Loading...
1997-08-12 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 12, 1997 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, August 12, 1997, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. The following Commissioners were present: Libra, Liberacki, Spicer, Damberg, Norton, and Linnell. Commissioner Kleinglass was excused from the meeting. Also present was Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. :1i'isilli/:fl[ITiDlI1G'Lib�7.17_:�A117 �D[�];7�[:]IY[�2`►�ulls;liJll7�,� Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the July 15, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with no corrections. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 PARK DEDICATION FEE INCREASE PROPOSAL Mr. Hollister said that at the Joint Workshop between the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission on January 14, 1997, the Parks Commission had expressed the opinion that the Park Dedication Fee for developers should be raised to keep up with land values in Mendota Heights. Mr. Hollister presented a draft Park Dedication Fee Increase proposal based upon the Parks and Recreation Commission's instructions to return to the August meeting with a proposed new policy that combined Minnetonka's wording with Lakeville's fee structure. Commissioner Libra moved to recommend that the Council adopt the proposed new Park Dedication Fee schedule with a dedication fee of $1000 for asingle-family unit. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: I: MIN /:�i: C1�i��K17�Cy �l y 11 � 1/:�►l�C�] [i.7 �Yi1.7,7 a[tll l [�]i;f IG\`►1 �7 Mr. Hollister presented the Concept Plan submitted to the City by Hoffman Homes for a townhome development on northern half of the isthmus between Lake Lemay and Lake Augusta. Mr. Hollister asked for input from the Commission on this Concept Plan. Commissioner Linnell said that he did not feel that the site was suitable for housing, and that it would be better to use the site either for cemetery land or for open space. Commissioner Linnell said that he would like to see an extension of the County trail system through the area, running the length of the lakeshore or the top of the bluff. Commissioner Linnell asked if the City of Mendota Heights had adopted a shoreland ordinance required by the Department of Natural Resources. Commissioner Linnell said that the two lakes would probably be considered natural resources lakes, and that development should have to be 30 feet away from the bluff or any steep slope of greater than 25%. Mr. Hollister replied that the City had a Wetlands Ordinance which essentially served the same function as a Shoreland Ordinance and was basically satisfactory to the Department of Natural Resources, Commissioner Linnell said that all units should be at least 100 feet from the lake and that a trail through the area should be connected to other trails. Commissioner Linnell also said that it would be nice to have a public canoe launch on Lake Augusta, Commissioner Liberacki agreed that it would be nice to have a public launch for canoes or windsurfers, and that it would also be good to have some sort of overlook. Commissioner Liberacki said it may be preferable to cluster the housing units at the north end of the parcel and preserve the natural character of the area between the two lakes. Commissioner Liberacki added that this may also have the benefit of putting most of the housing units in a quieter air noise corridor. Commissioner Liberacki said that the City should not accept steep slopes as open space dedications, and that the City should consider linking a trail through the area to the trail on the north end. Commissioner Liberacki also expressed concern about the new residents dumping fertilizer into Lake Augusta, Commissioner Norton agreed that Lake Augusta could turn green if indiscriminate amounts of fertilizer are used on the new lawns. Commissioner Linnell said that the road servicing the new development should be kept narrow. Commissioner Liberacki said that a scenic easement should be imposed on the east side of the development along Lake Augusta. SLOWINSHI Mr. Hollister reported that Mr. Emil Slowinski had visited Staff roughly one year ago and had asked the Staff if the City would like to purchase his property for park land for roughly $400,000. Mr. Hollister said that Staff had told Mr. Slowinski that his price was probably too high for the City. Mr. Hollister reported that one year later Mr. Slowinski had again contacted the City and indicated that he might be willing to come down on his 2 price to a level the City could accept. Mr. Hollister asked the Parks Commission if the City should pursue acquisition of this land. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that the City make reasonable efforts to acquire the Slowinski property for park land. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 Chairman Spicer said that it was possible that Par 3 golf course might also be interested in this land, and that the land provided good views from Valley Park, UPDATES Recreation Programmer Mr. Hollister reported that City was in the process of hiring a new Recreation Programmer to replace Chris Esser. Mr. Hollister thanked Commissioner Kleinglass for his participation in the selection process. Mr. Hollister said that the City should have a new Recreation Programmer by the end of the month. Ivy Hill Townhouse Association Land Donation Offer Mr. Hollister said that the Council had accepted the donation of Lot F from Mr. Ralph Oyen of the Ivy Hill Townhouse Association, but that neighboring Associations were now contacting the City to express their concern about this land transfer. Mr. Hollister said that a forum would be provided for neighbors to express their views. Meeting with Dakota County Parks Mr. Hollister said that City Staff were going to meet with staff from the Dakota County park system and invited the Commissioners to join the meeting. Mr. Hollister also asked if the Commissioners had any comments they would like Staff to pass along to Dakota County Parks. The Commissioners instructed Mr. Hollister to tell the County Parks Staff that there was a need for a good sized County park at the north end of the County, and that they should also provide more trails for the north end of the County. Parks Report There were no comments on this item. Police Export There were no comments on this item. Chairman Spicer instructed Mr. Hollister not to schedule a September meeting for the Parks and Recreation Commission unless a critical issue arose, and to request approval to skip the September meeting from the City Council I:l�IZ11iJ7`►I Motion made to adjourn by Linnell and seconded by Damberg. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister