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Parks and Recreation - 08/19/1996 a 1996 August 19 MINUTES Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE i AGENDA PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,AUGUST 19, 1996 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER ! 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire liilgeman, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown, Don Jacobson,Vicki Kocning, David Kracum,John Wilson STUDENT MEMBER: Mark Bremer i 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 If. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-AUGUST s 1996 IV. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS x V. DFVELOPM .NT PROPOSAI• 3 A. Riley Creek Ridge-Recalculated Tree Loss Information t B. Reality Interactive ' C. St. Andrew's Bluff VI, OLD BUSINESS A. Duck I.akc Surf,cc Manaecment Ordinance VI1. NEW BUSINESS ' I A. Draft Guideline~forCity/School Use of Facilities VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS ANn S A F A. Report of Director of Parks.Recreation and F ie'litics I. 1996 Natural&Scenic rant Application Update IX. ADJOURNMENT i APPROVED MINUTES i EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MONDAY,AUGUST 19,1996 7:00 P.M.CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8030 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Claire Hilgcman, Chair; Bruce Bowman, Richard Brown,Don Jacobson,Vicki Koenig,David Kracam, John Wilson STUDENT MEMBERS: Mark Bremer,Emily Hanka COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A.Lambert,Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities; Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources; Elinda Bahlcy, Recording Secretary 1. ROLL CALL. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Bowman. Commissioners Hilgcman,Kracum,and Wilson were excused. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA t MOTION: Koenig moved, sccondcd by Brown, to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 4-0. 3 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-AUGUST 5 1996 { Koenig noted on page 2,last paragraph,the fifth sentence should read...Staff wants to make sure both drivers and trail users can sec each other. Page 4,third paragraph, the Fourth sentence should read... Fox noted the project is 100 feet away from the center of the creek. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Koenig, to approve the Minutcs of the August 5, 1996 Eden Prairie Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission as amended. Motion carried 3-0-1 with one abstention by Commissioner Bowman. IV. PJ;11TIONS,REQUESTS AND COMM IN1 .ATIONS None. Approved Minutes ' Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 V. DEVF1..OPMF,NT PROPOSAI A. RUR! Creek Ridge-Recalculateri Tree Loss Information Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated August 15, 1996,from Stuart A. Fox, Manager of Parks and Natural Resources;a memo dated July 26, 1996, from Steven Kunde, Forester;and a letter dated July 30, 1996,from Randall C.Hedlund,Planning Engineer. Fox indicated this item is returned to the Commission only for the discussion of the tree loss which at the time of the original calculation was around 52 percent. Staff had made assumptions in their calculations primarily because there was not a consulting forester to give specific information regarding the shelter belt planting adjacent to one of the homesteads within this development. Beth Simenstad, representing Hustad Land Company, reviewed the recalculated tree loss. The shelter belt area is located in the southwest comer of the project. The forester went through the site,reviewed it,and provided a more accurate tree loss based on the health of the trees. The tree loss is 28 percent with 982 diameter inches lost due to grading. Tree replacement as required by City ordinance is 366 caliper inches. i The developer reviewed the landscape plan and noted there arc several trees along County Road 1 on a berm,and it's a mixture of conifers and deciduous f trees. All of the streets in the first and second phase are lined with boulevard trees and deciduous trees. There arc deciduous and conifer trees at the f entrance to the subdivision. Lambert noted that the City Council already reviewed this proposal and decided not to connect Valley Road or Hilltop Road to this subdivision. Therefore, there will be some revisions to the plan to accommodate the neighbor's recommendations. There will be two connections changed on the + final plans. i B. Reality Interactive Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated August 15, 1996.from Stuart A. Fox,Manager of Parks and Natural Resources;and a Staff Report dated August 9, 1996, from Scott A.Kipp,Senior Planner. 2 1 Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 Keith Holstad, principle of Oppidan Investment Company,noted they are developing a 40,000 square foot office/warehouse building on what is now part of the Edenvale subdivision. From the natural resources point, they have met Staffs requirements. The significant issue is the relocation of the trail that connects Equitable Drive down to the Purgatory Creek Trail which goes across from the parcel they are acquiring from Equitable. It was a matter of convenience that this trail went across this particular parcel in 1982 when the PUD was approved, Now the City has pointed out where the trail was supposed to be located. Greg( )representing Westwood Engineering Service,commented they are not in a position to dictate to Equitablc what needs to happen,and Reality Interactive can not be held responsible for the trail not being relocated. Brown noted a correction on page 2 of the memo where it states,Staff would recommend that Equitable Life assist the City...,change Equitable Life to Oppidan. Fox reviewed the Staff Report with the Commission. There is no tree loss on this site that meets the criteria of significant trees as defined by City ordinance. There are some scattered trees on the site but they don't meet the 12 inch caliber size. There are a number of significant trees down by the creek but they are in the scenic conservation area and are untouchable. They are required by the landscaping ordinance to put in trees based on the size of the building. The plan is for 143 caliber inches which does exceed the ordinance. There is a mixture of deciduous and coniferous material and the majority of it will be located along the northerly boundary at the intersection of Equitable and Anagram. This is to screen the parking lot. The developer is proposing to bench a NURP pond in on the hillside to pretreat storm water prior to its discharge into Purgatory Creek. This NURP pond is subject to review by the Engineering Department for the appropriate size and proper discharge rate into Purgatory Creek. The project would be subject to review of the grading plans by the Watershed District and must comply with all City and Watershed District requirements. At the time when Edcnvalc 9th was platted,the soft surface trail was put in along Purgatory Creek.This trail was built on a piece of property that was covered by a scenic conservation casement. This trail connection was a 3 {i t Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 matter of convenience because it was an easy place to construct the trail. It wasn't until Staff looked at the proposed plan that they found out it was supposed to be in another location. Staffs concern was that if the trail does not get relocated simultaneously to the development of this project it may never get put back. The other concern is that it may take so long people will trespass on the property or forget that the trail is down below and start trespassing other places to get down there. Staff recommended that the developer assist the City in discussions with Equitable Life to make sure that the trail is relocated as per the original I agreement prior to building occupancy. Lambert commented that Equitable Life is the com?any that made the commitment to put the trail in and paid for the original development of that trail connection. It is their responsibility to make the connection as per their agreement. One of the conditions of the development should be that construction of that trail be somewhere on remaining Equitable land, preferably in the location it was originally approved. Staff will listed if they want to suggest a better location. Staff wants a trail casement where the trail �. is going to be located and constructed prior to building occupancy. Bowman expressed concern about the justification of approving a waiver for a parking lot setback of 25 feet. Greg ( ) commented this was a recommendation from Staff to minimize the impact on the bluffs. They would still be able to provide appropriate screening. Koenig was concerned about the grading in the conservation casement. Greg ()reviewed the grading on the plans. He noted they will not be grading in the conservation casement at all,but will be coming close to it at times. Jacobson expressed concern about the trail coming close to the creek. Fox indicated this does come close to the creek. The City mows it about once or twice a season just to brush it back from all the edges. t MOTION: Brown moved,seconded by Koenig,to recommend approval of the project subject to the condition that the soft surface trail be relocated by j Equitable Life to a site suitable for pedestrian traffic to the existing soft surface trail along Purgatory Creek. Motion carried 4-0. 4 1 i G Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 C. St.Andrew's Rluff Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated August 15, 1996,from Stuart A. Fox,Manager of Parks and Natural Resources;and a Staff Report dated August 9, 1996,from Michael D. Franzen,City Planner. Jim Jasper of Jasper Homes, indicated they are proposing a 10 unit townhome development along Baker Road and St.Andrew Drive. The site has a fairly steep slope. They have negotiated with the owners of Edendalc Apartments to do some grading on their site to case the change in grade. This also allows them the opportunity to gain some fill which they are going to need. A three tier retaining wall was proposed along a portion of the wetland area. Each tier is five feet tall, and will be constructed of modular masonry material.Landscaping will be added to soften the view. The rest of the site is heavily landscaped providing berming and intense screening along Baker Road. The interior of the project will include the planting of quite a few deciduous trees and significant landscaping for each unit. The price of the townhomes is going to be around$230,000 to$250,000 per unit. Fox reviewed the staff report with the Commission. He noted there are a few scattered clm,willow,and box elder trees,but none of them are considered significant by definition of City ordinance. However, there is delineated wetland and the project does not touch any of that delineated wetland area. Since there is no tree loss,there is no mitigation. They arc required,since this is multi-family,to have a landscaping plan and the plan does meet City code requirements. The landscaping plan shows some ornamentals in the tiered walls coming off the wetland. Staff recommended to use some native plants such as nanny berry, gray dogwood, arrowwood, red twig dogwood, service berry, and '. elder. This would be more transitional in bringing the plant material from , that wetland up toward these homes. This is only a staff suggestion. Drainage from the site will be channeled to a NURP pond in the southeasterly corner. This pond is being evaluated by the Engineering Department for property size and design criteria. Following sedimentation the water would be discharged into the proper wetland directly to the north of the NURP pond. 5 i Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 Staff recommended any curb cuts be made for the driveways be done in such a manner not to disrupt pedestrian or bicycle traffic. Staff recommended that a scenic conservation casement be placed over the property that is proposed to be ungraded and also delineated wetland. The reason for this is to make sure that no vegetation is cut to provide better views of the wetland areas to the cast of this project by the townhouse association. i This project was reviewed by the Planning Commission at the August 12, 1996 meeting and was approved on a 6-0 vote. Bowman was concerned about the access in and out of these units. Jasper reviewed the access on the map. Bowman asked if all the units are at about the same level. Jasper replied they arc. When grading is finished the site will appear to be flat until you get to the back of units 1-6,and it will start sloping down to the retaining walls. Koenig inquired about the grade change between units 1-6 and the wetlands once the development is complete. Jasper replied it's going to slope down to the top of the first retaining wall and then there will be 15 feet of that grade made up between the top of the retaining wall and the bottom of the last retaining wall. There will then be some slope down to the wetland. Kocning was concerned about where the fill will be coming from because they need it lot of it. Jasper noted some will be imported as well as a significant amount from Edcndale. MOTION: Jacobson moved,seconded by Brown,to accept the Staff Report dated August 15, 1996 and establish that there must be a scenic conservation casement placed over the property. Motion carried 3-1 with the nay vote by Commissioner Koenig. , a V1. OLD BUSINESS A. Duck Lake Surface Management Ordinance Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated August 13. 1996, from Robert A. Lambert, Director of Parks,Recreation and Facilities. Lambert indicated several months ago the Parks Commission and the City Council reviewed a recommendation to change City ordinance section 9.67 41 6 � 1 Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 that would prohibit motor use on Duck Lake. There can not be a second reading until the Commission and the Department of Natural Resources reviews that ordinance. Lambert met with the DNR on the site to talk about the "carry on" boat access. The Fisheries Department is especially apprehensive about adding another lake and committing to managing it. They want everyone to know right up front that they are understaffed and will not be able to give intense management at all. The City has to provide parking for four automobiles including one handicapped stall. A handicapped accessible path from the parking lot to the boat access, and any site for a possible future fishing pier, has to be constructed. A secure bicycle rack has to be installed. There are no guarantees that the fishing pier program will continue. There are many cities on the waiting list for fishing piers at this time and the City must simply get in line with their application. There is also an application out for an aeration system. �.. Staff will attempt to make the necessary improvements for an access to Duck Lake during 1996,although this project may not be completed until 1997. Staff recommends approval of the second reading where it will then go to the City Council for review. j Bowman was concerned that this is just a cop out for the DNR. Lambert noted that the DNR has been getting cut on funds and Staff for about the last 10 years and would not call it a cop out. They're doing all that they can do. MOTION: Brown moved,seconded by Jacobson,to accept the Duck Lake Surface Management Ordinance Second Reading. Motion carried 4-0. V11. NEW BUSINESS y A. Draft Guidelines for Ciiy/School Use of Facilities i Staff referred the Commission to a memo dated August 12, 1996, from Robert A. Lambert.Director of Parks.Recreation and Facilities. Lambert indicated that last year the City Council requested Staff to submit a report on what the City charges the school for use of facilities, and what 7 i� Approved Minutes Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 I the school charges the City for use of facilities. They wanted to also know how that compares to other cities. The City only charges the School District for use of their facilities if there are direct costs to the City involved. The City needs a guideline which outlines their philosophical position. As a result of the discussions between the City and school staff regarding use of facilities, as well as continuing to attempt to eliminate duplication of services, the school staff and City staff have proposed a draft entitled, "Guidelines for City/School Use of Facilities. Staff recommended that both the School Board and the City Council approve this draft of guidelines and form a Joint Facilities Advisory Committee made up of three members appointed by the City Council and three members appointed by the School Board. They recommended one City Council member,one Parks Commission member,one Arts Commission member, one School Board member, and two Community Education Advisory Council members. Two additional citizens could also be appointed if the Council and School Board so desire. The main purpose of the committee would be to review operational guidelines and policies,review semiannual financial charges, and address other questions that would be of mutual concern. This committee may have to meet on a monthly basis for the first year of operation, however, Staff believes that after the first year this committee would normally meet four times a year or on call if needed more than four regular meetings. i Bowman expressed concern about going into this depth of analysis when it's been working well so far. Lambert believes this is a good idea and hopes it will continue to work. MOTION: Koenig moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the Draft Guideline for City/School Use of Facilities per Staff recommendation of August 12, 1996. Motion carried 4-0. Vill. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF A. Report of Director of Parks.Recreation and Facilities 1. 1996 Natural&Scenic Grant Application Update 8 I I�I 7 Approved Minutes Parks,Recreation and Natural Resources Commission August 19,1996 Staff indicated this is an FYI item. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Jacobson moved, seconded by Bowman, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. t i t r I 9