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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 10, 2010 C I T Y o F 0 NDOVE 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 February 10,2010 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes - January 13,2010 3. Discuss 2010 Site Selection Process 4. Discuss Stewardship of Acquired Open Space 0 5. Discuss Open Space Handout for Development Applications 6. Funding Update 7. Other Business a. Next meeting 8. Adjournment 0 0 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 FEBRUARY 10,2010 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deric Deuschle, February 10,2010, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Jody Keppers, Winslow Holasek, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry, Kim Kovich, Gretchen Sabel Commissioner absent: None Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES 0 January 13,2010 There were no changes. Motion by Perry, Seconded by Kovich, to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried 5-0 (Olson present, Sabel arrived after the motion). DISCUSS 2010 SITE SELECTION PROCESS Chairman Deuschle asked for a presentation of the additional sites that expressed interest in preservation since the last meeting. Mr. Bednarz provided information on the properties. The Commission discussed the five sites that were selected from all of the properties that were previously evaluated. Chairman Deuschle stated that he would rank the property southeast of V erdin Street NW and 161 st A venue and the Meadow Creek site below the Anoka Grain parcel, White Pine Wilderness property and Selmer/Kuiken properties. 0 Commissioner Sabel stated that the White Pine Wilderness property would be an interesting property to work with due to the fact that it 'was part of a development. Commissioner Keppers stated that the property provided a unique opportunity to blend development and open space preservation and that a trail could tie the two areas together. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes-February 10,2010 Page 2 Commissioner Olson asked for a description of the valuation estimates that were provided. Mr. Bednarz stated that they include Anoka County estimated market value for 2010 as well as a staff estimate based on the development potential of the properties. He added that if properties were recommended to the Council and the Council conculTed that an appraisal would need to be completed to determine the value of the properties. Chairman Deuschle stated that the Anoka Grain parcel, White Pine Wilderness property and Selmer/Kuiken properties should be considered. He added that the Commission should consider recommending more than one property to give the Council options. Commissioner Kovich stated that he believed the Anoka Grain parcel should be the top choice. He questioned if the additional cost to purchase property from the Kuiken Family to provide access to the Selmer property made sense. Chairman Deuschle asked the Commission if they felt all of the resources should be focused in one part of the city with the Anoka Grain and Luedtke properties or if sites in other areas of the city should be considered. 0 Commissioner Kovich stated he felt that the Commission should select one parcel based on its merits to make sure the best natural areas are preserved and to consider additional options in the future. Commissioner Sabel stated that the Anoka Grain parcel would complete a preservation area in the northern part ofthe city and provide another access. She added that it was the highest ranked parcel ofthose under consideration. Chairman Deuschle stated that the ecological aspects are an important consideration, but he prefers to rank multiple properties so that other areas of the city could be considered as well. Commissioner Kovich agreed that a recommendation should rank parcels. Commissioner Olson stated that he felt access to the Selmer property would be important. He added that based on recent interest more parcels may become available in the next six months. Mr. Bednarz stated that the Kuiken Family had been through this process with the city on two previous occasions and indicated that while they are still interested, the would look to the city to define what it wanted to purchase and to make an offer for them to consider. Commissioner Kovich stated he would prefer if the Selmer/Kuiken area could be expanded to include properties owned by the Kuiken Family to the south. 0 Chairman Deuschle stated that he would rank the parcels in order as the Anoka Grain parcel, Selmer/Kuiken property and White Pine Wilderness. He stated that the Anoka Grain parcel had the best grant potential due to its location along the river. , 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - February 10, 2010 Page 3 Commissioner Keppel's stated he would rank the White Pine Wilderness property second. He added that it may be possible to purchase two sites with the remaining referendum funds. Commissioner Sabel stated this may be an opportunity to purchase the Selmer property at CUlTent market value, even without additional land for access. She conculTed with the approach to rank properties in the recommendation. Commissioner Peny asked if the Commission should be concerned with expending all of the referendum funds in one area ofthe city. Commissioner Keppel'S stated that if the Anoka Grain parcel was available at the time the Luedtke property was purchased he believed it would have been included in their recommendation. Commissioner Holasek stated that the Anoka Grain parcel offered the ability to preserve a larger area and expanded the opportunities as a result. He added that there are positives and negatives to all of the properties and that a larger preservation area in the northern part of the city would not be too far for residents to travel. 0 Chairman Deuschle stated that the Selmer property could be similar to Kelsey Round Lake Park in that it would be preserved and development would be allowed to fill in around it. Commissioner Kovich stated it may be possible to purchase only a portion ofthe Kuiken property, including the wooded areas and the southeast portion ofthe property adjacent to Hanson Boulevard. Commissioner Peny asked if the Anoka Grain parcel would allow access to Valley View Park to the southeast. Mr. Bednarz stated that the owner indicated that an area of about three acres between the parcel and park was included in the proposal to allow access. He added that there is an area prone to flooding that would need to be crossed. Chairman Deuschle asked the audience if they had questions is comments they wished to share. Diane Park, representing Anoka Independent Grain and Feed Inc., asked if there would be additional stipulations placed on the land if it were purchased by the city. Mr. Bednarz stated that ifDNR funds were received through a grant program that hunting would need to be allowed on the property. Diane Park stated that they have discussed working with properties to the east of the site to extend their property lines to the river. Mr. Bednarz stated that all of the details would need to be worked out if a property is recommended by the Commission and accepted by the Council. 0 Lany Emmerich, representing White Pine Wilderness, stated that the valuation numbers reflect Anoka County estimated market value and would not be a true reflection of the property value. He added that a trail through the area would make sense and could be included as part ofthe discussion. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - February 10, 2010 Page 4 Motion Sabel, Seconded by Kovich to recommended the Council consider open space acquisition of the Anoka Independent Grain and Feed, Inc. parcel with the Selmer/Kuiken properties and White Pine Wilderness as alternates. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bednarz stated that the recommendation would be brought to the February 1 ih Council Work Session. He encouraged Commissioners to attend to discuss their recommendation with the Council. Discuss Stewardship of Acquired Open Space Chairman Deuschle noted that survey work would be done to allow the city to sign the limits of the open space property. He stated that he would like to work with KamerOll K ytonen and the field work information the city has to start the management plan. Commissioner Kovich stated that he would contact the Anoka Conservation District to see what information could be shared from their experience in working with the City of Blaine. Commissioner Sabel stated that Blaine also has a friends of open space group made up of residents 0 that helps advise the city on grants and other open space matters. She then provided a PowerPoint presentation consisting of photographs and observations from her visit to the site. Mr. Bednarz suggested an initial meeting with the Commission, staff and others with expertise to set a general direction and determine the areas where they would need more help. The Commission discussed what would need to be considered in preparing a management plan, including caring for the natural areas and what types of restrictions may need to be considered for ATV's, snowmobiling and other uses of the open space area. Mr. Bednarz stated that there are some existing regulations provide by the City Code. He added that he would summarize these in a report for next months meeting and the Commission could consider what other details may need to be addressed. Commissioner Keppel'S stated some thought would need to be put into the types and design of signage for the site. The Commission discussed signs for the boundaries of the site and within the site noting that an attractive design and overall theme should be provided. Discuss Open Space Handout for Development Applications The Commission discussed a draft handout to be included with development packet materials. They indicated that the handout indicated that participation would be voluntary and the draft was 0 acceptable. Funding Update 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes-February 10,2010 Page 5 Chairman Deuschle reviewed the memorandum providing an update on DNR grants, the Clean Water, land and Legacy Amendment and Legislative Citizen Commission on Natural Resources funding. It was noted that the DNR Natural and Scenic Area Program was the only CUlTent grant identified as a potential source for matching funds and that the deadline for application is March 31 st. It was also noted that Anoka County is being recommended for the second half of funding to purchase 550 acres along Cedar Creek and the Rum River, including approximately 93 acres in northwestern Andover. Motion to Adjourn Kovich, seconded by Keppel'S. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz 0 0