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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 2 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. A. Dog Park Feasibility 6 City Manager Yunker reviewed at the annual Goal Setting session, the City Council identified 7 an Action Step for staff to explore the feasibility of adding a dog park in St. Anthony. Staff 8 researched the topic and presented findings to the Parks & Environmental Commission on 9 September 12, 2022. Staff reviewed the City's parks layout and usage and other city -owned 10 property, and was unable to identify an appropriate location that would meet all or most of the 11 key criteria. In order to add a dog park current usage and/or amenities would need to be 12 eliminated. As a result, staff opinion is integrating a dog park into the park system is not 13 feasible at this time. Due to not readily identifying an appropriate location, staff did not yet 14 begin any preliminary design process, estimation of implementation cost, or ongoing 15 maintenance costs/staffing needs. 16 17 The key components that were reviewed included: 18 • Size — The recommended minimum size for dog parks varies considerable among cities, 19 but is generally between % acre and one acre. 20 • Buffer from Residential — A few cities provide definitive distances from residences, 21 varying from 50 feet to 200 feet. All strive to minimize conflicts and include guidelines 22 such as: making sure that noise and activity levels are no more than other park uses, 23 importance of screening or visual buffers, and having a minimal impact on residences. 24 • Parking — Recommendations include that parking should be readily accessible, close to 25 the site, sufficient/adequate size, and convenient. There were no standards for size; rather 26 it is important to consider parking when locating a dog park. 27 • Use Conflict Avoidance — Guidelines include avoiding play areas and other recreational 28 amenities, high use areas, natural areas and water sources, wildlife, trails, community 29 gardens and historic sites. 30 31 Staff presented the initial information gathered for input and any ideas on alternatives the staff 32 have not considered. The Commission acknowledged that there are no sites available within the 33 parks system or other city -owned property. The Commission also briefly discussed usage 34 parameters such as permits and the possibility of separate parks for small and large dogs, 35 dedicated hours for each size of dogs, and how resident education on available dog parks and 36 city ordinance around the ownership of dogs. 37 38 Discussion then focused on possible alternate locations, focusing on two areas: 39 • Open space west of Apache Animal Hospital (Railroad Right -of -Way). 40 • Open space between Hwy 88 and Rankin Rd / Old Hwy 8. (Hennepin County owned but 41 St. Anthony mows it). 42 43 Mr. Yunker requested the City Council discuss and provide feedback to staff on whether or not 44 either of these options should be explored with the property owners/jurisdictions. Does the 45 Council have any additional thoughts or observations? Other considerations for staff? A lengthy 46 recommendations and guidelines for Dog Park Site Selection, Design, Operations and