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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 17, 2005 CITY OF NDOVE ~ Q/.L./ u)"LtltiYl .3 -1/ - 05 / PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - FEBRUARY 17,2005 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on February 17, 2005, 7:06 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Meg Dudgeon, Dave Blackstad, Chairman Jim Lindahl, Ernest Bedor, and Wendy Albee. Commissioners Absent: Dan Masloski and Devon Walton Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas An amendment was made to the agenda to include item 4a, Parkside at Andover StationlPark Dedication Requirements. Wendy Albee took the oath of office for Park and Recreation Commissioner for the City of Andover. RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Blackstad made a correction that page three, paragraph seven of the January 20,2005 minutes be amended to correctly spell his last name; Blackstad. Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Bedor, to approve the January 20,2005 Park Commission minutes as amended. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, 0- nays, 2-absent (Masloski and Walton) vote. SOPHIE'S SOUTH SKETCH PLAN Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to reviewing and determining the park dedication requirements for the proposed Sophie's South sketch plan, either cash, land, or a combination of both. " . J Chairperson Lindahl gave a description of the location as in the distance from city hall and the major roadways. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2005 Page 2 . / Commissioner Bedor said that it was important that the park be useful and convenient for pedestrian traffic. Mr. Haas explained that the darkened areas of the map indicate wetlands that have not yet been approved by the watershed district. Commissioner Dudgeon asked if the developer has an idea for where the park would be located. Mr. Haas answered that the developer does not have a park planned and is waiting for direction from the Commission as to whether or not a park is desired. Mr. Haas answered questions by Commissioners Bedor and Blackstad that the Sophie's South development has 89 houses planned and the developments going in to the south will have 200-300 new lots. Commissioner Blackstad said that he liked the location on Xeon Street NW due to its convenience to the planned developments to the south. Commissioner Bedor asked how large the park should be. / Mr. Haas said that 2 or 3 lots would be sufficient and that the park would be similar in size to the park in the County Oaks West development. There was discussion of what would be included in the park. A half basketball court, playground equipment and a small shelter were offered as possibilities. Chairperson Lindahl asked about the topography ofthe site. Mr. Haas said that it was wooded with some open spots. Chairperson Lindahl said that it was important to consider all of the future developments and where the parks will be located in relation to the site in question. He said that Oak Bluff Park could service the southeast area, and asked if the time frame for further development was known. Mr. Haas said that the time frame is not known at this time. Commissioner Bedor said that ifhe were purchasing a home in this development, he would want a centrally located neighborhood park. Commissioner Blackstad suggested that Lots 21, 22, and 23 on Xeon Street NW be considered. " / Mr. Haas reminded the Commission that Xeon Street NW would be a collector street going all the way to Andover Boulevard. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2005 Page 3 , I Chair Lindahl suggested that perhaps Lots 1,2, and 3 could be considered. Commissioner Bedor asked if the park could be placed closer to the center ofthe development Commissioner Dudgeon asked if there were any concerns about the park site being adjacent to the railroad. Mr. Haas answered that the Park Commission generally stays away from the railroad due safety concerns, and suggested placing a park further into the development to the south in order to service a larger area. Commissioner Bedor said that if the park will serve a larger community then it should probably be a larger park so therefore additional lots should be considered. Mr. Haas said that the Commission could also consider the proximity of parks to local schools. He also said that a trail system will be installed on the south side of Crosstown Boulevard to Hanson Boulevard, and access to the park from the trail system would be beneficial. ;' Chairperson Lindahl said that either the Commission could wait until the southern parcel (Holasek property) is developed to decide on a park location or it can set aside a single lot within the Sophie's South Development as a park, but this can cause issues in regard to maintenance of smaller parks. Commissioner Blackstad said that the Commission should set aside two or three lots, or not create the park at all. Commissioner Albee asked if a few lots were taken prior to development, could the park be made larger at a later date. She said that as a mother of young children that she would not walk all the way from this development to City Hall in order to enjoy the park. Chairperson Lindahl said that perhaps Lots 9 and 10 near the south end ofthis development could be taken and then two more adjacent lots could be taken from the next development to the south (Holasek property). Commissioner Blackstad said that the same plan could be used at Lots 5 and 6. Chairperson Lindahl said that the location of Lots 5 and 6 is near an older demographic housing area, and asked what the pricing and target market of the development would be. Mr. Haas is not aware ofthe price of the homes will be and perhaps more infonnation will come forth when the developer meets with the Planning Commission in the near future. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2005 Page 4 / Commissioner Blackstad offered that Lots 8, 9, and 10 on the south end of this development could be taken and when the development comes in to the south (Holasek property) then the adjacent two lots could be added with a trail to access both streets, and the balance of the agreement will be taken in cash. He asked if City staff would talk to the developer about doing something similar to what was being done in the Country Oaks West development where the developer would be putting in the park improvements right away. Mr. Haas said that he will contact the developer, and reiterated that the map is only a sketch so there may be changes made. Commissioner Bedor asked ifthere was another full basketball court in the City other than the one at Sunshine Park. He commented that the full courts get a lot of use, therefore more full courts are needed. Mr. Haas answered that there was at least one more besides Sunshine Park and as soon as the park for this development has been approved then the layout will be presented to the Park Commission. Commissioner Blackstad made a recommendation that Lots 8, 9, and lObe dedicated as a park and the balance be taken in cash. / The Commission came to a consensus to support the recommendation by Commissioner Blackstad. PARKSIDE AT ANDOVER STATION/PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to reviewing and determining the park dedication requirements for the proposed Parkside at Andover Station Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Bedor to approve cash in lieu ofland. Commissioner Bedor asked ifthe ball fields could be used during the day. Chairperson Lindahl said that the ball fields at Sunshine Park could not be used during tournaments, but otherwise there are no restrictions. Mr. Haas explained that the fields are a part of a public park and cannot be closed off. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Masloski and Walton) vote. J Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2005 Page 5 I UPDATE OF ANDOVER STATION NORTH PARK Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to an update ofthe Andover Station North Park ball field layout, Project 05-15, and that a lot of time has been spent on this plan by City staff. Commissioner Blackstad asked ifthere was a reason that parking has been reduced. Mr. Haas explained that the risk was too high for damage to vehicles from foul balls. Commissioner Blackstad offered that the parking not be lost and that a 12-foot fence be installed to help prevent damage to vehicles. He said that spectators understand that they are parking at their own risk. Commissioner Dudgeon said that the City could protect itself from liability by placing hash marks over the parking area, so that citizens would understand that they are parking there at their own risk. Commissioner Blackstad said that there is an assumed risk with parking at a ballfield and some protection could come from a sign posted that said something like "not responsible for foul balls." Mr. Haas said that additional spaces could still be created in the park as it becomes / developed. But for ball fields they were able to get two 300-foot fields and one 275-foot field. The City Staffhas been working with the Andover Baseball Association to get this plan hashed out and want the opinion of the Commission regarding that plan. He went on to say that the plan is moving fast and they are ready to putting the final plan out for bids within the next couple weeks or so. Mr. Haas responded to Commissioner Bedor's questions that the outfield fences would be installed at the 8-foot minimum standard, but the sideline fences may be 12 foot in order to keep balls in play. Mr. Haas said that this plan will be presented to the City Council and explained that the skating and hockey rinks are not going to work due to space and drainage issues, but the plan does include a sliding hill and a building. Commissioner Bedor asked if football could still be played on these fields. Mr. Haas said that yes football could be played in the outfield area with smaller sized fields which could be used by younger aged children. No action needed. / Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2005 Page 6 2004 FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to a quarterly review of the Park Improvement Fund. Commissioner Blackstad asked about the line item labeled "old poles". Mr. Haas explained that the old wooden light poles at Sunshine Park were sold to the City of Edina. There was some discussion as to how many funds were carried over from last year. Mr. Haas told the Commission that any questions they have can be directed to the Finance Department. No action needed. STATUS OF SKATEBOARD EQUIPMENT Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to the status of the skateboard equipment. The City Staff received a phone call from Pastor Barber of Constance Free Church and they are interested in having the equipment at the church this summer. An agreement is being drafted and the equipment will be delivered this spring. No action needed. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. Commissioner Albee asked if the possibility of installing disk golf in some of the unused parks could be considered. She said that the game could easily be installed in existing parks. Commissioner Dudgeon said that she has seen the game installed along trail systems. Commissioner Bedor asked what the maintenance cost would be for the equipment. Mr. Haas said that there was virtually no maintenance cost and that when the Commission looks at the CIP for 2006, this idea could be looked at then. This was followed by some discussion on which parks would be good sites for the game. CHAIR'S REPORT " No report. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2005 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Blackstad, to adjourn the meeting at 7:51p.m. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Masloski and Walton) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Nicole Haswinkle, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. '. " ~I