HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeights Park; Future Use; ParkC; 1-17-07
MEMO
(August 17, 2006January 12, 2007 for the Meeting of August 21, 2006January 17, 2007)
To: Lake Elmo Park Commission
From: Kelli Matzek, Assistant Planner
Subject: Future Use of Minnesota Land TrustHeights Park
Background Information
The attached handout was created by Sarah Strommen with the Minnesota Land Trust. She
created a short checklist of issues the Commission might want to consider in discussion of the
future of a Sunfish Lake Park Land Trust Conservation Easement..
Staff would recommend the Park Commissioners review the list provided by the MN Land Trust,
but hold off on making a recommendation to the City Council regarding Sunfish Lake Park Land
Trust easement content . Instead, focus efforts on assisting TKDA with creating a complete and
thorough Park Plan which, when complete, will assist the Park Commission in formulating a
recommendation as to Conservation Easement content and allowable uses of specific geographic
areas of the Sunfish complex.on the future of Sunfish Lake Park.
Lake Elmo Heights is divided into first, second, and third additions for a total of 51 lots (50
homes) within the neighborhood. The neighborhood was created with a 6.6 acre park which was
aptly named “Heights Park.”
A survey/petition was first submitted to the City on August 16, 2005. A resident of the
neighborhood created, distributed, and conducted the survey/petition. The survey/petition
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reportedly solicited information from 27 families within the Lake Elmo Heights 3 Addition.
Seventeen responses were received. The results of the seventeen surveys/petitions were that three
households did not want the parkland developed and 14 would like to see some structured
amenities. A clean copy of the survey/petition is included in this packet as well as the letter that
was attached to the survey/petition.
This information was brought to the Park Commission at the September 19, 2005 meeting. At
that time, Mrs. Brady (a resident of the neighborhood) presented the petition and requested
structured amenities be added to Heights Park. The Commission recommended Superintendent
M. Bouthilet evaluate what amenities could be included in the park before the Capital
Improvements Program (CIP) was completed for the year. The minutes from the September 19,
2005 Park Commission meeting are attached for further review.
The Park Commission was then presented a draft 2006 – 2010 CIP on December 19, 2005 which
included $25,000 a year for the following two years to install a ball field and a play structure.
The CIP was approved by the City Council on December 6, 2005.
During the summer of 2006, calls were received from some residents of the Lake Elmo Heights
neighborhood who spoke up against the development of Heights Park.
On December 12, 2006, another survey/petition was received at City Hall for Heights Park. This
survey/petition was created, distributed, and conducted by a different resident of the
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neighborhood. This survey/petition was reportedly sent to approximately 50 homes with 29
received responses. The results of that survey/petition stated a majority of the residents who
responded would like Heights Park to remain as open space. However, staff has some concern
about the methodology used with the survey/petition. A clean copy of the survey/petition is
included in this packet as well as the letter that was attached to the survey/petition.
With both surveys/petitions, the residents of the Lake Elmo Heights neighborhood are requesting
their comments be integrated into the future use of Heights Park. However, there is disagreement
between the neighborhood residents on what that use should be.
Suggested Process
It may be advantageous for all the residents of Lake Elmo Heights to be brought together to
discuss the future use of Heights Park. This would preferably be done at their association
meeting. The recommendation resulting from their meeting may then be presented to the Park
Commission for further discussion.
The residents who submitted the first and second survey/petition have been notified that staff
would be seeking direction from the Commission on how to proceed with the two varying
requests. The entire neighborhood was not given notification. Currently, the City does not have
a policy in place on how to handle requests from residents regarding park use.
Park Commission Action Requested:
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No action is requested at this time
As all of the residents of Lake Elmo Heights neighborhood have not been notified, staff would
request a recommendation on the future use of Heights Park not be made at this time. Staff is
seeking direction from the Park Commission at this time..
Staff is requesting a recommendation for staff to work with the neighborhood to proceed in
scheduling a neighborhood meeting to discuss the future use of Heights Park so that all residents
of Lake Elmo Heights may be informed and an open dialogue may occur.
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