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Parks and Recreation - 04/07/1986 _ 1 .- ... �.�. ��..�. ' .. •.'.- i�.:�. li-:.. .��.•......'- .• .• .. :.:. .... .. .. ��.1 •... .. 11. �.� 1 ..�^��!..� .. 1 .. .,•.}.....rR�I.i+,L�S 4M.1 l.,fa"CNL 1986 APRIL 7 r MIN- UTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AGENDA j EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ' MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1986 7:30 P.M. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - BOARD ROOM I' COMMISSION MEMBERS: Pat Breitenstein, chairperson; Raiford Baker, Moe Cook, Gary Gonyea, Karon Joyer, Brian Mikkelson, Charles Shaw COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services 7:30 I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 17, 1986 IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 7:35 MPRA Citizen - Board Members Meeting V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 7:40 A. Donnay's Round Lake 3rd Addition (continue from 3/17/86) C 8:00 B. The Ridge 8:20 C. High School Athletic Field Development 8:45 D. D. Phillippi Request for Bridges Across Purgatory Creek VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Community Services 9:00 Donation of Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club 9:05 B. City Council Meeting Report VII. OLD BUSINESS 9:10 Staring Lake Equestrian Trail VIII. NEW BUSINESS None 9:30 IX. ADJOURNMENT APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, April 7, 1986 7:30 p.m. , School Board Room COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Bud Baker, acting chairperson; Moe Cook, Gary Gonyea, Brian Mikkelson COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Pat Breitenstein, Karen Joyer, Charles Shaw COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services OTHERS PRESENT: None I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by acting chairperson, Bud Baker. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Cook moved to approve the agenda as mailed. Mikkelson secon7e-d the motion and it passed 4-0. C III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 17, 1986 MOTION• Mikkelson moved to approve the minutes as mailed. Gonyea seconded the motion and it passed 3-0. Cook abstained. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. MPRA Citizen - Board Members Meeting Lambert reported that there will be a Board and Commission Member I .. Meeting held on Tuesday, April 15 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. He asked if any of the Commission members wanted to attend the meeting. None of the Commission members are able to attend. V. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS A. Donnay's Round Lake Estates Refer to memo dated March 13, 1986 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services and staff report dated January 24, 1986. This item was continued from the March 17 meeting. Lambert introduced Mr. Mike Gair, the planner for Mr. Donnay. f i APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 -2- Mr. Gair apologized to the commission for the lack of information that was presented at the last meeting. Gair reported that LAD Properties, Inc. will be responsible for the building and marketing of homes in this development and for maintaining the homeowners association. The president of LAD is Vern Donnay and his son is vice president. The Minnetonka development consisting of 22 townhomes and eight condominiums is almost completed and LAD also has a 350 unit development in Maple Grove. Gair said the development is planned on 24 to 30 acres located 1700 feet north of Highway 5, 1/2 mile west of Round Lake, 1/4 mile off Valley View Road on the Chanhassen-Eden Prairie boundary on an L- shaped portion of land. Road access would be off Evener and Lorence Way. He showed a zoning map with present zoning shaded in orange and added that there is a rural classification south of the site. Open areas were shown in green. The developer is proposing that the area be rezoned to planned unit development. Gair showed a drawing depicting types of soil on the site which 1 C include haden loam, clay loam, hamel loam, glencoe silt and peat. There is a difference in the degree of slope ranging from 6-12% to 12-18%. There have been 15 different soil borings conducted which showed that the site is suitable for this type of development. The south area of Parcel C is on the 870 slope with the upland area being 9, 10 and higher or 401+ above the lowland. The upland area consists of pasture, overstory vegetation and glencoe type soil with a low elevation of 899. Yellow areas on the map showed the location of utilties and roadways available to the homes. Surrounding land uses include single family homes on the eastern edge with a density of 1.6 units per acre and more single family homes to the east with a density of 2.37 units per acre. On the northern boundary there are 31 cluster units with a density of 4.95 units per acre. To the northwest there are larger single family homes with a density of 1.99 units per acre. The concept plan shows single family homes to the east. There are 2, 4 and 8 unit condominiums to the north. The development proposal was begun in June of 1985 with a formal review last December. There have been many changes made in the j plan since the original presentation was made. Two buildings have been removed from the plan and retaining walls have been added to preserve more trees in the central portion of the site. In a tree inventory taken in 1983 and updated in 1985, a significant amount of thinning of trees due to disease or natural causes was shown in the central portion of the site. For this reason, the developer C plans to construct- more homes in this area. i; Gair added that Glenn Olson is the engineer for the project and Midland Nursery has the landscaping contract. APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 ..-3- Gair showed the location of the two ponding areas on the site that will be used for storm water drainage. There are 1222 caliper inches of tress required on the site and the proposed plan shows 1227 caliper inches to be added. The light green areas on the map showed trees that will be kept. Both ornamental and shade trees will be introduced as part of the landscape plan. Gair added that there will be garage entries from two different sides of the buildings and Lorence Way will be continued to the south. A totlot will be adeed along with an 8' bituminous walkway and sidewalks along the south side of Lorence and Evener to the west edge of Kilmer. There is a difference in elevation on Kilmer from 914 to 888 with an 8% slope. The engineer has determined that this will be acceptable, but a 6% slope could be accomodated. The platting plan and detailed grading plans were shown along with slides of the development in Minnetonka. In summary, Gair said that there are 85 total units proposed which includes 21 single family homes. The plan preserves a substantial amount of hills, ponding areas and vegetation. The development will have a creative appearance and there is the opportunity for larger areas of open space and a greater variety of lifestyle. The developer is proposing to dedicate ten acres to the City. CLambert referred to Page 2 of the planning staff report where it asks if this development should be a comprehensive guide plan change or a density transfer. Since ten acres are in the floodplain and are not buildable, staff feels it should be changed from low density residential to medium density residential. The planning staff viewed the proposal favorably since several unique features of the site are being preserved and the developer has a good rationale for development. He said the only question the commission has to ask is whether the developer has gone far enough in preserving these areas. Lambert said his major concern is preserving the ponds. Rod Olson distributed a list of concerns from the residents in the area. Don Uden of 7530 Atherton Way spoke in behalf of the residents. He said that he finds it evident that the developer did not consider the ponds located on the site as an ammenity. Uden said there is much wildlife near the ponds and that this development will essentially drain the ponds and the water will go into Mitchell Lake. Dick Thom of 7550 Atherton Way said that all developments in this area will be draining into Kerber Slough. This slough is a natural purifier for Mitchell Lake and the water level in the lake will be raised even more than it is now and it is already a problem. Thom recommended that a study be done before Mitchell Lake develops C problems similar to Round Lake. He feels the developer has made no attempt to preserve a natural ammenity and that the plan could be altered to preserve as much of the pond as possible. C APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 -4- Rod Olson of 7610 Heritage Road said he feels that a development of this type needs more natural ammenities. The multi-family units are already draining into the single family areas and causing more traffic and there are no sidewalks at this time. Olson feels that a study of the ponding areas would be a good idea and he is also concerned with more multi-family homes being constructed in areas where there are single family homes. Lambert said there are two issues that have been raised that should be addressed. They are the water quality and water level of Mitchell Lake. He is not aware of any study that has been done in the past and said that a study might not change the situation. Lambert said development will occur by the lake at some time and the City has standards for storm water drainage areas and sanitation ponds that have to be followed. He added that the water quality of Mitchell Lake has improved since more development has occured. Regarding the water level, the Watershed District is reviewing it at the present time. Lambert said the commission's decision should not be based on the high water level, but whether they feel the developer has gone far enough in preservation of amenities to warrant a change in the guide plan. Cook asked how much of the slough has to be removed. Gair said there are about 52,000 square feet at the present time and there will be about 17,600 square feet left. Cook asked what the density is of the west portion of the site. Gair said there are 64 units with a density of 4.25 units per acre. Cook said his opinion is that this is a tremendous amount of wet land to give up. Baker asked if there were any alternatives to the proposed plan discussed. Gair said the development has already been shifted to the north and they have added retaining walls, etc. Uden asked if Evener Way will be extended to the west. Gair said they are restricted with how far the road can go considering the hill and ponding areas. Thom asked the depth of the ponds. Gair said they range from a high of 902 to a low of 894. Olson commented that some residents who have lived in this area for many years have never seen the pond dry and feels that it must be spring fed in some way. He suggested that the commission members visit the site. Cook asked what percentage of trees will be removed. Gair said about 59%. APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr„ 7, 1986 -5- Baker asked why there is a predetermined entry point on the west side. Gair said it is because it is anticipated there will be more development to the south in the future. He added that there would be problems with sewer connections and grading of the site if it were moved. MOTION: Cook moved to recommend approval of the site plan subject to rev sing the plan to attempt to preserve the slough. The Commission also wants to note the concern over the water elevations of Mitchell Lake. Mikkelson seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. B. The Ridge Refer to staff report dated March 21, 1986. Lambert introduced Dennis Dirlam who was present at the meeting and is the proponent for the project. Dirlam reviewed the site plan which is bordered by Heritage Park and Kerber Slough. The development would consist of 17 single family lots on ten acres with a density of 1.7 units per acre. The C81 trail will be extended to Round Lake in conjunction with the Donnay development. Dirlam said that a portion of the site is at a high water level and that the land within the floodplain will be placed in an outlot and dedicated to the City. Lambert said that staff will be working closely with the developer to achieve an 8X grade on the trail. The City prefers, but does not require, that the trail and everything west of it be dedicated to the City. The trail is 21 above the flood elevation. Dirlam said that an 8% grade could cause a problem, but the developer would like the flexibility to curve to the north or south to less the impact. Cook asked if there was any vegetation on the site. Dirlam said the only vegetation is in the wetland area. Gonyea said he assumed there would be no problem with cash park fees since that is a requirement. MOTION: Cook moved to recommend approval the aff report and added that the developer cooperatewith lstaff an ronttrail development. Mikkelson seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. I f' APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 -6- C. High School Athletic Field Development Refer to memo dated April 2, 1986 and letter dated March 26, 1986 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Paul F3are of Brauer and Associates and Merle Gamm representing the school were in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Fjare reviewed the proposed development which is bounded on the east by County Road 4 and on the south and southwest by Valley View Road. He showed a site plan of the area. The proposed development includes moving Softball Field #6 from north of the Community Center to north of the fire hall and east of the existing baseball field on City property. It will also include the construction of four new soccer fields and one new baseball field along with parking lots. John Pollock of 16420 N. Hillcrest Ct. spoke on behalf of 14 residents in this area. He expressed concern with the possibility of lighting the fields in the future if the City would use them and he feels the fields should be used by the high school only. Pollock added that residents are concerned with the hours the fields would be used and also the use of alcohol and parking C problems. Another concern is with the location of the bike trail and that the fields would not be maintained in quality condition for school use. If the City shared the fields, he felt there would be additional noise and garbage for the neighbors to contend with. Residents in this area purchased their homes along a high school athletic field that he feels should not be used by the City. i Lambert said the City and school have always had the philosophy that facilites should be shared instead of each one having their own fields. He added that the City would not commit themselves to limited usage of the fields since fields of this type are in short supply. Lambert said that the needs study committee and athletic needs study committee both made the recommendation that these fields are necessary to meet the growing needs of the City and school. i When asked the age range of the soccer players using these fields, Lambert said the soccer group and soccer association members are 17 years old or younger and there are also adult soccer teams. Regarding hours of use of the fields, Lambert said games are usually played until dark. Addressing the concern of future lighting of the fields, Lambert said the school usually doesn't light their facilities except possibly for baseball. A resident living at 16400 N. Hillcrest Ct. said she is concerned with who will police the activities. Lambert said if it is used by the City, the park maintenance people clean up and the park ranger is on duty. i i APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 -7- The resident asked at what time the park closes. Lambert said the park closed at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Gamm commented on the question of alcohol consumption at the fields. He felt that since the school owns the property, there would be a different set of statutes than it if were City property. Gamm said that lighting of the facility is not planned by the school or the City at this time, but that large berming and a fence would be added on the north side of the site. Gamm also said the parking lot would not be added until the second year the park is used which will be 1987. A resident living at 16500 N. Hillcrest Ct. asked if there would be a right turn lane on Eden Road. Fjare said that in his opinion, a full intersection would not be any safer. The resident also asked if there would be a left turn lane. Fjare said there would possibly be some restriping done. C The resident asked if it was felt that the turn lanes were necessary. Lambert said that since this is a county road, the City has little to say about the matter. Lambert showed the Round Lake Park/School Plan at this time. Pollock said that he feels the City has given no consideration to the residents feelings on the issue. He asked if there would be a bike trail on the east side of County Road 4. Lambert said the City does have plans for future construction of the bike trail along the west side of County Road 4. MOTION: Cook moved to recommend approval of high school athletic Te d7evelopment per staff report adding that the City should consider assisting the School District in this project to an amount of $50,000. Mikkelson seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. I D. D. Phillippi Request for Bridges Across Purgatory Creek I Refer to motion made at March 24, 1986 Planning Commission Meeting. Lambert reviewed the motion which reads, "Motion was made by Gartner, seconded by Bye, to recommend to the City Council approval after-the-fact of the request of Mr. Wendell Phillippi for Flood Plain and Shoreland Management review for three bridges over Purgatory Creek subject to the conditions that the City not be responsible for any potential damage which may occur to these / structures because of flows in Purgatory Creek and that the i . property owner agrees that the City will be "held harmless" with respect to any liability involving injury from these structures. Further, it is recommended that the City contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding study of the erosion along Purgatory Creek." The motion carried 7-0. APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 -8- MOTION: Gonyea recommended approval of the above motion. MT Weson seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. MOTION: Gonyea moved to officially adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. since one commission member had to leave at this time. Cook seconded the motion and it passed 4-0. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS AND STAFF A. Reports of Director of Community Services 1. Donation of Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club Refer to memo dated April 4, 1986 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. This is an information item only. 2. City Council Meeting Report Lambert reported that at the March 25 meeting, the City Council approved the lighting of fields at Round Lake Park, the fencing C. of fields south of Valley View Road, the BMX races in Eden Prairie and the application of a LAWCON grant for Riley Creek. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Staring Lake Equestrian Trail Refer to memo dated April 1, 1986 from Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services. Lambert introduced Mike Sylvester, President of the Eden Prairie Horsemen. Sylvester said he feels the trails are lacking in several areas including access points to the trail, signage, trail conditions and seasonal use. Sylvester suggested that wood chips be used so the trails are not always wet. Lambert reviewed the three access points to the trail at the present time which are the senior center road access, the DNR boat launch access and the fishing pier parking lot access. The club has suggested an access at the Grill ballfield location because the other three access areas are all on the north side. This access would be on the southeast side. The only concern staff has with this access is whether or not the riders would stay on the trail or would ride on the asphalt pathway as happens in other areas. If the trail were to follow the cross country ski trails there would ; probably not be a problem. Baker asked how many members were in the club. Sylvester said there are about 55 members. Sylvester said the club would have no problem with multi-use trails since not much riding is done in the winter. C APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Apr. 7, 1986 -9- Lambert said that some portions of the trail can be realigned, but nothing can be done about other portions. Lambert suggested that a list of riding rules be distributed to all those who board their horses in Eden Prairie. Sylvester said the rules are posted at all boarding facilities. Lambert said this issue will be reviewed more formally at the next commission meeting, but he feels it makes sense to have seasonal use of the trails, perhaps from April 15 to November 15. Sylvester commented that more signs marking the trails would be helpful to riders. w Baker asked if the rest of the riding system was adequate. Sylvester said it is a good system. Cook asked if the signs will be changed as of November 15. Lambert said stickers marking ski trails will be added to the riding signs. Other ski trails are marked differently. Gonyea asked why this item was on the agenda. Lambert said because it was felt that either the City should improve the riding trails or discontinue them completely. Pat Hartell, former president of the Eden Prairie Horsemen, expressed the club's appreciation for the efforts being made by the City to improve the riding trails and that her only complaint is that the trails should be made safer. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lois Boettcher Recording Secretary E