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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2, 1980 o o 0 ~ ~ ANDOVER o ( o PARK COMMISSION MEETING - OCTOBER 2, 1980 MINUTES The Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Park Commission was called to order by Chairman Mand at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 1980, at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd. N.W. Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Also Present: Anderson, LeFebvre, Longbella, Nichols & Rogers Meyer Wayne Anderson, Rademacher's Shopping Center Rosella Sonsteby, Rosella's Add. Florian Backowski - Backowski Pre. Plat RADEMACHER'S SHOPPING CENTER Wayne Anderson informed the Commission the total area for the shopping center is now down to about 24 acres due to the widening of Round Lake Blvd. and the stub streets. Mr. Rademacher purchased the property for $358,375.00. Park dedication for a commerical area is 10%. MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Rogers, to recommend the City Council accept $35,837.50 cash in lieu of land on the Rademacher Shopping Center plat. Discussion: lIT. Anderson stated this figure would be agreeable to Mr. Rademacher, although he hoped it would be less. Bill LeFebvre commented he felt part of this money. should be used for improving parks in the area. Motion carried unanimously. FLORIAN BACKOWSKI PRELIMINARY PLAT - TRACT C, R.L.S. #72 lIT. Backowski explained he purchased this tract, totalling 7.8 acres, from Ron Smith for $18,000.00. He was told he could split it and his plans are to build three houses, one each for his sons and one for he and his wife. At the outset, he was not aware it had to be platted as it was already platted. He also mentioned most of the area is low and not suitable for park land. Chairman lfund advised parcels larger than 5 acres did not have to go through the City's platting process which means, among other things, there is no park dedication. He believes this year the law was changed and parcels now have to be 20 acres in order to avoid the ordinances governing platting. In a situation like this, the only way park dedication can be obtained is when the property is again split into smaller lots. In this instance, the park dedicauon would be 10% - cash in lieu of land would be 10% of the current value of the undeveloped land. lIT. Backowski stated he is not a developer. The land was purchased for his family's use. He had a copy of the purchase agreement, the first payment was due January, 1980 and the last payment was in June. There is now actually only one buildable lot as the land on 7th Ave. is low and will need a lot of fill. He also mentioned the expense he has incurred in having it platted. Bill LeFebvre informed Mr. Backowski that the Commission is an advisory one and makes a recommendation to the City Council. They have the power to raise or lower the figure. Actual park land in this plat was never considered due to the size of the plat and the C==>fact that Fox Meadows is so close. Mr. Backowski asked how the Commission came up with a figure. He was told the amount was based on the most current sale price of the property and recent appraisals when available. U. Pag~ #2 ~ 10-2-80 Minutes o () o ( He then asked if the Commission could recommend a lower figure. Bill LeFebvre stated the ordinance has to be followed, however, possibly the COUIlcil would be willing to lower it '~s it is a family enterprise and not a developer seeking to make a profit. '-./. Chairman Mand commented the market has all but dried up - the $18,000 figure probably is the most current value. He went on to state that this is one of the UIlfortunate things that happen. The first person of the R.L.S. has avoided the platting ordinances and the people further down the line have to follow them. He was sure the long street (Makah) would have never made it through P & Z. MOTION by Rogers, seconded by Longbella, to recommend the City Council accept $1800.00 cash in lieu of park land on the Backowski plat. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion: Mr. Backowski expressed disappointment over the amount of money but felt he probably would not pursue the matter further with the Council. ROSELLA'S ADDITION MS. Sonsteby asked what happens to park dedication monies, and this was explained to her. She asked that the figure of $3,000 an acre be used as that was what the County Commissioner's appraisers came up with. Glen Rogers stated a park is needed in the area and suggested outside lots thinking of future expansion. He was advised the plat is bounded by wetlands. Bill LeFebvre said he has talked to the Francis' who stated they were planning on platting their land some time in the future. Discussed were easements, court cases, etc. Ms. Sonsteby again mentioned the lake lot. Bill LeFebvre talked to some of the residents who objected to any type of playground equipment in this area. The lake is too much of a temptation. Glen Rogers did not like the idea of a landlocked park. Ms. Sonsteby suggested the two lots on Woodbine; she wanted the one with the ditch in order to keep people off her property. Bill LeFebvre then explained the topography of the entire plat. Both Sharon Anderson and Gary Longbella stated they preferred cash in lieu of land. Several members of the Planning & Zoning Commission, who were present at another meeting, stated park land is definitely needed in this area. They felt they had the concensus of the entire Commmission that cash in lieu of land would not be approved. Glen Rogers reiterated his earlier comments regarding future expansion adding that swamps are developable. Population density was then discussed. Ms. Sonsteby stated her doubles would have two bedrooms; houses could have many, and she didn't believe her plat would attract families with ~any.children. Commissioner Lobb. commented the developer pays for the improvements. MS. Sonsteby wanted consideration for that as she estimated the improvements would cost her about $12,000 a lot. " ''':he grading alone is over $15,000. , . '--.J Considerable time was spent adding together the square footages of various lots. The plat is 14.6 acres; or a park dedication on 1.75 acres or 76,320 sq. ft. MS. Sonsteby strongly Pag~ #3 ~ 10-2-80 ~ Minutes u o u ( objected to full dedication of park land in her small plat. Easements were again discussed to some extent. " - '\ .'-MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Longbella, to recommend the City Council accept Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and most of 5, Block 2, in order to take full land dedication in Rosella's Addition plat. Vote on Motion: Yes - Anderson, LeFebvre, Longbella, Mand & Nichols. No _ Rogers. Motion carried. Glen Rogers no vote reflects his feeling that the park is inadequate in size. He doesn't believe in 1 or 2 acres parks as they cost as much to maintain as a 4-8 acre park. Further, as the children in the area get older, the park will become even more inadequate. MS. Sonsteby stated she would not go along with the recommendation adding that she was going to consult with her attorney and possibly cut the plan down and sell the lower part to a church. She cannot afford to pay for the improvements and also give up five lots. She has done her part; she believes in cooperating. It is her feeling that to ask for full park dedication is too much. She will have to pay $60,000 in improvements on that property which will raise the price of the other lots and then they won't sell. If she sold part of the property for a church, she wanted to know what would be recommended then. Chairman lfund advised the Commission would consider that when it is proposed. Sharon Anderson commented the Corranissions' hands are tied; the Council has the final say. Ms. Sonsteby wanted to know if Lot 5 would have enough square footage left for a lot. Chairman lAand stated he doubted it and suggested adding it on to the next lot. He also felt taking less than full land dedication would be defeating the Commission's purpose. As it stands now, there is no park in the area and, if the Council accepts the Commission's recommendation, there still will not be a good sized park to meet the demands of the area due to the size of the plat. An attempt has been made to get a park, regardless of the size, in the area. CROOKED LAKE SITE The Corranission reviewed Mrs. Helmstetter's parking lot plan. It has been twisted in order to save trees. This plan looks much better than the one drawn by the DNR. Chairman Mand stated the HelIum's are going to move their house o~the lot. If the Clark or Sharp houses do not sell at the auction possibly, when these structures are razed, they could leave Sharp's slab and fireplace which in time could be made into a shelter. MEMOS TO STAFF Chairman Mand stated he would like a memo written to the City Clerk reminding her to transfer the money budgeted for assessments before the end of the year. The City Engineer will be asked to draw a drainage plan for LakeRidge to tie into Andover West and a grade plan for Fox Meadows. The secretary was reminded to send a memo to the City Council regarding the grant money discussed at the September 4th meeting. COMMUNITY SCHOOL The Community School District Board needs a volunteer. Questioned was when and how often they meet. / '\ '-~) . Page -#2 - Minutes August 7, 1980 () o o u occupational therapist major and one was an elementary education major. One adult was a school teacher who could have made $12.00 an hour in the classroom but chose to work for $4.50. ~?he will recommend paying $4.25 per hour for students and $5.25 for the adults based on ~206 hours instead of 215. She also suggested to charge a $1.00 registration for the morning and afternoon playgrounds due to the increasing costs in supplies. Bus fare, which is anywhere from 50~ to $1.00 could be raised by 25~ to help offset these costs. Another additional cost was the School District raised mileage from 19~ to 23~ per mile in July. Chairman lfund stated some of the equipment costs could also be cut if they changed from baseball to softball. Under Little School, Nancy admitted it was mostly a babysitter service but the kids do learn something. Steve Nichols commented the charge there also equals $6.00 per person. Returning to baseball, Chairman lfund asked what a specialist was. Nancy answered they were college or adult baseball teachers who coordinate the program and figure out schedules. Coaches normally do not make good teachers. She then mentioned there is a surplus of around $1500.00 obtained from the 1978 and 1979 programs and that this would be paid back to the City this year. The Commission wondered what would happen to this money. Chairman lfund then asked if they thought of using volunteers for the sumner program. Nancy said it would have to be on a day by day basis and more trouble than it was worth. Also there is a tendency to misuse volunteers and then you lose them. Two people have to be present to cover the liability. This sumner a boy overheated and had to be taken home. The other person stayed and watched the rest. She asked to be advised of the upcoming budget meetings. Steve Nichols had Polaroid pictures of the mess in Northwoods West park. The Engineers have been asked to get the problem corrected. Chairman lfund advised the Council approved the Magnuson Sod lease for Forest Meadows. The Ci ty Attorney is going to draw up the agreement. Mr. Magnuson will clear the entire park but it is up to the City to seed and fertilize that area not to be used for sod cutting. Mentioned was purchasing seed and fertilizer from Mr. lfugnuson as he probably gets a quantity discount. NORTHWOODS EAST Gary West requested soccer goals for Northwoods East park. He was given a copy of the catalog plus a copy of soccer court dimensions. He further stated his father-in-law deals with fencing in St. Cloud. Possibly he could make them for less than the catalog price. Since he has a girls team, the goals or size of field need not meet regulations. Mr. West also mentioned he appreciated the good job of maintaining this park. He asked that it be mowed either Friday or MOnday, and it was. MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Nichols, to recommend the City Council authorize the money received from the School District representi~~ the 1978 and 1979 surplus in the Community School and Summer School programs be spent this year for soccer goals and nets. Motion carried unanimOUSly. '-'.981 BUDGET '--./ Chairman lfund made a list of possible park improvements to most of the parkl The Commission then listed the main priorities for 1981 based on requests from the residents and various organizations. They are as follows: Pag~ #4 ~ 10-2-80 ~ Minutes o u -" U ( , \ HAWK RIDGE SITE PLAN 'lill LeFebvre stated he and a friend of his are working on a site plan for this park. He '-._~anted to know if it would be all right to put in a road along the tluuLhern edge to provide an easier access. No one had any objections. Y\tfl..O\~ MOTION by Rogers, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Rae Ellen Bakke Secretary ,- \ '-- ..