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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.12.12 meeting packet1685 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 December 12, 2012 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes —November 14, 2012 4. Hanson Area Acquisition of Property Update 5. Review and Discuss Other Potential Open Space Property Acquisitions 6. Other Business a. Open Space Article — Anoka Union b. Next meeting: January 9, 2013 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: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes — November 14, 2012 DATE: December 12, 2012 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 November 14, 2012 Minutes Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg REGULAR ANDOVER OPENSPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2012 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall,1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, and Suzanne Van Hecke (left the meeting at 7:57 p.m.) Commissioners absent: Bruce Perry Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — October 10, 2012 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Jarson to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 -0. HANSONAREA ACQUISITION OFPROPERTY UPDATE Mr. Carlberg displayed an aerial photograph of the properties along the east side of Hanson Boulevard and identified the desired parcels to be acquired. He reported that the City Council recently approved purchase agreements with Selmer, Kuiken, and Lawrence families to obtain a total of 51 acres, with a permanent easement over the one acre of Lawrence property. He advised that all of the purchase agreements have a closing date deadline of December 31, 2012, contingent upon an access road to the properties. He explained that the area of the Lawrence property is considered a farmed wetland by the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization ( LRRWMO) which could have additional financial implications. He advised that the Council reviewed the matter in closed session and directed staff to move forward if the road can be constructed within the budgeted amount, the Council is not interested in paying the additional amount that may be necessary for filling and mitigating the farmed wetland. He stated that staff is investigating other access options but explained that if the road cannot be built within that budgeted amount the purchases will likely fall through. Commissioner Olson stated that he does not believe that the open space funds could be used to construct a roadway. Mr. Carlberg stated that under legal review it has been determined that the funds could be used to construct access to an open space area. Commissioner Flores agreed that funds should be spent on land and not an access road. Mr. Carlberg explained that if the LRRWMO is firm on their view of the area as farmed wetland he believed the deals may fall through. He reiterated that the Council has no interest in paying an additional amount for purchasing wetland credits for constructing the roadway. He noted that the Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 14, 2012 Page 2 City should have a decision from the LRRWMO by the end of the week and that will guide the direction for the future. Commissioner Olson stated that he believes that the City should pay for the roadway to be constructed, as the open space funds will be used to purchase the land. Chairperson Sabel stated that the Commission and the City have come out so much better than she could have imagined because the funds were gained and then property values fell, so the Commission was able to purchase so much more with the funds. She explained that because of that, she was willing to use the open space funds to construct an access road to the property. Commissioner Flores stated that it did not seem fair that the families involved would be losing out on the funds they are thinking about gaining from the sale and believed that maybe the landowners could possibly assist in finding a solution to the access issue. Mr. Carlberg agreed that any information passed down from the LRRWMO would be shared with the families. Commissioner Olson stated that there was another access option through property to the north to Ward Lake Drive. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that the Council would not approve the construction of a roadway that requires a one to one or two to one wetland replacement, and the Council would also not support the purchase of the property without it being accessible to the public. REVIEWAND DISCUSS POTENTIAL OPENSPACE PROPERTYACQUISITIONS Mr. Carlberg provided an update on the property owner that had expressed possible interest in selling 35.68 acres of open space land to the City that has multiple owners. The current listing price is too high. He referenced an additional property which is approximately 120 acres along the Rum River that was rumored to be up for sale. He noted that he followed up with a member of the family that stated they have no intention and no interest in selling any of their land. Commissioner Kovich noted that additional land opportunities could be discussed at the December meeting once a decision is known on the Hanson area properties. Commissioner Van Hecke identified a parcel along the Rum River, near the Strootman Park boat launch, that is currently listed for sale. She advised that there is a public boat launch neighboring the parcel which would make the area seem larger. Mr. Carlberg noted that the area is within the floodway and there are some issues with buildability. He noted that he could obtain additional information on the parcel prior to the December meeting. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 14, 2012 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg referenced the budget and reported that the open space fund currently has a balance of $752,683.03. He referenced the maintenance issues identified on the walkthrough conducted of Northwoods Preserve and summarized how those issues are being addressed. He advised of an issue with a neigh boring dog that occurred on the site and noted that staff would follow up to ensure that the dog is chained. He confirmed that he will follow up to ensure that using open space funds to construct a roadway to access open space would be appropriate. Commissioner Van Hecke left the meeting. a. Next Meeting: December 12, 2012 Noted. Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Flores to adjourn. Motion passed 5 -0. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary 9 C I T Y O F N 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: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Hanson Area Acquisition of Property Update DATE: December 12, 2012 INTRODUCTION Staff has continued to work with property owners to pursue acquisition of approximately 51 acres east of Hanson Boulevard. DISCUSSION An update will be provided at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A discussion will be held at the meeting. Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg 16ELIVnIo `` F� ..,.r I �`� 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: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Review and Discuss Potential Open Space Property Acquisitions DATE: December 12, 2012 INTRODUCTION Staff will provide an update on other potential open space acquisition sites. DISCUSSION An update will be provided at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A discussion will be held at the meeting. Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg MR abcnewspapers.com http ; / /abcnewspapers.com /2012 /11/26 /andover- looking -at -new- open- space - purchases/ Andover looking at new open space purchases By Eric Hage non November 26, 2012 at 3:16 pm Six years ago, Andover voters approved a $2 million referendum so the city could protect tracts of land from future development. Andover has purchased two properties to date. The city now has its eyes set on two additional purchases, which would result in the preservation of 50 acres east of Hanson Boulevard and about half -a -mile north of 161st Avenue. This is far from a done deal, however. Community Development Director David Cadberg said if wetland mitigation is required to build a road to these landlocked properties, these agreements will likely fall apart. The Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization is considering the city's plan forthe road. Gretchen Sabel, chairperson of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission, said the 40 -acre property owned by James Selmer and Hazel Blanchette is "the heart of that area." Some of the pine trees on the site were previously logged, but a thick forest of oak trees remains and there is a beautiful wetland area, she said. Purchasing another 10 acres to the south owned by Dennis Kuiken allows the city to have even more of the wooded area, Sabel said. "It's a stunning property," she said. Open space advisory commission member Suzanne Van Hecke said a solid acreage of oak forest is rare for Andover. There are some hunting trails through the woods, but the property is very pristine. The purchases are tentative because the city needs to do site surveys and evaluate the costs of building a road to access the 50 acres, according to City Administrator Jim Dickinson. Having the preliminary purchase agreement protects both sides rather than having a verbal agreement that the city can go on the site to evaluate conditions for a road, Dickinson said. Under the terms of the agreements, they would be voided if the closings don't take place by Dec. 31. Andover is looking to purchase an easement from Douglas and Joanne Anderson for $25,000t hat would allow a road to be built east of Hanson Boulevard and to the properties. Without this easement, the 50 acres would be landlocked. At this point, the city is offering to purchase the 40 -acre parcel from Blanchette and Selmer for $342,000.T he 10 -acre piece of property that Kuiken now owns drew a $94,000 offer from the city. This would put the per -acre cost for all 50 acres at $8,720 per acre, which is much less expensive than the per -acre cost the city paid for the previous two properties it purchased under the open space program. Dickinson said not having access to the property without the easement and the road is why the city offered less. By comparison, the city paid Hope and Jeff Luedtke $930,000 for 38 acres along the Rum River. This comes in at about $24,474 an acre. Andover bought 20.6 acres east of Hanson Boulevard and north of 161st Avenue for $320,000 from Karen and Lawrence Emmerich, which equates to approximately $15,554 an acre. Eric Hagen is at eric.hagen @ecm- inc.com