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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-1998 Park Commission Minutes ORONQ PARK COMMISSIC)N MEETING MINUTES FUR FEBRUARY 2, 1998 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned dat�with the following memhers present: Chair Susan Wilson, Commissioners Sherakee Ilse, Andrew McDermott, Van Erickson, and Peter Welles. James White was absent. Representing Staffwere City Planner Elizabeth Van Zomeren, and Recorder Sherry Frost. Chair Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:4t7 p.m. after agenda item#1, an informal citizen presentation hy Tom Hallquist for a proposed Community Center for Orono, which was attended by Mayor Jabbour and Council Member Kettey. (#2) APPROVAL OF MjNUTES OF JANUARY 5, 1998 On Page 8, the motion was changed to reflect heavy bicyclist traffic. The last sentence was eliminated. McDermott moved, Ilse seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Park Cammission Meeting of January 5, 1998. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (#3)THANKS TO DAVID BEAL A card was distributed to send to Beal acknowledging appreciation of his contributions on the Park Commission. Council Member Kelley thought it was a good idea to plant a tree in his honar. (#4) BIKE ROUTE PLAN REVIEW � ERICKSON A. NEW MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED Wilson indicated that she needs to meet with Council Member Flint regarding the bike route plan as well as meet with the sub-committee. McDermott question whether CoRd 15 should be include in the wide shoulder bike routes. Wilson and Welles felt there was too much traffic on that road. We11es noted that Gappa said the road does n�t meet the minimum standards for a bike route. McDermott had thought the road reconstruction was going to include plans for a wide shoulder to Bracketts Point. Wilson felt bicyclists left the road and took alternative routes. A suggestion to include CoRd 15 under Heavily Used Bike Routes was questioned as using this signage in many locations would render the signs useless by being ignored if too often used. It was noted that Fax Street should have the signage. Wilson said the signage is to encourage bikers to use a road, which she felt should not be done on CoRd 15, 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR pRONO PARK COMMISSIflN MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, �998 (#4 - Bike Route Plan Review - Continued) The bike plan will be sent to Council for their review ne�t month after Park Commission approval. Wilson received acknowledgment that the Commission does not want too many separated and wide shoulder trails. She said this philosophy gaes against that of Councit Member Flint, but the Commission would like to see the rural character of Orono preserved and encourage bikers atong the rural roadways. McDermott noted that the list of wide shoulder routes include raadways without a wide shoulder. He questioned whether the ability to widen the roads is possible. Wilson noted CoRd 6 will be widened as is Willow Drive. WiIson felt the Commission should present ideas for what they believe is right. Kelley informed the commission that the Council vated 3:2 for a 28' road on North Ferndale Road with a separated bike trail on the Plymouth side of th�road. The center line extends several feet to the Urono side. MSA funding will be used for this project. McDermott asked how citizens have responded to widening roads for bike travel. Kelley said the bike travel has not been di�erentiated on the roads questioned for widening. Wilson reiterated the preference by the citizens for narrow roads to preserve the rural feel. Kelley said CoRd 6 will eventually be a 41ane road to Hwy 12 and require a separated trail. Kelley also indicated that the design of the intersection of McCulley Road and CoRd 6 is being c�rawn to purposely make it di�cult to access Watertown Road. He feels the east-vvest corridar for bicyclists is the Luce Line. Wilson said the Luce Line is used for recreational bikers, while Fox Street is used for�ast bicyclists. McDermott presented his notes regarding the bike routes. It was agreed tha# the bullet reflecting the "routes that connect city and schoals with Long Lake" would be moved under the "additional ideas and thoughts" heading. Tamarack Road wiil be designated from CoRd 6 to Medina. It was noted that Willow Road wil! have wide shoulder bike routes on both sides. Bike travel will be on both sides af CoRd 6 as well as an South Brown Road. Under heavily used bike route, it was indicated that all of Orono Orchard Road is included. McDermott thought the roads with less tl�an 4' shoulders should be moved to another category as they do not meet the State standards (5outh Brawn and CoRd 51/North Shore Drive). Wilson said the second category suggests some type of wide shoufder. Ilse said a stipulatian can be included that it a 4' wide shoulder is un�,ttainable, it be reduced to 3', Wilsan said she woutd star this item for discussion at ant�ther time. The sub-committee wi11 meet next week to finatize the bike rou#e rnap. 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, L 998 (#4 - Bike Route Plan- Continued) Kelley informed the commission of the citizen request at the last Council meeting for winter maintenance of North Brown Road trail. Kelley said if the City does not plow all the roads, it would not begin to plow trails. (#5) SPRING BIKE/WALK FOR PARKS - ILSE A. SET DATE B. DESIGNATE RECIPIENT OF FUNDS C. PARTNER WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES/SCHOOLS Ilse reported having the information on how to conduct the March for Parks, including a logo required for usage. Wilson felt it would be good to include biking as well as walking due to how the community is spread out. Ilse noted the need for sponsors and designation of date with the two week time span of April 16-26. She proposed that the event take place over the April ZS-26 weekend. Van Zomeren asked if there would be any interference with school events. Ilse did not believe so. Ilse said she would need to speak with other communities to solicit their involvement. llse said the City of Independence is interested in participating. She suggested the possibility of using Baker Park, which would be difficult to handle both walkers and bikers. Hennepin Parks has indicated their support, but Ilse indicated there would be a charge for cars to enter the park. Another route would be the Luce Line or beginning in a neighborhood. Water stops would be designated. Ilse noted pledges and donations would be necessary as well as finding local sponsorships, use of t-shirts, and possibly, an honorary chair person. Ilse said the pledges could be collected ahead of time for a specific distance. The march is not a race but a pledge to walk or bike a certain distance. Welles suggested obtaining family participation with prize incentives for different objectives, such as most money pledged, farthest distance, etc. Wilson suggested advertising at the schools. Ilse said she has asked the Lake Minnetonka Environmental School whether they would consider running the event. They in turn would contact other students. Ilse said the form asks for where the money is designated that is pledged. She felt alternatives should be listed. The Park Commission felt one alternative should be a kid friendly item, such as the proposed golf cours� ice rink, and the other involving landscaping. She suggested that the choices allow for the end result to be seen. Wilson asked whether there is time to organize this event. Ilse said the event can smart small and grow in upcoming years. Ilse said she would contact communities first. � MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 1998 (#5 - Spring Bike/Walk for Parks - Continued) A suggestion was made regarding use of the Luce Line for the event. Bikers would be sent in one direction and walkers in another with festivities to end at the same location. It was determined that the event should start at Bederwood Park with bikers ride ta the west, which allows for about a 12 mile distance. Walkers would walk to the east. Concern was voiced for weather conditions in April. Ilse said the event must be conducted within the stipulated time frame to qualify for endorsement by the organization. It was decided that walking would be available if conditions were adverse for biking. Ilse asked for and received approval for authorization to move forward with this event. She will then make community contacts with schools, girl scout troops, boy scout troops, newspaper, and see what interest develops. Commissioners will assist with distribution of materials. It was noted that there would be some printing costs involved. A time frame for the event to run during the day chosen was suggested in order to accommodate other plans by participants. Welles will review the Minnesota sports calendar. Ilse said she would contact Dick Schmidt of the DNR regarding use of the Luce Line for this event. Van Zomeren said a special events pernut would also be required. Wilson suggested adults be stationed at all cross roads for safety purposes. Ilse asked Commissioners to think of ideas for pledges. (#6) COPY FOR SPRTNG BULLETIN - WELLES Ilse will provide Welles with information on the March for Parks event. Wilson asked that information regarding canoe rack availability be included. Request for volunteers for adopt-a-park should be included in the bulletin with a list of parks available. Parks and locations will be listed as well. The parks will be categorized according to type of use. (Agenda item #7 follows #9.) (#8) VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR PARKS A. SUGGESTIONS OF PEOPLE No names were suggested. �t MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 1998 B. FRIENDS OF PARK AWARD Ilse said she spoke with Amelia Kroeger, who agreed to be the recipient for the Friends of Park Award for 1997. This award will be presented at the March meeting scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. A letter will be sent to Kroeger regarding the award. Mayor Jabbour will present the award. Ilse suggested inviting volunteers who have adopted parks and present them with certificates acknowledging their contribution. Wilson suggested this be considered for another year when more volunteers are acquired. Van Zomeren will order the plaque. A name plate will be added to the City's plaque. Photographs will be taken by Wilson. Van Zomeren will provide refreshments. (#9) SUBDIVISION PLANS - VAN ZOMEREN A. HILBELINK PROPERTY, 120 GOLDENVIEW ROAD - 3 LOT SUBDIVISION- PRELIMINARY PLAT Van Zomeren reported that the 7 acre parcel is located on Goldenview Road for subdivision into two new parcels and one existing parcel. It is located across the street from Dickey Park. Commissioners felt there was no impact on parks from this subdivision and requested cash be taken for park dedication. B. RENDER APPLICATICIN, 1365 TONKAWA ROAD - 3 LOT SUBDIVISION - SKETCH PLAN Van Zomeren reported that the property is located in the LR-1 C Zoning District requiring 1/2 acre lot sizes. There is an existing house on the property, which is to be removed. The developer's goal is to maximize the number of lots. An outlot is being proposed and with the removal of the existing house, there would be 3 100' lots with frontage on the lakeshore. The property has incorrectly been identified with a bike trail. Commissioners agreed there would be no trail along with property. Wilson suggested if land were taken it could be used for buffering with trees. Commissioners agreed to take cash for park dedication. s MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 1998 C. WAADE APPLICATION, 3280 NORTH SHORE DRIVE - 2 LOT SUBDIVISION - PRELIMINARY PLAT Van Zomeren noted the location of the property between two existing marinas in the LR-1C-1 Zoning District where a density credit is allowed. The proposal is for a back-front split of the property. A single family home would be built on the lakeshore property with a duplex in the back portion requiring a CUP. She feels the project is too intense for the lot as proposed. City is concerned, however, that the property could be absorbed by a marina. Commissioners agreed on cash for park dedication. Welles moved, McDermott seconded, to recommend cash be taken for park dedication on the three above listed applications for subdivision. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Wilson referenced the Carpenter property application. She said consideration should be given for a bike trail on the Carpenter, or west, side of the road. McDermott questioned the loss of trees if the trail were on the west side. It was suggested all Commissioners determined what they feel to be the best location for the trail that would be the least invasive. McDermott believed the trail should be on the east side. Erickson, Wilson, and Welles felt the trail should be on the west side. Erickson suggested the Commission also consider where the best location is for the trail to cross from the east side to the west side of the road for access into Noerenberg Park. Van Zomeren reported that a new plan was submitted today by the developer. The plan wiil be presented to the Planning Commission for preliminary plat approval of a 7-lot subdivision on February l 7. Van Zomeren said the earliest the resolution for preliminary plat could be presented to Council would be on February 23. Final plat would follow that approval. Van Zomeren said she would inform Gaffron of the discussion. A meeting was set up for Friday, February 6, for Commissioners, along with Gappa and Bressler, to meet at the Luce Line to determine the best trail location. Gappa will be able to assist with an engineering perspective. 6 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, I 998 (#7) REVIFW CAPTTAL. TMPROVF.MENTS/MAiNTENANCF. I,TSTS - VAN ZOMEREN A. P1tiORITIES FOR 1998 Wilson said she received a draft from Moorse regarding Park Commission requests for parks. It did not include capital improvements for the next 10 years. The Commissioners discussed capital improvements for parks. All parks will include the need to review ADA requirements and meet standards. Differentiation is noted between undeveloped and developed parks. Playground equipment should be replaced every 20 years. Landscaping for all parks should also be included. Antoine{McDermott) - picnic shelter, safety barrier(plantings), pave parking area, 3 benches Bederwood (Ilse) - evaluate soccer field, 1/2 court basketball, acquisition of property to the west, replacement ot picnic tables and benches Erickson suggested a picnic shelter, which was not listed, noting this park would be a logical place. Parking lot paving was eliminated due to increased hardcover and drainage issues. Ice rink was also eliminated due to change in philosophy of less rinks at better quality. Crystal Bay Park- gazebo, shart court basketball, field improvements, general Iandscaping, additional playground equipment It was suggested that Moorse speak with Woodhill Golf Club regarding ice rink maintenance. They were noted as maintaining a high quality rink. Erickson asked about the piece of land near the post office. Wilson said this land has not been designated as park land. It is separated by a street. Erickson suggested adding plantings to the piece of land. Casco - White not present Dickey (Erickson} -parking for 2-3 cars, benches, picnic tables, landscaping plan, trail to park, signage 7 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COI�IIVIISSION MEETING IIELD 4N FEBRUARY 2, 1998 (#7 Capital Improvements- Continu�d) Erickson reported receiving a phone ca11 from a neighbor regardin� a�neeting on what the neighborhood would like to see done with the park The neighbors do not want to see vehicles driving into the park. They do not want playground equipment. They would like to see the park maintained as open space but cleaned up. The neighbors feel the internal trails have been eliminated. Erickson suggested a trail be made into the park from �ld Crystal Bay Road trail. Welies noted the need to solve tl�e issue of easements and homeo�vners assoeiatian. Erickson said a turnaround is necessary for maintenance vehicles ta get in and aut. He said a no-left turn sign would be neeessary stipulating right-out only ontt� Watertown Road. Wilson did not feel a separated bik�trail into the park would receive much usage. Ericksan said he is concerned with the lack of a shoulder on Watertown. Wilson opposed bringing bikes onto Watertown from a separated trail. Ilse felt the site was good for picnicking. Welles did not agree with a trail to the park. McDermott and Ilse both a�;reed that walking up the hill on Watertown is dangerous. Erickson said the intent of the trail would be to lead people to a park. Wilson did not believe it would be an efficient use of funds. McDermott su�ested adding the trail to the tist for future consideration. Erickson noted that discussions have occurred regarding interior trails and he is only suggesting a shorter t�rail to the park itself. Welles said the length af the trail would be longer than thought. wlson felt the park should be a priarity for this year. All agreed. VVilson asked Erickson to inform the neighbors that they need to submit their ideas as saon as possible, noting that their ideas might not be totally foiiowed. Wilson will compile the list of capital improvements fram the lists provided by Commissioners on each park. She asked Van Zomeren to abtain a copy. McDermott noted the irtformation is provided in the minutes. (#14) �THER BUSINESS Wilson suggested the trail cammittee meet when Flint is in town. Van Zomeren said Planning Intern Bressler could assist with some park needs. She was given a list of possibitities includin�contacting neighboring communities far trail maps, obtaining a list of Park�ommission members from adjoining communiti�s, and making contacts for March for Parks. 8 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, l 998 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m. , a � Susan Wilson, Chair 9