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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 22, 2025 REGULAR NATURE PRESERVE COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 22, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Nature Preserve Commission was called to order by Chairperson Kim Kovich at 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Natalie Hanson, Jonathan Gwinn, Margaret Miller, and Peter Miller Commissioners absent: Erik Lindberg Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician Joe Janish, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 11, 2024 Motion by Commissioner P. Miller, Second by Commissioner Hanson, to approve the minutes of December 11, 2024. Motion passed 5-0. DISCUSS LAND REVIEW AND POTENTIAL QUANTIFIABLE ACQUISITION GOALS AND OPPORTUNITIES Mr. Kytonen stated that at the last meeting, there was an at-length discussion on this topic and the desire to pursue additional land acquisition. He stated that since that time he met with other members of City staff to gain additional information on the topic. He stated that it will be important to discuss long-range, realistic goals to assist in preparation for the joint meeting with the City Council in April. He reviewed some of the areas that had been identified as areas of interest. Chairperson Kovich suggested they begin with the property near Martins Meadows and asked if staff believes that Petersen would be willing to work with the City on this. Mr. Janish replied that staff have not had conversations with this family for some years. He stated that this is a Planned Unit Development (PUD) which is moving forward in phasing. He stated that the corner identified for future phases has seven or eight lots and explained that the City would be looking for the roadway to go through that area to provide a second access to the development. He stated that the Development Agreement includes a stipulation that this development would need to include a parking lot for Martins Meadows. He stated that his involvement has been with the developer and not the property owner. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2025 Page 2 Commissioner Gwinn commented that the road connection would seem dependent on two other property owners wanting to sell. He used the scenario that those property owners were to place their properties into conservation easements and asked how that would impact the future phasing of this development. Mr. Janish explained that the City would still be looking for the cul-de-sac extension, regardless of those two properties. Commissioner Gwinn asked for more information on how the road extension would look if the property were purchased for nature preserve use. Mr. Janish replied that would need to be reviewed by emergency management, as there are possibilities where there could be something different that would still support emergency vehicles. Chairperson Kovich asked and received confirmation that the property is still owned by Petersen Farms/Anoka Grain and Feed. Mr. Janish confirmed that the property is owned by the Petersen Family. Chairperson Kovich asked if additional lots would be allowed without the road going through. Mr. Janish replied that the road would need to go through in order to support additional lots and identified lots that could be constructed in the road stopped in a certain location. He explained that the City does not use condemnation for the purpose of roadway extension and extends roadways as development moves forward and allows. He provided additional background information on the development and its review and approval process, explaining that the third phase was the last approved phase with the direction that additional phases would not be considered by the City until the developer and property owner specify the intention for the agricultural buildings. Chairperson Kovich stated that the Commission has interest in acquiring additional land to add to the preserve and asked for information on how they would go about contacting the appropriate party. Mr. Janish suggested that the Commission discuss potential acquisition with the City Council in April and they could then discuss options and potential funding. Chairperson Kovich asked for input on Outlot A. Mr. Janish commented that property is owned by the family and believes there is an interest for those family members to build homes on the property. Chairperson Kovich moved to land adjacent to Maple View. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2025 Page 3 Mr. Kytonen identified the land that the Commission has discussed in that area. Mr. Janish commented that developers have been asking questions about those properties and provided details on some concepts that have been reviewed and direction that has been given by the Council on the desired density for development. He provided additional details on what could be considered as developable land or not developable in terms of floodplain, floodway, and wetland. Chairperson Kovich then moved the discussion to the properties adjacent to Dalske. Mr. Janish provided additional background information on the history of this area and the related zoning. He stated that he has not had conversations with individuals who had an interest in the development of this area. Chairperson Kovich stated that now that Mr. Janish has more information on the future thoughts of the Commission, perhaps he can keep them in mind as requests come forward. Mr. Janish stated that when PUDs are used, that is a tool that can set aside open space. He stated that as development requests come forward there are contingencies that can be made to cluster development in return for preservation of open space within a development. Commissioner Gwinn noted the suggestion of staff to look at long-range, quantifiable goals for this topic that will be helpful in discussions with the City Council and to guide the direction of the Commission. DISCUSS FUNDING OPTIONS FOR ADDITIONS TO PRESERVES/POTENTIAL FUTURE ACQUISITIONS Chairperson Kovich stated that perhaps there should be a work session to assist in crafting those goals and discussing funding options. Mr. Kytonen agreed that there could be a special meeting held to discuss those topics in more detail. Chairperson Kovich reviewed the information provided by Commissioner Hanson which identified different funding sources and deadlines, and he provided additional details based on the knowledge he possessed on those funding sources. The Commission thanked Commissioner Hanson for compiling this information. Chairperson Kovich commented that they could hold a work session on this topic and members interested could choose to attend and delve into further detail at that time. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2025 Page 4 Commissioner Hanson stated that it would be nice to have a resource that could help them, such as the Land Trust Alliance. Commissioner Gwinn agreed that it would be helpful to have additional input from those other entities. He summarized some of the information that he believed would be helpful to possess prior to the meeting with the City Council as there would likely be some type of funding request from the City involved in any of these options. Mr. Kytonen stated that it sounds like there is a desire to hold a work session-type meeting prior to the meeting with the City Council to develop quantifiable goals and potential funding sources. Commissioner Gwinn stated that in the joint meeting with the City Council, they also need to obtain information such as who can communicate with landowners. Commissioner P. Miller stated that they should also identify priority acquisitions in order to obtain feedback from the Council on those areas, noting that perhaps the Council would not be interested in preserve expansion in certain areas and would prefer development. DISCUSS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NATURE PRESERVE COMMISSION Chairperson Kovich asked for input on the goals and objectives. Commissioner Hanson stated that the last time they met with the Council they made it clear on their goal to grow the preserves and therefore believed that should be a goal. Chairperson Kovich noted that could be the primary goal. Commissioner Gwinn commented that they could then have bulleted items under those goals to include more specifics, such as acquiring a set amount of land within a set period of time. Chairperson Kovich stated that the focus for the March meeting could be that goal. He commented that it would seem there should be two meetings in March to prepare for the April meeting with the Council. He noted that there should be two new members joining the Commission in March as well. Mr. Kytonen stated that he can work with Commissioner Gwinn to narrow down specifics on the quantifiable goals and homework that should be done in anticipation of the April meeting with the Council. Chairperson Kovich suggested that the March meeting be the worksession meeting and an April th meeting then be scheduled as the regular meeting on April 9 in order to finalize items prior to the City Council meeting. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2025 Page 5 URBAN NIGHT SKY PLACE DISCUSSION Commissioner P. Miller provided an overview of the proposal that he submitted to staff that would allow piloting of this type of program. He stated that he can continue to work with Starry Skies North on the lighting and sky quality survey and to develop additional details. Commissioner Gwinn and Mr. Kytonen appreciated the work that Commissioner Miller has done on this topic. Commissioner Gwinn asked if Commissioner Miller has also looked at Kelsey Round Lake Park as a potential location as that could provide better access than Martins Meadows. Commissioner P. Miller commented that Kelsey Round Lake Park does have more light trespassing from surrounding homes, but that location has also been on his mind as an option. He stated that he could work with Starry Skies North to do more research on both locations. Chairperson Kovich also acknowledged the desire to increase interaction with the preserves. He confirmed the support of the Commission for Commissioner P. Miller to continue his research on this topic. DISCUSS WEBSITE UPDATES Mr. Kytonen thanked Commissioners M. Miller and Hanson for their work on this topic. The Commission liked the changes to the website including the new appearance and navigation. Mr. Kytonen recognized the work the Commission has been doing on their own to contribute, which has been great. OTHER BUSINESS a. Dalske Woodlands Crossing Mr. Kytonen stated that he is working on the grant applications at this time which are due in February. b. Joint Meeting with City Council Chairperson Kovich noted the upcoming joint meeting with the Council which will occur at the end of April. c. Next Meeting: March 12, 2025 d. Next Meeting: April 9, 2025 Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – January 22, 2025 Page 6 Chairperson Kovich reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule noting the work session that could occur in March and the newly added regular meeting in April. Commissioner Gwinn commented that he would work with Mr. Kytonen, and they would send out a follow-up email with information that should be thought about in preparation for the work session related to quantifiable goals and potential funding. Chairperson Kovich confirmed the consensus of the Commission for him to meet with the Mayor and City Administrator in preparation for the joint meeting with the Council. d. Other Commissioner Gwinn noted the email received from Commissioner Lindberg. Commissioner Hanson stated that she loves that idea. Mr. Kytonen stated that perhaps Commissioner Lindberg can bring that forward to the April meeting. He also provided a brief update on potential grant funds that may be received from the Conservation District. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Gwinn, Second by Commissioner Miller, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Motion passed 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary