1990-11-27 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATIONISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 1990
q2l
A special meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation
Commission was held on Tuesday November 27, 1990 in the City Hall
Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair John Huber called the
meeting to order at 7:00 o'clock p.m. The following members were
present: Huber, Hunter, Katz and Spicer. Kleinglass, Damberg and
Lundeen were excused. Staff members present were Parks Project
Manager Guy Kullander, Parks Leadperson Terry Blum and
Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. Barry Warner and
Augustine Wong, of Barton-Aschman, Keith Heaver and Jim Kilburg
were also present.
PRELIMINARY SKETCHES OF
MENDAKOTA PARK
Chair John Huber introduced Barry Warner and
Augustine Wong, of Barton-Aschman who were present
to discuss preliminary sketches they had prepared
for the layout of the athletic fields at the
recently acquired Mendakota Park. Barry Warner
presented an overview of four alternative sketches
that were displayed on the walls, each with
different configurations.
Barry Warner discussed the opportunities and
constraints of the site. He stated that the site
was flat and this meant less grading, that there
existed some black dirt on the site that could be
used to alleviate having to haul all of it in, that
the natural drainage was favorable and that there
existed quite a bit of sandy soil that would be
good for percolation, enough so that drain tile
would not have to be used like at Sibley. Mr.
Warner explained that the high point of topography
was at the center of the southern border and that a
strip of wooded area existed along the southern
border. Mr. Warner stated vegetation removal would
be minimal.
Mr. Warner stated that the NSP easement running
through the western end of the site was a
constraint, that grading or playfields could not
occur in the easement. He stated that both power
lines and gas lines existed in the easement.
Mr. Warner stated that storm sewer was present and
that a hydrant was present for irrigation. Mr.
Warner stated that there was an opportunity for on
street parking along the south side of Mendakota
Drive.
Mr. Warner explained that all four concepts allow
for four softball fields with a standard of 280'
outfield fences. He stated the concepts differ in
their configurations and that some include a full
sized soccer field and free skating rink. He
stated all four concepts have the neighborhood park
amenities located at the west end of the park
adjacent to the single family homes and that this
includes play structure, hardcourt and the other
typical neighborhood park amenities. He stated
that some concepts showed tennis courts as a
possible land dedication by the developer of
Mendakota Estates.
Mr. Warner presented the details of Park Concept A
through D. Mr. Warner followed these descriptions
by stating that he felt strongly that this should
be a community oriented park with softball only as
a primary feature. He stated this meant that
soccer, skating, play structure, open areas, etc.
should also be incorporated, that the opportunity
existed to provide the community with many various
park uses in this facility.
Commissioner Katz agreed with this concept and
stated that she did not prefer Concept D as it had
auto traffic bisecting the park. Mr. Warner stated
that this option was provided in case the Fire
Department had qualms about emergency access to the
Fire Station during peak park hours. Staff was
directed to consult with Public Safety for a review
of the preferred design.
The Commission agreed that auto traffic bisecting
the park and utilizing the NSP easement to access
Dodd Road should not be used, provided the Fire
Department concurred. The Planning Commission
discussed parking. Mr. Warner indicated the
standard for parking is 30-40 spaces per playing
field. Location of parking to the fields and to
the skating rink was discussed.
The Commission discussed a possible land dedication
for tennis courts with Mr. Keith Heaver, a
developer in Mendakota Estates. Mr. Heaver stated
the association was considering the dedication of a
single family lot for use in the park as a tennis
court. Commissioner Spicer indicated that the City
had an adequate number of tennis courts to meet
demand and that a tennis court had not been
included in Mendakota Park and had not been
budgeted for in the referendum. Parks Project
Manager Kullander stated it cost $20,000 to
ADJOURN
construct one court. Mr. Heaver stated that the
association would consider dedicating the land and
constructing the tennis courts, if the City would
maintain and insure them. Kullander stated that if
the association was willing to do this they should
request it in writing and the City could consider
accepting this and including it in the construction
bid to save on construction costs.
The Commission discussed designing the softball
field layout in a pinwheel fashion with the comfort
station at the hub of the four fields. After this
discussion the Commission concurred that the
pinwheel design was most favorable. The Commission
concurred that the layout should be a pinwheel
layout of four 280' softball fields on the east end
of the park with a 330' by 195' soccer field to the
west of the softball fields, with one parking lot
of 100-140 spaces, with a comfort station in the
hub of the softball pinwheel, a warming house by
the free skating area and neighborhood park
facilities on the western end of the park past the
power line easement. Mr. Heaver stated he was
comfortable with the preferred design, which he
felt met the needs of the neighbors.
Kullander stated that this concept has what the
ballplayers want, yet provides open areas for
general use, soccer and skating. Kullander stated
that Barton-Aschman would prepare final sketches
for presentation at the December 4, 1990 City
Council meeting, that Council would review it and
provide direction to the Commission so that the
Commission could approve final plans at their
December 11, 1990 meeting.
There being no further business the Parks and
Recreation Commission adjourned to their regular
December meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Batchelder
Administrative Assistant