February 7, 2006 CCP - Laserfiche WebLink

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C) The Planner said the City Council wants to see this back in February so he will try to draft something to bring back soon. Proposed Joint Community Playfield with Oakdale The Planner said the City Council has requested a recommendation for a joint playfield with Oakdale in Lake Elmo at northeast corner of Ideal and Stillwater Boulevard. The Administrator explained the history of the donation request from 3M for a park for the City of Oakdale. 3M offered them land in Lake Elmo. After discussions and meetings, it has matured to a possibility of joint ownership of the land and in terms of capitalization, maintenance, and government and field scheduling. Staff held out for joint governance and joint input on design. Eventually our population will be close to theirs but meanwhile we are only 30% of their size. So there might have to be consideration of proportionate terns in the meantime until we grow. The City Council asked if this is something we want to attempt, and do we want to take the next step to create a development agreement. The Parks Commission unanimously recommended doing that. The Plainer explained the City's need for ballfields today and into the future. He said the Park Plan is 15 years old. Oakdale is about where we will be at 2030 for population. They have a significant community playfield but it is not enough for their needs. An Old Village community playfield would still be needed in the future. He said it makes sense from a Planning standpoint. Commissioner Deziel asked about new zoning with RAD2 on the parcel north of Highway 5. He said it would be the nearest Lake Elmo development to this. Commissioner. Ptacek agreed with Commissioner Deziel and the Planner. He also said there are not enough dates and times and fields available in Lake Elmo and Oakdale. Commissioner Armstrong would want this park for ages 18 and under and daylight facilities only, no lights on this field. He said it is probably better to create a park here near the railroad without displacing homes and REC units, and it would be a good partnership with Oakdale for the future. The Planner clarified the proposal is for youth only. Chairman Helwig used to be on the Parks Commission in Oakdale and he said the Oakdale Athletic Association and the Parks Commission there are two distinct entities. The Athletic Association does all the scheduling and they will get lights if they want them. Commissioner Schneider said the City is sacrificing 26 acres for no houses and no taxes. We should get more than 50% use of this park. The Administrator said the Cities are insured by the League of NIN Cities so liability is not a problem. M/S/P, Ptacelc/Deziel to recommend taking the next step to continue the discussions. VOTE: 9:0. Lake Elmo Planning commission Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2006