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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 13, 1996 C) o o o o CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - NOVEMBER 13, 1996 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on November 13, 1996, 7:06 p.m., at the Oak View Middle School, 15400 Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioner absent: Also present: Dave Blackstad, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole Tom Anderson, Al Grabowski, Roger Paulson Park Coordinator, Todd Haas City Engineer, Scott Erickson Others DISCUSSION WITH RESIDENTS - PROPOSED COON CREEK TRAIL BETWEEN HANSON BOULEVARD AND CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD Mr. Erickson gave the history and an overview of the proposed project to construct a trail from Bunker Lake Boulevard at the railroad tracks north to Coon Creek, then west along the north side of Coon Creek to Crosstown Boulevard. The purpose of this evening's meeting is to receive input from those residents affected by the trail between Hanson and Crosstown Boulevards. The proposal is to construct a 10-foot wide bituminous pathway on the existing gravel roadway behind the houses which is on top of the sewer line. A portion of the funding would come from a DNR grant that the City has been awarded. The City has no right to put a trail in there without the permission and easement rights of the property owners. Those residents present were adamant in their opposition to the project, stating they would be liable for anyone who gets hurt, that they do not want to allow that access to the public, that they were told the gravel road would only be for City maintenance and not for public use, and that they really don't have much privacy left with all of the developments coming in. This is a private area where they can let their children and grandchildren play without worrying about them. Even with the road closed to the public, they have people back there and have to pick up trash. They asked why the trail couldn't be placed on the south side of the creek. Mr. Erickson explained the City would assume the liability when it puts in the path. Placing the trail along the north side of the creek is the least costly. The Park Board has to first look at the economic side of the project. The south side has a lot of trees and wetlands as well as the restricted Superfund site. Gloria Frevholtz. 1806 Andover Boulevard NW - has lived there 37 years. They have a lovely back woods, and she didn't feel they have to contend with having strangers walk through their back yard. They have considerable yard between the proposed trail and the creek, and they do not want strangers and dogs going back down there. Plus there is the ,,') u , '\ U Special Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 13, 1996 Page 2 :~ ) {Discussion with Residents - Proposed Coon Creek Trail between Hanson and Crosstown Bouelvards, Continued} element of people breaking in that they have never had to contend with before. She didn't feel this is right. When the City came through with the trunk line, it said nothing would be back there but wilderness, that it was for maintenance and maintenance only. The residents went along with everything on that; therefore, the City should go along with the residents and put the trail on the other side of the creek because they don't want to have it in their back yards. Ms. Freyholtz also read an article that the City cannot legally take their land unless the residents allow it. Though it would take money to hire legal representation, they would sue to keep what is theirs. Chairperson Lindahl stated it is not the intent of the City to take that property. If the residents do not want it, the Park Board will not pursue it. Patricia Ward. 1846 Andover Boulevard NW - has the same feelings as Ms. Freyholtz. She is opposed to the trail system in general. The City has gotten so large and congested, this is all they have left. It is their property and they want it to stay the way it is. :J David Overbauqh. 1826 Andover Boulevard NW - went through this with the City with the sewer system, and it still upsets him. He still feels there was something under the table with the developers regarding that project. There is no way he wants anybody back there running around on a trail. Also, with the new proposed developments to the west, it will mean many more people coming through their back yards. He is opposed, Mike Hollister. 1816 Andover Boulevard NW stated he has little children, and the neighbors have grandchildren over all the time. He's been picking up trash the last eight years he's lived there with people coming through with beer and pop cans, etc. He lights a bonfire in his back yard, puts it out, and people come back there, relight it and have a party. He has to pick up after them the next day. Four-wheel vehicles and trucks go through there. He wants the privacy and does not want the trail through there. If the trail must go through, put it on the other side of the creek. Craiq Ward. 1846 Andover Boulevard NW - concurred with his neighbors. He grew up in Andover. He doesn't want the trail to go through. He has two children and they like their privacy. Use the 10 feet of land on the other side of the creek. It doesn't have to be a blacktop trail. Just place Class 5 on the other side of the creek for the trail. Or it would be as easy to go up to Andover Boulevard and across rather than through their back yards. Chairperson Lindahl stated the intent is for more of a natural trail in a natural setting, which is lacking along the roadway. The other issue is that of safety. A trail along Andover Boulevard would mean looking at using the land in their front yards as opposed to the backyards. ~-) Mr. Ward - stated the "natural" is part of what they like, that is the creek in their back yard. That is why he bought the house. ~"' () /' ) \._/ Special Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 13, 1996 Page 3 , '\ \,} {Discussion with Residents - Proposed Coon Creek Trail between Hanson and Crosstown Bouelvards, Continued} Lilia Overbauqh, 1826 Andover Boulevard NW - asked how many people have 1 1/2 acres with a creek in their back yard. They have children riding bikes, playing football and basketball, playing with dogs pulling sleds it is a nice little neighborhood. That is the beauty of the neighborhood and it is just theirs. It is not fair for the City to put a path through a person's yard. They have had the land for many years, and this is not fair. Their property is mowed right to the creek. People walking the trail will not want to just stay on the trail; they will want to see the creek and sit on the benches. Even now people ride through on their horses and leave their mess, then the kids corne down through it on their sleds. Nobody has the right to corne in. Is the trail going to go further than Crosstown? Chairperson Lindahl explained the intent is to get a link to the City park complex and eventually to the Kelsey-Round Lake nature park. In the future, it is anticipated that the easement for the trail will be taken as property develops. Unfortunately, the plan was not in place when these properties were developed. This is the first option being considered for this area. The Park Board felt it needed to research the most economical way first. If the residents are opposed, different options will be considered. " '\ '- -) Ms. Frevholtz - felt a trail could actually lower their property values as well. In answering questions of the residents, Chairperson Lindahl also explained the trail is for general recreational needs. There has been a great deal of interest and many requests for such a system through the City. It is also an issue of getting children to the parks safely. The intent is to hook up with the trails in the Bunker Prairie Park. Other cities have been more successful in constructing trails because they have had the luxury of being able to take over abandoned railroad lines. The reason the residents were notified was to receive their input. The residents noted that all but three neighbors were represented this evening. All were opposed, and several stated those not present were also opposed. Mr. Erickson stated the City is not trying to push anything through. This item will be presented to the City Council on December 3, at which time the residents can also state their opinions. It doesn't sound like anyone wants the project as proposed, so the City will look at other options. Commissioner Blackstad stated there will be a trailway in Andover somewhere. The other options besides north of the creek would be on the south side of the creek or to corne across the front of the properties along Andover Boulevard. CJ Ms. Frevholtz - stated there is no parking along Andover Boulevard, and their driveways are short that only three cars can park. Whenever they have company, people have to park on the boulevard. That could mean people would be parking on the trail itself. Several other residents stated the best option would be to place the trail along the south side . , , ) ~. I "- , I "',./ Special Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 13, 1996 Page 4 ,- " , \.. ./ {Discussion with Residents - Proposed Coon Creek Trail between Hanson and Crosstown Bouelvards, Continued} of the creek. Chairperson Lindahl suggested Staff evaluate how much land would need to be acquired and the cost to acquire the land from the service trail to the creek itself along the north side of the creek. Also, evaluate the cost of putting the trail system on the south side of the creek. Mr. Erickson stated Staff will look at those alternatives and have that information available for the Council. Residents also noted the creek is not the same since the filtration has been installed. Also, the installation of the trunk line along their back yards created a dike; and now they never get their land drained properly. Before the sewer line, their land drained into the creek. Now the water just sits there and the land gets to be a bog until late fall. The pipe blocked the natural flow of the water. At this point the Commission recommended to the Council that given the testimony from the citizens in opposition of having the trail on the north side of the creek, that the City should look at the feasibility of building it on the south side or along Andover Boulevard on the street. Commissioner O'Toole wondered if a gravel trail on the south side would be more economical. Mr. Erickson stated the subgrade is still needed. It would not save that much. No further action was taken on this item. \ ~--) FEE SCHEDULES FOR FIELD USE Mr. Haas stated the Commission had asked that the fee schedules for use of the fields be reviewed. Since nothing has been collected for hockey rinks, he suggested that remaln the same for 1997. Commission agreed. Mr. Haas also noted the fee schedule for adult tournaments will be placed on the next Commission agenda. the the The ball MOTION by Blackstad, Seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Grabowski, Paulson) vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C' " I ... to, ~_ __ .".__ , ("'V-0J...\~,- l\,. A'f L-c L- Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary , , .I