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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-6-14 Park Board Minutes Park Board Minutes October 6th, 2014 Page | 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES Park Board Minutes 1. Swear in Appointed Park Board Members – Andrew Levi and John Nordlund Lino Lakes City Clerk Julie Bartell was present to swear in appointed Park Board Member Mr. John Nordlund. Mr. Andrew Levi was not present. 2. Call to Order and Roll Call The October 6th, 2014 City of Lino Lakes Park Board Meeting was called to order at 6:33 pm by Chair Mr. George Lindy. 3. Approval of Minutes from January 6th, 2014 Chair George Lindy made a Motion to approve the January 6th, 2014 Meeting Minutes. Motion was carried. 4. Setting Agenda There were no changes to the agenda. Mr. George Lindy summarized the main issue for discussion would be the New Business of the Watermark Development Plan. 5. Open Mike There was no one present for open mike. 6. New Business. Review Watermark Development Concept Plan Discussions for Watermark Park Concept Plan as Follows: DATE : October 6th, 2014 TIME STARTED: 6:34 pm TIME ENDED: 7:36 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: George Lindy, John Nordlund, Richard Jensen, Pat Huelman MEMBERS ABSENT: Byron Roland, Matt Koehn, Andrew Levi STAFF PRESENT: Rick DeGardner (Public Services Director) Heather Robinson (Administrative Assistant) ALSO PRESENT: Rick Packer (Land Development Manager) Katie Larsen (City Planner) Park Board Minutes October 6th, 2014 Page | 2 Introductions Lino Lakes City Planner, Ms. Katie Larsen introduced Mr. Rick Packer. Rick Packer is the Land Development Manager for Mattamy Homes Minnesota Division and is attending the meeting to represent the Watermark Development Concept Plan. Public Services Director, Mr. Rick DeGardner stated that Watermark Development is proposing a 372 acre master planned community located between 20th Ave and Highway 35E just north of County Road 14. The neighborhood is proposed to consist of 876 units consisting of detached single family homes and attached row townhomes. The Comprehensive Plan contemplates a 5 acre neighborhood park integrated into an open space system that contains trails and sidewalks that traverse throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Packer stated that the park location will be a focal point for the community upon entering the development. The park location is designed for aesthetic appeal for people to see as you enter the development and to set off the tone of the neighborhood. Mr. Packer believes that this will make a positive impression and they currently plan on building the park with first phase of development. Description of the Development Site and Design Mr. Packer noted that the development will have substantial ponds, it has heavy clay soils, and ponds will be approx. 20’ to 25’ feet deep. The developer is exploring the potential of building a small recreational building referred to as a “community center” but that is still uncertain and something the city may want to consider and also more market analysis will need to be done. Developer notes that current market analysis shows homeowners want main living areas to face out to backyards and open space areas and that is the design they will be following for this development. Included in plan is a small pocket of townhouses in the SE corner. They are still developing single family detached living options with 42’ to 75’ wide lots. Largest lots are 75 ft. wide. Approx. 40% of the site is planned to be left as ponds and open spaces at this time. Connection to Sidewalks and Trail Systems The Park Board then discussed the sidewalks and the trail connections in the Concept Plan and discussed the options for how those sidewalks and trails would connect to the park. Park Board Minutes October 6th, 2014 Page | 3 Ms. Larsen talked about a possible future plan to extend trails around the development site. Mr. Packer noted that if the City approves this development then more discussion with Anoka County would need to be done to determine the future plan for additional sidewalks and trail system throughout the entire development. However, this would first rely on the city’s approval and then they will extend to the County for more discussion. Conversation continued on easements, water levels and elevations, lot sizes and preliminary designs for sidewalks and trails throughout the development. Trail connections were discussed in regards to the ease of accessibility, the design of the trail connections to the sidewalk systems, and the access of sidewalks to the park. Discussion on 20th Ave The Park Board questioned the future plans to increase the width of 20th Ave. It was conferred that it is unknown at this time what the time frame would be for 20th to be redone. Mr. DeGardner noted that the process in the past has been that the trigger for the City to expand the trail system along County roads is commonly done when roads are reconstructed or widened. Ms. Larsen showed the Park Board members the comprehensive plan for 20th that is currently proposed. Ms. Larsen noted that in comparison with this project, similar conversations were held for the NorthPointe Development project with the County. Mr. Packer stated that ideally it makes more sense to them that they would have their park dedication funds remain in their development and be put to use in their neighborhood park. How Sidewalks will be Maintained Board member Mr. Huelman asked about how the sidewalks will be handled in regards to maintenance. Mr. DeGardner replied that the city is currently responsible for sidewalks. Closing Discussions Mr. Packer talked briefly about preliminary berms and designs for visual landscaping in the development. He said that at this time he would like to work with the City and the Park Board on designs for the park. Mr. Packer repeated that he would like to construct the park in the first phase of development with their park dedication fees. Park Board Minutes October 6th, 2014 Page | 4 It was noted that the next step in the process of this Concept Plan is that this would go before the Planning and Zoning Board, the City Council, and then Mr. Packer and his team would present a more detailed plan to the Park Board again for review. Mr. DeGardner commented in closing that the Park Board could use Clearwater Creek Park for comparison because that is also a 5 acre park located in Lino Lakes. 7. Old Business There was no old business to discuss. 8. Review Parks Department Update Mr. DeGardner reviewed Park Supervisor, Mike Hoffman’s 2014 Year-to-Date Park Maintenance Update. Items noted:  Dogipot stations are very popular by people using trail systems in 2014 with three more added in 2014.  The special project done this season at Cty Rd 14 median resulted in more in house labor than originally planned but is now completed.  Behm’s Park had brush clearing work done by the Watershed District early this season. Work was done to fix the area and make it more aesthetically appealing and the Watershed reimbursed us for the trees.  Mr. Hoffman was without one full-time park maintenance employee all season, but he was able to keep things up and running very smoothly. 9. Review Recreation Department Update 9a. 2014 Playground Program Report Mr. DeGardner reviewed Recreation Supervisor Tanya Mozingo’s 2014 Playground Program Update. Items noted:  In 2014, we had over 400 kids attending the summer playground program.  Theme weeks continue to be popular and are well organized. Park Board Minutes October 6th, 2014 Page | 5  Chair Mr. Lindy gave positive feedback about the changes in playground program over the previous few years and how it is a good value for our residents. 9b. 2014 Recreation Update Mr. DeGardner reviewed Recreation Supervisor Brian Hronski’s 2014 Year-to-Date Recreation Update Items noted:  Fall soccer has 375 kids participating this year and is a continued successful program.  We are currently working on our fall/winter brochure.  Upcoming free event is the Gobbler Games on November 1st which will again be offered this year. 10. Next Park Board Meeting The next Park Board Meeting will be Monday November 3rd, 2014 at 6:30 pm. 11. Adjourn Chair George Lindy made a Motion to adjourn at 7:36. Motion carried. Submitted by, Heather Robinson Administrative Assistant Public Services