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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 12/18/1995 . r _ r 7, 1� of y�K'< r q .4�.i���1EF i A)y. r� iriZr ,�SiJ �A M+.cklt M'+d"ti"."�'r�NrfFf 4 v' 1995 DECEMBER 18 MINUTES OF EDEN 1�l�:AIRICITY j ' r y.._ ... _• .:, ..:�.as f.: �._. . ,•.. .,... ,�.. ..... .........�.... ._..,�I,CBS,..«_._ .,..Yrk's.,..,as i.n..frc.>>rr A. ,.r,n.«o..w. ,. ....�,. PRNRC - Agenda Monday, December 18, 1995 Page 2 VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. RRe=ts of Director of Parks,_Recreation and Facilities 1. DQartment Staff Award Winners IX. ADJOURNMENT v y a ParkAS/Bob r \ 2 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1995 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8C80 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgeman, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson, Vicki Koenig, David Kracum, Joanne Kube-Harderwijk STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer, Emily Hanka COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Stuart Fox, City Forester, Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services, Elyce Kastigar, Community Center Manager, Darrell Darnell, Ice Facility Manager, and Barbara Anderson, City Recorder I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Hilgeman. Commissioner Kracum and Student Representative Hanka were excused. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA :MOTION: Moved by Brown, seconded by Koenig, to approve the Agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. M. APPROVAL. OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 20, 1995 Chair Hilgeman noted a minor correction on page 1. MOTION: Hilgeman moved, seconded by Koenig, to approve the Minutes of the November 20, 1995 Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission as corrected. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioners Kube-Harderwijk and Bowman abstained. IV. PETITIONS,BEQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Petition for Mini-Rink at Franlo Park Fox reviewed the proposal for a mini-rink to be located at Franlo Park. Ted Deutcher, 10342 Bluff Road, stated they are requesting this mini rink facility because the closest facility, which is located at Dred-Scott Park is extremely busy and congested, and this will provide a place for the kids in their neighborhood to skate safely. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 Page 2 Brown inquired how many people in the neighborhood used the Dred-Scott rink, and Deutcher responded he did not know. Koenig inquired how far away the Dred-Scott arena was located and Deutcher responded that it was about 3/4 mile. Brown expressed concern regarding the costs of flooding the mini-rink, and Lambert noted that these were not excessive. If the rink is not used by the neighborhood residents, they would recommend it not be flooded next year. Brown commented that if this rink's success was doubtful why were they flooding this year and Fox responded that usage the first year is high, but when people discover there are no lights or warming houses, the usage decreases. Hilgeman commented that people tend to not leave their kids where there is no place to warm up. It has been the policy of the Commission to approve these mini- rinks if there is no facility within one mile of those residents requesting the rink. She did not see this instance as any different than others they have approved in the past, and since the residents had submitted the petition and formally made the request, she supported creating the mini rink for at least this year. She inquired if the mini rink would damage the parking lot area and Fox responded negatively, noting there had been a rink at Round Lake Park for the last several years and that parking lot had sustained no damage from that use. Hilgeman inquired how they would determine the usage of the mini rink, and Fox responded that before the City crews flood the ice, it is swept, and the amount of shavings that are swept up tell them how much use the rink has had. If there is nothing to sweep up, the rink has been virtually unused; if there is a lot, it's been heavily used. Bowman expressed concern about the costs of flooding the mini rink and Fox commented that it would run about $1500. Discussion ensued regarding the success and failure rates of these neighborhood rinks, and Lambert commented that it should not be discounted as this could be an instance where a neighborhood rink does very well and provides a needed recreational area for the residents. Bowman commented he did not support using funds for this purpose when money was so limited and the probability of success was so low. He felt that they needed to make some tough choices about where to spend their dollars. Koenig inquired if Dred-Scott had lights and a warming house and Deutcher responded that it did. Brown inquired if there was room in Nesbitt Park and Homeward Hills Park for these neighborhood residents to use those facilities and Lambert responded affirmatively, but noted that these parks were more than one mile from this neighborhood. Hilgeman commented that one reason they had decided not to purchase the Klein- Peterson property was so they would have more money to spend on the neighborhood parks. She believed the rink would encourage more use of the park. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 Page 3 MOTION: Kube-Harderwijk moved,seconded by Hilgeman to recommend approval of the request for a Mini Rink at Franlo lark based on the 12/13/95 Staff Report. Motion carried 5-1. Brown stated he did not support construction of the rink when there were other facilities located within a mile or two that the residents could utilize and the City budget was so tight. i V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Columbine Townhouses " Dean Olson, BRW Olness, Inc., reviewed the proposal and stated that the three significant trees on the site will be protected during construction. He described the screening and buffering on the site and reviewed and the types of trees that will be f planted. Hilgeman inquired how large the play area was and Olson responded it I s was approximately 40' X 40' and it will have a play structure in it. He reviewed the floor plans for the units, and noted that two units are proposed as handicapped units, which means that the bedrooms will be located on the first floor. He described the exterior finish of the buildings which will have brick at the entries and utilize aluminum siding. Hilgeman inquired about the landscape plan and what types of trees were in the undeveloped wooded area. Fox responded that it was a visual barrier which serves as a transitional area, but does not contain real quality trees. Olson stated that they have adhered to City requirements and standards in their landscape plan. He noted that this project will be rental housing and all 32 units will be credited toward the City's affordable housing, particularly the three and four bedroom units will be particularly helpful. He stated the project would be funded with tax increment financing revenues but noted that the City's Portion of the costs had yet to be determined, and Community Development Block Grant funds. Koenig inquired what type of play structure would be in the play area and who would be responsible for its maintenance. Olson responded that was not yet determined, but there will be some type of agreement within the development to maintain it. Hilgeman inquired who would be liable if someone were injured in the play area and Lambert responded that the City would have no liability as it was private property. Kube-Harderwijk inquired what would happen to the adjacent parcels and Olson responded that this project may expand in the future, but they do not control those parcels at this time. One piece is owned by an adjacent property owner and the other is owned by MnDOT as nearly as they can determine. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 �. Page 4 Fox reviewed the staff report and noted that there are only three trees on the site to be preserved. Staff recommended that a 3 foot flat area be constructed adjacent to the NURP pond for safety since the sidewalk is so close to the pond, and the developer has agreed to do this. Bowman inquired if a 3 foot area was adequate space for a safety zone and Fox responded that staff was requesting one more foot than the required 2 foot area. Bowman commented he was very concerned that there is no barrier between the sidewalk and the NURP pond as some toddler could easily fall in and drown. Lambert stated that there were many similar ponds in Eden Prairie and no one has ever drowned in one. Given the fact that the slope was not steep, and there was ,- a total of eight feet before the slope began, he did not believe it posed any greater threat to residents than other places in the City where ponds are located in close prop=!,,y to trails. Hilgeman commented that perhaps this was an issue that the Commission should consider at another time, as safety was a concern to everyone, and requested that staff place it on a future agenda for discussion. Brown inquired if it developed that the City's share of the costs of the project were too great, would the Council be able to turn the project down, and Lambert responded that they would have that option. MOTION:Koenig moved,seconded by Kube-Harderwijk, to recommend approval of the Columbine Townhome project as per the Staff Report dated 12/08/95. Motion carried unanimously. B. Eden Prairie High School Expansion Lynette Polare and Steve Thompson were present representing Cunningham Architects and the School District. Polare reviewed the project and stated that Phase I would commence in the summer of 1996 and be completed by the summer of 1997. Phase II was scheduled to commence in the summer of 1997 and be completed by the summer of 1998. They have been working with the City to have a signal installed at the proposed intersection of the new access road and County Road 4. There will be some modifications to the existing parking lot and ingress and egress lanes. They are leaving the two existing soccer fields in the northeast corner of the site intact, except they will be shortened by thirty feet. They are adding two more fields on the south side of the site, south of the new access road, which will be of competition size. She reviewed the other athletic facilities and discussed the NURP pond on the site which will be expanded to accommodate the added runoff and compensate for the additional hard surface coverage on the site. The school is locating science labs on the south side of the building to take advantage of the pond and modifying the curriculum to utilize this area. more fully. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION &NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 Page 5 Hilgeman inquired about the landscape plan, as it did not give the species of trees and plantings that will be used and Polare responded that the: are still in the process of developing the plans, but they will meet City requirements. They intend to reuse existing plant materials which will be transplanted temporarily, and replanted once construction is complete. They plan to use indigenous species as much as possible to complement the existing vegetation and ensure a good survival of materials. Hilgeman inquired about the impact the landscaping may have on the athletic fields, and Polare responded that they have attempted to remain as flexible as possible to assure a feasible plan that will meet City requirements but not interfere with the functions of the site. Bowman expressed concern regarding the parking at the high school as it has continually increased over the past years. Polare responded that they have increased the student parking as well as the staff parking but they have a fully- developed site and this will have to be addressed as need arises in the future. Bowman inquired if there was adequate space on the site for future Community Center expansion and Lambert responded affirmatively. He noted they would have to rely on School District parking which would benefit the Community Center, particularly if a third ice rink is constructed. Fox reviewed the staff report and noted that the landscaping along Valley View Road would be used as landscaping for the finished project. Drainage problems on the site have been addressed with the expansion of the NURP pond along the southwestern edge of the property. There will be a connection to the main high school parking lot from the east to serve as an outflow for special events and to provide emergency vehicle access. Koenig expressed concern about the survival rate of the landscape materials being transplanted due to root loss and Polare stated the materials will be kept in a holding area and the root systems contained to prevent root loss such as would occur if they were dug up twice. They will be kept in this holding area for about three months and then planted in their final locations. Jacobson inquired is the measures that would prevent balls going into the roadway had been resolved and Fox responded that this will be the school's responsibility, and whatever mitigation measures are necessary will be taken. Jacobson inquired how long the fields would be inaccessible during the construction and Polare responded that the two soccer fields on the northeast corner would be available all the time. The two soccer fields on the south side will not be available until 1997. There will be pedestrian access to the other fields, but parking will have to be done in the Community Center lot and the high school lots and people will have to walk from there. Final details will be worked out later. Brown inquired if the projected number of students that would be attending Eden EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 Page 6 Prairie High School over the next five years was accurate, and if so, was there any means of acquiring more student parking area. Polare responded that there was no space left for additional parking except using the area allocated for athletic fields. Steve Thompson stated that student parking at the high school will never be done on a 1:1 ratio as not all students will be driving to school. Alternatives will be implemented, such as more bussing, car-pooling, etc. They don't feel that they need a contingency plan as they have looked at the site and feel that it is the best plan possible given the area they have to work with at this time. Bowman commented he was concerned about the cost of fencing if it was needed and he would like to see the school district pay the costs. Lambert stated that they will see what sort of problems develop and decide what measures to take at that time. They may have to construct a fence as high as twelve feet for part of the length. The City and the school district have been partners in this development and they will share any appropriate costs that may occur down the road. MOTION: Jacobson moved, seconded by Hilgeman to recommend approval of the Eden Prairie High School expansion as per the Staff Report dated 12/12/95. `- Motion carried unanimously. C. Sunnybrook Woods Steven Kroiss and Beth Andrews were present as proponents of the development. Fox reviewed the staff report and noted that they found fourteen basswood trees with basal rot which were not counted against the developer, and as a result 228 caliper inches were removed from the initial report. The NURP pond as proposed would handle some overland drainage from adjacent properties as well as from this development. Koenig inquired what Outlot A was and Fox responded it was a strip of land along the exit road which lies between the existing single family residential properties to the east and it will be planted with evergreens for screening. Andrews described the trees which would be lost and what they would be replaced with, and noted they are close to replacing exactly what they will be taking out. Hilgeman stated she did not consider distressed trees as being deducted because they are not significant trees by definition in the ordinance. She was very concerned about the number of trees that were being lost due to grading and construction with this development. She inquired what the visual impact would be for this development and Fox responded that it would not be any more than in the Big Woods development. Hilgeman inquire-+ if the project were reduced one lot if that would decrease the amount of tree loss and Fox responded that it could be done but would not save that many more trees. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL.RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 �l Page 7 Koenig inquired why the NURP pond was so much larger than needed for this project and Andrews responded that they are being required to handle storm water runoff from the property to the north. They have reduced the amount of tree loss by making the northerly lots larger in size. They have had adjacent homeowners request that they clean up the woods and remove the diseased trees and their healthy trees are becoming diseased from this area. Bowman commented that he would like to see a plan that fell within the guidelines in the ordinance, as he thought the tree loss was too extensive. Brown commented that he had walked the site and saw a few trees that were tagged but none of them were in the woods. He asked if the foresters report from the developers had been verified by staff, and Fox responded that he had spot checked the site with the report and found it to be accurate. Brown commented that if the City has held other developers accountable for tree preservation then this developer should be held accountable also and be required to adhere to the standards. Fox stated that there are other projects that have had tree loss as high as 65% and this is not the only development to fall into that range. Hilgeman stated that it was a matter of personal perception and she believed that this amount of tree loss would create a huge visual impact from adjacent properties. Koenig asked about the conservation easement and Fox responded that it would be the same as that in the Big Woods development. Koenig inquired how many more projects with extensive tree loss would they see in the future, and Fox responded that many more because as assessments were levied for improvements many landowners were selling their land to be developed to cover those costs. Lambert stated that reduction of the lots was possible but he doubted it was economically feasible for the developers to do this. If all the property owners in the area got together and created a large development they could make better use of the land and save more trees, but property owners cannot be dictated to as to how or when their land is developed. He commented that large developments may be better from a tree loss standpoint, but it may not be the best timing for the property owner. Every property owner has the right to develop their property, and staff has worked with this property owner for over a month and is supportive of the proposed plans. The lots in the woods are a half acre in size. Expecting them to eliminate another lot may not be reasonable. MOTION: Brown moved, Kube-Harderwijk seconded to recommend approval of the Sunnybrook Woods development as per the staff report dated 12/8/95 and the supplemental staff report dated 12/12/95, with the request that the applicants ( consider planting more trees than they are required to by the ordinance. Motion carried 4-2. Commissioners Bowman and Hilgeman voted no. VI. OLD RXIS N SS EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 Page 8 A. None. VH. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommended Cash Park Fees for 1996 Lambert briefly reviewed the recommended Cash Park Fees for 1996. MOTION: Hilgeman moved, Kube-Harderwijk seconded, to approve the recommended Cash Park Fees for 1996 as per the staff report dated 12/15/95. ' Motion carried unanimously. B. Recreation and Facility Use Flees ' Lambert introduced Daryle Darnell, Ice Arena & Concession Coordinator, Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services, and Elyce Kastigar, Community Center Manager. y Jeanne Daley, President of the Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club, reviewed the a history of the club. She stated that they were at a critical point in their development as a competitive club, and discussed the ice contracts that they hold j with the City each year. She explained how they have lost members to other clubs I because of the lack of ice time and the want to reach a point where they buy sufficient ice time to qualify for a reduction in the fees. They have plans for fundraisers, but any increases in costs at this time will cause them undue hardships because they were not expecting an increase in the fees. She proposed that the increase not take effect until April 1, 1996 which is when their contract expires. She indicated that they could not handle the increase in costs now and they need to have a price they can count on during the length of their contracts. Lambert explained that the dasher boards on the hockey rink need to be replaced j and this will cost $90,000. The ice arena rates are low for the area and the rates have been raised $2.50 per hour per year on January 1st of each year. They concluded that if the rate was raised $5.00 per hour of ice time and the additional funds applied to the costs of replacing the dasher boards, it will still take nine years to pay it off. The City Council authorized the$90,000 bid and it will be done next May. This has been proposed for some time and it should not have come as a surprise to those organizations that utilize the facilities. He concurred that the organizations should have contracts with the City, and this will be done beginning on January 1, 1996, which will guarantee ice rates for certain specific periods of time. He indicated he would survey other cities to determine what rates are given u to large users of ice time. He noted that they have to be competitive in their non- prime time rates as well as their prime time rates, and he noted that Eden Prairie had been undercharging for non-prime ice time. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 Page 9 Hilgeman inquired about deferring the increase until April 1st and Lambert responded that the rates had always been increased $2.50/hour on January 1st, and the City should continue that increase on January 1st; however, the other increases could be delayed until April 1st. The Commission could decide to defer the increase but if they did that, they would have to do it for all ice users, not just the Figure Skating Club. Brown inquired when the Figure Skating Club had last raised it's membership fees and Daley responded that it had been several years since they had changed. Brown inquired when they were going to charge different rates for non-residents and Helling responded that they were implementing a new computer registration system, and it had not yet been determined if it would handle non-resident registrations. Discussion ensued regarding the use of meeting rooms in the Community Center and whether they should be charged for. Non-profit groups located in Eden Prairie may use these rooms for no charge, but lock-ins are charged for at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Kube-Harderwijk stated she was extremely opposed to a park user fee, and Lambert stated that staff concurred with that, but felt they had to look at all the options available. MOTION: Hilgeman moved, Kube-Harderwijk seconded, to approve the Recreation and Facility Use Fees as proposed by staff with the following exceptions: 1. Request staff to study competitive prices for larger users of ice time and make recommendations regarding those prices to the Commission. 2. Raise fee increase for ice use to $2.50/hour on ice time from 1/1/96 to 3/31/96, and then it will increase to $115.00/hour for prime time, with rates for non prime time being $85 - $95 per hour. 3. Contracts shall be issued with users of facilities for ice time rates. Motion carried unanimously. C. Joint Powers Agreement for Oak Point Pool Lambert reviewed the staff report and noted that there would be costs incurred that were not reflected in the agreement, but the City would pay those costs incurred by things that were needed by the community and the school would pay for those costs determined to be theirs. EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION December 18, 1995 �. Page 10 MOTION:Kube-Harderwijk moved,Brown seconded,to recommend approval of the Joint Powers Agreement for the Oak Point Pool as per the staff report dated 12/12/95.° Motion carried unanimously. VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities l r.1 1. Department Staff Award Winners Lambert stated that awards were being presented by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association to three staff members at the City Council meeting on December 19, 1995. Those receiving awards are Elyce Kastigar, Community Center Manager, Tria Mann, Recreation Supervisor, and Laurie Helling, Manager of Recreation Services. IX. ADJQURNMFNT MOTION:Jacobson moved, Hilgeman seconded, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. i I a i w ` {.ti AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 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, Emily Hanka 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 F MINUTES - NOVEMBER 20 1995 IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Petition for Mini Rink at Franlo Park V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Columbine Townhouses B. Eden Prairie High School Expansion C. Sun ,ybrook Woods VI. OLD BUSINESS A. None B. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommended Cash Park Fees for 1996 B. Recreation and Facility Use Fees C. Joint Powers Agreement for Oak Point Poo