Parks Commission Minutes 01-27-2005
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MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, .January 27, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality."
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCafJrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council
Liaison, Tom Perrault
Members Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Adam Hawkinson, Park Superintendent, Steve Grittman, City Planner
1. CaJl to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan caJJed the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
Tom Perrault was introduced as the new Council liaison to the Parks Commission.
2. A rove minutes of December 16 2004 re uJar J}arks Commission meetin ,..
Rick Traver stated his intent on the motion on the Insignia park land dedication was that the
fields would be utilized as multi-purpose fields and not just soccer.
3.
RICK TRA VER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 16,2004
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING WITI r THE CORRECTION NOTED.
FRAN PAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Consideration of addin2" items to the a2"enda.
Adam Hawkinson added tree ordinance update, park dedication update and baUfields to the
agenda.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
Some residents adjacent to the proposed Hidden Forest/Sunset Ridge development attended
the meeting to hear the presentation by the developer.
5.
Review develo ment Ian for Hidden Forest/Sunset Rid
Mark Woolston, developer and Chris Otterness, engineer were present to review the proposed
park land dedication for the Hidden Forest/Sunset Ridge developments. Chris Otterness
spoke about the two developments that are proceeding somewhat concurrently. The Sunset
Ridge plat has not been submitted to the Planning Commission at this time because there arc
still some issues to resolve relating to Haug A venue. It was noted that only one sheet of the
two sheet plan for I ridden Forest had been submitted to the Parks Commission. The page
submitted did not contain the park information. Chris Otterness showed the proposed location
of the trail, wetland area and park area. He noted Outlot D was a created wetland to offset
mitigated wetland.
Parks Commission Minutes - 1/27/05
Larry Nolan asked how much land was proposed for park dedication. Steve Grittman
indicated based on approximately 162 lots the park dedication should be approximately 17.6
acres. Larry Nolan asked how much of the area shown was dry, usable land and Chris
Otterness indicated about two acres. Chris Otterness stated that it was the intent of the
developer that part of the park land dedication would be in cash.
Adam Hawkinson asked about the holding pond adjacent to the park land and stated that the
City did not want to be responsible for maintaining the pond area. Adam Hawkinson
expressed his concern about the layout from the standpoint of the maintenance that would be
required by the City. Larry Nolan also pointed out safety concerns. Chris Otterness said the
development does need that location for ponding. He said because of the higher elevations
adjacent to the wetland it was not feasible to move the stormwater pond elsewhere in the plat.
Adam lIawkins asked if the holding pond could be placed on the west side of the pathway.
Larry Nolan asked if placing the pathway between the pond and wetland created maintenance
problems. Larry Nolan suggested placing the pathway on the other side of the holding pond.
Rick Traver asked how close this park was to the Sunset Ridge Parle J-Ie stated he is
concerned that the City has sufTicient park area. Tom Perrault asked what the purpose of
Outlot D was. Chris Otterness said it was wetland created to replace mitigated wetland.
Adam Hawkinson asked if the developer had received a list of park requirements which
include items such as having the park abut two public streets. One suggestion the Parks
Commission had was that the lots in the area between the pond and the streets be removed and
that area used for park. Chris Otterness said the wetland would be part of the park and trails
would be created around the wetland area.
Nancy McCaffrey asked about the chance of the any of this area flooding. Steve Grittman
stated that this development is impacted by County Ditch #33. Storm sewer improvements
proposed for this development should eliminate the flooding problem.
Adam Hawkinson asked who would be responsible for installing the trail. Chris Otterness
said although the developer would be putting in the trail the trail would be part of the City's
system. Adam Hawkinson presented some pros and cons about the proposed park with his
primary concerns relating to 1) maintenance; 2) connection the existing trail system; 3)
compliance with the requirements of the Comprehensive Park Plan. Adam Hawkinson noted
there is a similar type park in the Groveland development. Chris Otterness said that the
combined park/wetland area in the two developments is approximately 56 acres. Adam
Hawkinson felt the developer should find a more direct route for their trail system. As laid
out it is a circuitous route for residents to use toe reach this area. Adam Hawkinson noted the
health concern with the West Nile virus. Mark Woolston said with the storm sewer work that
is proposed flooding in the area would be reduced which would reduce the risk of the West
Nile virus.
The Parks Commission directed the developer to slide the park location down and relocate the
pathway so it is outside the pond and wetland area. Adam Hawkinson asked if the park area
proposed covered both developments. Larry Nolan asked if Adam Hawkinson was suggesting
Parks Commission Minutes - 1/27/05
that there be a common park for the two developments. Adam Hawkinson said that would be
more desirable. Mark Woolston stated he was aware that the wetlands did not count towards
park dedication.
The Hidden Forest development has about 70 lots. Mark Woolston asked if the park in the
Rolling Woods development adequately served that development. The Parks Commission
noted that because of the pond area by the park there was less usable space and more
maintenance issues with the Rolling Woods pond. Parks Commission suggested the
developer look at the Groveland park as a model as that would be comparable as far as total
number of homes served. Steve Grittman said an acre of park land is needed to serve 20-25
homes.
Mark Woolston asked about parking stall requirements. Adam IIawkinson indicated that
Groveland had about 25 stalls. The stall requirement depends on the size of park and type of
activity with a minimum of one stall per acre.
Tom Perrault asked for a review of the outlots shown on the plats and how they were
proposed to be used. The consensus of the Parks Commission was that there be a common
park area between the two developments. Mark Woolston asked if there was enough room to
have a small parking lot by the pond so they could access the trail. Larry Nolan suggested
the developer take the Parks Commission comments and come back with a plan. Adam
Hawkinson asked if the plan could come back showing the two developments together so the
Parks Commission could see the entire layout. Mark Woolston asked where the closest
existing trail was to the proposed development. Adam Hawkinson indicated a trail ran along
the south side of 90th Street.
'rom Moores asked about County Ditch #33 and ifit would be an open ditch. Mark Woolston
said there would be storm sewer pipe installed but ditch 33 would remain an open ditch. I-Ie
said the ditch would basically remain the same as it is now. Wright County stated the
hydrology of ditch #33 is to remain the same so the pipe was proposed to pickup the runoff
from the development. 'rhe installation of the storm sewer piping is expected to improve the
drainage in the area.
This item will come back at the February 24, 2005 meeting.
6. Review of Rvan proiect landscapin~ plan for Outlot D.
Steve Grittman reviewed the drawing and proposed landscaping that was submitted. 1-Ie noted
the engineer indicated that the grades in this area were fairly steep so there is a possibility that
this could not be built. Fran Fair asked who would maintain this outlot. Steve Grittman said
this is part of a planned unit development so the developer would build and maintain it. He
noted the berm and the plantings might reduce the noise levels somewhat. Nancy McCaffrey
asked if the monument sign noted on the plan was a sign for the development. Steve Grittman
indicated it was. Nancy McCaffrey asked if a site had been determined for the entrance sign
on the east end of town. Adam Hawkinson indicated no site had been selected but the Sunset
Ponds area was a possibility.
Parks Commission Minutes - 1/27/05
7. Discussion on tree olantinl: event.
Adam Hawkinson reported the Parks Department has access to maps with all addresses shown
so the staff can go out and note where trees are needed. Once this is done a letter will be sent
to those property owners. It is proposed to plant 500 boulevard trees with this project. Adam
Hawkinson will talk to Susie Wojchouski of the Chamber of Commerce to solicit help in
getting various groups involved in the planting. Fran Fair suggested scheduling the planting
in April and Adam Hawkinson informed her that the trees would be delivered either the first
or second week of April. The holes for the trees will be dug by the City and the trees will be
picked up at the Public Works facility by the groups participating in the planting. A post
planting celebration will be held at MCC.
8. Fence selection for Riverside Cemetery.
Adam Hawkinson will bring the fencing samples for the next meeting. The fencing material
is aluminum and black in color similar to what is in place at Hillside Cemetery. The fence is
four fect in height and is similar in price to vinyl fencing. The fencing would be placed on the
River Street side of the cemetery. Any of the existing fencing that is structurally sound would
be used on the east side of the cemetery to delineate the property line. Larry Nolan asked who
would install the fence. The installation could be done by either city staff or the contractor.
'T"he quote received was from Authority Fence. This issue came up because of the proposed
core street project in this area.
9. Park Maintenance.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of work completed. Parks Commission discussed rink use
at West Bridge Park and the 4th Street Park. Adam Hawkinson indicated that because the ice
arena was not finished the hockey groups were using the outdoor rinks. The 4th Street rink is
used more than West Bridge. There may be a possibility in the future when the ice arena is
opened that the West Bridge rink may not be needed.
Nancy McCaffrey noted that the south entrance sign was up and looked good.
10. Ballfield Information.
Adam Hawkinson provided information he had received about ballfield use and how many
fields were needed. In researching this he pointed out that many communities had
comprehensive plans that were not nearly as detailed and descriptive as the City's so he felt
the City's plan although in need updating was basically a good document. The information
provided indicated that as a guideline 1.5 acres of ballfield is needed for 1,000 people or 425
hours of use per field per season. Adam Hawkinson talked about the City of Buffalo and the
facilities they have. He has also talked with the youth ball groups and was informed that there
is currently 240 individuals in the youth league and it increases by approximately 30 members
a year. This league is independent of the school's league which has another 264 members.
He noted that 625 people participate in soccer, not including the traveling teams so the
demand for fields is there. Adam lIawkinson cited Lino Lakes where at an early stage they
Parks Commission Minutes - 1/27/05
purchased a 67 acre tract that they eventually developed into an athletic complex. The
Heritage/Silver Spring development was discussed as a possible area for ballfields. Because
this site is across the freeway from the Xcel fields it might be a good site to consider.
Added Items:
Signs - Adam Hawkinson had some information on signs for the parks as far as style and price.
Adam Hawkinson said the Parks Commission has a couple of months to decide since nothing can be
done until the ground thaws. The lowest sign price received so far is $650. This will item will come
back at the February 24th meeting.
Ellison Park Bathrooms - Adam lIawkinson stated that this item will require Council approval and he
will be submitting the information to the Council
Tree Ordinance - Adam Hawkinson asked if the Council had approved the amended tree ordinance.
Since there was a question on the funding of the program, the Council never acted on the ordinance
amendment.
Park Dedication Ordinance - Adam Hawkinson asked if the Council had approved the changes to the
Park dedication ordinance. The Council did approve the amendments and the Parks Commission will
receive a copy of the amended ordinance.
There was a discussion by the Parks Commission on how to get the message out to the developers on
park land dedication. Steve Grittman explained the City process in handling subdivisions. There is
not su11icient time in the processing period to al allow a preliminary and final park land review by the
Parks Commission. The concern the Parks Commission has is that comments made by the Parks
Commission on preliminary review need to get incorporated into the information that goes to the
Planning Commission and Council. The Parks Commission directed that a draft of the Parks
Commission minutes be sent to Steve Grittman so he can include the pertinent information into his
Planning Commission reports. The Parks Commission will also prepare a handout and check list to
be given to developers that cover park land requirements. A subcommittee of Adam lIawkinson,
Rick Traver and Larry Nolan will draft a handout that will come back to the Parks Commission for
their review.
11. Adiourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:25 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED TI-IE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Fran Fair indicated that she would not be present at the February meeting.
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Recording Secretary G