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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.13.13 meeting packetC I T Y a F ND OVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.AN DOVE R.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda November 13, 2013 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes — October 9, 2013 4. Open Space Acquisition Update 5. Martin's Meadows Update 6. Other Business a. Next meeting: December 11, 2013 7. Adjournment 1 n �y 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: Approval of Minutes — October 9, 2013 DATE: November 13, 2013 INTRODUCTION The Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the October 9, 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 October 9, 2013 Minutes Respectfully submitted, i, a David L. Carlberg REGULAR ANDOVER OPENSPACE ADVISORY COMMISSIONMEETING OCTOBER 9, 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: Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Drago Flores Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FOR UM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES— September 11, 2013 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of September 11, 2013. Motion passed 6 -0. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. CarIberg referenced the Aasness land purchase and reported that the City Council approved the purchase agreement at their September 17`h meeting. He explained that this means that there is a signed and executed purchase agreement in the amount of $284,650 for the open space land. There also is a separate purchase agreement for the water main easement. He advised that the water main easement purchase would be funded through another account and explained that once installed you would not even notice where the water main was placed. He noted that the closing date has been set for November 15th to allow Mr. Aasness to do some harvesting of firewood. He advised that he did thank the Aasness family for their continued dedication to sell the land as open space, noting that the Aasness family could have made much more money selling their land to a developer. He referenced the Selmer property and advised that the City did receive a cancelation of the purchase agreement that was in place because Mr. Selmer has likely chosen to sell his land to a developer. He discussed the potential access that was discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their October 8th meeting for the possible development of the Putnam and Ganter properties located east and south of Selmer. He advised that the issue will move forward to the City Council the following week. He reported that if everything moves forward on the Aasness sale there will be approximately $495,000 left in open space funds after that purchase. He stated that because the Selmer deal is likely now off the table the Commission would need to discuss which properties to purchase for open space in the future. Commissioner Olson referenced the proposed developments including the Selmer and Putnam properties. He noted that the Planning Conmiission voted in opposition of the proposed development the previous night, although he believed for the wrong reason. He noted that the developments are proposed to be one mile into the rural area and would go completely against the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that these proposals are placing urban lots further into the rural portion of the City than they need to go. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — October 9, 2013 Page 2 Mr. Carlberg displayed the 2020 MUSA boundary map and advised that there are not clean lines anywhere and based on current sewer studies there is room to expand services to this area. Commissioner Olson questioned what is supposed to happen for those Andover residents already here. Mr. Carlberg questioned how those residents got here. He stated that there are available expansion possibilities for the sewer within the city and the MUSA is flexible enough to make room where landowners are willing to sell. He stated that it is not fair in the thinking that once you are there, no one else can come into Andover. Commissioner Kovich stated that he believes Commissioner Olson's comment was that the lots could develop in the rural area but at the standard rate of 2.5 acres. Mr. Carlberg explained that the MUSA map is a planning document that is amended as time goes by and there are areas of expansion all over the map. He explained that every seven to ten years the Met Council requires that the City redo the Comprehensive Plan. He explained that in this case studies have been done and there is room for expansion. He confirmed that the matter will move forward to the City Council and that body will ultimately make the decision as to whether or not to petition Met Council to amend the Plan. He explained that the sewer study was completed and identified additional sewer capability in that area. He noted that Aasness could have easily accepted an offer from a developer and made much more money because they were also in that area of potential expansion. Commissioner Kovich stated that the City knew about the sewer study and should have made the OSAC aware of the survey. He did not blame Selmer for taking a better offer but thought it was very unfortunate that the Commission wasted two years of their time on a purchase that will not happen. Mr. Carlberg explained that Selmer never was considered for having municipal sewer and water available as the Putnam and Ganter properties could take the available sewer capacity. He acknowledged that the developer for Selmer may be offering more money than the land is actually worth. Commissioner Kovich stated that it appears that the Commission is back to square one with almost $500,000 left to spend. Mr. Carlberg identified potential purchases noting that there had been interest near the Rum River. He noted that the Commission should begin to think about other areas of interest they would like to pursue. He advised that Aasness would possibly be interested in selling additional land in the future as well. He stated that he will provide additional updates in November and advised that a mass mailing could be done to stir up interest. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — October 9, 2013 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg advised that staff received an email from an Anoka resident who really enjoyed the Martins Meadows open space area. He noted that the person is an avid bird watcher and would like to create a bird list for the park. He advised that could be displayed on a kiosk within the open space area. He stated that it was nice to hear that a non - resident has found the space and is enjoying it. He advised that he will be meeting with a Parks employee the following day at 1:30 p.m. at Martins Meadows to discuss plantings and other ideas that they would like to do. He stated that the decisions would be based on the available City budget but noted that staff was advised that additional grant funds may be available for this location. He invited any available Commissioners to join him and park staff at Martins Meadows the following day. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that her Cub Scout Troop will be hiking Martin Meadows the next week during MEA and noted that perhaps she will contact the birder resident to gain his list. Mr. Carlberg noted that it would be wise to wear blaze orange because it is bow- hunting season. He explained that there should not be anyone hunting in the open space but they can hunt on the surrounding land. a. Next Meeting: November 13, 2013 Noted. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary (AN T Y 0 T; D OVE 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: Open Space Acquisition of Property Update DATE: November 13, 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 161St Avenue NW. DISCUSSION An update will be provided at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A discussion will be held at the meeting. Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg 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: Martin's Meadows Update DATE: November 13, 2013 INTRODUCTION The Commission will receive an update on current activities at Martin's Meadows. DISCUSSION A discussion will be held at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED Provide direction to staff if necessary. Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg