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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 9, 2011u Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda November 9, 2011 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 4:00 p.m. Site Visit: Martin's Meadows via Navajo Street NW Cul -de -sac 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes —October 12, 2011 © 4. 2011 Site Selection Process 5. Update - Maintenance of Open Space Sites 6. Other Business a. Next meeting: December 14, 2011 7. Adjournment H 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US REGULAR ANDOVER OPENSPACE ADVISORY COMMISSIONMEETING November 9, 2011 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Val Holthus, Kim Kovich, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Jim Olson Also present: Courtney Bednarz, City Planner RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — October 12, 2011 Motion by Holthus, Second by Kovich to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 -0 (Olson absent). 2011 SITE SELECTIONPROCESS Mr. Bednarz updated the Commission on discussions with property owners about obtaining access to the area northwest of 177`" Avenue NW and University Avenue and the area between Hanson and the rail line north of 161" Avenue NW. He shared that Ms. Engelson was not interested in allowing public access across her property. He also stated that he had discussed one access scenario with Mr. Kuiken and that he was waiting to hear back from him. Mr. Bednarz stated that he received a letter from a property owner adjacent to Crooked Lake and provided an overview of the area. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that the area was not as natural as many other sites they have reviewed. Commissioner Holthus stated it seemed like a good location for a park. Commissioner Kovich stated that there was minimal conservation value and when they had previously discussed this area found it was better suited for a park than open space. Chairperson Sabel asked about a nearby property southwest of the intersection of Bunker Lake and Crooked Lake Boulevards. Mr. Bednarz stated that several development scenarios had been proposed, but presently the home is being rented. 10 Chairperson Sabel stated that there are qualities other than natural resources that can be considered for open space. Commissioner Kovich stated the evaluation criteria focused on natural features. He added that redevelopment of the property may be another option. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 9, 2011 Page 2 Commissioner Flores stated that access was good due to the nearby parking for the boat landing but also agreed that there were few natural features. Commissioner Kovich stated that they needed to hear back from Mr. Kuiken to further evaluate the potential for access to Hanson Boulevard. Chairperson Sabel asked for an update on the Woodland Creek Golf Course. Mr. Bednarz stated that the site is still owned by Mr. Vanelli and his bank that are looking to sell the property. He added that wetland banking is still an option that could be considered for the site. Mr. Bednarz asked for direction on how the Commission would like to proceed with the site search process. He stated they could revisit the list of properties that had been identified, they could consider their previous recommendation to acquire the Aasness property, or suggest other ideas. Commissioner Kovich noted that the Council did not seem interested in the Aasness property. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that all of the Commissioners had liked this property especially after having visited the site. Chairperson Sabel stated the Commission could consider a recommendation for a grad plan which would encompass property from North Woods Preserve to the north and west to Hanson Boulevard. Commissioner Flores stated that the southerly properties in this area had more conservation value than the sod fields to the west. He asked what the motivation of the property owners was. Commissioner Perry asked if this would include a narrow access to Hanson Boulevard. Chairperson Sabel stated that it would. She noted that there are forested areas west of the Selmer property that are similar and combined with access to Hanson Boulevard this may be a reason to acquire the property. Commissioner Flores stated the value should be less due to the amount of wetland. Chairperson Sabel compared the values of the properties in the area and noted it would be difficult to acquire all of them. Mr. Bednarz stated it may be possible to acquire portions of properties to the south and west to achieve access. © Commissioner Kovich noted that they had previously considered the Aasness property on its own merits. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 9, 2011 Page 3 Commissioner Flores stated he did not feel it was as important to have access to Hanson Boulevard. He added that visitors to the site would most likely return to the place where they entered the site to get back to their vehicle as opposed to walking all the way around. Commissioner Perry stated that if they make the Selmer property a priority the Aasness property becomes less of one. The Commission continued to discuss the area between Hanson Boulevard and the rail line and various options for achieving access from North Woods Preserve through the north and west to Hanson Boulevard. Mr. Bednarz asked for direction on how the Commission would like to proceed with the site search process. He stated they could revisit the list of properties that had been identified, they could consider their previous recommendation to acquire the Aasness property, or suggest other ideas. Commissioner Holthus suggested a site visit to the Selmer property to aid the Commission's evaluation of the property. © Commissioner Flores suggested they review the list of identified properties one more time. Chairperson Sabel stated that they have worked through the properties on the list a few times and for one reason or another they have had issues that prevented them from further consideration. Commissioner Kovich stated they could review all the properties with willing sellers. Chairperson Sabel noted that some properties with willing sellers did not have access. Commissioner Kovich agreed that a site visit to the Selmer property would be a good idea. The Commission discussed various times and asked staff to see if a site visit could be conducted on Saturday, December 3 rd at 10am. UPDATE - MAINTENANCE OF OPEN SPA CE SITES Chairperson Sabel summarized the site visit to Martin's Meadows from earlier that evening and noted that a lot of work had been done to create trails through the park and open space. Mr. Bednarz stated that he had been made aware that the entrance and corner marker for North Woods Preserve had been taken down. He added that he would follow -up on this issue to get it © resolved. OTHER BUSINESS ® Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 9, 2011 Page 4 Commissioner Van Hecke asked if the trail map for Martin's Meadows could be updated based on the work that had been done. Motion by Holthus, Second by Perry to adjourn. Motion passed 6 -0 (Olson absent). The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz C H