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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 12, 2012ANLb Y o f 6VE O!P © 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CLANDOVER.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda December 12, 2012 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes — November 14, 2012 4. Hanson Area Acquisition of Property Update © 5. Review and Discuss Other Potential Open Space Property Acquisitions 6. Other Business a. Open Space Article — Anoka Union b. Next meeting: January 9, 2013 7. Adjournment X REGULAR ANDOVER OPENSPACE ADVISORY COMMISSIONMEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke (arrived at 7:06 p.m.) Commissioners absent: None Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director Stephanie Hanson, City Planner RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —November 14, 2012 Motion by Commissioner Olsen, Second by Commissioner Jarson to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 -0. HANSONAREA ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY UPDATE Mr. Carlberg reviewed the properties that as of the last meeting had a purchase agreement in place and provided an update on the progress since the November 14th meeting. He noted that the City hired a consultant to review the area that would be used to access the parcel who determined that the land does have wetland characteristics and has not effectivelybeen drained. He noted that the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization ( LRRWMO) TEP held a meeting and recommended that the land would need to be mitigated. He advised that the LRRWMO would be meeting the following week to review the recommendation from the TEP. He reported that the cost to mitigate the wetland and construct the road could be $80,000 to $200,000. Commissioner Van Hecke arrived 7:06 p.m. Commissioner Olson questioned why a road would be needed to access the parcel. He stated that the land is open space and suggested instead having people walk in to the open space area. He noted that a small parking area could be constructed and visitors could walk the remaining way. He acknowledged that while mitigation may be required for a parking area, the cost would be significantly less. Mr. Carlberg stated that if people were just walking in on the existing land he did not believe that mitigation would be required. He was not sure whether mitigation would be required for a woodchip path to be constructed. Commissioner Kovich stated that he liked the idea of keeping the property acquisition as is, with the easement, and for now simply put a trail on the easement for access. He noted that a road could always be a possibility for the future. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — December 12, 2012 Page 2 Mr. Carlberg confirmed that the City would have sufficient time to discuss that opportunity prior to the LRRWMO Board meeting the following week. Commissioner Perry noted that he is an alternate member of the LRRWMO Board and attends the meetings regularly with the Andover representative Todd Haas. Commissioner Van Hecke noted that this access could be temporary, as permanent access could be gained when the property to the east develops. Commissioner Kovich believed that the City should stay with the proposed 33 foot easement, as that would ensure the possibility of a road in the future. He did not believe that the property to the east would develop for quite some time. He noted that would also allow for suitable parking space as well. Chairperson Sabel noted that the parking area would also help to identify the location of the open space area. It was the consensus of the Commission for Mr. Carlberg to pursue the option of accessing the open space parcel via trail. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that staff would reach out to staff for the LRRWMO the following day and the Lawrence family to further discuss the option. He stated that an update would be made to the City Council at their meeting the following Tuesday. Commissioner Olson confirmed that if everyone agrees with the option for a trail, the closing date could be extended and the purchase agreements could be amended. Mr. Carlberg agreed that the documents could be amended as discussed and the dates could be extended. He noted that if needed, the Commission could hold a special meeting prior to the regularly scheduled January meeting. RE VIE WAND DISCUSS OTHER POTENTIAL OPEN SPA CE PR OPER TYA CQ UISITIONS Mr. Carlberg referred to a parcel identified for sale by Commissioner Van Hecke at the previous meeting. He advised that the parcel is 4.6 acres and is listed for $235,000. He stated that there are some major challenges for building on the parcel. He noted that after some research the parcel was purchased in 2005 for $235,000 and explained that the buyer is simply trying to sell the parcel for the same amount it was purchased for. He reported that the estimated market value by the County is $120,000 and noted that after receiving that information he did not think it was worth it to make a counter offer to the owner. He stated that perhaps after the Hanson acquisition is finished the Commission could revisit the parcel but was not sure if it would be worth it as the property already has major challenges for development. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — December 12, 2012 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS a. Open Space Article —Anoka Union Mr. Carlberg included an open space article that was printed in the Anoka Union in the Board packet for review, noting that he asked the writer to remain vague on the details of the possible Hanson acquisition because of the uncertainty at this time. He advised that there were a number of mistakes in the article. Noted. b. Next Meeting. January 9, 2013 C. Other Mr. Carlberg reported that a member of staff and the DNR visited the North Woods Preserve open space area to review the health of the trees. He reported that there is also a possibility of harvesting trees or materials for wreaths that could be sold off -site by Boy Scouts or a similar organization. He stated that staff would continue to research those opportunities and noted that there may be grant funding available. Chairperson Sabel advised of another grant fund opportunity that has a deadline of December 15'. Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Jarson to adjourn. Motion passed 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary