06-08-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR JUNE 8,1998 . ( #2) Saga Hill Park Access Information Meeting - continued Boehm commented that he has seen few users of the Fagerness Point park and didn't think a park by the Dairy Queen would get much use. Lyle Kasprick, 1067 Linden Lane, stated that he understood that if the land had remained as open space without being purchased by the City and neighborhood, it would have been developed with housing at some point. Brian Peterson, 1100 North Shore Drive, asked if a study had been done regarding the need for a park. Jabbour responded that 25% of the households had been polled. The results indicated that open space and trails was the highest priority followed by ballfields with some amenities. Peterson commented that a number of Mound - Westonka fields were not being used and questioned the need for a park. Jabbour responded that there is a need and the City has been asked by the girls' softball group to use fields. Flint added that he has served on the Park Commission for 10 to 12 years. The Park Commission has its greatest pressure from organized teams who wish to use ballfields. The City has responded • by severely limiting the use of neighborhood parks by organized teams; i.e. Bederwood Park can be used by organized teams three nights per week. Orono's philosophy on parks is to protect open space as land is developed. However, there is an increased need for more formal parks. The Saga Hill area was initially brought forward by the neighbors, and the Park Commission has subsequently identified this area as a neighborhood park and open space area. He noted that it is irresponsible of the City to move forward with park plans without access issues being resolved. He reiterated that a condition of the last DNR grant request was that access be secured to the park. Peterson commented that the type of park development would determine the access needs. He asked about the City's master plan. Jabbour responded that no master plan existed at this time, only to gain access to the park. He felt a 20' wide access to the park would work, or acquiring the Church property if the Church was interested in selling. Another option would be to relocate the easement and create a buildable lot. He also thought construction of a road on Garden Lane would -be closer to $200,000 than $100,000, and would accelerate development of the area. Flint responded to the question about a master plan, stating that there was not a plan as to where swings and a ballfield would be located. The neighborhood is involved with those plans as a park develops, like the Crystal Bay and Antoinne parks. He added that there is a plan for one parcel vs. the second. The Mayor requested that staff make an overhead to show the two parcels. M 0