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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes November 2017MINUTES City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission November 20, 2017 Members Present: Chair Frick, Commissioners Ames, Mayek, Nelson, Nuenfeldt, Olinger, Zeno Members Absent: Pearce, Steele Staff Present: Public Works Director Weldon, Planning Director Becker, City Planner Prchal The meeting was called to order by Chair Frick at 6:30 PM. Approval of Agenda Motion by Frick to move the 2018 Work Plan to the December agenda and approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Ames. Motion passed. Approval of Minutes Frick requested two changes to the meeting minutes. The first was to remove Ames from members present and the second was that the meeting was called to order by Chair Frick. Motion by Frick, seconded by Olinger to approve the minutes as amended. Motion passed. Wyndham Village Sketch Plan Becker presented that the City has received a sketch plan for a new proposed subdivision that would be located to the southwest of the Northport subdivision (reviewed as Village Park Preserve). They are proposing 13 lots in the subdivision on a 3.5 acre parcel. Staff is looking for the Parks Commission recommendation to approve the subdivision with no parkland, since they are not proposing any. They would be responsible for paying for a parkland dedication fee in lieu of not dedicating any land. The fee will be 10 percent of the appraised value of the land, which we do not know yet. The proximity to Reid Park, makes this a good option. Ames asked if the subdivision will have trails or sidewalks that connect to the park in Easton Village or Reid Park. Wyndham Village is not proposing a trail or sidewalk. North Port, the development to the North was required to have a trail connection to the new section of Reid Park. Discussion about a possible trail connection to the south for the development. Discussion about safe access to the existing trail along the south side of 30th Street. Weldon explained that they prefer to see pedestrian crossings at controlled intersections due to better visibility and not mid-block. Frick also pointed out that where the cul-de-sac is proposed it is a hill and would create a safety hazard regarding visibility. Ames made a motion to approve the subdivision as proposed. Frick seconded the motion. Motion passed. Legacy at North Star Preliminary Plat and PUD Becker presented that this development was formerly called Gonyea West when it was first reviewed. Becker wanted to provide an update on the changes to the plan. She explained there was a Tot Lot shown in the north and a proposed park in the middle of the development. The Parks Commission suggested that the park not be a public park and that trails would connect to Hamlet on Sunfish Lake development at the previous review. The Tot Lot has been moved to the south of the development and is now a HOA park. Additionally, the proposed parkland has been moved from the center of the development to the edge. Staff stated that there is a wetland on the proposed parkland and they would not receive credit for that area and staff would recommend a fence around the wetland for safety. Becker also stated that we could require an out lot to be created for a future trail connection if the park is not public since the trail connection is located within the proposed park. Discussion around trails and connectivity to Hamlet on Sunfish Lake, parkland dedication fees and land, and the density of the proposed development. Typically, a trail is paid out of Park dedication fees, however, this is a PUD and there is the possibility of a trail or a park being a requirement for the density in the PUD. Frick made a motion to recommend the public park on the southwest corner of the site be dedicated to the City and that the developer not receive credit for the value of this land to satisfy the remaining 3.383 acre requirement of parkland dedication and pay fees in lieu of park land dedication for the value of these remaining acres. Ames seconded the motion. Motion passed. Washington County Landfill Land Use Becker presented that The Washington County Landfill is subject to the statute that requires the MPCA to develop a land use plan and the City of Lake Elmo land use plan must be consistent. This would be showing on a land use plan that a portion is not usable by people. Staff is suggesting that a lot line adjustment is done to include only the Landfill Management area or the existing fenced area. Becker did forward the proposed lot line adjustment to MPCA and they confirmed that as long as it follows the existing area that people cannot currently access, they are in support. A survey has been completed and would need to be recorded with Washington County. Ames made a motion to approve of the re-guiding within the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan and the rezoning of the area only within the fence to Closed Landfill Restricted in order to adhere to State Statute requirements and that this have no impact on Sunfish Lake Park. The motion was seconded by Mayek. Motion passed. Mountain Biking in Lake Elmo Parks – Update and responses from 3rd parties Prchal reached out to the trails committee for MORK and Tim from Trail Source. They both agreed after reviewing our parks, that Sunfish Lake Park would be the best to pursue for mountain biking, due to size and topography. Mountain bikers typically like about 1.5 to 2 hour rides, for 7-10 miles. He used the example of Lebanon Hills, in Eagan, which has 12 miles of trails and on 120 acres. Sunfish Lake Park has double that acreage. Frick pointed out that Sunfish Lake Park was established as a wildlife park. That many of the current users of the park appreciate that character of the park and by establishing a number of new trails within the park; it will disrupt the existing wildlife and character of the park. Rolf Larson expressed concern over the type of mountain bikers that may use the trails, taking the park away from the current recreational park. Mountain biking can be recreational or competitive. Mayek mentioned the growth of mountain biking as a sport. He also suggested that making changes and improvements to the trails will help all of the trail users. He stated he uses the trails in the winter for skiing and talked about how hikers make skiing more difficult by tracking through the ski trails. He did mention he has noticed erosion, especially on the steep hills. Nuenfeldt said that she rides horses and has cut down on her use of Sunfish Lake Park due to the increased amount of mountain bikers and dogs running loose. She also mentioned that she is a MN Land Trust land monitor. When she is out at Sunfish Lake Park she takes note of things such as erosion and reports those. Additional discussion on erosion and impacts on wildlife of existing and additional trails. Frick made a motion to start working with Trail Source to identify the location of the potential new trails. Nelson seconded the motion. Motion passed. Multi Use Trails in Sunfish Lake Park – Winter Use Discussion about possible signage, ways to share the trails, and types of trail grooming. Frick and Mayek agreed that separate location for skiers and walkers was not preferred. Weldon mentioned that there are a lot of signs up in Sunfish Lake Park right now and adding more may not make sense. He suggested that there already may be over saturation of signage. No motion was made, determined it was more of a maintenance item 2018 Work Plan Prchal explained what items are on the 2018 Work Plan. Frick asked if the 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan has been approved by Council. Weldon explained that it has not been approved by Council yet, but has been through Planning Commission and the Finance Committee. Therefore, any changes to 2018 would be limited but we could bring the changes forward and make changes to 2019 and beyond. Frick asked if they could review the items a second time at the December meeting. December Meeting 2018 Work plan Staff Reports and Commission Update No staff reports Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tanya Nuss