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APPROVED: AUG. 21, 2006 City of Lake Elmo PARKS COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of July 17, 2006 Due to the length of the previous special meeting of consultant interviews for the Park Plan Update, Chairman Schumacher called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Parks Commission late at 7:14 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Steele, Blackford, Watters, and Ames. STAFF PRESENT: Administrator Rafferty, Planner Dillerud, Parks Superintendent M. Bouthilet, Assistant Planner Matzek, and Recording Secretary Anez. ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Johnston. 1. Introduction Kelli Matzek introduced herself as the city's new assistant planner and gave a short background of her education and work history. The Planner said she will be staff support for the Parks Commission. 2. Agenda Add 6.4 Heights Park, 6.5 Carriage Station Update, 6.6 Public Works and Water Tower, 6.7 Arts Center, 6.8 Trail Construction Update, and establish a special meeting date for selection of a consultant for the Park Plan Update. Vote: 5:0. 3. Minutes of May 15, 20W Steele: Part 3, add the word "to" for CC to review policy. Part 4, Second paragraph, second line, Carriage Station residents (plural). Blackford: Page 2, Part 7, Move the paragraph about Chairman Schumacher wanting to protect Sunfish now to the beginning of the section. Add "Because City Council at their April 5, 2005 meeting directed the Parks Commission to look at the Land Trust specifically for Sunfish Lake Park." Strike the sentence about concern for the minutes in the same paragraph. 41h Paragraph, 3`a line Land Trust as a protective tool... add, "Specifically for Sunfish Lake Park." M/S/P, Steele/Watters to accept the Minutes of May 15, 2006 as amended. Vote: 5:0. 4. Tapestry -Request for Horseback Riding Trail into Sunfish Lake Park The Assistant Planner summarized the requested proposal to add a wood chip trail from north to south along the western side of the Tapestry subdivision. She noted that the proposed trail crosses two private driveways and Julep Avenue. She did not have information regarding the width of the trail and distance from the roadway. She asked if wood chips are the best material for the area because they don't always work well; sometimes they wash away. The city would need to confirm easements for such trails. Signage identifying private or public trails may be required where the trail meets the boundary for Sunfish Lake Park and within the park. She said there appears to be a gap of about 120 feet from the end of the trail to the existing horse trails in the park. Mark Youngdahl, developer of Tapestry and homebuilder Mr. Youngdahl said the area where the proposed trail meets the park is a flat area of Oak Savannah. He said there would be no tree destruction, maybe just some underbrush. The Land Trust would need city approvals and they require an elaborate grazing plan before they will authorize that use on the parcels. The trail would extend from the pastures to the trails in the park. Commissioners asked questions on such topics as: how many horses; how wide the trail; material options other than woodchips; maintenance of the trail; shelter for the horses; who would construct the additional 120 feet of trail; if the trail would be able to accommodate horse traffic from the north, west, and east; if the trails would be exclusively for horses; and who would own the horses. Mr. Youndahl said there would be no more than 10 horses and the trail width will be six to eight feet wide. Chips are recommended because horses take to them, and the trail will have to be maintained by the homeowners association. Mr. Youngdahl agreed to build the additional 120 feet of trail in the Park. The easements would be sought from the two homeowners whose driveways would be crossed. The chip trails would be solely for horses. There would be no boarding -only homeowners would keep their horses Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2006 1