Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.09.18 Park Minutes Minutes Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission Meeting of September 18,2019 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm Present: Roger Clarke, Shawn Haag,Cathy Moore—Arcand, Nicole Schmid, Dave Strub, Ranell Tennyson Absent: Mat Rauschendorfer Staff Present: Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner Emily Weber, Community Development Assistant Chair Strub called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes from the August 21, 2019 Meeting Tennyson made a motion,Clarke seconded to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2019 Parks Commission meeting. Ayes-Roger Clarke,Shawn Haag, Cathy Moore—Arcand, Nicole Schmid, Dave Strub, Ranell Tennyson Abstained—None. Motion carried. 2. Sunset Lake Neighborhood Meeting Denaway introduced the Sunset Lake Park project and provided a brief background on the City owned property along Sunset Lake.The City has a total of 1.63 acres along Sunset Lake that has been set aside as park dedication from two developments:The Preserve on Sunset Lake and Royal Haven Estates.The City recently did a 2040 Comprehensive Plan update,which had a large focus on park and trails. During the process,the City heard from residents that they would like more access to the City's natural resources as well as a broader connection to all parks and trails throughout Hugo.The potential Sunset Lake Park would provide public recreational access to Sunset Lake.The site would not be a launch site for motorized boats. The Parks Commission reviewed two concept plans for the Sunset Lake Park on August 21, 2019 and provided comments to staff.Staff made changes to the concept plans based on the feedback from the Commissioners. Denaway introduced Candance Amberg,the Landscape Architect from WSB working on the project.Amberg provided an overview of the two concept plans to the residents present at the meeting. Concept One shows a loop parking lot with access off of Homestead Avenue North, drop off zone for people unloading unmotorized water craft,and internal park trails. Concept Two shows a drop off and unloading area, vehicular access off of Homestead Drive and 125th Street,and internal trails. Amberg stated that there has not been a traffic study done and the plans are still conceptual.Concept Two also shows a fishing pier and boulder outcroppings along the shoreline. Chair Strub stated that the Parks Commission would like to take comments from the residents on the potential park's design and emphasized that the funding and economics of the park is something that will be discussed at a later date.Strub invited residents to come forward. Many residents addressed the Parks Commission and provided thoughts and feedback on the general design of the park. Popular topics that came up were the maintenance of the park,the potential park users,the ecology of Sunset Lake,and the number of parking spaces shown on the concept plans. Residents were generally worried about increased traffic in their neighborhood and on the lake. Comments included: • There are too many parking spaces shown in the park and the number of spaces should be reduced to two to five. • Where would residents be able to put their lake weeds? • There was a concern that property values would decrease with the park. • One resident asked the City to pay association fees and to be responsible for restocking the lake. • There was concern with how many trucks would drive on the lake during winter. • Residents were concerned with the hours of the park and it was mentioned that the park should not be open past daylight hours. • How would the City manage loitering in the park? • A few residents stated that they did not want access from Homestead Avenue North. • One resident stated that access from 125th Street North is dangerous. • Some residents want a toilet on site,some did not. • Some residents were okay with a picnic table, but not a shelter. Others did not want either on site. • One resident stated that the plans looked really nice, but is worried the park would be too manicured. • Some residents would prefer that there be no lights or electricity on site. • Could there be access to other lakes like Oneka Lake or Egg Lake? The Commissioners and staff answered the residents and their concerns and provided additional details on how parks are developed in the City of Hugo. Commissioner Clarke made a statement that one of the Parks Commission's role is to respond the needs of the community as a whole. Of the 30+residents in attendance at the meeting, 13 residents came forward to voice their opinions.The Parks Commission understood that many residents were not in support of the concept plans presented. The Parks Commission directed staff to tone down the concept plans. 3. Adjournment Schmid made a motion, Clarke seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm. All Ayes. Motion carried.