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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP March 4, 1997 (J:' CITY of ANDOVER Special Joint City CounciI/ Park and Recreation Commission Meeting March 4, 1997 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Fire Station # 1 13875 Crosstown Blvd. 1. Call to order (6:30 p.m.) 2. Coon Creek bikeway/walkway trail discussion 95-24 (6:30 p.m.- 6:50 p.m.) 3. Approve allocation funding source/95-24/Coon Creek bikeway/walkway trail (6:50 p.m. - 6:55 p.m. 4. Order plans and specs/95-24/Coon Creek bikeway/walkway trail (6:55 p.m.) 5. Schedule special meeting with Park and Recreation Commission (6:57 p.m.) 6. Adjournment (6:59 p.m.) -. . . .. tL(~J~{z¡vu-r¿ /.0/ /997 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL CITY JOINT COUNCIL/PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - MARCH 4, 1997 MINUTES A Special Joint Meeting of the Andover City council and Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on March 4, 1997. 6:35 p.m. , at Fire Station No. 1, 13875 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Knight (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), Kunza, Orttel (arrived at 6:58 p.m.) Councilmembers absent: None Commissioners present: Chairperson O'Toole, Anderson, Barringer, Grabowski, Kieffer Commissioners absent: Blackstad, Lindahl Also present: Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Others COON CREEK BIKEWAY/WALKWAY TRAIL DISCUSSION/IP95-24 Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed Coon Creek Bikeway/Walkway Trail, Project 95-24, between Hanson Boulevard and Burlington Northern Railroad. The property for that trail was dedicated as part of the developments of Jonathan Woods, Foxberry Farms, Old Colony Estates, Creekview Crossing and Weybridge 2nd Addition on the north side of Coon Creek, plus from the Hills of Bunker Lake on the south side of the creek. That land was specifically taken for the future construction of a trail, which has been shown in the City's Comprehensive Plan since 1982. Residents that attended the informational meeting held by the Park and Recreation Commission generally were not in favor of the proposal, though a different alignment was suggested to move the trail closer to the creek. Staff looked at that alignment and determined it would increase the cost of the project by another $100,000. Also, because of the wetlands involved, it may not be possible to build it were the residents suggested. Mr. Haas also addressed several questions raised by the residents at the meeting with the Park Board. The Parks Departments has provided the guidelines and policies for maintenance and signing of all parks and trail ways. Only nonmotorized vehicles would be allowed except for City vehicles for maintenance reasons. The trail will be signed with stop signs where appropriate and other appropriate signage. The bridges will be prefab, similar to what is used for trails in other cities. Trees, plantings and wild flowers can be placed along the trail for buffers and aesthetics. Burlington Northern Ra.ilroad requires the bridge, which will go under the tracks on the north side of the creek, to be fully enclosed from one end of the right of way to the other. The City has made a serious investment in land for this bikeway/walkway which was planned for that area from the onset. The trail would be open during normal park hours, which are set by ordinance. ._-. . .. .-- ----- ill" Special Joint City Council and Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 4, 1997 Page 2 (Cook Creek Bikeway/Walkway Trail Discussion, IP95-24, Continued) Councilmember Dehn had some concerns with snowmobiles that don't seem to recognize any signage in the City. Her other concern was with the potential of trespassing onto the back yards of private properties. She felt the planting of trees, shrubs and wild flowers would provide a vegetative barrier between the residents and the trail. Another concern is how emergency vehicles would approach the trail in the event of an emergency. Mr. Haas showed where access to the trail can be made from within the developments. The trail itself will be 10 feet wide to meet state guidelines. Garv Larson. 1294 141st Lane - represented himself and Patty Lindstrom and many of the residents. He reviewed the results of a survey taken of residents along both the north and south sides of Coon Creek regarding the proposed trail. Of those surveyed, 9 wanted the trail, 28 did not want it, 14 wanted a revised location of the trail, 4 had no opinion and 8 were undecided. Nine residents were not contacted. (Councilmember Orttel arrived at this time, 6:58 p.m.) Mr. Larson stated since the survey he received a call to inform him of pellets flying from passing train cars along the railroad tracks, which is a safety concern of having a trail along the tracks. Another called with the concern of running the trail under high tension electrical wires on Hanson Boulevard. He contacted the Anoka County Highway Department and found they have plans in the next five to ten years to expand Hanson and Bunker Lake Boulevards to four lanes. How feasible is it to spend money for a trail along those roads if they are going to be torn up in a few years? Mr. Haas stated the trails would be run along the edge of the right of way and would not be disturbed because of the reconstruction. Mayor McKelvey understood the widening of Hanson Boulevard would take place within the existing road bed, so pedestrian and bike travel along there would no longer be available. Then it will be necessary to have some type of walkway along there. Mr- Haas also reviewed the overall master trails plan for the vicinity and how the proposed trail will eventually lead to Sunshine Park, the schools and to Kelsey-Round Lake Park, Other residents preferred the trail be along the road of 140th Lane so the money would not have to be spent on this project or go behind their houses. One asked why the existing bridges over the creek are not used rather than installing new ones. There were also concerns with children having to cross potentially four lanes of traffic on Hanson and Bunker Lake Boulevards. Another felt the City is rushing into a project just because a small grant is available, but the constituents do not want it. (Councilmember Knight arrived at this time, 7:10 p.m.) Questions from the audience were on the extension of the trail along the creek west of Hanson Boulevard, the lack of resources to patrol the trails, using the streets for the trails rather than building them behind back yards and disturbing the natural and wild life areas along - -..- _0-. _0___ --~ -- _. _._--- till Special Joint City Council and Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 4, 1997 Page 3 (Cook Creek Bikeway/Walkway Trail Discussion, IP95-24, Continued) the creek, the fear of lowered property values as a result of the trail, that the trail itself often runs very close to private property lines, and that the current bridge has water in it on occasion so no one can walk through it. There were also accusations that the residents have not been given enough time to express their opinions to the City and that many people do not even know about the proposal. The Mayor, Staff and Commissioners explained the trail plan was approved as a part of both the 1982 and 1991 Comprehensive Plans. There was a systematic taking of valuable property along the creek for the trail system. After further discussion, it was agreed to hold another informational meeting with residents and to invite all residents in the City to learn about the overall trails plan. No meeting date was set at this time. The special joint meeting was closed at 7:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \y\~Ct~l Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary , ,- -.. _0--- - ~-- ...,~--