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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 14, 2012ANLb 1© 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda March 14, 2012 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes — February 8, 2012 4. Site Selection Process — Dehn Property 5. Discuss Joint Meeting With Council © 6. Discuss Acquisition of Property 7. Other Business a. Next meeting: April 11, 2012 8. Adjournment LAM] REGULARANDOVER OPENSPACE ADVISORY COMMISSIONMEETING MARCH 14, 2012 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, and Bruce Perry. Commissioners absent: Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, and Suzanne Van Hecke Also present: Courtney Bednarz, City Planner RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February 8, 2012 Motion by Commissioner Perry, Second by Commissioner Jarson to approve the minutes. Motion passed 4 -0 ( Kovich, Olson and Van Hecke absent). 2011 SITE SELECTION PROCESS — DEHN PROPERTY Mr. Bednarz introduced Bob Dehn, who wished to address the Commission about a possible purchase of his land. Bob Dehn introduced himself and identified the property that he owns on an aerial map for the Commission. He stated that he had been approached by the City the previous year to possibly expand the Fire Dept. property, which evolved into the possible purchase from the OSAC. He stated that he and his wife are nearing retirement and eventually their children will take over their business. He advised that the farming activity will be cut back and they would like to see this type of use for the property. He stated that he is unsure of the process and was unsure if the OSAC was interested in the areas he would possibly like to sell in the future. Matt Einsinger explained that the future goal is to focus on greenhouse activities rather than summer farming, which will free up some of the land. Mr. Dehn confirmed that the Fire Department is still interested in that parcel and explained that they would only be interested in ten acres. He suggested that if the OSAC is interested in the parcel, the sale could be combined with the Fire Department parcel. Mr. Einsinger provided details about the property and confirmed that there would be access. Mr. Dehn also provided information about his property noting that he does, and always has, practiced 10 organic farming on the land and has not used agricultural chemicals. Commissioner Perry confirmed that the land is not currently in the agricultural preserve program. Chairperson Sabel described the process that the Commission follows in regard to a possible acquisition of property. She noted that Mr. Bednarz would discuss the possibility with the Fire Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —March 14, 2012 Page 2 Department, apply the Commission's evaluation criteria and report back to the Commission. She questioned if Mr. Dehn would be interested in the City using the land as garden plots. Mr. Dehn stated that he has not thought about that possibility. Mr. Einsinger advised that there is not a well on that parcel and believed that there could be some problems with watering, should that parcel be used as garden plots. Chairperson Sabel noted that the Commission and Mr. Bednarz would complete their work and continue to stay in contact with Mr. Dehn to keep him updated. The Commission further discussed the possibility. Mr. Bednarz stated that Mrs. Dehn did state that they could possibly use their equipment and knowledge to bring the parcel back to a more native state. Commissioner Perry commented that the land is in the floodplain and also contains peat moss, which the Commission is usually not interested in. © Chairperson Sabel suggested that Mr. Bednarz compare the site to the OSAC criteria and report back to the Commission. Mr. Bednarz advised of another site, owned by Meadow Creek, which may be interested in selling. The Commission discussed the site and the number ranking which had been previously assigned to the property. DISCUSS JOINT MEETING WITH COUNCIL Chairperson Sabel referenced the discussion which took place at the joint meeting with the Council. Mr. Bednarz confirmed that the Council was in agreement with the acquisition of the Selmer property, as well as the Lawrence and Kuiken properties. He provided additional information on the discussion. Chairperson Sabel questioned the next steps. Mr. Bednarz stated that he had met with the Lawrence family, who would like the City to consider purchasing about 18 acres, much of which is wetland. He explained that the Lawrence family would like to keep the road on the north side of the ditch, which would require the construction of three new culverts. He stated that the City would like to have the road on the south side of the ditch to avoid constructing multiple culverts but the Lawrence family was not in agreement. The Commission discussed the cost of acquisition. He stated that the reason for purchasing that land would be to provide access to Hanson Boulevard, not to obtain the wetland. He believed that this is a step backward. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —March 14, 2012 Page 3 Commissioner Flores stated that the price is much too high for the value of the land. He questioned if Mr. Bednarz knew the asking price for the Kuiken parcel. The Commission discussed the cost of acquiring the Kuiken parcel. He did not recommend that the OSAC consider the offer from the Lawrence family, as only access is needed, and again explained that the City cannot pay that asking price for wetlands. He confirmed that he would continue discussions and did not believe that an appraisal of the Selmer property should be conducted until this issue is resolved. Commissioner Perry confirmed that after this parcel is resolved, the City would continue with the Kuiken and Selmer properties. Commissioner Flores stated that if the Lawrence property were not in this location he would not be interested in the parcel at all. Chairperson Sabel confirmed that the access is the highest value of the land but noted that there were Tamaracks on the site as well. © Commissioner Jarson noted that he and Commissioner Flores walked the Kuiken property to the north until the roadway ended and questioned if the intent is to extend that road. Mr. Bednarz confirmed that Mr. Kuiken intends to complete that road to Ward Lake Drive with the excess material from the County proj ect later this year, regardless of whether the City is interested in providing access from the north. The consensus of the Commission was to refuse the Lawrence offer and attempt to simply obtain access, as well as have the City Attorney investigate possible options regarding park land in another area of the city. DISCUSS ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY No further discussion. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Sabel confirmed that the newsletter had been sent out. She questioned if the Commission would have a booth at Fun Fest. © Mr. Bednarz stated that the Commission has staffed a booth at the event the past two years and could continue to do so this year. a. Next Meeting. April 11, 2012 Noted. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — March 14, 2012 Page 4 Motion by Commissioner Perry, Second by Commissioner Jarson to adjourn. Motion passed 4 -0 (Kovich, Olson and Van Hecke absent). The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz City Planner Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary E CI