HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.26.08 Joint Open Space/CC meeting
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1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755.5100
FAX (763) 755-8923. WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
CC: Jim Dickinson, City Administr.#
Will Neumeister, Community Developm nt Director ~
FROM: Courtney Bednarz, City Planne(i
SUBJECT: Joint Open Space Commission Meeting 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
DATE: February 26,2008
INTRODUCTION
A joint meeting was scheduled to allow the Council and Open Space Commission to discuss
each others role in the process of preserving open space.
DISCUSSION
Most recently, the Commission has focused on finding a property with which to pursue a DNR
grant as requested by the Council. The Commission will continue this effort at their March 12th
meeting. The other tasks undertaken by the Commission, as shared with the Council at the
January 22nd Work Session, are summarized below.
1. Contributing to the open space language of the Parks and Open Space Chapter of
the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission discussed this item at each meeting until
review was completed atthe October 14th meeting.
2. Completion of a tabletop natural resource inventory. The Commission worked with
the Anoka Conservation District to assemble all available information into a digital
format. This allows the information to be readily available for reviewing properties and
creating maps. Work on this task began in July oflast year and will continue in the
future as the information needs to be updated periodically.
3. Creation of a method for evaluating properties for preservation. The Commission
created a matrix for scoring properties based on the desirable characteristics defined in
the Comprehensive Plan and the information available through the natural resource
inventory. Work on this task began in October and continued through the last meeting. A
draft of the scoring matrix is attached.
4. Reviewing funding opportunities. The Commission reviewed a number of
funding sources to determine where matching funds could be found. The largest grant
identified is the DNR Natural and Scenic Areas Grant Program with a 50% match up to
$500,000. However, the Commission did not feel that they would be in a position to
recommend a project to the Council in time for the March 31, 2008 deadline for this grant
program.
NEXT STEPS
The Commission will apply the evaluation criteria to the natural resource inventory on a citywide
basis. The result will be a prioritized list of areas and properties that can be recommended to the
Council for preservation. It is anticipated that this will take some time to complete.
The Council and Commission also expressed an interest in pursuing a grant through DNR to
secure funding for field work. This would pay for field evaluation to refine the tabletop natural
resource inventory for the prioritized areas. The funds could also pay for survey work to achieve
legal descriptions for easements or deeds.
ACTION REOUESTED
The Council and Commission are asked to discuss their expectations for the year ahead.
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