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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 12, 2008 0 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2008 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deuschle, November 12,2008, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. COJ11l11issioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jody Keppers, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), and Bruce Perry Commissioners absent: Kim Kovich Also present: . City Planner, Courtney Bednarz Others 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 8, 2008 Motion by Perry, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, O-present, 2-absent (Holasek, Kovich) vote. REVIEW SITE EVALUATION INFORMATION Chairman Deuschle asked if there were any of the properties that the Commission would like to elevate to a discussion. Commissioner Olson thought parcel 7 may not be one they want for a City acquisition, but if the owner is interested in some restoration maybe they could partner with some other entities for this an the City could help them along with it. Chairman Deuschle stated if the owner is willing to work with the City on restoration he thought it may fall under another category. Commissioner Holasek arrived at 7:10 p.m. 0 Commissioner Perry wondered if they wanted Mr. Bednarz to contact the property owner regarding this. Commissioner Keppers thought they should put the property aside for the time being and look at other properties because he did not think this was central to what they were doing. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2008 Page 2 Chairman Deuschle agreed. Commissioner Sabel wondered what the size threshold was. Mr. Bednarz indicated a final size had not been determined. The Commission discussed what points the properties received. Commissioner Perry stated when he looked at the list he reviewed the sites that were rated at an eighty or higher and there were four of them. He wondered if the Commission was still interested in the four highest scoring properties. Commissioner Keppers indicated a few of the properties that have high points are not interested in the City purchasing the land. Commissioner Sabel stated if the owner of parcel 8 was concerned with capital gains taxes, perhaps 0 he would be interested in a land swap. She thought that was a really nice piece. Mr. Bednarz noted the owner indicated he was not interested and described his conversation with him. The Commission continued to discuss the criteria involved with picking a property for possible purchase. Commissioner Olson thought parce12-A was three quarters highland. Chairman Deuschle agreed and thought it was the leading candidate. He thought they needed to reduce the number to two or three parcels and work with the owners on purchasing. Commissioner Perry thought ifthe Kuiken or the Ganter properties were both included they would provide a sizeable area in an area of the city that was not only along the river. Chairman Deuschle stated if the Ganter property were included with the Kuiken property there would be some useful land. Mr. Bednarz showed another property that came forward recently by Timber Rivers Park that was interested in selling their land. 0 Commissioner Keppers thought land to the south around development was very attractive because that is where they are losing most of the open land. The Commission discussed the property along Timber Rivers Park. It was added as parcel 31. They scored the property using the evaluation criteria and determined it was worth pursuing. Q Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2008 Page 3 Commissioner Keppers thought the Ganter was less desirable than the others because it was inaccessible, but maybe they could get it for a more reasonable price. Mr. Bednarz did not think the price would be low because the entire area is buildable. . Chairman Deuschle indicated they need to get the field inventory report before they can finalize their work. Commissioner Sabel stated she would like to review parcel 13 because the owner may want to donate land to the city so she did not want to alienate them. It was determined that the property owner would be sent a letter to try to initiate this discussion. Mr. Bednarz discussed parcel 11 with the Commission. Commissioner Keppers thought this was an intriguing parcel but did not think they wanted to look at this initially because of the power lines. He wondered if they could do something interesting with the open area on the parcel. 0 The Commission determined parcel 11 would not be a high priority parcel for them at this time but may have some potential for the future. Mr. Bednarz noted they previously briefly discussed parcel SA as having potential and wondered if the Commission still felt this way. Chairman Deuschle stated it is an isolated parcel in this study area and landlocked until they extend Andover Boulevard. It should be reviewed in the future. The Commission agreed. The Commission discussed Parcel 18noting it was near the high school and Coon Creek. Commissioner Keppel'S indicated this was an interesting parcel to look at. Mr. Bednarx stated that the DNR has a remediation grant that provides funding to purchase property near closed landfill sites. He said a match is not required but would increase the potential success of an application. The Commission was in favor of pursuing this property with the grant. The Commission decided on keeping parcels I A, 2A, 18 (possible grant), and parcel 31 as possible purchases for the first round. 0 Commissioner Sabel stated they have not reviewed parcel 14 by Kelsey's Round Lake Park and the owner has recently died so she did not know what the family was going to do with the parcel. She thought the lot did have some nice areas in the back. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2008 Page 4 Mr. Bednarz explained with the house on the front of it there would be no access to the rear except where it is adjacent to the park. Mr. Bednarz reviewed with the Commission a possible letter from the City to the owners regarding interest and non-interest in their parcels along with an email to people interested in the Commission meetings and discussions. Commissioner Sabel indicated she would draft a newsletter email to send out. The Commission discussed asking the owner of parcel 31 if they could come out and look at their land. OTHER BUSINESS a. Commissioner Appointments 0 Mr. Bednarz noted Commissioners Keppers and Olson terms are up and the deadline to reapply is in December. They will also need to send a short letter indicating they would want to be on the Commission again. Motion by Sabel, Seconded by Keppers, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9: 11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary 0