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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.09.13 meeting packet9 N66W 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 October 9, 2013 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes — September 11, 2013 4. Open Space Acquisition Update 5. Other Business a. Next meeting: November 13, 2013 6. Adjournment . ,.,. VE 1665 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 — September 11, 2013 DATE: October 9, 2013 INTRODUCTION The Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the September 11, 2013 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 September 11, 2013 Minutes Respectfully submitted, ; - 14 David L. Carlberg REGULARANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSIONMEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 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 (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Aaron Jarson (arrived at 7:15 p.m.), Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: None Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director Richard and Donna Aasness RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg advised that Richard and Donna Aasness were present tonight and noted that the Aasness deal would involve both the purchase of the property and the purchase of an easement for a water main extension through their property. He reported that a public hearing was held the previous night in order to obtain feedback on the proposed Country Oaks North (Putnam property) project located north and east of the Aasness property. He reviewed the proposed development for the Putnam property that was purchased by a developer. He advised that ghost platting of the adjacent properties is required and displayed the ghost platting that was done for the Ganter, Selmer and Kuiken properties. He stated that the public hearing was well attended and there was a lot of input from the adjacent property owners. Commissioner Flores arrived. Mr. Carlberg explained that he wanted to update the Commission with this information because of the development plan for the overall area. He noted that the purchase price for the Putnam property was far above what the OSAC could afford because of the ability to connect to City sewer and water. He noted that the process has just begun and there will be many more public meetings. Commissioner Kovich questioned the process and timeline for the development of the Putnam property. Mr. Carlberg noted that the first step would be a request to amend the Comprehensive Plan and the review of the Planning and Zoning Commission would occur in October. He stated that if everything were to move forward smoothly after that, including rezoning, preliminary and final plat, he believed that building construction could begin in about a year. He confinned that the City has received letters requesting Comprehensive Plan amendments from both Ganter and Putnam to bring their properties into the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). Commissioner Jarson arrived. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —September 11, 2013 Page 2 Mr. Carlberg provided additional information on the capacity of the urban service area. He also summarized the input received by the public at the hearing the previous night. He stated that the City Council will review those comments and review the issues at their meeting the following Tuesday night on September 17th. He moved on to the Selmer property and stated that staff is not hearing anything back from Selmer even though the City has a purchase agreement with them that has been approved by the City Council. He noted that staff was waiting for Selmer to agree upon a cross access easement with the neighboring property owner (Dennis Kuiken). He believed that Selmer is holding out to determine if there is other interest in his property. He believed that the Council would discuss the status of the purchase agreement within the next month via a closed work session. He stated that perhaps a 60 day deadline would be put on the agreement and if it does not move forward the deal will become null and void. He then moved onto the Aasness property and provided an update. He advised that soil borings would need to be done along the 20 foot easement where the water main would be installed. He stated that the Aasness family has the agreement in front of them and believed that Richard was thinking about the timelines in regard to removing some firewood from the property. He stated that staff is close to making that work and believed that once a closing date was agreed upon the agreement would be finalized. He noted that he should have additional information in October about the status of the Selmer property. Richard Aasness stated that he has never had a problem with selling the land as open space. He expressed concern over the proposed development for the Putnam property including tree preservation and the higher density housing. He again stated that he does not have a problem with the open space purchase but stated that he does have concern with the easement, which will be used for the water main. He explained that with all the resistance against the proposed development he felt like allowing this connection would be interpreted as him being in favor of the project. Mr. Carlberg stated that the Putnam property could move forward without the water main connection through the Aasness property. He explained how this water main would provide additional water pressure to the area including providing adequate pressure for fire protection needed by the Andover Fire Department. He also discussed other connections that could be made in order to develop the Ganter property. He also discussed plans for future development of roadways in the Putnam/Ganter /Selmer area. He also identified roadways which are currently temporary dead -end cul -de -sacs and will eventually be connected and will become thru roads when the neighboring properties develop. Richard Aasness questioned if he would be notified prior to the water main installation. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that the City would provide notification prior to the project commencement. He stated that he appreciates the cooperation of both Richard and Donna Aasness and their desire to keep the area as open space. Donna Aasness explained that she was brought into the deal late and she was concerned with the additional things there were added on, such as the water main easement. She stated that her concern was whether the land would remain open space. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — September 11, 2013 Page 3 Commissioner Kovich stated that the Commission appreciates that the Aasness family is considering selling the property as open space. He explained that the property owners would still be able to enjoy the land as open space and this will also ensure that the land will remain as open space and will not be developed in the future. Chair Sabel referenced Donna Aasness' concern that the land would not remain as open space. She explained that once the property is purchased as open space it must remain as open space. She stated that access must be provided so that the public can access and enjoy the land. She explained that the water main easement will be recorded prior to the open space purchase because once purchased as open space property the easement conveyance cannot occur. Mr. Carlberg stated that once the water main is installed you will not even be able to tell where the water main is. Chairperson Sabel noted that there will not be roads connecting to the open space, there will simply be a parking area and a trail that goes back to the open space off of Hanson Boulevard NW. She stated that during the last meeting there was discussion on whether the Commission should continue and whether there would be a need for the Commission after the funds are spent. She referenced Martin's Meadows and displayed pictures that she had taken on the site. She identified certain areas that had work completed and questioned what else would occur on the site. Mr. Carlberg noted that there may be an opportunity to obtain additional funds to continue to improve the area. Be stated that he would provide further details at the October meeting. Donna Aasness questioned if the Commission changes the open space area then and does not leave the area natural. Chairperson Sabel explained that portions of the Martin's Meadows site were originally farmed and therefore had to be restored back to a natural state. She advised that for each open space area a management plan is developed and encouraged both Richard and Donna Aasness to be a part of that process. Richard Aasness questioned the actual usage of some of the open space areas. Mr. Carlberg stated that he would not even know the number of residents using the Martin's Meadows open space property because there is no tracking method as visitors can park in the cul -de -sac area and wander through the area. Chairperson Sabel stated that some of the open space areas do not have great access at this time but noted that there will be better access provided when the neighboring properties develop. Mr. Carlberg provided the current budget of the OSAC. Commissioner Van Hecke left the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —September]], 2013 Page 4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES — August 14, 2013 Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Jarson, to approve the minutes of August 14, 2013. Motion passed 4 -0 (Flores and Kovich present). OTHER BUSINESS a. Next Meeting: October 9, 2013 Noted. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary 'ti\:N 6D 60 V 9 A 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.AN DOVER. MN. US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Open Space Acquisition of Property Update DATE: October 9, 2013 INTRODUCTION Staff has continued to work with property owners to pursue acquisition of open space property east of Hanson Boulevard NW and north of 1615` Avenue NW. DISCUSSION An update will be provided at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A discussion will be held at the meeting. Respect y su mitted, r David L. Carlberg