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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 14, 2011ANLb Y O F 6 © 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 December 14, 2011 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes —November 9, 2011 4. 2011 Site Selection Process 5. Update - Maintenance of Open Space Sites © 6. Other Business a. Next meeting: January 11, 2012 7. Adjournment H REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING December 14, 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: Val Holthus, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Drago Flores Also present: Courtney Bednarz, City Planner RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — November 9, 2011 Motion by Holthus, Second by Kovich to approve the minutes. Motion passed 5 -0 (Olson present, Flores absent). 2011 SITE SELECTION PROCESS Chairperson Sabel described the recent site visit to the Selmer and Kuiken properties. She indicated that the site had not previously been farmed and had been acquired by the Selmer family from Ed Hanson who acquired the property from the railroad. She noted that the forested area of the adjacent property to the north shared many of the same characteristics. Commissioner Olson stated that the site may have been logged a great many years ago along with the rest of the state. Commissioner Kovich stated the site has a variety of natural features. He did not notice much Buckthorn or other invasive species. He added that the forested areas have a healthy canopy and noted that a portion of the southeast area of the site showed signs of a previous forest fire. Commissioner Holthus stated a fire occurred along the railroad corridor around ten years ago. She added that the site was easy to walk around and that there were a lot of trails, probably from hunters as she noticed a number of deer stands in the area. Commissioner Van Hecke asked if the owner was aware that hunting would no longer be allowed if the city purchased the property. Commissioner Olson stated that if the owner decides to sell the property he would be relinquishing his rights to it. Commissioner Kovich noted that Mr. Selmer owned two other 40 acre parcels in the immediate area. Commissioner Holthus asked staff to describe the graphic illustrating potential access points to the site. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — December 14, 2011 Page 2 Mr. Bednarz described the options including easements or purchase of property from adjacent land owners to achieve access to Hanson Boulevard or Ward Lake Drive. Commissioner Van Hecke suggested the Commission consider the south half of the two 40 acre parcels between the site and Hanson Boulevard. She stated that there is forested area on one of the sites and potential for access to Hanson Boulevard through the other. Chairperson Sabel asked what could be done with the portion that was presently sod field. Commissioner Kovich stated he had discussed this issue with the Anoka Conservation District and that flooding the area would be the only way to change the vegetation from bluegrass to native vegetation. He agreed with the idea of considering the south half of the adjacent properties to improve access. Commissioner Holthus noted that there was also potential for access from Ward Lake Drive through other properties owned by Mr. Selmer. It was noted that the access would need to cross the railroad tracks. Commissioner Kovich stated there could also be potential for wetland banking by the owner and that may be a way for the owner to realize more benefit. He stated that a portion of the the ditch would need to be plugged to retain water on the site for this to occur. He stated that an agreement could also be made with the owner to allow them to continue to farm the area and utilize the access road. Commissioner Olson stated he would prefer if there were the ability to park on the site instead off along Hanson Boulevard indicating that it would be much safer and more convenient. Chairperson Sabel asked if the additional property were purchased if the sod field could be utilized for soccer fields or other sports. Mr. Bednarz stated this idea had briefly been discussed with the Council. He added that the soil would need to be tested and may not work very well for soccer fields. Commissioner Kovich stated that park funds would need to be used in this scenario and not open space funds. The Commission discussed the availability of funding. Mr. Bednarz stated that parks did not have funding for acquisition presently. Commissioner Kovich suggested the Commission also consider access to the Selmer property from the south, including the Aasness property to complete a link to North Woods Preserve. Commissioner Olson stated that in previous discussion concern had been raised about the length of this route. He added that he did not feel this should be a concern because it is similar to the distance to Hanson Boulevard along the other route and part of the intent is to create areas for walking. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — December 14, 2011 Page 3 Chairperson Sabel stated that there may not be enough funds to purchase all of the properties that were being discussed. Commissioner Kovich stated that the Aasness property may need to be considered separately if the others were not feasible. Commissioner Perry was in favor of the access to Hanson Boulevard that would include the southern half of the two adjacent 40 acre parcels, as discussed earlier. Commissioner Van Hecke asked if the Lawrence family had expressed interest in working with the city. Mr. Bednarz stated he had discussed this with them and they were open to discussing it further. He added that the options discussed by the Commission would be shared to see if some agreement could be reached. UPDATE - MAINTENANCE OF OPEN SPACE SITES Commissioner Holthus stated she had frequently been visiting the site and noted that the temporary bridge over a culvert in the creek leading to the river had been replaced with a much improved earth and stone crossing. Mr. Bednarz stated that staff had met with Great River Greening earlier in the day and there is potential for some restoration funding for Martin's Meadows. He added that it may be possible to complete some of the tasks identified in the management plan for the site with this funding. Commissioner Perry asked if the additional snow fencing and no motorized vehicle signage had been installed. Commissioner Holthus stated it had not as of the previous Saturday. Mr. Bednarz stated he would follow up to make sure it was completed. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Sabel asked if the Commission should invite the Council to tour Martin's Meadows. Commissioner Holthus stated it would be nice to make some improvement to the slope leading into the site from the Navajo Street NW cul -de -sac. Chairperson Sabel asked if there would be an article in the upcoming newsletter. The Commission determined that there would not. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — December 14, 2011 Page 4 Motion by Kovich, Second by Olson to adjourn. Motion passed 6 -0 (Flores absent). The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz