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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.13.15 meeting packetANLbUi901 1665 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 13, 2015 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 5.30 p.m. 1. Tour of Selmer /Blanchette and Kuiken Properties 2. Return to City Hall for regular meeting 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes: April 8, 2015 Regular Meeting 4. Open Space Acquisition Update 5. Naming of Selmer/Blanchette and Kuiken Open Space 6. Recap the Tour of the Recently Acquired Selmer /Blanchette and Kuiken Properties 7. Other Business a. Next meeting: June 10, 2015 S. Adjournment C T Y O F 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. Cartberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes — April 8, 2015 DATE: May 13, 2015 INTRODUCTION The Open Space Advisory Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the April 8, 2015 regular 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. Respectfully submitted, Oz. �1 David L. Carlberg Attachment April 8, 2015 meeting minutes REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 8, 2015 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:01 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Jim Myers, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Aaron Jarson and Kim Kovich Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director Jason Husveth, Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. David Dirkswager, 15640 Inca Circle NW, Resident RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —March 11, 2015 Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of March 11, 2015 meeting. Motion passed 5 -0. PLANT INVENTOR Y OF OPEN SPACE Mr. Carlberg introduced Jason Husveth from Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. He stated that at the last meeting the Commission directed staff to obtain a quote for completing a plant inventory of the open space properties and advised that Mr. Husveth is in attendance to provide a PowerPoint presentation to the group tonight on the work he has done regarding the rare plants and the unique plant communities in the Anoka Sand Plain. Mr. Husveth provided background information on his education and experience within the Anoka Sand Plain and also within the proposed Winslow Woods development. He stated that he has been studying rare plants within the Anoka Sand Plain for the past 15 years and provided historical information on the area. He discussed the different types of soils and wetlands found as well as treed areas that help to support rare plant populations. He highlighted different rare plant species that he has identified in the Anoka County area since he began this work in 1997 and provided photographs of the different species. He explained the process he follows, should his quote be approved to complete a plant inventory of the open space areas, noting that he is aware of the conditions where rare plants are likely to exist which makes the process easier. He continued to provide examples and photographs of rare plants found in the Anoka County area. He suspected that there would be rare plant species within the open space areas, given what he has identified in the proposed Winslow Woods development. He stated that he not only knows how to identify the plants but also knows how to develop restoration or mitigation efforts. He discussed an example in Blaine in which he worked with the developer, City of Blaine and State Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — April 8, 2015 Page 2 of Minnesota in order to create a bank of credits while still allowing the developer to develop a portion of the site. He explained that the restoration process not only preserves the rare plant species but also releases the plants from suppression and then continued efforts are able to occur. He provided additional examples of projects he has worked on in other communities, such as Blaine and Lino Lakes. He advised that the restoration efforts to create banks not only benefits the environment but can also have an economic benefit as well. He identified potential opportunities for the future within the City of Andover. He displayed an aerial photograph of the area, which identifies the known rare plants and Blanding's turtles within Andover. He stated that there is a lot of education necessary regarding these rare plant species to mitigate for the losses associated with traditional development. Chair Sabel asked for clarification regarding the rare plant credits mentioned. Mr. Husveth explained that there is an economy and market being created because the plants are being found quite frequently. He stated that in the past the only option was to pay the DNR an arbitrary fee. He stated that there is another option for the developer to acquire a piece of property that has the same plant species in a mitigation exchange. He explained that this process acquires something that was not previously protected and could even be restored. Commissioner Van Hecke questioned if Mr. Husveth would be doing the survey alone if approved or if others would be invited to join him. Mr. Husveth stated that he would present his findings to the Commission. He noted that the survey process is slow and arduous but stated that others could join him if they wish. Mr. Carlberg noted that this information would be beneficial when considering the updating of the management plans for the open space areas. Mr. Husveth explained how rare vegetation can be encouraged on a small scale and that data can then be used to obtain grant funds for a longer -term management plan. Commissioner Myers questioned if this same activity is occurring across the state. Mr. Husveth stated that the main focus for this type of vegetation has focused mainly around the Anoka Sand Plain because of the pressure from development, noting that the same type of development pressure is not occurring in other areas of the state. The Commission thanked Mr. Husveth for his time and presentation. Mr. Carlberg stated that this group will discuss the proposal and then the recommended action would be forwarded to the City Council for the final decision. He stated that should the Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — April 8, 2015 Page 3 Commission choose to move forward on this, he would recommend that Mr. Husveth come back to make a presentation to the Council and Commission at a joint work session. Commissioner Olson stated that this appears to be a proactive effort that would be beneficial. Commissioner Myers questioned if a second quote would need to be obtained. Mr. Carlberg stated that the typically you do not need to obtain a second quote for professional services. He stated that it would be difficult to find someone else with this level of knowledge, experience and expertise within the necessary time to complete the action this year because of the timing of the growing season. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that this information would be beneficial to have prior to the installation of the water main through the Aasness property. Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Perry, to recommend to the City Council that the City contract with Critical Connections Ecological Services, Inc. to complete a plant inventory of the open space areas, taking special note of the water main area. Motion passed 5 -0. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg stated that the Kuiken property closed on March 12`' and identified the 14 acres the City purchased, which will equal 44 acres when combined with the Selmer /Blanchette property. He advised that the Star Tribune is going to run an article on the open space areas in their North Metro section. He reported that the available fund balance is approximately $80,000. He stated that at the previous month's meeting the Commission discussed approaching Mr. Selmer to look at property adjacent to the Kuiken purchase to the east. He stated that Mr. Selmer is possibly interested in selling additional land to the Commission but has concern with the development potential of his remaining land should that sale occur. He stated that he roughly drafted a potential development opportunity, which he will forward to Mr. Selmer. He stated that he was contacted by a property owner on March 26`h on a property that the Commission previously had interest in, near the Andover High School. He stated that the property owner would be willing to sell the eight acres. He provided additional information on the development potential of the nearby land. Commissioner Olson questioned if there is a timing issue with the potential purchase. Mr. Carlberg did not believe that there was a pressing need to act. He stated that perhaps the Commission would want to find out more information on the Selmer property acquisition before pursuing this option. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —April 8, 2015 Page 4 Commissioner Olson believed he had additional notes on the property in discussion that he could go back to. He did not believe the Commission had made an offer on that property in the past. Mr. Carlberg confirmed the direction of the Commission to find out additional information regarding the Selmer property while still keeping the other purchase option open as well. OPENSPACE RULESAND REGULATIONS Mr. Carlberg stated that the Sign Department of the Public Works Department cannot currently make the signs the Commission discussed at the last meeting and therefore those signs would need to be ordered from a sign company. He noted that the Public Works Department is going to attend a conference and will be investigating the possibility of new software. Commissioner Olson stated that he has concern over the number of signs within Andover. Chair Sabel provided additional examples that she found on her vacation travels. Mr. Carlberg referenced the dedication statement mentioned on one of the open space signs. He noted that the Commission paid fair market value and therefore the dedication statement should not be on the sign unless there was an agreement with the seller when the property was purchased. He noted that the Aasness family is also not interested in having a name dedication statement on the sign for the property they sold. He confirmed the aspects of the sign the Commission would like to be included so that the creation of the signs could move forward. NAMING OF SELMERIBLANCHETTEIKUIKEN OPEN SPA CE Commissioner Van Hecke questioned the predominate species of trees. She questioned why North Woods Preserve does not have a reference to white pine. Mr. Carlberg noted that the North Woods Preserve was at one time titled White Pines Wilderness but the name was changed at the request of the nearby developer who sold the land. It was confirmed that this open space area predominately has Oak trees. He asked that the Commission put some thought into the name so a decision can be made at the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS a. Next Meeting: May 13, 2015 The Commission discussed a potential walk through of the Kuiken parcel purchased prior to the May meeting at 5:30 p.m. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — April 8, 2015 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Perry, Second by Commissioner Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Motion passed 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary C I T Y O F ND 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: May 13, 2015 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. 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: Discuss the Naming of Recently Acquired Open Space — Selmer /Blanchette and Kuiken Properties DATE: May 13, 2015 REQUEST The Commission is asked to continue discussing the naming of the recently acquired Selmer /Blanchette property and the Kuiken property. 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: Recap Tour of Recently Acquired Open Space — Selmer /Blanchette and Kuiken Properties DATE: May 13, 2015 REQUEST The Commission is asked to share and discuss their thoughts on the tour of the recently acquired Selmer /Blanchette property and the Kuiken property toured earlier this evening. Respectfully submitted, t, David L. Carlberg