03-05-2001 Council Special Agenda

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MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission March 1, 2001 LC ROAD/ The Public Works Director stated that the parking lot located at the corner of Little Canada MCMENEMY Road and McMenemy Street is in bad need of repair. He indicated that this lot poses a PARKING LOT unique situation because there are multiple owners. The owners include St. John's Church, St. John's Credit Union, a respite home, Rossez Apartments, and the City of Little Canada. The Public Works Director stated that he was directed to design a plan for the improvement of this parking lot. He reviewed the various designs considered and then presented the favored plan. He commented that an informational meeting has already been held with all of the owners and they have okayed the design. The Public Works Director stated that the design includes 44 parking spaces, areas of washed river rock along McMenemy and Little Canada Road, paver brick on the corner with benches, and four banner poles which will be relocated from Little Canada Road/County Road C to this site. He commented that from a Public Works standpoint, he would like to see a parking lot that is easy to maintain. The Public Works Director asked for comments from the Commission. Sanders presented a plan with several planting pockets along McMenemy and Little Canada Road He stated that trees could be planted in these pockets. The Public Works Director stated that he was not in favor of any plantings that would hang over the curb since this would interfere with street maintenance and snowplowing. Sackett Glaser suggested day lilies for the planting pockets since they would not hinder vehicular traffic visibility. The Parks & Recreation Director felt that the river rock should be eliminated from the McMenemy side since people going to Church would walk across the rocks rather than use the pedestrian crosswalk. Sackett Glaser felt that both sides should look the same for continuity. The Commission members discussed what could be used instead of river rock. They agreed that pavers would look nicer than river rock, but they are more costly. The City Administrator suggested using exposed aggregate. Sackett Glaser suggested a few trees on the parking lot side of the decorative corner with day lilies in the planting pockets running along Little Canada Road and McMenemy. The trees could be small and ornamental. After much discussion, the Commission made the following recommendations: • Use pavers or exposed aggregate instead of river rock. • Include planting pockets approximately every third parking stall along Little Canada Road and McMenemy, but at least three on each side. Plant something durable here such as day lilies. • Relocate four banner poles from Little Canada Road /County Road C to this location. • Locate two planters and a bench on the corner or a bench with a planter behind. • Add a refuse disposal container on the corner. • Install a pedestrian ramp at corner. Page 17