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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 18, 1982 ~ o 0 e<<, 01 ANDOVER o PARK COMMISSION lffiETING - l~CH 18, 1982 MINUTES The Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Andover Park Commission was called to order by Chairman LeFebvre at 7:35 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 1982, at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crossto~~ Blvd. N.W. Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Also Present: Longbe1la, l~and, Prochiniak and Zi11hardt Nichols John Peterson, John Uben and Tony Emmerich, Northglen II Pre. Plat Joanne Haase and Chester Grooms, Arrowhead Soccer Assn. Jim Schrantz, Public Works Director NORTHGLEN II PRELThITNARY PLAT Mr. Peterson explained they met with lIT Hand to come up with an idea of a coordinated park. He also mentioned there was a public hearing at the court house tonight regarding the bridge across the Rum River which would also involve the relocation of Co. 116. Mr. Uben presented a map showing the entire proposed Northg1en II development and the Hand development. Depicted was an active park, a tot lot and a parking area off of the new road at the northwest corner. He then described the drainage plan and the area which is not developable for housing purposes. Also shown were trails leading to this park area. Part of the trail system will be on a berm next to the proposed new road approximately 100 ft. inland. This ~ is a buffer for noise which is required in order to obtain HUD and FHA financing. Mr. Uben said there is approximately 26 developable acres on the Hand property and 70 developable acres on the Good Value property which makes the gross density under 3 units per acre reducing the dedication to 10%. Also shown was a pond on each plat which he stated were not necessary as the water does not drain to these areas to any degree. The vater drains to the middle at the north end on the Good Value plat. Mentioned several times during the discussion was the Comprehensive Park Plan does not call for park land in this area but rather across the street inthe shopping center. Glen Rogers felt all they were doing was providing a park for the City of Anoka. Mr. Peterson stated Anoka already has a park in the area and located it just northwest outside of the plat. Further discussion between Glen Rogers and lIT. Peterson involved homeowner's associations with Rogers citing Thousand Oaks and the Orrin Thompson developments in Coon Rapids where the City ended up maintaining the parks. tIT. Peterson stated he didn't know what happened on the Thompson plat but the problem with Thousand Oaks was that they also had private streets. Glen Rogers inferred the developer went bankrupt. The trail system was then discussed. The trail would be made of wood chips which would attract joggers. Wes Mand feared it would be infested with dirt bikes. Also mentioned it would be C'~rd on pedal bikes and strollers. Mr. Uben stated when the area is developed, the dirt bikes em to disappear. Jo Zil1hardt asked if the park could be moved further to the east. She was told this area gets muckier and would be more expensive to work with. Chairman LeFebvre thought the depicted tot lot Page #2 - Minutes March 18, 1982 u () should be moved away from the active field. Jo Zillhardt then expressed concern over the '1 pond as it is a source of danger. ltr. Uben said it could be moved or eliminated altogether. ~ It was shown merely as a wildlife habitat. Hr. Peterson then commented they moved 20,000 cu. yds. of dirt from North Glen I into this area in order that it could be sewered, adding that this was a very difficult piece of land to work with. The western triangle separated by the proposed road was mentioned. lIT. Peterson stated the road would make this area virtually useless due to its size. The only thing it could possibly be used for are apartment buildings and he foresaw problems with the City of Anoka as they will not sewer the area. Returning to.the subject of the proposed park, Wes }land asked what the present elevation was. }~. Uben stated it was 869 to 868; they would fill it to 870 to 872. Further east it drops to 867, but they would have to obtain more engineering data for an exact figure. They propose to dedicate the land on the first stage and fill, grade and seed it on the second stage. This can be tied down by a legal agreement according to the City Attorney. Glen Rogers then reiterated his earlier remarks about providing a park for the City of Anoka. Mr. Peterson stated, if he felt that way, this might be a good reason for cash in lieu of land as, if this was the case, they would be better off financially. Glen Rogers and Mr. Uben then discussed the drainage plan. It was noted that 139th Ave. has been vacated. Merlyn Prochniak asked how much area the private parks covered and was told approx. 3/4's of an acre. (Two small private parks were shown on the map.) Chairman LeFebvre than asked the opinion of each of the members. Gary Longbella stated he thought what was proposed was a nice set up. Jo Zillhardt was concerned over what the /) people in the small development to the east (138th & Underclift) thought about it. Wes Man.d , wanted a more firm committment as far as developing it. Glen Rogers agreed. Merlyn Prochniak asked for more information on how a homeowner's association works. lIT. Peterson explained the intricacies involved along with BUD and FHA's regulations. Basically the homeowner pays a monthly fee for yard work, snow plowing, etc. on a contractural basis. IVhen homes need painting and repairing, it is done all at the same time for a lower price. }~. Peterson admitted it was possible for the association to disband, but he felt it was very unlikely in their situation. They have had no problem with their other developments. He went on to explain this type of housing usually attracts only one or two people per unit and that he felt the private park area (which is for the exclusive use of the residents) was more than adequate. Wes Mand asked Mr. Emmerich if their pond was necessary. tIT. Emmerich replied no. Jo Zillhardt asked about the gross density. or a gross density of 2.6 units per acre. She was told the Good Value plat was 204 units The Hand plat was 118 units or 2.35 units per acre. Merlyn Prochniak asked Mr. Emmerich when they planned on developing their land. Mr. Emmerich stated,as soon as they know the exact location of the road, they will proceed with the plat, possibly this year. Discussion then centered around the ponds. Wes Mand asked how deep they would be. Mr. Uben /~ thought about 2-3 feet deep, just to expose the water. The Commission felt the pond on the ~Hand plat should be eliminated as well as the one in the Good Value plat as they would be a source of cattails and mosquitos as well as a danger. If Good Value still wanted the pond for its aesthetic value, it should be moved further east away from the proposed park. Page #3 - Minutes March 18, .1982 u u .~ MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Rogers, to accept the park and trail system shown on the North Glen II plat and Mr. Hand's plat with the stipulation that legal papers be compiled so that the land is dedicated on the first phase and the park upgraded on the second phase. Discussion: lAr. Peterson asked if that meant the whole northern section or the northwesterly portion where improvements were shown. Wes Mand asked if enough fill would be generated to fill in farther to the east. The answer was an unknown as at this time. It was assumed the County would generate fill when the road was constructed. Mr. Emmerich asked that their plat not be mentioned in the motion. Motion and second withdrawn. An extra map of the proposal was not available for the Commission. Mr. Uben said he would mail a copy tomorrow to be made a part of the Minutes. It was decided it would be best if North Glen II's ponding area remain the responsibility of the developer. Considered was taking cash in lieu of land on the Hand plat to develop the park in North Glen II after it was filled, graded and seeded. MOTION by Rogers, seconded by Longbe1la, to conceptually approve the proposed park and trail system on the North Glen II plat as presented at tonight's meeting, ie., the northwesterly approx. 9 acres. Motion carried unanimously. Wes Mand asked where the fill from North Glen I was located. Mr. Uben and Mr. Peterson were not sure but thought it was presently in the park. Wes then asked who owns the fill if it is dedicated park land. Mr. Peterson said he would have to take care of this detail. ARROWHEAD/NORTH METRO SOCCER ASSOCIATIONS A break was taken in order for Chairman LeFebvre, President of North Metro Soccer Assoc., 'J to try and come to come sort of an agreement over the use of Ham Lake and Crooked Lake ~ School soccer sites. After reopening the meeting, he explained to the Commission that the Crooked Lake site is 20 ft. short of being two regulation fields, therefore, there was only one field available for the summer. In the fall, part of the softball field could be used making two regulation fields. In the discussion that followed, Chairman LeFebvre remained neutral and expressed no opinion. Both associations would like the Crooked Lake School site four nights a week, Monday through Thursday. In response to a question regarding registration, Mr. Grooms thought it was about equal. The Commission was put into the position of choosing sides which they refused to do. Gary Longbe1la suggested splitting the Crooked Lake School site into two nights each as a 50-50 split was the only fair way to go about it. Mr. Grooms said he wouldn't be happy with anything that was done until it was one good field four nighwa week. They have not yet met with Ham Lake. Maintenance was mentioned and they, Mr. Grooms and Mrs. Haase, were told maintenance would be the responsibility of the associations. City Hall staff is too small to be depended upon with any regularity. Wes Mand commented maintenance on the part of school staff has in the past been spotty. Jim Schrantz arrived at this time. MOTION by Mand, seconded by Longbel1a, to allow the Arrowhead Soccer Association to use the Crooked Lake School site for soccer on Monday and Tuesday nights. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion: When, and if, the two associations come to an agreement, the above motion could be rescinded. Jo Zi11hardt asked what areas these soccer associations cover and was told ~ the same area. She asked why and was told don't ask. COMMUNITY SURVEY The Commission received a rough draft of the survey. The secretary said to make suggestions and either mail it or drop it off and she would see that Nancy got them since the due date Page #4 - Minutes March 18, 1982 - ,. u (J is before the next meeting. , 'I MAINTENANCE '-J The Commission had been informed two set of tennis court lights are not working at City Hall and the metal net at Northwoods is wrecked. Since there is a budget item for main~ tenance, these items need not come before the Commission, however.... MOTION by Rogers, seconded by Longbella, to request the Public Works Director to arrange for the repair of any park equipment at the lowest possible cost. Motion carried unanimously. NORTHWOODS EAST PARK The Commission had been advised Gary West would like the use of this park again this summer for his girl's softball team; a satellite would not be needed, although he would like more ag lime. MOTION by Mand, seconded by Rogers, to allow Gary West's softball team to use Northwoods Fast's field again this summer. Motion carried unanimously. Jim Schrantz was asked to make a decision on whether more ag lime is needed. In response to a question, Jim Schrantz stated the County made no decision on the placement of Co. 116 at the meeting - the bridge was discussed. Chairman LeFebvre advised the size of the warming house incorporated into the senior citizen's building is 14' x 24'. '-J Wes Mand asked Jim Schrantz if he had done any work on the City Hall plans as discussed '- after the last meeting - the answer was no. He, Wes, asked that copies be made of the scaled fields. MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Longbella, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted: ~J