. MOTION: Moved by Lynch, seconded by Hilgeman to recommend: 1. Eden Prairie should initiate a multi community project to expand the possibility of establishing a wetland bank of farmland in Eden Prairie or within the Minnesota River watershed west of Eden Prairie. 2. The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission play a key role in participating in the joint project. 3. The Council create a subcommittee in the fal?, of 1994 to work on wetland issues and to address questions #3, 4 and 5 of Lambert's February 7, 1994 memo and to determine ways to identify and protect significant wetlands in Eden Prairie and to determine which wetlands ff should be allowed to be filled and mitigated. l j • - . � .fit:�. C4. Request an independent review of each development project for wetland issues. Motion passes 7 - 0 In further discussion, Brown asked if we can do anything to prolong the existence of some of the "potholes" that now have a 10 year lifespan, Brauer indicated one way was to control chemical runoff. Brown stated we should ask for a report on existing wetlands; which ones are dead and which are viable so we can determine the impact future builders will have on any wetland. Brauer said that there would be little mitigation on new projects. The ones that exist are already done and are "cesspools" because we didn't make decisions to preserve the wetlands at the time of development. Bowman stated we should try mitigation regardless of cost. Lambert agreed that if we lose wetland in Eden Prairie, we should try to replace the wetland in Eden Prairie. We can expand existing wetland by dredging highland; taking the natural boundary and dredging it out. There isn't a lot of opportunity to create new wetland in Eden Prairie. B. Annroval of Management Study for Community Center - Lambert restated points in his February 28 memo to the Commission and his support of Chuck Pappas to evaluate the Community Center operation. An initial study would be done by mid July. Brown asked what records or measurements the Community Center has now to make a comparison to concerning growth, number of employees and expenses. They should be keeping a record of what they spend their time doing and how long it takes. Bob indicated that's exactly what the Pappas study would do. They are also logging comments from the public, both negative and positive, in both the office and maintenance areas. MOTION: Moved by Hilgeman, seconded by Kube-harderwiijk to approve the recommendation of Chuck Pappas to do the management study for the Community Center. Motion passed unanimously. In further discussion, Brown asked if the staff gets along or is there bickering? Lambert indicated that there is some tension between different groups on occassion. Brown requested that staff not be put in a position to be fired but to ask them to write what they like and don't like about their jobs. If there's a need for training, does Mr. Pappas provide it? What can the study be compared to? Lambert indicated that an opportunity for improvement and change exists. No study was done when the new ice arena was built; they didn't add staff or make any change in staff hours. Staff does have difference of opinions on what changes should be and Chuck Pappas could help with these desicions. � i t a. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Renogs of Director of Parks Recreation and Natural Resources - Lambert indicated his status report for concurrent projects was attached to the agenda for their information. B. May 24 Land Preservation Referendum - Lambert indicated that by mid April the City would present a factual flyer to the Commission for review. There would also be a factual video that could be used by the "Yes Vote" committee. IX. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Bev Draves Recording Secretary i I I I i i C AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994 7:00 P. M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELI.ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Diane Popovich Lynch, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Claire Hilgeman, Vicki Koenig, David Kracum, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk STUDENT MEMBER: Mark Bremer COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Barbara Penning Cross, Landscape Architect; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 7. 1994 IV. PETITIONS. REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Soccer Association Request V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Purgatory Creek Estates VI. OLD BUSINESS None VII. NEW BUSINESS i A. Change Order #2 HVAC System Community Center Swimming Pool VIII. ADJOURNMENT parkag/Bob60 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Popovich Lynch, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Claire Hilgeman, Vicki Koenig, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: David Kracurn STUDENT MEMBER: Mark Bremer COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by chair Diane Popovich Lynch. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Approved as presented. II1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 7 1994 Moved by Koenig, seconded by Bowman with correction to VI.A. paragraph 3 to read $119,000 rather than $119.00 and VI.A. MOTION should read Hilgeman rather than Hilceman. IV. PETITIONS REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Soccer Association Request - Fox indicated that the Soccer Association had two requests concerning the Flying Cloud Fields; they want to donate money for additional parking spaces and request the City improve the entrance to the field for safety reasons. i Fox briefly talked about the history of these soccer fields as outlined in his memo of March 17, 1994 to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission. Lambert introduced Don Jacobson, President of the Eden Prairie Soccer Association. Don immediately opened his presentation for questions from the Commission. Brown asked why additional fields were necessary. Jacobson indicated that a U-5 age group was added and would play on Friday evenings. They predicted 120 U-6 children would register and actually received 190 registrations. They predicted 100 U-5 children would register and received 124 registrations. Additional parking is needed to accommodate the usage at the 22 fields. Hilgeman asked why lower the age level to allow more kids to play when we already have a problem with the existing number of players? Jacobson indicated it was because of pressure from Eden Prairie residents wanting their children in the soccer program. He said they will play 5 nights instead of 4 and may have to go to Saturdays and limit time on the fields. Don indicated that they aren't asking for additional soccer fields but to upgrade the current parking facilities. Brown asked Fox if there was ample space at Staring Lake for soccer parking. Fox said, because of other activities, we aren't recommending that Staring Lake be used for Soccer parking. Bowman said he thinks we need to encourage everyone who wants to play to be able to do so. He supports getting as many kids out to play as want to. Jacobson indicated there are 16 weeks of soccer divided between Spring and Fall sessions. Volunteers do all the organizing and adding more time is really stretching and making a demand on their time. Fox indicated that we are at the maximum with 22 fields at Flying Cloud, and it's up to the Association to get more creative in how they handle time on the fields. Lambert said Flying Cloud was designed for 7 soccer fields; we now have 22 and additional parking has never been added. He said the Soccer Association must make better use of time on the fields. They can used Friday and Saturday and limit team time on the fields for each team. We need to make the best use possible of the facilities we have. A fall meeting with the Soccer, Football, Softball and Baseball Associations is planned to determine how Miller Park may alleviate any of the Flying Cloud Field problems. r, Lambert stated that the City has standards for parking spaces per field, but we have overlooked those standards at Flying Cloud as we have tried to accommodate program growth. The Soccer Association comes to the City after registration and tell us how may kids they have to accommodate and they want to accommodate them by adding fields (making existing fields smaller) without thinking about parking availability, etc. Lambert suggested that the younger players, perhaps all ages under S, be limited to one hour of practice to get two uses on each field per C 2 night. Bowman indicated that it's a dangerous situation; there are just too many cars at _ Flying Cloud and somebody is going to get hurt. The City needs to establish some sort of policy concerning field usage and the Associations and City need to work together. MOTION: Moved by Kube-Harderwijk, seconded by Hilgeman to approve pavement of the entrance and to accept donated funds to expand the parking area and for staff to work with the Soccer Association and other Associations to establish facilities. Motion passed 7 - 0. V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Purg,atoy Creek-Estates - The Developer didn't come to the meeting. The developer is purposing a 7 lot subdivision. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the 7 lot subdivision. They are uncomfortable with the developer filling in the wetland. They would approve a 5 lot subdivision. The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resource Department recommends approval since the developer has complied with all ordinances. Meeting was opened to questions and concerns from the audience. Scott Wallace presented letters of denial from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other government agencies. Areas of concern were: .17 acres of fill, 2 lots directly on the floodplain, lots in the Conservancy Area where wildlife and humans are "thrown" together. He would support a 5 lot subdivision that would not impact on the wetland, floodplain or Conservancy Area. Gcrard Wersal voiced concern that the Developer didn't have approval from the Corps of Engineers. The Developer has done a lot of filling already and the City hasn't done anything about it. If the water level is raised 6 inches, it will go onto his property. There's also the safety issue with traffic. Creekwood Park has only 6 - 8 parking spaces, Cars park on Sunnybrook Road when these spaces fill. They may end up parking in the Cu-de-sac. Dick Johnson thinks the Developer's offer of outlot A to the City for concessions was a bad trade. Lambert indicated that no concessions were made due to the offer to give the City ownership of Outlot A. Lovcnc Russell's concern was with loss of wetlands. The City shouldn't allow any more wetlands to be filled unless necessary. What will happen to the mitigation area by her house? She thinks her gardens will flood if the Developer is permitted to go ahead with his proposed plan. C 3 Ray Smith said the developer doesn't take care of his property now. How will he take care of the developed property. The Developer has little concern for his neighbors. Lambert indicated that the City wasn't going through with the plan for the new parking lot at Creekwood Park since no organized teams would play at Creekwood Park after Miller Park is opened. Majority of the people would walk to their neighborhood park and 8 -9 parking spaces would be enough to accommodate the park traffic. Hilgeman voiced concern with building lots 3, 4 and 5 across the Conservancy Area which is a "no build zone", and the Developer's gift of Outlot A is useless to the City. Lambert stated that the City doesn't look at the donation of Outlot A as a concession to approve anything we wouldn't otherwise allow. It is beneficial and desirable for the City to own Outlot A. Hilgeman said the City loses its credibility when we attempt to approve a 1.95 million dollar Natural Resources Referendum and then recommend approval of habitat loss. This is the worst development proposal she has seen in 2 years. Lambert further stated that Purgatory Creek is a study and can't be used as a reason to deny property development. The Conservancy line isn't a "no build zone" by ordinance. Commission members closing comments were as follows: Hilgeman would deny approval for the Developer to build; Koenig said she was uncomfortable with a development this close to a floodplain and .4 acres of wetland fill, she'd vote "no". Kube-Harderwijk indicated the pond and creek level seemed to be the same. NURP ponds aren't normally allowed within a floodplain; Brown asked if Developer agreed to build 5 homes, would they be more expensive homes so that he would come out financially the same as if he were building 7 homes. Lambert responded that the Commission must limit its rationale to natural resource issues. Popovich Lynch was concerned with the integrity of the developer and his unwillingness to work with neighbors or correct the existing illegal fill. MOTION: Moved by Kubc-Harderwijk, seconded by Brown to deny the Developer's request because: 1. NURP pond is within the floodplain. 2. Filling of wetland and 3. Concerns about further encroachment based on past performance of property owner. Motion passed 7 - 0. I VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Nonc r VII. NEW BUSINESS A, Ghee Order#2 HVAC System Community Center_Swimmina Pool - Lambert said the refrigeration valve has already been installed. He made the decision in December 1993 to go ahead with the installation based in the fact that if refrigeration was shut down for more than 2 or 3 days, ice would be lost on both rinks. With ice rental at $200 per hour(both rinks),they couldn't take the chance of losing ice for more than a few hours. The new ventilation isn't working satisfactorily yet. The contractor has been asked to correct the problem. MOTION: Moved by Brown, seconded by Hilgeman to approve the addition of the refrigeration valve to the heat recovery exchangers. Motion passed 7 - 0. B. Rgpl mgnnt of Pat Richards on the Lawn Chemical Regulation Committee - Kube-Harderwijk wondered if Pat Richards should be replaced on this committee. Koenig volunteered to take his place. MOTION: Moved by Hilgeman, seconded by Popovich to have Vicki Koenig replace Pat Richards on the Lawn Chemical Regulations Committee. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully submitted, Bev Draves Recording Secretary l 5 ,`