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Parks and Recreation - 07/07/1980 1980 JULY 7 MIN- UTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE a • e AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 7, 1980 7:30 P,.M. , CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS COMMISSION MEMBERS: Richard Anderson, Chairperson; Pat Breintenstein, Robert Johnson, Gloria Pond, Dr. George Tangen, Larry VanMeter COMMISSION STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director of Community Services Approx. Time to Begin Item 7:30 I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 7:35 III. MINUTES OF JUNE 17, 1980 IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 7:40 A. Appointment of Marge Friederichs as new Commission Member V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS r A. Reports of Commissioners None B. Reports of Staff 1. Development Proposals 7:40 a. Timber Creek 8:15 2. Hidden Ponds Park Acquisition 8:20 3. Flying Cloud Ballfields 8:25 4. County Road 4 Bike Trail Progress Report 8:30 5. Appoint a Commission Member to Rules a Protest Committee VI. OLD BUSINESS 8:35 A. Review of Trails Map Master Plan Draft 9:00 B. Preliminary Review of 1981 LAWCON Rankings - Miller Park VII. NEW BUSINESS r 9:05 VIII. ADJOURNMENT i APPRO'M MINUTES (_ EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 7, 1980 7:30 P.M. , CITY HALL COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Anderson, Chairperson; Pat Breitenstein, Robert Johnson, Dr. George Tangen, Larry VanMeter COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Gloria Pond, Marge Friederiohs COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Robert Lambert, Director of Community Services OTHERS PRESENT: Dick Dahl, Eden Prairie News Jack Lynoh, BMI Architects I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. , by Chairperson, Richard Anderson. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Add: VII.A. Menards, McGlynn, GELCO - R. Anderson VII.B. Riley Lake Park - R. Anderson C� III. MINUTES OF JUNE 16 1980 The Commission decided to wait for approval of the minutes until the next meeting due to late mailing. IV. PETITIONS. REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Appointment of Marge Friederiohs as new Commission Member Lambert said that Marge Friederiohs is out of town this week and could not be present at this meeting. V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS i A. Reports of Commissioners None B. Reports of Staff 1. Development Proposal a. Timber Creek Lambert referred to Staff Memo of June 23, 1980, pointing out r` that this development is back on the agenda tonight after being I Minutes - Parks, Recreation & .approved July 7, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -2- rejected by the Commission at the June 16 meeting. Lambert indicated to the developer after the June 16 meeting, that he felt the Commissionst two major concerns were access to the northern most park and preserving the knoll to the north- west. The developer said he had already dedicated more than the 107 minimum park land established by the City ' ordinance, therefore he would only sell the knoll property. The developer did improve access to the two parks since the last meeting and has provided access to the floodplain as well. Jack Lynch (BRW) was present representing the developer and said they have been working with the City Staff for over 6 months on this proposal, so now the developer needs direction from the Commission if this proposal does not fit the needs of the Community. R. Anderson asked how this neighborhood park proposal serves the residents compared to other neighborhood parks in the City. Lambert replied better than most. He further explained that neighborhood parks serve about a I mile radius and because the - service area in this proposal is divided by a road and a creek, the parks were divided as well and service about a 4 mile radius. Lambert agreed with the neighbors present at the last meeting that the high hill northwest of the northern most part of the site is beautiful, but the only way it could be pre- served in open space rather -than be developed is if the City purchased the land. Lambert said that these sites are neighbor- hood parks that are developed for providing active park space for: the residents, and preservat'Ion of the knoll would provide very limited park use. If good active park space is not planned now, residents will demand it in the future and then there will be no land available for it. Resident Paul Choiniere commented that Birch Island Park, a community park serving residents in this area, does not have good access from the west as it is so dangerous to cross County Road 4. He also said there is no buffer planned in this development for the neighbors to the northeast of the site. Choiniere commented that the knoll on this site was included in a past bond issue and now those plans have changed. Lambert responded to Mr. Choinierefs comments as follows: Birch Island Park was included in the 1968 bond issue as a community park, however it has limited active use. Lambert said the Timber Creek parks (formerly Eden Farms East and West) were included in the 1.979 park bond issue as two parks. The C unsuccessful 1975 park bond issue included a single 20 acre park referred to as Eden Farms. Minutes — Parks, Recreation & approved July 7, 1980 Natural Resources Commission —3— c He also pointed out that the City does not provide a buffer if the lots are of similar character, as in this case residential. Resident Joe Morin asked if Round Lake Park is .within walking distance and could be considered an active use area for this development. Lambert said it is about 1 mile away which puts it outside of the neighborhood park -_�- mile radius. Breitenstein stated that she feels there is a great need for a park along Duck Lake Trail as this proposal would provide. 140TION: Breitenstein moved to recommend the Council approve the Timber Creek Development Proposal as presented this evening. Johnson seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. DISCUSSION: Resident Choiniere said that the notice of the last park bond issue was received by residents the day of the election, thus providing no opportunity to respond (he specified that this statement be put on the records). He also expressed concern that proper park provisions were not made in the past for residents to the west of this develop— ment thus why should this developer have to provide for what was not planned before. Tangen asked that the records reflect that though he was not present at the last meeting he has read the June 16 minutes carefully and stands knowledgeable in approving this proposal. Resident Morin said that the representative of the developer said, after the June 16 meeting, that he would arrange a meeting with concerned residents and he never followed through on this. R. Anderson asked that comments close as the vote has been made. He said he walked over the site personally, and feels the vote was a responsible one and that residents surrounding this development have more parks and open space as a result of this proposal than most other parts of the City. Anderson suggested that residents approach the Council (call them before the meeting) about this issue if they are dissatisfied' as the Council has the final decision on approving this proposal. 2. Hidden Ponds Park Aoqui.si-tion Lambert reported that the City completed closing on the acquisition of the Hidden Ponds Park on June 26, 1980. Providing the planning staff has sufficient time, a sketch plan for the park will be < presented at the next meeting and residents notified through the mail. V Minutes -- Parks, Recreation & approved July 7, 1980 Natural Resouroes Commission --4- C 3. Flying Cloud Ballfields Lambert reported that grading has been completed on this project and seeding will be accomplished the middle of August. Prior to seeding the City will put in the roads, parking areas, barriers and security fence. The athletic field should be ready for use in the Spring of 1981. 4. County Road 4 Bike Trail Progress Report Lambert reportedithat this project is proceeding on the revised schedule and will be completed by the end of the summer. Building berms on request of some of the property owners has slowed progress somewhat. 5. Appoint a Commission Member to Rules & Protect Committee Being that Dave Anderson is no longer on the Commission, Breitenstein volunteered to represent the Commission on the Rules and Protest Committee. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Review of Trails Map Master Plan Draft CLambert showed the Commission a map where all the trails in the City are shown as; (1) recreation trails (grass, etc.) (2) hikeway/bike- way trails completed by 1980; and (3) future trails. The Commission reviewed the map, made suggestions which Lambert noted on the map, and a master copy will now be drawn up and copies made for Commission members. B. Preliminary Review of 1981 LAVICON Rankings - Miller Park Lambert referred to Staff Idemo of July 1 , 1980, showing recommended preliminary rankings for 1981 LAWCON/LC14R grant applications by the Metro Parks and Open Space Commission and State Planning Agency. The last parcel in Miller Park for Eden Prairie is ranked 6th. Lambert said unless the President cuts LAWCON allocations, the City should get the funding. VII. NE14 BUSINESS A. Menards., IL q lynn, GELCO R. Anderson said he recently received calls from residents after Menards bulldozed oak trees on their site last week. He called the City and found out the action had been approved. He said the Planning Staff had received 5 or 6 calls as well. Anderson feels strongly that there is no reason why a developer can't leave trees and hills in tact when building a structure. He feels the City is inconsistent in its apprcval of several of these situations, giving Condon-Naegele, McGlynn and GELCO sites as other examples. Minutes — Parks, Recreation & approved July 7, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -5- Tangen agreed and pointed out that developers tend to make Phase I very nice and aesthetically desireable but then the quality of succeeding phases deteriorates. He said the first phase of Super Value is nice but perhaps subsequent phases should be watched olosely. R. Anderson turned over the chair to Tangen. MOTION: R. Anderson called to the Cityts attention that this Commission is very ooncerned about development standards of the City resulting in loss of natural amenities such as the out and fill situation, and taking out of trees and cutting the hill on the Renard property, filling in the pond on the McGlynn property, the parking lot being put on the lake by GBLCO, and the oak trees being removed at the Bachman Anderson project. These situations are happening and should not be. Breitenstein seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Tangen returned the chair to Anderson. B. Riley Lake Park Anderson asked the Commissioners to consider the idea of the Riley Lake park properties, i.e. what the City does not already own (Swedlund property) and what it does own (Sohaitberger property), becoming a regional park rather than community park. Anderson said he spoke with Marty Jessen of the Metro Parks and Open Space Commission and having Riley Lake become a regional park is on their priority list for the future. Anderson asked if the Commissioners would think about this and asked that this item be put on the agenda next time. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carrie Tietz Recording secretary