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Parks and Recreation - 09/15/1980 i 1980 SEPTEMBER 15 MINUTES CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE a r AGENDA l EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1980 7:30 P.M., CITY HALL COMMISSION MEMBERS: Richard Anderson, chairperson; Pat Breitenstein, Marge Friederichs, Robert Johnson, Gloria Pond, Dr. George Tangen, Larry VanMeter COMMISSION STAFF: Robert A. Lambert, Director of Community Services Approx. Time to Begin Item 7:30 I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1 7:35 III. MINUTES OF AUGUST 4, 1980 IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 7:40 A. Request from Lawrence Heinen Regarding: Tax Forfeited Land V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUESTS A. Reports of Commissioners None B. Reports of Staff 7:45 1. Development Proposal - Lake Riley Estates 8:10 2. Hidden Ponds Park Plan - Security Fence Costs 8:15 3. Special Meeting With Historical/Cultural Commission and City Council 8:20 4. Council Report - September 2, 1980 VI. OLD BUSINESS 8:30 A. Purgatory Creek/Major Center Area Open Space Study - Don Brauer (cont. from Aug. 18) 8:50 B. Pro's and Con's of Riley Lake as a Regional Park or Community Park (coat. from August 4 and August 18) 9:20 C. Shoreland Management Ordinance (cont. from August 4 and August 18) 9:35 D. Trails Map (cont. from August 4) 9:40 E. Red Rock Park Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation -2- Sept. 15, 1980 and Natural Resources Commission t. VII. NEW BUSINESS 9.40 A. Railroad Right-of-Way for County Road 4 9.45 B. Award Bids on Grading & Seeding Hidden Ponds_ and Creekwood Parks 9:50 VIII. ADJOURNMENT C__ APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, September 15, 1980 7:30 P.M. , CITY HALL COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Anderson, Chairperson; George Tangen, Pat Breitenstein, Robert Johnson, Marge Friederichs, Gloria Pond, Larry VanMeter COMMISSION PC10ERS ABSENT: None COMMISSION STP.FF PRESENT: Robert Lambert, Director of Community Services OTHERS PRESENT: Ernie Olin, Eden Prairie News Don Brauer I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. , by Chairperson, Richard Anderson. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Omit Approval of Minutes of August 4, 1980, and add Approval of Minutes of August 27, 1980. ( Add - VII. C. Chemical Dumping - R. Anderson MOTION: Breitenstein moved and Van.Meter seconded the motion to approve the agenda with the above changes. The motion carried unanimously. III. MINUTES OF AUGUST 27, 1980 MOTION: Friederichs moved to approve the minutes of August 27, 1980. Breitenstein seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Request from Lawrence Heinen Regarding: Tax Forfeited Land Lambert referred to Staff memo of September 10, 1980, regarding this 7 acre parcel which, unintentionally by the Owner Lawrence Heinen, went tax forfeit to the State for delinquency in payment of real estate taxes. Because Mr. Heinen intended to pay taxes on all his property, Staff recommends that the City consider withdrawing application for conveyance of th'_= tax forfeited parcel so that Heinen's may repurchase the parcel. Anderson said he feels the City has not been acquiring as much land along Purgatory Creek as it should for the trail system. Thus, he fuels the City should bargain on this parcel for a trail connection. Anderson said there are many additions built on the west side of the Creek and he questions whether there are sufficient access points to the Creek. 1 Minutes - Parks, Recreation & approved September 15, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -2- Lambert responded that the City has been acquiring all the floodplain lands along the Creek. He suggested that if the Commission is con- cerned about a trail here perhaps it should suggest the City enter into some kind of contract with Heinen for a trail easement. Anderson said this is a beautiful area along Purgatory Creek, and if the City could acquire more access points to the Floodplain it could be a beautiful trail to the Minnesota River Wildlife areas. MOTION: Tangen moved to recommend that the Council rescind the Lawrence Heinen tax forfeited property, but should try to enter a contract for a trail easement. Breitenstein seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUESTS A. Reports of Commissioners None B. Reports of Staff 1. Development Proposal - Lake Riley Estates NOTION: Tangen requests that this item be tabled to follow Item VI.B. on the agenda because there is no representative present from Lake Riley Estates, and this issue is related to Item VI.B. Anderson seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 2. Hidden Ponds Park Plan - Security Pence Costs Lambert referred to Staff Memo of September 11 , 1980, explaining that a neighbor of Hidden Ponds Park, Mr. Paulson, made an appeal to the Council at the August 19, 1980 meeting that the City build a fence protecting his property/orchard from the people using the Park. Lambert suggested to the Council they wait to see if there is a problem first, and the Council asked Staff to get estimates on different heights of fencing and added that this issue should be carefully considered because Mr. Paulson does receive income from the orchard. Tangen asked if the City has ever built a fence on any park at the request of a neighbor. He questionned whether this would set a precedent and other people could request the same. Lambert said this has never been done before and the only difference here is a matter of the orchard being part of Paulson's livelihood. I Minutes - Parks, Recreation & approved September 15, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -3- MOTION: Tangen moved to recommend to the Council not to construct a security fence at this time at Hidden Ponds Park. Friederichs seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. DISCUSSION: Tangen said he feels it is too important that the City does not set a precedent here, and that it should be shown there is a problem first then check into a solution. Anderson said he feels this is not a City problem where if you are a neighbor and don't want kids in the yard, it is the neighbor's responsibility to put up a fence. 3. Special Meeting With Historical/ Cultural Commission and City Council Lambert referred to Staff Memo of September 11, 1980, where he lists items Staff hopes will be discussed at the meeting on October 2, 1980, and hopefully something will be decided upon. 4. Council Reports August 19, 1980 Meeting: (a) Approved Hidden Ponds Park plan but included the fence issue. (b) Approved advertisement of bids for Creekwood Park and Hidden Ponds Park. (c) Approved advertising for construction of the Community Center. (d) Approved plan for Round Lake stocking. September 2, 1980 Meeting: (a) Continued Timber Creek Proposal to first ,neeting in October. The Council feels the north park should be expanded and will work with the developer on changing land use for the hill area from single family to multiple which would provide the same overall density but leave the knoll of the hill in its natural state. (b) Approved Bryant Lake PUD with the condition the DNR gives approval. (c) Approved snowmobile trail i VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Purgatory Creek/l+Iajor Center Area Open Space Study - Don Brauer Tcont. from August 1 Lambert introduced Don Brauer representing himself in this proposal. I 1 � I Minutes - Parks, Recreation & approved September 151 1980 Natural Resources Commission 4- Mr. Brauer is proposing that a Major Center Open Space Preliminary Feasibility Study be done for the common or future public (floodp].ain) area adjacent to the Eden Prairie Center. He is requesting that the City retain the consultants and administer the process, and several of the area property owners including himself will finance the proposed $12,000 study. Brauer said there are two major issues this Commission will want to address: (1) Question of the floodplain level is vital--what kind of community aspect that can be. (2) As most of the major center area will be commercially developed, the surrounding area should be preserved and maintained as a wildlife or recreation area. Brauer pointed out that the proposed feasibility study will show two possibilities for •the property: (1) primarily cultivated area for field games and golf course, which is the neighbors choice; or (2) a natural wildlife management area. Brauer pointed out that he is completely convinced an urban open space that is not deliberately structured and managed will not be controlled-- there are:too many unnatural amenities and stresses that feed into it. Thus, if a wildlife management area is decided upon, it must be managed; dredging, grading, filling, etc., must be done first to prepare the site for these stresses. Brauer feels the study would take two •to three months and the $12,000 fee (the fee is low because so much preliminary work has been done) has already been collected. The space included in the study will fall between approximately 480 and 560 acres. Anderson asked what is the feasibility and useability for public versus private ownership of golf courses. Brauer said that the thing which kills golf courses (private or public) is special assessments for improvements and real estate taxes on the improved value of the property. Brauer feels if a golf course were the choice in this case, it would be advantageous to all. neighbors to have the City consider financing special assessment bonds. This way the land would be acquired at virtually no cost and improvements at assessed costs. Brauer said an 18 hold course requires approximately 160 acres depending on the soil. He feels a 9 hole par 3 and a driving range should be included in an effective 18 hold course which would mean a total of approximately 275 acres. .Anderson asked if this site would lend. itself to the same type of recreation area that Braemar is. Brauer said he feels the soil on this Minutes - Parks, Recreation & approved September 15, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -5- site is not as good as at Braemar which might produce some limitations but this will be explored further through the study. Lambert expressed strong agreement with this study as it will eliminate the guesswork on how best to develop the property. His major concern is that if the determined use lowers the floodplain, then the "bounce" which would occur would have a detrimental effect on Starring Lake including the senior citizen center. Lambert recommends approval of the study but requests the Watershed District explore the effects of lowering the floodplain. Brauer said a 4 foot "bounce" (lowering of floodplain) is not manageable and that 18" is a maximum manageable adjustment. � 1 MOTION: VanMeter moved to recommend to the Council approval of the Purgatory/Major Center Open Space Study and adds that per Staff recommendation, the City petition the Watershed District to study the downstream affects if the water table is lowered. Breitenstein seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. A 10 minutes recess was taken at this time. B. Pro's and Con's of Rile Lake as a Regional Park or CommunityPark C cont. from August 4 and August 1 i Lambert referred to Staff Memo of July 29, 1980, giving the background of where the City has been on this issue. Lambert said if the decision is to make Riley Lake a regional park, the Swedlund property and east shore should be included. If the decision is to remain a community park, a decision needs to be made which of the areas, Swedlund or Schaitberger, will the park include. Lambert said the Commission agreed in the past not to get involved in regional park business anymore. Iie also added that the present Council does not believe Riley Lake Park should be a regional park. He also reflected on the fact this Commission agreed to try to buy the Swedlund property earlier this ,year, so there are several issues in this matter. Tangen mentioned that if the Riley Lake properties become a regional park, there would be no game fields. He said if the City lost the one existing game field in that sector we would have to look at another site to meet community needs. Lambert said he wouldn't be too concerned about acquiring 10 acres else- where in that sector for a ballfield (perhaps a bluff site as Eden Prairie . does not presently have a community park along the bluffs); however, the question should be "Is the Riley Lake Park site a good site for a regional park?" Lambert noted that over 150 acres of the 200 acre site is presently farmland - not especially a high quality natural environment. Tangen pointed out that Eden Prairie shares lake boundaries with Chanhassen and -the majority of people who use Riley Lake now are non- residents. i Minutes - Parks, Recreation & approved September 15, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -6— ( I i Anderson said if Riley Lake becomes a regional park with regional funding, Eden Prairie would still have access to it and the park would be an asset to the community. Anderson turned the chair over to George Tangen. MOTION: Anderson moved to recommend to the Council that the present Riley Lake Park and the Swedlund property and adjoining shoreline become a regional park. VanMeter seconded the motion. DISCUSSION: Tangen asked if the Commission is limiting the size of the park by the motion. It was agreed it was limiting. AMENDED MOTION: Tangen said the motion will be amended per staff recommendation as follows: The Swedlund property and shoreline property south and east, to and including the Sohaitberger property, should be a regional park per the 1975 Regional Park Plan. VanMeter seconded the amendment and it carried unanimoulsy. Vote on original motion. Tangen returns the chair to Anderson. MOTION: Breitenstein moved to recommend the Council amend the 1979 C Guideplan to conform with the above motion. Friederichs seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. MOTION: Breitenstein moved to recommend the Council request the Hennepin County Park Reserve District and the Metropolitan Council to purchase the Swedlund property for regional park purposes. Pond seoonded the motion and it carried unanimously. Anderson requested Item V.B.1. - Riley Lake Estates be taken off the table. MOTION: Tangen moved to recommend to the Council that in view of past motions, the City indefinitely continue the Riley Lake Estates property until such time as we have word back from the Hennepin County Park Reserve District with regard to their willingness to purchase for regional park purposes. Johnson seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. DISCUSSION: Tangen noted his reason for not saying denial of Riley i Lake Estates is because it should be known first if the properties can be acquired as a regional park. If the regional park plan is rejected, the City will be faced with the Lake Riley Estates proposal again. Lambert noted it would take a minimum of two months after the Council makes a request to the Hennepin County Park Reserve District and Metro Council before it receives an answer. 4 1 . Minutes - Parks, Recreation & .approved September 15, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -7- C. Shoreland Management Ordinance (cont. from August 4 and August 18) MOTION: VanMeter made a motion to send the Shoreland Management Ordinance to the Council for final approval. Breitenstein seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. D. Trails Map (cont. from August 4) Lambert referred to the trail maps given to each Conunissioner and noted that when it is approved it should be updated on an annual basis reflecting the changes made through development proposals, etc. Lambert said this would be the master trail map referred -to by all Staff departments (planning, engineering, etc.). Tangen alluded to the fact this map lacked a coordinated recreational trail system. Friederichs asked what a "recreational trail" is by definition. Lambert answered that transportation trails (bike and pedestrian) are almost always asphalt, where recreational trails can be varied surfaces (asphalt, aglime, wood chips, grass line, etc.) depending on use. Recreational trails follow a unique natural feature they are a means to enjoy nature not just to transport people to a certain destination. { Anderson referred to the following bike trails which need to be expanded upon or added to the trails map: 1) St. John's Woods & Baker Road (through to the school) 2) Bryant Lake where Creek goes north to Minnetonka City line 3) Birch Island Lake 4) Corridors by Edina/BloomingtoA north side 5) Tooview Acres b) 1�iitchell Lake MOTION: Tangen moved not to approve the Trails Map for lack of a coordinated recreational trail system. VanMeter seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. E. Red Rock Park Lambert said this is an information item. The Council requested Staff to see if there is any other park site in the area which could be used in place of the Siefert property. Staff feels this is the best property for the park site. r' r Minutes - Parks, Recreation & approved September 15, 1980 Natural Resources Commission -8- VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Railroad Right-of-Way for County Road 4 MOTION: VanMeter moved to recommend the Council approve the $250 appraisal per Staff recommendation. Breitenstein seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. B. Award Bids on Grading & Seeding Hidden Ponds and Creekwood Parks 140TION: Breitenstein moved to recommend the Council approve the bid of $$2,980.26 to Brown and Cris for grading and seeding Hidden Ponds and Creekwood Parks. Pond seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. C. Chemical Dumping Anderson asked if the City is aware of what is being dumped in the Broom and Ferris dump or anywhere else in the City in terms of chemicals. Lambert said they have to obtain a permit from the PCA but will cheek further into the matter and will put this item on the agenda for the next meeting. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carrie Tietz Recording Secretary s