Planning Commission Agenda 03-04-2014 (Special Meeting)
AGENDA
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION AND PARKS COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 - 4:30 PM
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Planning Commissioners: Chairman Brad Fyle, Sam Burvee, Charlotte Gabler, Alan
Heidemann, Grant Sala
Council Liaison: Lloyd Hilgart
Parks Commissioners: Chairman Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey, Tim Stolpes, Jack
Gregor
Staff: Angela Schumann, Tom Pawelk
1. Call to order.
2. Consideration of Monte Hill Park use planning.
3. Adjourn.
Joint Planning & Parks Commission Agenda: 03/04/14
2. Consideration of Monte Hill Park use planning. (TP/AS)
A. REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND:
This report provides information based on recommendations of the initial joint City
Council. Planning & Parks Commission Meeting held on August 12, 2013, at the Monte
Hill site. The report also identifies research of park uses and trail connections, as well as
the connection of the original footprint of the old Monte Club site.
The site itself is made up of 6 parcels owned by the City of Monticello, including Spirit
Hills park and water tower site. The total publicly owned acreage is 24.36 total acres,
including Spirit Hills park and water tower site.
PARK & RECREATION USE
At the conclusion of the joint meeting, staff was directed to prepare a summary of the
is included with this report for reference. In addition, the Parks Commission and
Planning Commission were further directed to work together to identify recreational
uses for the site, including future trail connections, hiking paths, picnic areas, disc golf,
single track mountain biking, sliding hill, zip line and passive picnic trails. City staff
would then work with the Parks and Planning Commission to refine the possible
recreational uses to those best suited to the property and the community.
A number of Parks Commission meetings have been held since August to analyze the
best possible uses for the park that would both benefit the City in terms of community
growth and future redevelopment of the Monte Club footprint.
Initially, a disc golf course was considered by the Parks Commissionfor the Monti Hill
site. Research and surveys have resulted in a finding that within a 50-mile radius of
Monticello, over 80 disc golf courses have been identified. In addition, Monticello has a
9 hole disc golf course in Par West Park and another course may be planned in the future
at Pioneer Park and the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
With this information, the Parks Commission began their review of other possible uses,
with input and direction of Parks Department staff. Staff and the Parks Commission
completed a survey of possible uses and trail connections that seemed feasible for the
development of Monte Hill. The identified uses are listed as follows:
1
Joint Planning & Parks Commission Agenda: 03/04/14
Single track mountain bike course with challenge courses
The first identified use would consist of a single track mountain bike course that would
utilize the existing terrain with minimal removal of natural vegetation and resources on
the property. The course would also consist of a challenge area with logs and rocks for
competition. By including a challenge course, the level of participants for larger group
users leads into intensive competition races and challenges, all done on a mountain bike.
Further details must be ironed out to better understand the set-up, operations and
management/ maintenance costs.
Mountain biking is currently the fastest growing sport in the U.S. and Parks Commission
has noted that trail systems and biking were identified as the top priority in the Park
System Survey which was completed a couple years ago. Within a 40 mile radius of
Monticello, there are only seven (7) mountain bike courses or trails identified, including
the single-track trail which is currently under construction at the Bertram Chain of Lakes
Regional Park. Wright County has been working with the MORC (Minnesota Off-Road
Cyclists) Group on the single-track trail system at Bertram and this has been very
successful. City staff plans to meet with MORC to discuss the trail options at the Monti
Hill site if that is the direction of the Commission.
The City could realize many economic benefits by having a mountain bike course at
Bertram as well as a challenge course at the Monti Hill site. These benefits will be
detailed and evaluated upon further research.
Trail connections on Fenning Avenue, including regional trail connections
The second item identified is the need for a pathway connection from the Sprit Hills
Development through and skirting the old Monte Club site following into the Hillside
Farms Development. This connection was identified as one of the safe routes to school
areas, and this pathway will also create local and regional connections towards the
Pelican Lake county trail system.
Trail connections to the Wildwood and Spirit Hills Developments
The third identified area is a pathway connection that is currently stubbed at the edge of
Monte Hill site from the eastern side of the Sprit Hills Development. This connection will
then follow to the southeastern edge, meandering through and then connecting with the
Wildwood Development, creating a local pathway connection.
2
Joint Planning & Parks Commission Agenda: 03/04/14
Picnic areas with a scenic overlook at the old Monte Club site
The fourth identified area would create a trailhead at the footprint of old Monte Club
location. The trailhead in this location will provide connection points and information to
trail users. The trailhead will also make the area much more suitable for larger groups and
local events. The idea would be to incorporate an interpretive center with picnic facilities
and a scenic overlook viewing area.
Grants and other funding sources
Parks Commission and staff will continue to research different types of grants available
to help reduce funds from the general city budget.
Tree preservation
A tree inventory will be part of the plan so no major cutting or removal of natural habit
will be affected.
The major issues and concerns in providing such a venue focused on concerns for liability
and maintenance. The operation and long-term feasibility of these facilities will be studied
as part of this project.
Recreational and park land approvals would occur through the Park Commission planning
CURRENT LAND USE AND REDEVELOPMENT
Land Use/Zoning
At the present time, the Monte Hi A-O
(Agricultur/Open-Space) or R-1 (Single-Family Residential). Active and Passive parkland is
a permitted use in both zoning districts. Until such time as redevelopment of the footprint of
the Monte Club is proposed, there is no need to amend the comprehensive plan or rezone the
property at this time as related to development.
In regard to the recreational uses which may be identified for the site, the Parks Commission
will need to review the 2011 Park and Pathway plan and determine whether amendments to
the plan (which is adopted as part of the overall Comprehensive Plan) are necessary at some
point.
3
Joint Planning & Parks Commission Agenda: 03/04/14
Redevelopment
th
At the time of the August 12 meeting, the consensus of the three public bodies was that
redevelopment of a use other than recreation/parkland on the site should be focused in the
previously disturbed area of the property the footprint of the old Monte Club building,
access and parking areas. Other site disturbance should be limited. In addition, the groups
agreed that redevelopment of the site, whatever the use, should be complementary to the site
itself and should transition and blend into the recreational use of the property. The group did
not firmly specify a desired land use, such as commercial or residential, although there was
some indication that a commercial use developed to take advantage of the recreational nature
of the larger Monte Club property would be most desired.
With these consensus points in mind, the Planning Commission may wish to hold further
discussions on the best use of the development area of the in terms of more specific detail, or
may choose to wait and react to the merit of individual site proposals.
A1. Budget Impact: Funding for the recreational development project is currently
identified within the 2014 budget; however, there may be opportunities for federal
grant funds or other matchingsources of funding for park development. Staff will
continue to research available grants to help reduce funds from the general City
budget.
A2. Staff Workload Impact: Staff time will be utilized for grant research and grant
writing. Trail planning and implementation will require attention from the Park
Superintendent, Park maintenance staff, Community Development and
Engineering staff.
B. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
1. Motion to authorize the Parks Commission to develop a subcommittee to research
the development of the park at the Monte Hill to include the identified uses listed
above.
The subcommitteerole will be to review and recommend action as related to the
intensive details of the park uses including planning, design, construction and
costs; and will provide the City Council a recommendation for the development.
2. Motion to abstain from recreational development on the Monti Hill at this
time.
No action by the Planning Commission is required at this time. However, a
representative from the Planning Commission is requested to serve on the sub-committee
for continuity in site development planning and final land use actions related to the site.
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Joint Planning & Parks Commission Agenda: 03/04/14
C. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends the Monte Hill to be developed according to the identified uses by
the Monticello Parks Commission and to authorize Alternative #1. Staff feels that these
uses will fit well with the property and will allow for a more natural use of this pristine
area, as well as allowing for economic benefits to be realized by the City.
D. SUPPORTING DATA:
Aerial Overview of Site
2011 Park & Pathway Plan System Map
Disc Golf Survey
Mountain Bike Trail Survey
Fenning Avenue pathway connection
Spirit Hills & Wildwood trail connections
Land Use Map
Zoning Map
Consensus Summary, August 12, 2013
5
KEY:
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2.47ACRES
5.89ACRES
(includingthedrive-
wayfromJasonAve
tothetower)
11.32ACRES
WATER
TOWER
SITE
4.68ACRES8.67ACRES
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PREVIOUS
MONTE
CLUBSITE
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
EN
E
VAG
NIN
NEF
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EVANOLLAF
#*
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#
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EVANOSNUMDE
#*
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#*
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#
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OTHER
MULTIPLEPINS
MULTIPLETEES
HOLETYPETEETYPELANDSCAPETERRAIN
NO.
HOLES
DISCGOLFLOCATIONS-5Omileradius
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HOLETYPETEETYPELANDSCAPETERRAIN
NO.
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OTHER
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40.0Miles18Mach5Grass
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OTHER
MULTIPLEPINS
MULTIPLETEES
HOLETYPETEETYPELANDSCAPETERRAIN
NO.
HOLES
DISCGOLFLOCATIONS-5Omileradius
50.1Miles18Mach3Concrete50.1Miles9BasketsMixed
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aturalHutchinson42.4Miles9ChainstarPaversGlencoe42.8Miles9HomeMadeGrassWestSaintPaul44.1Miles9ChainstarConcreteAlbany44.1Miles9Mach5ConcreteNorthBranch44.4Miles9BasketsMixedBurnsville44.9Miles10Mach3
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nverGroveHeights
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limagnetLakeParkDGCArcolaHeightsParkBrekkeParkTheValleyDGCIHCCDGC
OTHER
MULTIPLEPINS
MULTIPLETEES
WEBSITELINK:http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?ext_results=&cname=&designer=&country=1&city=&state=28&zip_distance=&zipcode=55362&holes=0&length_min=&length_max=&num_reviews=&rating_min=&rating
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HOLETYPETEETYPELANDSCAPETERRAIN
NO.
HOLES
DISCGOLFLOCATIONS-5Omileradius
MostlyflatCoursehaspicturesModeratelyhillyCoursehasvideosVeryhillyCampingnearbyLightlywoodedWaterinplayModeratelywoodedPaytoplayHeavilywoodedNopets
OneteeperholePrivatecourseMultipleteesUnplayableOnepinperholeMultiplepins
LEGEND
COURSENAMELOCATIONDISTANCE
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
:Loop
:Loop
:Loop:Loop:Loop
:Loop
4.5total
3.8total
:SpringtoFall
:
:SpringtoFall
:8.5miles
:5total:BestJunethroughOctober
:13total:
:14miles
:SpringtoFall
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Length
TrailType
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Length
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TrailTypeTrailTypeTrailType
Length
Season
Length
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)
:easiestonpavedtrail;easiest-easyondirtsections.
:minimal:Minimal:Minimal:Minimal:Minimal:Minimal
Minneapolis
:Monticello:MapleGrove:Minneapolis::Rockford:Milaca:Minneapolis
:easy+tomoderate
:Aerobiclevel:easy.:Aerobically:moderate+;
:beginnertoadvanced(seemap
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:Flattogentlyrollingonhardpackedsingletrack:Flatandrollingonhardpacksingletrack.Someshortandsteepclimbs,:Rollinghillsonpackedsingletrack
40MILERADIUS
–
INFO NearbyCityElevationGainNearbyCityElevationGainSkillLevelTechnicaldifficultyDurationNearbyCityElevationGainDurationTerrainNearbyCityElevationGainDurationTerrain withabout1,000feettotalelevationga
in NearbyCityElevationGainSkillLevelTechnicallyDurationNearbyCitySkilllevel http://www.cityofmilaca.org/vertical/sites/%7B75E1DAA5-A8DB-4EFB-942F-F1E65534FC03%7D/uploads/%7BC0D3CA61-B501-4493-A4B9-0E
B8998F1E90%7D.PDF NearbyCityElevationGainDurationTerrain
MOUNTAINBIKETRAILS
LOCATION MonticelloElmCreekParkReserve,MapleGroveElmCreekParkReserve,MapleGroveElkRiverLakeRebeccaParkReserve-RockfordMilaca Minneapolis
TRAILNAMEBertramChainofLakes-YMCAElmCreekParkReserveElmCreek–FatTireTrailHillsideParkLakeRebeccaParkReserveMilacaMountainBikeTrailTheodoreWirthPark
KEY:
PrivateProperty
2.47ACRES
5.89ACRES
(includingthedrive-
wayfromJasonAve
tothetower)
11.32ACRES
WATER
TOWER
SITE
4.68ACRES8.67ACRES
PRIVATEPROPERTY
PREVIOUS
MONTE
Area
CLUBSITE
01000ft
01000ft
Monte Club Hill Meeting Notes
August 12, 2013
Joint Planning Commission/Parks Commission meeting
Preserve undisturbed areas
Consider future commercial (likely) uses in disturbed areas
Segment park for use consideration
Possible recreational uses:
o Single track mountain bike scenic overlook
o Sliding hill
o Disc Golf trail to schools
o Zip line cross country ski
o Passive picnic ³± ¨«²
Tree inventory
Fenning pathway repot
Water/utility info
Emerald Estates & IRET info
Preserve both view sheds