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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 12, 2009 C I T Y o F NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755,8923 . WWW,CI.ANDOVER.MN.US REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2009 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deric Deuschle, November 12,2009, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel (arrived at 7:28 p.m.), Jody Keppers, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek, Bruce Perry and Kim Kovich Commissioners absent: None Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 14, 2009 Motion by Kovich, Seconded by Perry, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER NEW PROPERTY AT OWNER'S REQUEST City Planner Bednarz explained a property owner at the southwest comer of 161'( Avenue and Verdin Street NW came to the City to see if the Open Space Advisory Commission would consider his property for open space. Mr. Bednarz reviewed the information with the Commission. Commissioner Keppers asked if this was within the MUSA line. Mr. Bednarz stated it was in the Rural Reserve. Commissioner Keppers thought there was some value to a piece of land near smaller parcels to provide open space to a potential neighborhood. Chair Deuschle stated this is not prime area and would take some time to reestablish the land to natural. He thought this had potential but what scared him was the estimated market value on this. Mr. Bednarz reviewed the planning for the rural reserve and how Verdin Street would run. Chair Deuschle asked if Mr. Bednarz knew what the owners wanted for the property. Mr. Bednarz stated he had discussed the estimated market value assigned by Anoka County with the property owner. Chair Deuschle stated there is really nothing unique about this property. Commissioner Holasek thought this was a good piece of land in a good location. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2009 Page 2 The Commission thought this was a property worth considering and reviewing further. Chair Deuschle asked if Mr. Kytonen could also look at this property to see what his opinion was. Selmer Property Mr. Bednarz explained Mr. Selmer discussed with Mr. Kytonen his interest in having the Commission review his property for open space. The Commission reviewed the property. Commissioner Sabel arrived at 7:28 p.m. Commissioner Holasek asked what the property is like. Mr. Bednarz stated the Selmer property is all generally high with a wetland visible on the map. Mr. Bednarz stated he will contact Mr. Selmer to indicate that the Commission would like to discuss more specifically what property he may wish to sell. White Pine Wilderness Development Mr. Bednarz stated the owner stopped by today inquiring about the City acquiring his property for open space. He reviewed the property with the Commission. He noted there was approximately five acres of upland and ten acres of wetland and part of this would be developed. Commissioner Keppers thought this would be a good example of how they could combine open space with a development. He thought it was a good concept to preserve land that would otherwise be part of a development. Commissioner Kovich wondered why they would want to consider a piece ofland in a development. Commissioner Keppers thought it could be advantageous if the parcel was available to more than just the development. Mr. Bednarz stated it depended on how the development was constructed. He reviewed the accesses with the Commission. The Commission reviewed the Parcel. Chair Deuschle thought this parcel would warrant further review. Commissioner Keppers thought this would a good opportunity for the Open Space Advisory Commission to be involved in a development from the beginning. He thought they could give some input to the development and other Commissions and Council. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2009 Page 3 Mr. Bednarz stated he would advise the property owner that the sketch plan process was the route he would need to take to show how the plat would be redesigned to include open space and to determine if the city would accept what was proposed. Luedtke Property Mr. Bednarz stated the Luedtke's are willing to accept the City's last offer. He stated they advised the City Attorney to put together a purchase agreement and the City Council wants to close on the property before the end of the year. Mr. Bednarz reviewed the details ofthe purchase agreement with the Commission. Chair Deuschle thought if this were to go through they should have an event to promote the land purchase. Mr. Bednarz noted there was nothing new on the golf course property and the City is not in any hurry to purchase it. DISCUSS DECEMBER 9TH JOINT WORK SESSION Chair Deuschle noted the Joint Work Session will be held on December 9, 2009. Commissioner Olson stated he was really concerned with getting involved in the development process. He felt they could be there as a resource. Commissioner Holasek agreed. Commissioner Keppers thought it was very important that their role in the process should be very informal, early planning stages where the Commission could provide some ideas to the owner/developer. Chair Deuschle stated part of the meeting was to discuss with the Council that they were not trying to take away any other Commissions responsibilities. It is a chance to talk about this and get opinions and ideas. The Commission discussed what they thought their role in the development process could be. Mr. Bednarz noted the City Council, Planning and Park Commission will be invited and they will try to get the Chairs of the Commissions to be there. The Commission reviewed what should be discussed at the joint meeting. Deuschle stated they need to start the meeting with an overview oftheir work over the last two years, then get into the consideration of how the Commission could be more useful to the City, use this as a point of discussion. Close with some sort of agreement as to what the Commissions role would be in the development process. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - November 12, 2009 Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS A. Next Meeting December 9,2009 - Joint meeting with the City Council and other Commissions. B. Other Discussion Commissioner Olson stated they might be seeing more of the forty acres coming in based on the property taxes imposed on them. Commissioner Sabel explained she wanted to hold off on the newsletter until after the December meeting so hopefully the Luedtke property will be sold and they can share the sale with the public. Motion by Olson, Seconded by Sabel, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary