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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 12, 2014C I T Y O F ND OVE 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 12, 2014 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes — February 12, 2014 4. Open Space Acquisition Update 5. Martin's Meadows Management Plan 0 6. North Woods Preserve Management Plan 7. Other Business a. Next meeting: April 9, 2014 8. Adjournment 201 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 12, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Aaron Jarson, Jim Myers, Jim Olson and Bruce Perry Commissioners absent: Kim Kovich and Suzanne Van Hecke Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM Carol and Russ Schmeickel, 1146 152nd Lane NW, expressed her appreciation of the open spaces that have been purchased and noted that she and her husband enjoy biking, hiking and snowshoeing within the areas. She stated that they are present tonight in reference to the land that is going to be developed adjacent to their home. She noted that she received a letter from the City stating that this area is going to be developed and requested that a small amount of open space be available within the development, such as a loop trail. She stated that the development would have approximately 150 residents and believed that a loop trail with open space could be located on lot 59, which could connect to Sophie's Park. She stated that they will also bring this idea forward to the Park Commission, as they were unaware of the development prior to the previous Park Commission meeting. Mr. Carlberg noted that the Park Commission did review this development plan and did not recommend a park within the development. Jim Traver, 1134 152 n Lane NW, was also present in regard to this issue and identified lots that could be shrunken, such as lot 53, in order to accommodate a trail that would connect to the park. Mr. Carlberg believed that the opportunity would be better suited to the Park Commission because of the existing park location and the possibility to expand that area. He suggested that the residents bring the issue before the Park Commission to ask for further consideration. He also identified future trail plans for the area that would connect to nearby parks in the area. He explained that the Park Commission based their decision on what was present at the meeting and their plans for parks in that area and noted that it would be beneficial for the residents to bring their suggestions to the Park Commission meeting the following week. Chairperson Sabel stated that if the Park Commission does not take the suggestion, this Commission could reconsider the options. Mr. Carlberg noted that the City Council will also provide feedback. © Chairperson Sabel stated that she believed it would be beneficial to have a joint meeting with the Park Commission in order to discuss issues such as this. She stated that she will meet with Mr. Haas to discuss the issue and asked if a Commissioner would like to be present at the Park Commission meeting the following week. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — March 12, 2014 Page 2 Commissioner Myers stated that he could attend the Park Commission meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February 12, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Jarson, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of February 12, 2014. Motion passed 5 -0. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg stated that the Commission is in a wait and see position with the Selmer property after the discussion the previous month and believed that is the right course of action at this time. He believed that Selmer will come back to the Commission with interest in. selling once again. He also believed that Kuiken, to the north, is also still interested in selling. He believed that the best course of action would be to wait at this point. MARTIN'S MEADOWS MANAGEMENT PLAN: Mr. Carlberg noted that the Management Plan for the Martin's Meadows open space area was included in the packet. He advised that,the Plan was ,developed in 2010 and implementation began in 2011. He summarized the activities of the Parks Department efforts within the open space area in the past few years and noted that the City is going to receive $117,000 in grant funds to continue with the management of this open space area. He asked that the Commission consider these items and could provide further input at the next meeting. He reviewed the recommendations of the representative at Great River Greening in regard to management of the area and noted that staff will work with Great River Greening in regard to the plan for using the grant funds. - Chairperson Sabel suggested visiting the open space prior to the regular scheduled May meeting at 6:00 p.m. NORTH WOODS PRESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN Mr. Carlberg advised that the City has not done much in this open space area. He referenced the nearby development and highlighted the current access for the open space. He advised that the remaining property will now be developed and explained that the City will now lose the current trail easement. He identified a new trail easement and explained that Larry Emmerich would prefer to keep the trail a distance from his home. He advised that additional open space signs could be installed but noted that perhaps Mr. Emmerich would like to post private property signs or a row of hedges to provide a buffer. He stated that perhaps this area could be walked in June or at a special meeting in May in order to obtain a better perspective. He confirmed that the Park © Commission did review the new development plans at their previous meeting and did not recommend a park for this location. Chairperson Sabel explained that this is why the two groups need to get together and discuss these issues. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —March 12, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Carlberg referenced the North Woods Preserve and reviewed the easements that would be obtained, noting that portions would be paved. He also identified a trail easement that would be paved near the Aasness open space area up to the point where the open space begins and then the trail would simply be mowed. He advised that Mr. Emmerich expressed concern with the parking along the roadways within the development to access to the open space and stated that if the parking lot on Hanson were to be constructed people would park there. He noted that the cost to construct a six to eight stall parking area would have a cost of about $15,000 and stated that if the parking lot were to be constructed prior to the development being completed, people would park in the lot and not along the roadway. He explained that should parking become an issue, the City could address that. He stated that he will follow -up with staff as only minimal work has been done in this open space area, noting that some thinning may need to occur. He also discussed some management of the Aasness open space, which could be discussed in the future. Chairperson Sabel questioned why the Commission was not brought into the discussion regarding the decision to not have a park in the new addition of the Emmerich development. Mr. Carlberg stated that he could follow the agenda more closely for the Parks Commission to Q determine if items of interest for this Commission are upcoming. He agreed again that a joint meeting between the two Commissions could be beneficial. He stated that as the North Woods Preserve Management Plan is worked on the Aasness open space will be incorporated. Commissioner Olson questioned the ideal planting time for pollenating plants. Commissioner Myers stated that the plantings could be done in the spring or fall. Mr. Carlberg noted that the focus will remain on Martin's Meadows as that is where the funding is available but advised that he will follow -up to determine if grant funds could be applied for to use in the North Woods Preserve area. Commissioner Olson asked for additional information on the tree removal allowed for the next phase of the Emmerich development. Mr. Carlberg noted that it was the understanding of the City that the first phase tree removal would be done first and Mr. Emmerich was proposing to complete the tree removal for the entire development at one time. He stated that the issue has been placed on hold at this time. He stated that after the Commission walks the property they can determine where trails should be placed. He noted that this spring a consultant will mark the open space boundaries and signage can be installed. ® Chairperson Sabel suggested walking the Aasness portion of the North Woods Preserve open space area prior to the regular April meeting at 6:00 p.m. She suggested pushing the start time of the regular meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in order to allow additional time for walking the open space areas. Mr. Carlberg stated that he would post the meeting time as 6:00 p.m. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — March 12, 2014 Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS Commissioners Perry and Myers stated that they received the telephone call for the resident survey and provided input. Chairperson Sabel noted that the Commission discussed updating the City website and Facebook page at the previous meeting; Mr. Carlberg noted that some of the updates have been done to the City website but advised that the policy is not to allow posting onto the City website from outside sources. He advised that if the Commission would like pictures posted they can bring the pictures to staff to post. a. Next Meeting: April 9, 2014 Noted. ADJOURNMENT © Motion by Commissioner Perry, Second by Commissioner Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 p.m. Motion passed 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary