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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, March 7, 2016 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Council Member Levang asked if it would be difficult to construct a trail in that area and if that is the <br />reason for why it was not included in the Old Highway 12 plans. <br />Gaffron stated there are wetlands and steep slopes on both sides of the road and that there is not enough <br />room to construct a trail in the right -of --way. <br />Brenda Johnson asked if a trail could be constructed up to Highway 6 and then over to Lurton Park. <br />Gaffron stated that is an option, and at the present time there are existing trails that Hennepin County has <br />that go west. To access Lurton, the trail would need to be extended. <br />Bryce Johnson stated it does not make sense to require a trail on the north side of the development. <br />Johnson asked if there is a trail proposed along the southern side. <br />Gaffron stated the intent was for the trail to be on the south side of the new corridor. Currently the City <br />has a number of easements and a city -owned open space along that side, but that the question is what the <br />value of the trail would be and what will it access. Gaffron stated he is not sure whether that trail corridor <br />will stay in the Comprehensive Plan going into the future. <br />Bryce Johnson asked what would happen if the Park Commission recommended an easement on the south <br />side. <br />Gaffron indicated the easement would not be part of this property since this site is located on the north <br />side. Gaffron stated the developer is looking at constructing 39 homes on the 17 acres and then the City <br />is anticipating another 26 to 27 homes on the Eisenger site. The Dumas property is currently guided for <br />seven units per acre but the Dumas family has not expressed any desire to develop their land at any time <br />in the near future. Gaffron stated it would be up to the City Council to decide whether that guided density <br />is correct for the Dumas property, but that the density scenario would be at least 65 units and perhaps as <br />many as 100 units. <br />Bryce Johnson stated it does not appear that there is any need for the Park Commission to recommend an <br />easement from this development. Johnson stated to address the nexus argument of providing something <br />for the people in this area, it might be appropriate for the City to invest money in Lurton Park since it will <br />be close to these two developments. <br />Pesek stated in his view there will be quite a bit of traffic going to the school across that intersection. <br />Edwards noted that intersection is currently signalized, which is why the recommendation was made to <br />the developer that pedestrian traffic be directed to that corner. <br />Gaffron noted there will also be an internal sidewalk system that will allow pedestrians to access that <br />intersection. <br />It was the consensus of the Park Commission not to require an easement from this development. <br />Gaffron stated they will inform the City Council that the Park Commission does not feel there is any need <br />for an additional easement for a trail or trail crossing or an internal park given the proximity to the school <br />campus. Gaffron indicated he will pass along the Park Commission's comment to the City Council about <br />improving Lurton Park. <br />Page 4 of 8 <br />