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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.14.08 meeting packet - 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 May 14, 2008 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes - April 9, 2008 3. Update on Council Discussion of Corridors 4. Discussion of Revised 2008 Work Program 5. Discussion of Conservation Tools With Guest Speaker: . Sarah Strommen, Conservation Director for the Minnesota Land Trust 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 REOUESTED A motion, second and vote are necessary to approve the minutes. Attachment Minutes Respectfully submitted, , J 1 2 3 4 5 6 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7 APRIL 9, 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, April 9, 2008, 7:04 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown 13 Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. 14 15 Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jody Keppers, Winslow Holasek, Bruce Perry and 16 Kim Kovich 17 Commissioners absent: Jim Olson 18 Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz 19 Others 20 21 22 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 23 24 March 12,2008 25 26 Commissioner Perry stated after Commissioner Holasek arrived they had six people at the 27 meeting and the motions showed him as being absent. This should be corrected. 28 29 Motion by Kovich, seconded by Perry, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried on a 30 5-ayes,0-nays, I-present (Keppers), I-absent (Olson) vote. 31 32 33 DNR COMMUNITY CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM 34 35 Mr. Bednarz updated the Commission on the DNR Grant Program. He noted City Staff will put 36 together the application but they need the Commission's help in determining what the Botanist at 37 Bonestroo will do. He stated they have a GPS at the City which can be used. He thought the money 38 for the Botanist will come from the grant and they will use the GPS to update their inventory. He 39 noted he will be meeting with someone from Bonestroo on Friday and get information from them. 40 41 Commissioner Kovich thought Joshua told them that there was some LCCMR money that can be 42 used for something like this but he did not recall what it was. 43 44 Commissioner Perry asked how far along staffwas on completing the grant. Mr. Bednarz stated it is 45 in draft form 46 47 Chairperson Deuschle thought they were already using the MLCCS for this and he thought the City 48 already had that. Mr. Bednarz stated they do have it but there are some errors in it and the ---- ----.- . . Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - April 9, 2008 Page 2 I information goes back a few years. It will be helpful to update and verify the information to narrow 2 the search for land. 3 4 Chairperson Deuschle thought MLCCS is good because it covers the entire land structure; ECS is 5 limited because it only includes the natural areas. If this is ultimately going in GIS the attributes can 6 always be entered later. Mr. Bednarz stated this was not something they have worked all the way 7 through yet. 8 9 Commissioner Kovich asked if the costs will be determined by the estimates received. Mr. Bednarz 10 indicated that was correct. 11 12 Commissioner Perry stated on the second page of the application it asks for "partner" and he 13 wondered who that was. Mr. Bednarz stated it can include the Conservation District as a partner and 14 it can also include who they will bring in to do their inventory. 15 16 Mr. Bednarz stated the DNR is interested in what they are doing but they still have to qualify for the 17 grant in order to get it. 18 1'9 20 ESTABLISHMENT OF CORRIDORS 21 22 Commissioner Kovich stated he looked at the DNR's corridor system and where Andover stands. He 23 passed out a map from the DNR for the Commission to review. 24 25 Commissioner Kovich asked the DNR how they can get corridors in Andover put on the DNR 26 maps as recognized corridors and he was told that once the corridors were established they could 27 submit them to the DNR for addition to their maps. He noted the only corridor in Andover the 28 DNR recognizes right now is the Rum River. 29 30 The Commissioner reviewed the three maps and discussed possible corridors in the City. 31 32 Commissioner Perry asked what they were trying to do with the corridors. Mr. Bednarz thought 33 coming out of the meeting with Council that was one they wanted to identify corridors within the 34 City of interest for preservation. There are three things to look at. One is to try to identify and 35 prioritize sites the City would want to purchase either outright or with easements. Second would 36 be to identify areas within a developed area, perhaps along a creek. There may not be public 37 access but can connect a corridor throughout the City. Third is in a development scenario, when 38 someone comes in to develop property and it is identified as part of a corridor in the City with 39 natural amenities, through the development review process, they can identify how they can 40 maintain a connected area to connect the corridors. 41 42 Commissioner Kovich stated the DNR wants to know that this is a bigger plan and the corridors 43 will help that with the grant. He thought this puts a little more thought into the process rather . 44 than just purchasing land for open space. ~ . Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - April 9, 2008 Page 3 1 2 The Commission reviewed the map and discussed areas highlighted for corridors. 3 4 Commissioner Keppers thought if they created corridors in the City when development came 5 through the corridor could be a focal point for the development. 6 7 Commissioner Kovich thought a corridor would be helpful for future trails and open areas. 8 9 Chairperson Deuschle wondered if the Council would use the corridors as a means for planning 10 neighborhoods. Mr. Bednarz stated they do have the tools in their development process to work 11 with developers in this way. 12 13 Chairperson Deuschle thought the draft corridors captured the image of what they are trying to do 14 in the City. Commissioner Keppers agreed. 15 16 Commissioner Kovich asked if they agreed on this and found a parcel outside of one of their 17 corridors what they would do. Mr. Bednarz stated ultimately staff would like the Commission to 18 recommend a series of corridors to the Council but there should be some sort of disclaimer 19 indicating that adjustments may be necessary as more. information becomes available. 20 21 Commissioner Kovich thought they may need-to make changes to their criteria to fit land within 22 the corridor. . 23 24 There was discussion about adding the floodplain area near Prairie Knoll into a corridor. The 25 Commission decided to leave it out of the corridor because it was between two developments and 26 did not really connect to another corridor. 27 28 Mr. Bednarz wondered if the property next to the boat landing on Crooked Lake was worth 29 keeping on their list. Commissioner Keppers thought it would be a good parcel to connect to the 30 boat landing. Chairperson Deuschle did not think it was a good fit for their purposes but thought 31 it would be a good area to expand the boat landing area and maybe put in a little park. The 32 Commission determined that if isolated parcels of interest were identified, they should be added 33 to the list not necessarily for purchase, but to ensure they are on the record for park planning and 34 potential mitigation from development. 35 36 Motion by Kovich, Seconded by Perry, to accept the proposed corridors as a draft for 37 presentation to the Council subject to field study changes. 38 39 Commissioner Holasek wondered if they were going to prioritize the corridors or present them as 40 shown on the map. Chairperson Deuschle thought they would present them as shown. 41 42 Motion carried 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent (Olson) vote. 43 44 Chairperson Deuschle wondered if staff was going to remove the study areas previously looked . Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - April 9, 2008 Page 4 I at. Mr. Bednarz thought he would leave them in because there was a lot of information specific 2 to each of the study areas that was put together. Chairperson Deuschle thought that would be 3 fme as long as they were used as a point of reference only. 4 5 6 2008 WORK PROGRAM 7 8 Chairperson Deuschle reviewed the 2008 work program for the coming months. 9 10 Commissioner Perry stated he would like to see something on conservation easements because he 11 has not seen a lot of that but is an option available to them. This was added to the work program, 12 identifying the various methods of acquisition. 13 14 The Commission noted at future meetings they would like to have a speaker come in to discuss 15 other methods of acquiring land. 16 17 The Commission felt May would be a good month for speakers to come and discuss other 18 methods and how to deal with property owners responses and how to sell the open space idea to 19 them. 20 21 Mr. Bednarz summarized what the 2008 work program as amended by the Commission. 22 23 24 OTHER BUSINESS 25 26 a. Next Meeting - May 14, 2008 27 28 b. Staff's Conversations with Parcel Owners 29 30 Mr. Bednarz reviewed with the Commission the discussions that were made between the property 31 owners already contacted and staff along with a possible parcel in the northern area of the City in 32 the floodplain area by Rum River. 33 34 35 Motion by Kovich, Seconded by Keppers, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting 36 adjourned at 8:50 p.m. 37 38 Respectfully submitted, 39 40 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 Plann4 SUBJECT: Update on Council Discussion of Corridors DATE: May 14,2008 INTRODUCTION The Council reviewed the recommended corridors at their April 220d W orksession. DISCUSSION The Council chose not to adopt the corridors officially. They did, however authorize their use in the pursuit of grants. ACTION REOUESTED None. Attachment Council W orksession Minutes -- -- ------------ Regular Andover City Council Meeting Mmutes - Apri122, 2008 Page 4 1 Berkowitz stated they do not but they are looking to bring it up to cmrent standards. 2 3 Mr. Dickinson stated they should be looking at the entire policy instead of only one section. Mr. 4 Berkowitz felt it would take six months to go through and make changes to the policy. 5 6 Councilmember Trude stated they need to make sure they have a policy that can bold up in court 7 if needed 8 9 The Council felt this should be started based on available staff time. 10 11 12 OPEN SPACE CORRIDOR SELEC'nON 13 14 Community Development Director Neumeister stated the Council and the Open S~ 15 Commi~crion discussed establishing corridors to help guide open space preservation efforts at the 16 joint work session in February. 17 18 Councilmember Jacobson asked for clarification on the verbiage in the bond. Colmcilmemher 19 Trude thought the reason they are estab1i!;hing corridors is so they can meet the requirements of 20 some grants. 21 22 Councilmember Orttel wondered why they need to determine corridors. Mr. Dickinson stated it 23 detennines an area of focus to pmchase properties in. Otherwise he did not know ifhad any real 24 true meAning in the community. 25 26 Staff reviewed the proposed corridors with the Council. 27 28 CounciImember Trude thought it would be better to keep the corridors informa11:lCCallsp' things 29 will probably change over time. She thought they were good maps to use for grants but if these . -30 were formally used., developers might get~ous thinnng they could not develop in these areas. 31 32 The Council so acknowledged, received and reviewed the corridor maps and authorized the use 33 of them for grant applications. 34 35 36 OTHER BUSINESS 37 38 . COlDprehensive Plan Update 39 .40 Community Development DiIector Neumeister stated 1bey have received a couple of commeni$ from 41 neighboring cities. The Met Council was taking issue with how their plan was prepared using 42 population and density. 43 44 Mr. Neumeister reviewed the discussion with the Met Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan -~ 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: Discussion of Revised 2008 Work Program DATE: May 14, 2008 INTRODUCTION The Commission made some adjustments to the Work Program at the last meeting. DISCUSSION A revised work program is attached. ACTION REOUESTED Please review and discuss the attached work program. Attachment Revised Work Program 2008 Open Space Advisory Commission Work Program April Continue discussion to establish corridors Prepare and submit application for Conservation Assistance Grant Program Continue to Identify funding sources Finalize corridors and niake a recommendation to the City Council May Receive Council feedback on Corridors Host a guest speaker to discuss preservation teclmiques 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 ______n____ ------- e 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 Planne~ SUBJECT: Discussion of Conservation Tools With Guest Speaker: . Sarah Strommen, Conservation Director for the Minnesota Land Trust DATE: May 14, 2008 INTRODUCTION The Commission asked for a guest speaker to discuss conservation easements and approaches to working with property owners. DISCUSSION The discussion will be held at the meeting. ACTION REOUESTED Please be prepared to ask any questions you may have at the meeting. Respectfully submitted, c4~