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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.09.08 meeting packet ., Z-e>O'( VeL-$, () rJ o.c P6 t-lj.c..Q.- po ( IV r C I T Y o F NDOVE 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 April 9, 2008 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes - March 12,2008 3. DNR Community Conservation Assistance Grant Program 4. Establishment of Corridors 5. 2008 Work Program 6. Other Business a. Next meeting 7. Adjournment 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 · (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Courtney Bednarz, City Planne~ SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes - March 12,2008 DATE: April 9, 2008 . INTRODUCTION The Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the last meeting. DISCUSSION Please share any changes to the minutes at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A motion, second and vote are necessary to approve the minutes. Attachment Minutes Respectfully submitted, c~e --- I 2 3 4 5 6 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7 MARCH 12, 2008 8 MINUTES 9 10 11 The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by 12 Chairman Deric Deuschle, March 12,2008, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown 13 Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. 14 15 Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek (arrived at 7:15 16 p.m.), Bruce Perry and Kim Kovich 17 Commissioners absent: Jody Keppers 18 Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz 19 Others 20 21 22 APPRO V AL OF MINUTES 23 24 February 13,2008 25 26 Commissioner Sabel stated her name was misspelled on page 2, line 18. 27 28 Commissioner Kovich noted on page 3 the motion should read 6 ayes, 1 present (Kovich) 29 30 Motion by Perry, seconded by Kovich, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 31 5-ayes, O-nays, O-present, 2-absent (Holasek, Keppers) vote. 32 33 34 UPDATE ON DISCUSSIONS WITH PROPERTY OWNERSlNATURALAND SCENICAREAS 35 GRANT APPLICATION 36 37 Mr. Bednarz reviewed the owner discussions for possible purchase ofland with the Commission. 38 39 Mr. Bednarz reviewed the Kuiken family and their sod farm and explained that there is a lot of 40 floodplain that is being offered. The two parcels contain, twenty-five acres of upland property on 41 roughly eighty acres. He noted that this was something to be considered. There is also a farm road 42 across both parcels which the Kuiken Family would either want access to for sod farming or to sell 43 an additional 40 acre parcel and end the sod farming operation. 44 45 Mr. Bednarz explained that if they are going to have a grant application by the end of the month the 46 Kuiken property is the only option. 47 48 Commissioner Kovich asked how much of the Kuiken property is natural undisturbed land. Mr. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March 12, 2008 Page 2 I Bednarz showed an aerial map indicating what is on the property. 2 3 Commissioner Holasek arrived at 7: 15 p.m. 4 5 The Commission discussed the surrounding parcels around the Kuiken Family parcel to find out if 6 they could contact those owners for purchase of their property. 7 8 Chairperson Deuschle did not think that the Commission could even negotiate trading land for sewer 9 for the Leeman Lake area. Commissioner Kovich thought they should let this parcel wait and let the 10 owners know there is interest but the City cannot service them with sewer and water. 11 12 Chairperson Deuschle thought the biggest opportunity at this time is not just the sod farm area that 13 the Kuiken Family owns, but also the forest areas nearby. 14 15 Commissioner Perry thought the Kuiken property was not the best land to apply for a grant with and 16 he did not know if they wanted to apply for a grant using this property. 17 18 Chairperson Deuschle indicated he was not comfortable enough to go forward on a grant with the 19 land offered. Commissioner Perry agreed. 20 21 Commissioner Kovich wondered why they would use this area for a grant application. 22 Commissioner Perry stated he did not think that they should apply for a grant just to apply. He did 23 not think these parcels are good enough. 24 25 Commissioner Kovich thought they needed to look at the City some more to find better places to . 26 purchase. He thought it would be best if they purchased land that looked nice and was desirable to 27 everyone instead of land that looked like it was picked in a hurry. 28 29 Commissioner Olson stated they did not have a lot ofluck contacting people on the other parcels so 30 their scope was limited to less desirable property. It would be prudent to spend more time on 31 looking at more desirable parcels. They also want to spend more time on developing the area around 32 the Kuiken property in the future. 33 34 Motion by Perry, Seconded by Kovich, that the City not move forward with the Scenic Areas Grant 35 Application for 2008 due to the following: 36 37 1. The land was not desirable enough to be the first parcel purchased as open space. 38 2. Other property owners may show more interest regarding purchase of their parcels with 39 additional time. 40 3. It would be prudent to spend more time on looking at more desirable parcels. 41 4. The Commission wanted to spend more time working on parcels around the Kuiken property 42 in the future. 43 5. The Commission felt the purchase would look rushed to the community. 44 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March 12, 2008 Page 3 1 Motion carried on as-ayes, O-nays, O-present, 2-absent (Holasek, Keppers) vote. 2 3 4 ESTABLISHMENT OF CORRIDORS 5 6 The Commission and Council briefly discussed establishing preservation corridors at the joint 7 meeting on February 26th. It was generally agreed upon that the Commission should look at this 8 more closely. 9 10 Chairperson DeusWe noted they need to formally recognize the corridors and how they want to 11 go about doing that. He wondered if there was a possible corridor going up Bunker to Leeman 12 Lake. 13 14 Commissioner Kovich wondered what their definition of a corridor should be. Mr. Bednarz 15 stated it was his understanding that part of what the Council wanted was a more formal guide to 16 use when development is proposed. Corridors are also areas that connect parks or other features 17 like lakes or Coon Creek. 18 19 Commissioner Kovich asked if their corridor would be a corridor to connect open space. He 20 thought wetlands would provide a connection of open space especially in the area that was 21 discussed previously (Kuiken property). 22 23 Chairperson DeuscWe stated even if they recognize areas as corridors, it does not mean they have 24 to purchase it for open space. 25 26 The Commission discussed wetland areas along Coon Creek as a possible corridor. 27 28 Commissioner Kovich thought the area along the Rum River that included the three parcels they 29 looked at for open space could be considered a corridor. 30 31 Chairperson DeuscWe thought the wetlands are natural corridors to follow but some of this is to 32 connect the natural features of land together. He thought between the wetlands and floodplain 33 put together with the natural areas, the corridors will work out well. 34 35 Commissioner Kovich recommended the area along the Rum River become a corridor. . 36 37 Chairperson DeuscWe thought they may want to look at the planning grant through the 38 Community Conservation Assistance Grant Program. 39 40 Commissioner Perry thought they should also set a goal from now to March 2009 to look at other 41 parcels in the City for a grant next year. 42 43 Commissioner Kovich wondered if the Commission could make some suggestions to staff of 44 parcels that might be worth looking at to purchase as they drive through the City. Mr. Bednarz , Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March 12, 2008 Page 4 1 thought that would be a great idea. 2 3 Chairperson Deuschle thought that would be fine as long as they were not burdening staff too 4 much. 5 6 Commissioner Kovich pictured a corridor where wildlife and nature naturally moved through an 7 area. Chairperson Deuschle thought they may want to consider a corridor a greenway area 8 because that is more natural open areas flowing together. 9 10 Motion by Sabel, seconded by Perry, to proceed with the Community Conservation Assistance 11 Grant Program for 2008. Motion carried on as-ayes, O-nays, O-present, 2-absent (Holasek, 12 Keppers) vote. 13 14 IS OTHER BUSINESS 16 17 a. Next Meeting 18 19 . Outline a timeline of what the Commission plans on doing in the next year to plan for 20 the 2009 DNR Grant. 21 22 23 Motion by Sabel, Seconded by Kovich, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting 24 adjourned at 8:30 p.m. 25 26 Respectfully submitted, 27 28 Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary . \ 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 · (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Courtney Bednarz, City Planne~ SUBJECT: DNR Community Conservation Assistance Grant Program DATE: April 9, 2008 INTRODUCTION The Council has authorized this grant application. DISCUSSION Funding from the grant will be used to update and refme the information in the natural resource inventory. The project area will include the nine study areas, corridors between them and any other areas identified by the Commission. The project will inventory, delineate and describe the condition of natural plant communities using the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) as well as refine the wetland and floodplain boundaries within the project area. The level of expertise needed to evaluate and classify native plant communities is beyond the capabilities of Andover staff. The grant will be used to pay a ecologistlbotanist to evaluate native plant communities. Staff will use its resources to refme the floodplain and wetland boundaries and to import all of the information into a GIS format that will work with the rest of the base information maintained by the city. This information will be used in the following ways: 1. To further define the areas that the city will pursue for preservation. 2. To create a management plan for the natural areas remaining in the city. This information will be shared with interested property owners and used by the city in areas that it acquires for preservation. 3. To inform land use decisions when development or other regulated changes that will affect these areas are proposed. This information can be used in a number of ways, including the design of a residential development, purchase of a portion of a proposed development area, the location of roads, trails and future parks. The grant application is attached. Staff will be working to complete the application in time for the April 18, 2008 submittal deadline. ACTION REOUESTED The Commission is asked to discuss the grant application and make any suggestions it may have. . , COMMUNITY CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION DNR Central Region, 2008 Electronic submission is encouraged PROJECT SUMMARY PAGE.... TOP SHEET TO NARRATIVE/BUDGET Local Government Applicant: Geoaraphic Area of Focus (map with legend): Total Grant Reauest: $ Local Match: $ Total Proiect Cost: $ Proiect Period: I 108 to I 109 Proiect Manaaer (name, title, contact information): Kev Proiect Deliverables: 1. This grant will support (check all that apply): 0 Completion of a full or partial land cover inventory 0 Development of a natural resources-based land use assessment model 0 Development of a community green infrastructure plan 0 Incorporation of natural resources data/assessments into local plan(s) (identify which plan(s)) 0 Visualization techniques that demonstrate natural habitat conservation and connectivity through conservation development or low impact development 0 Development of protective ordinances for natural cover types 0 Creation of natural resources-based educational workshops for local government staff or elected/appointed officials 0 Development of collaborative, inte~urisdictional planning or action to conserve remaining natural habitats 0 Other - please specify . PROJECT DESCRIPTION (5 pages maximum; 12 point font; double spaced) In your request for assistance, describe the project clearly and specifically. Taking into consideration the evaluation criteria, the narrative should describe: ~ How the project relates to larger issues of local and regional change ~ What natural habitats (land andlor water) in your community are the focus of this effort ~ What threatens these natural resources ~ Specifically what you are seeking grant assistance from the Community Conservation Assistance Program to do ~ How this effort will assist in the conservation of these important natural habitats in your community ~ How results from this effort will be incorporated into and change local planning, policies, and/or practices ~ What the deliverable product(s) will be and how they will used ~ What broader support exists for the proposed project ~ What will happen if you do not get this assistance PARTNER QUALIFICATIONS AND SUPPORT (supplemental pages) Applicants should include letters of support at the time of application from key partners who will be working on the project (late submissions will not be accepted). LOCAL LETTER(S) OF SUPPORT (later if selected) If selected for funding, applicants must provide a letter of support from the primary elected local official within 4 weeks of notification of grant award or be disqualified. PROJECT BUDGET A. List existing and possible other sources of funding for this project B. In your budget (see budget template), clearly identify the financial resources needed to accomplish all key project objectives/activities. If other partners are involved, define their activities and financial contributions to each key activity. ~----- --- - ---.---- --- BUDGET Project Activity Responsible Estimated Grant $ In-Kind $ Partner Time for Requested Provided Activi Total $ $ $ C I T Y o F NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Courtney Bednarz, City Plann~ SUBJECT: Establishment of Corridors DATE: April 9, 2008 INTRODUCTION This item continues the discussion from the last meeting. DISCUSSION In reviewing the information, it is evident that a lot of thought went into the sample corridors prepared by the Anoka Conservation District (ACD). For the most part, they follow the Rum River, Coon Creek and a corridor of floodplain and wetlands in the northeastern part of the city. These features are connected through somewhat forested areas between them and a natural drainage way between the Rum River and Round Lake. In some locations the ACD corridors overlap existing neighborhoods. When a fairly contiguous band of natural vegetation exists in these neighborhoods, it is appropriate that they be included in . the corridors (plants and animals certainly don't pay attention to property lines). Principles of Establishing Corridors Staff tried to maximize the amount of corridors used the parameters listed below. The recommended corridors can be reduced or modified based on discussion by the Commission. 1. Primarily to show where contiguous areas of wildlife habitat and vegetation exist across the city (including developed areas) 2. Secondarily to connect these areas through contiguous undeveloped areas, including wetlands and floodplain, even if they are currently farmed 3. Additionally, to include the nine previously discussed study areas and follow the designated scenic river boundary along the Rum River Use of Corridors Once established, staff feels the corridors should be used as follows: 1. To guide site selection for preservation 2. To be considered when development or other regulated change is proposed 3. To add context to decision making in the location of future trails and par~ -- 4. To define area where information and technical assistance may be useful to property owners. Where opportunities for acquisition do not exist, the city should focus on providing information and coordinating technical assistance for those property owners that are interested. ACTION REQUESTED The Commission is asked to discuss the sample corridors and make any suggestions it may have. . Ultimately, the Commission will be asked to formally recommend a map of corridors to the Council. Attachment Recommended Corridors With Natural Areas Recommended Corridors With Aerial Overlay C I T Y o F NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NoW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWWoCI.ANDOVER.MNoUS TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Courtney Bednarz, City Planne~ SUBJECT: 2008 Work Program DATE: April 9, 2008 INTRODUCTION The Commission asked to have an item placed on the agenda to discuss the work that will be completed in 2008. DISCUSSION Staffhas identified the following priorities for 2008: 1. Establishing corridors for preservation 2. Application for Conservation Assistance Grant Program 3. Identifying additional sources for acquisition funding 4. Field work to update natural resource inventory 5. Prioritization of sites for acquisition 6. Contacting/negotiating with property owners There are a variety of tasks associated with each of these items. Staff has prepared a rough schedule of these tasks for discussion purposes (attached). ACTION REQUESTED The Commission is asked to discuss the draft work program and make any suggestions it may have. Attachment Draft Work Program ~- -- --- -- --- Draft Work Program April Continue discussion to establish corridors Prepare and submit application for Conservation Assistance Grant Program Continue to Identify funding sources May Finalize corridors and make a recommendation to the City Council Continue to Identify funding sources June Sort property owner information into two groups: potential acquisition and technical assistance Begin prioritizing sites for acquisition Prioritize funding efforts for the next 12 months and coordinate activites accordingly July Receive approval of Conservation Assistance Grant Application Contact property owners within corridor to request permission to conduct on site field inventory Prepare equipment and train staff for field work Continue to prioritize sites for acquisition August Field work Continue to prioritize sites for acquisition September Field work Integrate results of field work into natural resource inventory October Review updated natural resource inventory Confirm/Update prioritized sites for acquisition November Contact Property owners of prioritized sites December Negotiate with interested property owners January Negotiate with interested property owners February Negotiate with interested property owners March Apply for Natural and Scenic Areas Grant