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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 08/07/1995 .. .. .. ...v_..8?�..:f1�.t.waY�,.ibluk•xnnaa:va�ci+r 1995 AUGUST 7 MIN- UTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIIRJE C AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1995 7:00 P. M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgeman, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson, Vicki Koenig, David Kracum, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk STUDENT MEMBER: Mark Bremer, Brian Mustanski COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities; 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 - JULY 17, 1995 4 IV. PETITIONS. REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Petition from Ruby Wolfe and Ardith Erickson for Bike Trail V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Laukka-Jarvis. Inc. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Prioritizing Projects and Review of Updated Five Year CIP (continued from July 17. 1995) VII. NEW BUSINESS A. None VIII. REPORT'S OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Manager of Recreation Services ` 1 r ti: 1 1. Evaluation of Current Promotional and Distribution Methods B. Reports of Community Center ORerations Sulervisor 1. Letter of Resignation - Dave Black IX. ADJOURNMENT ParkAg/Bob w ' i I i 2 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & .NATURAL RESOURCES MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1995 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Claire Hilgeman, Chair; Richard Brown, Don Jacobson, Vicki Koenig, David Kracum COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Bowman, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk 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 STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer,'Brian Mustankski I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chair, Claire Hilgeman. Absent were Bruce Bowman and Joanne Kube-Harderwijk; all other members were present. Don Jacobson left at 9:10 P.M. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Koenig moved to approve the agenda as published. Brown seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JULY 17, 1995 MOTION: Brown moved to approve the Minutes of July 17, 1995 as amended: page 9, third paragraph, fourth sentence, change box trees to boxelder. Page 10, fourth paragraph, first sentence: Brown asked for a comparison between the cost of actually planting.., it should read... in comparison to actual planting... Page 10, seventh paragraph should read... Brown asked what the price range of the homes will be. Dietrich replied that including the lot, the cost of the homes should be between $205,000 and $290,000. Page 12, the first motion should be... Motion carried 4-1-0 with opposition by Brown. Page 11, 6th paragraph, second sentence should read... He was also concerned about Rio Bravo Cantina having 50% more parking spaces than the Shoreland Ordinance. Page 11, fifth paragraph, first sentence should read... Koenig expressed concern that the parking was twice what the ordinance required. Page 13, last paragraph before the 1 motion should read... Hilgeman commented that some believe that by eliminating ( 2 or 3 years of team practice and games for kids, they won't be competitive by the time they get a little older. Jacobson seconded the motion and it passed 4-0-1 with one abstention by Kracum. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Petition from Ruby Wolfe and Ardith Erickson for Bike Trail Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated August 2, 1995, from Bob Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities. Lambert noted that the Commission reviewed a similar petition last year from this neighborhood requesting that the City consider a bike trail from Oak Ridge Road north to County Road 62. They would like to have it on the west side of County Road 4 so it will eventually connect to the existing trail on County Road 4. Staff agrees that this stretch of road is dangerous for anyone walking or biking on the shoulder. This stretch of road has been a number one priority bicycle trail for several years. The :+ Engineering Department indicated that it would cost about $35,000. The City Council has already indicated that there is no additional funding !" in the Parks' budget or any budget for 1996. Staff recommended that the �i. Commission make the recommendation to the City Council to look at the general fund reserve to see if there is any possibility for funding that particular trail section for 1996. MOTION: Hilgeman moved that the Commission accept Staffs recommendation to suggest to the City Council to consider general fund revenues for a bike trail on County Road 4 from Oak Ridge Road north to County Road 62. Brown seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Imukkalarvi , Inc. i Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated July 26, 1995, from Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources, and a Staff Report dated July 21, 1995, from Michael D. Franzen, Senior Planner. Richard Krier, of James R. Hill Incorporated, reviewed his development proposal with the Commission using visual aids. He noted that they are proposing 52 units on 43.2 acres, and 28 acres would be dedicated to the 2 i City, and another 12.5 acres will be previewed for private open space. The density is 1.27 units per acre. They have been before the Planning Commission and have been rescheduled to the Planning Commission for August 14, 1995. Hilgeman asked why there was a rescheduling from the Planning Commission. Fox indicated that there were a couple of things that needed to be worked out. There was a change in the road which resulted in the reduction of some lots. There was also an incomplete landscaping plan. Krier emphasized that the architecture is the lead in terms of creating a very unique style which would be developed for the empty nesters, the single woman, and the young professional couple. There are 5 different floor plans and 9 different elevations. All of the homes have private open space. The streets are landscaped and there are proposed sidewalks on .; both sides of the street. At the request of the Planning Commission and the City Staff, they have reduced the density to 49 homes. The 28 acres are proposed to be dedicated to the City in lieu of cash park fees. Hilgeman asked if there was any decision from the Historical Preservation regarding the burial on this property. Fox replied that the recommendation to the HCP was to have the proponent hire an architect to do more extensive digging at the site and to treat them in accordance with the statutes for burial mounds. They are proposing to do a phase 2 and phase 3 in the areas where there is suspected burial mounds. They are asking at this time for a PUD concept over the entire site, but to do further studies of those burial mounds. Then they will come back with the final proposal for that site. Krier noted that state law requires setback from possible burial mounds. They had an archeologist come out to the site and there are no visible mounds on the site. He reviewed the process of phase 2 and phase 3 with the Commission. Fox indicated that because they don't know the status of those burial mounds, Staff recommends setting aside those areas until the final report comes in. i Brown expressed concern about what the park fees would be on this kind of development, and how that amount compares to having the other property dedicated and then sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lambert replied that the existing parks fees are about $940 per lot. The 3 '1 .... !':... :�'. ... �..'^r * ,...... 1..n..!-.:r..� .......4..../,.. .., v...., •J-..i... City would be giving up about $50,000. The City would attempt to hold that land and sell it to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. They are designating that as part of their entire land that they're going to control in the floodplain. The City is not necessarily looking to make money, but they want to be reimbursed. Koenig was concerned about how much of the property that they're deeding to the City is buildable. Lambert replied that the majority of it is buildable except for the floodplain. From an engineering point of view, you can build on anything. Hilgeman expressed concern about the 50% tree loss as indicated on the charts. Fox indicated that the tree loss is about 72 trees of 153 on that site. You get 50% because they are looking at the upper portion and the lower area. The recommendation is to make sure the NURP pond is in the center of the development to handle the flood water for this particular site. The Engineering Department looked at the outlot and it's scheduled to be owned as part of the homeowners' association so the City would not have to maintain that NURP pond or that area. The recommendation was made by the Engineering Department because of the highly erodible soils in that area. The plan shows there would be sidewalks on both sides of the public streets, a public U shape street, and 5 foot sidewalks on both sides. In ` addition, Staff recommended an 8 foot bituminous trail along the northerly portion which is Riverview Road. The plan shows an extension of that trail along Riverview Road and it would take pedestrian traffic to the east from their site. Staff is pursuing the extension of a sidewalk along Mooer Lane. The developer is proposing to.deed 28 acres to be reserved as public open space and it would be done with cash park fees. The project was looked at by the Planning Commission and was continued because of the burial mounds in terms of the location. Laura Blume], residing at 105301Nest.River View Drive,noted that she represents the neighborhood surrounding the proposed development. She was concerned about what the plans are for the donated land, and what "open space" means. She doesn't understand why the City is taking over all this land when the acquisition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not been approved yet. She was concerned about plans for acquiring the adjacent properties because her property is located there. She also 4 expressed concern about the condition of the property because of the large amount of debris. She raised questions such as, what is Eden Prairie giving up, what is the value of the donated land, what's its current tax value, and what's its tax assessment. The City is also losing tax dollars. She asked what the maintenance and protection costs are. She expressed concern about the children playing in the floodplain when it's flooded, and what the City's liabilities are. She also questioned whether much of the bluff is buildable. She raised certain traffic issues as a result of the increased amount of traffic. She was concerned about the lot sizes being 6700 square feet, and the homes being only 10 feet away from one another. Hilgeman asked if she would be in favor of a higher PUD lot size like 13.5, even if it meant they would lose more acres of bluff land. Blumel replied that she doesn't have a problem with that. She noted that the citizens voted a couple of years ago to preserve certain bluff areas, and this was not one of them. Koenig asked if she would rather further building on the bluff stop, but have fewer houses spread further apart, and use the same property but at less density. Blumel agreed. She noted that there is poor transition between the neighborhood. Lambert indicated that the comment about all the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wanted in the past was a pathway is not true. He said that in the past, on other developments along the bluffs, the City has designated a 75 foot corridor right along the river to put in a trail corridor. He reviewed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife plan that has been in effect since 1982. He agrees with the statement made that all undeveloped property is not for the City to take over, but land that has been designated by the City for parks and open space is for the City to take over at the time the parcels are developed. The access for emergency personnel would be over the trail system. The trail will be designated for pedestrian and bike use, not for any motorized use. Hilgeman asked if the condition of the land was an issue. Lambert replied that the condition of the land on this property is very much like it is across the rest of the bluff. It has some parts where it's eroded. This land has been maintained very well, but there are a lot of areas along the bluff where the condition of the land is extremely eroded. Kracum expressed concern about the City's expenses. He asked if there were any significant artificial conditions on that property that the City would be obligated to remove. Lambert replied that there are none. As 5 far as timing, the City does not intend to put the trail in. They intend to - ( preserve it for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and eventually sell the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to recover lost park fees. Lambert further noted that many people oppose having public land or trail adjacent to their property. The usual concern is fear of crime. Our police records indicate there is no increase in crime in neighborhoods with trails or parks and, in fact, the property value of the adjacent homes increase due to the fact they are assured of the permanent "view" or open space. Koenig was concerned about whether they are going to have a backup system to protect the bluff. Krier showed the Commission on the map. He noted that they're changing the grading and doing some things to get the water so it will not be running off. He then reviewed the landscape plan with the Commission. Hilgeman asked what the percentage of conifers is as opposed to deciduous trees in the replacement plan. Krier replied that it's about 60% deciduous. Fox noted that they are replacing with oak, basswood and ash. Krier noted that,there are two points in the Staff recommendation that he wants to clarify. They have made an error in the proposal. It indicated sidewalks on both sides of the loop Street, and the proposal is now for one side of the street. The second point is the bituminous trail. i Lambert indicated that there is not a timing factor plan for this. It is planned for sometime in the future. He noted that he is not concerned with a sidewalk on one side of the street because that's the City's standard. He recommended they install an 8 foot trail along Riverview Road. His recommendation to the City is to extend the sidewalk along Mooer Lane. It's a matter of about 300 feet. If they make the connection, that will give a loop system for the people in the neighborhood and a pedestrian access to Homeward Hills Neighborhood Park. Koenig asked what the price range of the homes are. Larry Laukka replied between $200,000 and $250,000. MOTION: Hilgeman moved to approve this development as per the Staff recommendation with the change of sidewalks being on one side of the road, and per the Planning Commission's recommendation of Alternative One regarding the emphasis on landscaping, and that the tree replacement 6 V; �.' be of like trees that are removed such as ash, basswood and oak. Kracum seconded the motion and it passed 4-1-0 with opposition by Jacobson. Jacobson noted that he was concerned about the density and the runoff on 1 the bluff, and the deterioration of the bluff. VI. OLI] BUSINESS A. Prioritizing_Projects and Review of Updated Five Year CIP(continued from July 17, 1995) Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated July 18, 1995, from Bob Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, and a memo dated July 18, 1995, from Bob Lambert, Director of Recreation and Facilities, and a memo dated July 19, 1995, from Bob Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities. Lambert noted that Jacobson pointed out an important fact. On the last page of the estimated revenue sheet, $230,000, 1996, listed under the fund 105, it should be under the fund 39 referendum. That's the balance that's in the 1992 referendum as of April of this year. There would not be $230,000 left in 1996. They will be spending some of that in the landscaping of Riley Lake Park, although the playground and landscaping will not be done until 1996. Some of that will be used to put in the hockey rink and warming house at Miller Park. Lambert noted that this five year CIP is updated every two months, but can also change a week later. It is only a "guide" that lets the Commission know what the City is planning for the next couple of years. He explained the rationale of how Staff prioritize projects, and if the Commission feels they are not satisfactory with their rationale, he would like input from the Commission. He suggested that the laity seriously consider, over the next 5 years, completing their commitment to upgrade the existing park facilities to keep them safe. Hilgeman noted that she feels safety should be a primary concern, and was concerned about the parks that need repair. She feels that one park per year is not nearly enough. Lambert explained that many of the parks would not be considered dangerous if it weren't for the new safety guide lines. He noted that what makes Pheasant Woods Park dangerous is the fact that if a child fell they might hit concrete, not sand. The playground equipment itself is not dangerous, and these are the things that Staff is looking at. The Commission discussed with Staff their views of what should be a priority, and what they feel should not be a priority. Lambert explained the different projects. Koenig asked if the Commission can review the City survey. Lambert replied that it should be finished this month and they will get the preliminary results early in September. MOTION: Brown moved to accept the Five Year CIP as per Staffs recommendations. Koenig seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. None VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Manager of Recreation Services 1. Evaluation of Current Promotional and Distribution Methods, Lambert noted that this item is an FYI. B. Reports of Community Center Operations Supervisor 1. Letter of Registration - Dave Black Lambert noted that this item is an FYI. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Kracum moved to adjourn. Koenig seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Elinda Bahley Recording Secretary 8