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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 11, 2012E I Kk • y-..�. 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 January 11, 2012 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes— December 14, 2011 4. 2011 Site Selection Process 5. Update - Maintenance of Open Space Sites © 6. Other Business a. Next meeting: February 8,2012 7. Adjournment H REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 11, 2012 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Acting Chairperson Kim Kovich at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Gretchen Sabel Also present: Courtney Bednarz, City Planner RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — December 14, 2011 Motion by Perry, Second by Olson to approve the minutes. Motion passed 4 -2 -0 (Flores and Jarson present and Sabel absent). COMMENTS FROM PARK COMMISSIONER MISKOWIEC Park Commissioner Miskowiec stated that he was present to obtain additional information from the Commission in regard to definition of open space. He confirmed that the Commission would allow any non - motorized vehicle activity within the open space. He questioned what the Park Commission could do to promote the activities which could take place in the open space areas. He suggested a mountain bike course that could possibly be used for cross country skiing in the winter. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that the Commission did not discuss bicycles in specific but instead agreed that non - motorized vehicle activity would be allowed in the open space areas. Park Commissioner Miskowiec questioned the type of activities that could take place in the open space areas. Commissioner Flores stated that he would suggest any activity which does not disturb or detract from what the City is attempting to protect, and explained the more gentle the better. Park Commissioner Miskowiec asked that the Commission think about this issue and provide additional clarification to the Park Commission in regard to allowable activities, again suggested a mountain bike course and possibly cross country skiing. He stated that there are already trails in place that could be used for that purpose. Commissioner Flores stated that although trails may be in place, the Commission would not like to see further damage from very active use. He suggested that the Commission continue to discuss this item in more depth. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — January 11, 2012 Page 2 Park Commissioner Miskowiec explained that uses could be posted on the City website to further market the open space areas to residents. Commissioner Flores agreed that the open space areas should be open for residents to enjoy and suggested that one activity be added to determine the impact of use, with the ability to allow additional activities in the future. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that Martin's Meadows would not be a good fit for a mountain bike course because of the wetland location and the condition of the trails. He explained that the open space is intended to promote nature and the enjoyment of the area, which he felt was opposite from a mountain bike course. Mr. Bednarz identified an area of open space which has erosion and damage from snowmobiling. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that the trail could also bring in unwanted motorized vehicle activity, such as ATV's or snowmobiles. Commissioner Flores stated that the Commission would also need to think about the effect that a new activity could have on other activities, such as walking, and did not think biking would be a good fit. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that he believed that cross country skiing and snowshoeing would be good fits, as the winter activities would not interfere with walkers or be too intrusive. He stated that the Commission could continue to discuss this item, including activities and locations, in more depth at future meetings. Mr. Bednarz stated that the Commission would meet with the Council in February to plan for the upcoming year and noted that further discussion could occur at that meeting as well. UPDATE ON COUNCIL INTERVIEW PROCESS AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW COMMISSIONMEMBER Commissioner Olson suggested that he and Planning and Zoning Commissioner Holthus provide an update on the interview process which they had both completed with the Council. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Holthus stated that she was placed on this Commission to begin with to replace another member. She explained that she was already, and still is, a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and therefore her place on this Commission had been fulfilled by Aaron Jarson. She stated that during this process she had discussion with the Council regarding their desires for the Commission, including interest in smaller parcels. The Commission further discussed the previous desire of the Council in regard to open space and the changes in opinion that have occurred. The definition of open space was also discussed. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —January 11, 2012 Page 3 Planning and Zoning Commissioner Holthus noted that the direction and focus of the Park Commission has also changed in recent years, with the focus on larger regional parks and phasing outdated equipment out of smaller neighborhood parks. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that some residents were under the impression that the legacy funds would be used for clean water and items of that nature, when in fact those funds are being used for alternate things such as the arts. She questioned if the public had those same concerns over the intent of open space. Mr. Bednarz stated that the Council has many areas of focus and often react to resident comments. He advised that the Commission would need to stay strong on their focus and explain their efforts and direction to the Council at the joint meeting in February. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Holthus stated that she really enjoyed working on this Commission and will continue to attend some meetings as a member of the public. Commissioner Jarson introduced himself and explained the reasons he was interested in joining the Commission. The other Commissioners and Mr. Bednarz introduced themselves and provided background information about the Commission. 2011 SITE SELECTION PROCESS Mr. Bednarz distributed a map to the Commission and noted that the Selmer property has been a focus for the past year, identifying the lack of access to the site. He provided an update regarding the discussions he had with the different property owners neighboring the Selmer property and the possibility of purchasing approximately 20 acres in order to obtain access to the Selmer property. He advised that Kuiken were interested in selling at least 20 acres to the City for this purpose, but noted that Lawrence would only be interested in discussions if the City were to purchase the wetland on their property first. He advised that Lawrence quoted a price of $10,000 for the City to purchase the wetland and explained that he told the property owner that was far more than even that amount of farmland would be worth. He also advised that Aasness would be willing to sell his 40 acres. Acting Chairperson Kovich explained that this is one of the last oak forests in Andover and that is why the Commission would like to preserve the area. He stated that the City may have to pay in order to obtain access to the property. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that in the future when development occurs, the City would obtain ® access to the parcel and questioned if that would be enough for the Council to support the purchase of the Selmer property. Commissioner Olson noted that it seemed the opinion of the Council that the development would occur further in the future and there would not be support for the purchase of this property without access. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —January 11, 2012 Page 4 Mr. Bednarz stated that the 40 acres of the Lawrence property was evaluated at $215,000, but stated that estimate is much different than the $10,000 per acre for the wetland. He was unsure that a reasonable price could be agreed upon, and confirmed that the Lawrence family would also like to continue to grow sod on the area. He stated that he spoke with the son, who was going to speak with his parents, the actual land owners, to determine if they would be willing to work with the City. Commissioner Olson suggested offering purchase of only 20 acres, with sod operations still allowable. He confirmed that only access and parking would be needed. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that wetlands are already protected by regulation and therefore by definition is not something that needs to be preserved. He agreed that an offer to purchase 20 acres could be made to Lawrence which would allow for access to the Selmer property and would also allow for their sod operations to continue. Mr. Bednarz stated that another option for access to would to make a long access point which would go North through the Jim Kuiken and Dennis Kuiken parcels to Ward Lake Drive, but noted that route would be approximately'/ of a mile simply to access the Selmer property. He noted that both of those property owners would be willing. He believed that the City would need to compensate for © the access, explaining that Dennis Kuiken may be willing to combine the access with the purchase of the 20 acres, and noting that Jim Kuiken would need to be compensated separately. Acting Chairperson Kovich confirmed that there would be two options, to continue discussions with Lawrence and to explore the alternate access route through the Jim Kuiken and Dennis Kuiken parcels. Commissioner Van Hecke confirmed that if the long access route was obtained, additional access could be provided when the Ganter and Putnam parcels develop. The Commission discussed the options for access including positive and negative aspects of both options. Mr. Bednarz stated that the City is in a position to counteroffer the Lawrence offer. He confirmed that the Commission would be in favor of purchasing 20 acres of the Lawrence property at a fair market value. The Commission directed Mr. Bednarz to explore the ability to purchase the Selmer property and 20 acres from the Kuiken property, as well as the two options for access as discussed. UPDATE — MAINTENANCE OF OPEN SPACE SITES © Mr. Bednarz addressed the ATV and snowmobile issue regarding open space and believed that something more needed to be done. He stated that the snow fence lasts only about one week before it is taken down and did not believe that signage would be enough. He questioned if the Sherriff s office should be alerted to the situation to issue violations, as he believed that cost would be covered under the contract. ® Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —January 11, 2012 Page 5 Commissioner Olson suggested the use of a trail camera which could photograph license plates. Commissioner Flores questioned if fencing would be appropriate. Mr. Bednarz stated that a permanent fence could be installed at the base, or both bases, of the bluff with another option being to install a fence on the top of the bluff. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that another option would be to educate the residents and explained that residents visiting the open space may turn in violators. Mr. Bednarz stated that Parks maintenance is going to install a larger signage at the entrance to each utility corridor. He suggested that fencing be placed at each base end of the bluff. He stated that the Commission would be unable to stop the snowmobilers in total but stressed that the concern now is with the bluff and preserving that area from further damage and erosion. Acting Chairperson Kovich identified three areas he believed should be fenced in order to deter snowmobilers from the bluff area. 10 Commissioner Flores believed that signage should be posted near the fences as well. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that if the Sherriff could visit the site after a good snowfall, as that may deter the activity. Mr. Bednarz stated that he would like to consider fencing at both sides of the base of the bluff. The Commission supported the installation of permanent fencing to be installed on both sides of the base of the bluff in order to prevent further erosion. Commissioner Olson suggested an alternate design for the fence which would be less intrusive. Mr. Bednarz presented the estimate from Great River Greening regarding the amount of restoration work that could possibly be completed with their existing funds. He stated that some items proposed match the desires of the Commission but noted that some decisions would need to be made regarding the amount of matching funding and /or grant funding that the Commission would be interested in attempting to obtain. He stated that staff will work with Great River Greening to determine the amount of work which could be completed and asked that any comments or questions be directed to him. He stated that acquisition dollars will be available through the DNR Natural and Scenic Area Program. a OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Bednarz stated that the Commission has discussed walking some of the open space areas with the Council and asked if a date should be set.