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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 8, 2010 (f,\ ~~. l~, ~~ .0, ~~'. . ~{j~~'~~, ~~"'1\J ~ ~u'V]R'";~ -~ 0 g;' 'tf' JLIt \l. ,,- . ..A.A . 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda September 8, 2010 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Site Visit - White Pine Wilderness '" Return to City Hall .J. 4. Resident Forum 5. Approval of Minutes - August 11,2010 0 6. Update on Property Negotiations 7. Discuss Stewardship of Martin's Meadows 8. Other Business a. Next meeting - Site visit to Mmiin's Meadows 9. Adjournment 0 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 0 September 8,2010 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deric Deuschle, September 8, 2010, 7 :00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek, Bruce Peny, Jody Keppers and Kim Kovich Commissioners absent: None Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz SITE VISIT The Commission toured the potential open space adjacent to the White Pine Wilderness development with the property owner. A discussion about the site visit was held when the Commission returned to City Hall. Commissioner Sabel stated that the site had a variety of types of vegetation. Chairman Deuschle stated there was a lot of diversity and the layout creates a natural course through the property. He added that there would be opportunities and challenges for 0 management of the vegetation. Commissioner Keppers stated that there was more upland than he had anticipated and he liked the combination of upland and wetland. He stated this is an example of the city working with an enlightened developer to achieve open space within a developing area at a reasonable price. Commissioner Kovich stated that the site would be walkable throughout the fall and winter and that there was a lot of diversity and succession of different plant types. Chairman Deuschle stated that the purchase would protect an area that would have otherwise been lost to development. Commissioner Peny asked whether there would be a city park as well, where that would be and if that would reduce the amount of open space. Commissioner Olson asked if they would need to manage oak wilt on the property and remove trees. Commissioner Holasek stated that they would, but if trees were already dead they would not pose a risk and could be kept for animal habitat. 0 Mr. Bednarz showed the Commission the concept plan with a city park located adjacent to the west side of the open space area and added that it would not reduce the amount of open space. Commissioner Sabel stated that Mr. Emmerich had offered to share his history of the property and the types of vegetation and that she would follow-up with him. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - August 11, 2010 Page 2 Commissioner Holasek stated that the site visit and photographs show the property much better than an aerial photograph. He added that the value of the lots adjacent to the open space would be increased. Commissioner Kovich stated that a trail could wind back through the pines near the center of the property to create a loop. Chairman Deuschle stated that part of the northern area of the property area appeared to have to have been mined of soil. Commissioner Kovich agreed that area looked like it would retain water until it reached the overflow to the wetland. Commissioner Sabel stated that Mr. Emmerich had confirmed that this area of the site had been cleared of trees and graded to prepare for development. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 0 August 11, 2010 Motion by Keppers, Second by Holasek, to approve the minutes with cOlTections to misspelled words. Motion canied with a 7-0 vote. RESIDENT FORUM No one was present for resident forum. UPDATE ON PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS Mr. Bednarz stated that the Council had approved the purchase of 20.6 acres of adjacent land to the White Pine Wilderness development at their September ih meeting. He added that the closing was scheduled for September 9th. DISCUSS STEWARDSHIP OF OPEN SPACE Signage Mr. Bednarz stated that the entrance sign had been installed and the plan was for parks staff to install the rest of the signs this week. 0 Regulations Mr. Bednarz stated that the Council approved the City Code amendment to apply the park regulations to open space properties at the September ih Council meeting. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes-August 11,2010 Page 3 Management Plan Chairman Deuschle stated that he had some ideas for a management plan including establishing priorities like access and trails, control of invasive species, restoring prairie under the power lines and opportunities for restoration grants. He added that he would like to wait until next month's site visit to Martin's Meadows to discuss the details. He stated he would bring a draft to the next meeting. Commissioner Keppers agreed that access is the largest challenge for Martin's Meadows and ways to improve that would need to be discussed. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Deuschle stated that a site visit to Martin's Meadows had been scheduled for next month's meeting. Commissioner Keppers stated access through the wetland was possible but difficult. Chairman Deuschle asked Commissioner Kovich if a pontoon was available. Commissioner 0 Kovich stated that he thought landing along the river would be difficult. Commissioner Peny asked ifthey could access the site through the Luedtke property. Commissioner Sabel stated the staffhad previously indicated they did not want to impose on the Luedtke Family for access through their property. Mr. Bednarz stated that was the case with a large public event. He did not think it would be an issue for a small group. Chairman Deuschle stated that the Commission should meet at City Hall and carpool to the site. Mr. Holasek stated it would be nice if the Luedtke Family could join them on the tour ofthe property. He asked if the Star Tribune would be interested. Mr. Bednarz stated he did not think that was likely given they had not shown interest in the new land purchase. The Commission agreed that they would meet at City Hall at 4:00pm on October 13th. Motion to Adjourn Kovich, seconded by Holasek. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting 0 adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz