1985 05 07 Agenda
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Park and Recreation Commission
Agenda
May 7, 1985 - 7:30 p.m.
1.
2.
3.
Approval of the April 9, 1985 minutes.
Final review of Hidden Valley sketch plan.
Eckankar site plan review.
4.
Plocher-Geske Lake Minnewashta site plan review.
5.
Bloomberg property site plan review.
Please call me at 937-1900 if you are unable to attend.
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Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes
April 9, 1985
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Members present:
staff present:
Members absent:
Charlie' Robbins
Joe Warneke
Mike Lynch
Mike Rosenwald
Brian Foltz
Don Ashworth
Lori sietsema
Wallace McKay
Tom Schoenecker
Park Dedication Discussion
The Park and Recreation Commissioners met early, at staff's
request, to discuss the City's policies and the structure of the
Park Dedication Ordinance.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Don Ashworth was
present to discuss the City's Park Dedication Ordinance.
Ashworth began by saying that the City has the ability to obtain
park land or fees to develop park land through the Park
Dedication Ordinance. Although the law is unclear when it states
that a city may ask for a reasonable amount of land for park and
open space purposes, the general rule is 10% of the total develo-
pable acres in a subdivision may be requested for dedication. To
date, cities have usually gotten the undevelopable portion
(wetlands, etc.). The city may request better land, but must
identify that land in their comprehensive plan.
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If a city chooses, it may require the developer to make a cash
payment in lieu of park land. Thus the question of how much that
cash payment should be. The law states that the city may request
10% of the undeveloped value of the land. This figure can vary
a great deal, depending on who is figuring the value, where the
land lies, what it is zoned, etc. The undeveloped value of a
piece of property, such as Hidden Valley, can range anywhere from
$5,000 to $15,000 per acre.
Hidden Valley Subdivision
Brian Foltz opened discussion saying that the Hidden Valley deve-
loper met with the Chanhassen Estates residents to review this
subdivision. At that meeting, the residents indicated a concern
for the ability of the existing park (Rice Marsh Lake Park) to
handle the added number of people this development would attract.
They said that the parking in the park was already inadequate,
the park is located at the bottom of a hill making accessability
difficult, and that the park was more often wet than dry. The
residents would like the Hidden Valley developer to provide
another park within his development that would support a
ballfield, tennis court and possibly a basketball court.
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Lori Sietsema pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan shows that
Rice Marsh Lake Park should be developed into a nature study
area, becoming more of a passive community park rather than a
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neighborhood park. The park was never suited for active play
fields due to the high water table. She also said that it seemed
that the residents' biggest request was a tennis court.
Requesting that the developer pay the park dedication fees in
lieu of park land would generate enough money to start develop-
ment of a nature center at Rice Marsh Lake Park and also
construct a tennis court on site of the old sewage treatment
center.
Brian Foltz suggested that the City keep Rice Marsh Lake Park as
it is for the children, and acquire a corner lot that would have a
ballfield and a tennis court. Foltz also mentioned that the
developer indicated that he was unsure of what to do with the
northeastern section and that he may be open to the idea of
donating a portion of it for park land.
Charlie Robbins reiterated that the existing park is already
heavily used, and that this subdivision will attract more young
families as it is geared for the first time home buyer.
Mike Rosenwald indicated that he liked the nature center idea and
the park fees.
Charlie Robbins moved to table this item until staff was able to
answer the following questions:
1. Can pilings be put into the existing park, or could
it be filled to alleviate the problem of it being
too wet?
2. Are there areas within the development to put
neighborhood park that would support a ballfield,
tennis court, basketball court and parking?
3. What are the cost estimates to develop a nature
center in Rice Marsh Lake Park?
The motion was seconded by Brian Foltz and passed unanimously.
Minutes
Brian Foltz moved, seconded by Mike Rosenwald, to approve the
minutes of March 5th as submitted. The motion passed
unarnimously.
Fire Department's Annual Softball Tournament request.
Brian Foltz moved to approve the Firemen's request to use all
three fields at Lake Ann Park and to waive any park entrance fees
for the weekend of June 7, 8, and 9. The motion, seconded by
Charlie Robbins, passed unanimously.
Discussion to renew MRPA
Brian Foltz made a motion that the Park and Recreation Commission
not renew their MRPA membership. The motion, seconded by Mike
Rosenwald, passed unanimously.
1986 LAWCON/LCMR Grant Applications
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Lori sietsema asked what the Commission would recommend that the
City apply for. LAWCON/LCMR Grant applications are due May 6 for
1986 projects.
The Commission listed: lighting ballfield #1, multi-use park
shelter, ballfield development on the newly acquired land at Lake
Ann Park, access road to Lake Susan Park, and a nature center and
trails at Rice Marsh Lake Park.
Mike Rosenwald made a motion to recommend that the City apply for
LAWCON/LCMR Grants for lighting ballfield #1, multi-use park
shelter, and ballfield development on the new land. And to ask
staff to research the possibility of applying for a grant to
construct an access road to Lake Susan Park and a nature center
at Rice Marsh Lake Park. The motion, seconded by Mike Lynch,
passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Brian Foltz moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05.
seconded by Charlie Robbins, passed unanimously.
The motion,
Respectfully submitted,
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Lori Sietsema
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CITY OF
CHAHHASSEH
2-
690 COULTER DRIVE. P.O. BOX 147 . CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Park and Recreation Commission
FROM:
Lori sietsema, Park and Recreation Coordinator
DATE:
May 3, 1985
SUBJ:
Hidden Valley site plan review
The Park and Recreation Commission tabled this item at the April
9th meeting to enable staff to research a number of
possibilities.
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The first question addressed filling Rice Marsh Lake Park to
raise it above the water level. The City Engineer indicated that
raising the level of the park would create additional water
problems for the homeowners around the park. Also, to do this
the City would have to process it's own wetland alteration
permit.
The Commission also asked staff to explore the possibility of
obtaining another park site within the proposed development that
would support a ball field, totlot, tennis court and basketball
court. The City Engineer and I agree that due to the topograghy
of the property and the amount of water drainage, there is not a
place conducive to such use.
The third item the Commission asked for was a cost estimate for
the construction of a nature center or nature trail system in
Rice Marsh Lake Park. I will have these figures for you at
Tuesday's meeting.
Due to the information above, I continue to recommend that the
City accept park dedication fees in lieu of park land. In addi-
tion, I am recommending that the City acquire a trail easement
along the southern 25 feet of the utility easement. The City
would then be in a position to develop a nature center within the
30 acres of wetlands in Rice Marsh Lake Park as indicated in the
comprehensive plan. A portion of those fees could be used to
construct a tennis court on the site of the old sewage treatment
plant. Also, a totlot could be put up in the southwest corner of
the development along the trail easement. This would take some
of the pressure off of the totlot in Rice Marsh Lake Park.
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CITY 0 F
CHAHHASSEH
3
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690 COULTER DRIVE. P.O. BOX 147 . CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Park and Recreation Commission
FROM:
Lori Sietsema, Park and Recreation Coordinator
DATE:
May 3, 1985
SUBJ:
Eckankar site plan review
Eckankar is a company which writes and publishes religious
material. The proposed administrative campus development is
located adjacent to the eastern boundary of Lake Ann Park.
The proposed development includes a publishing building on the
eastern edge of the property and an administrative building,
which will lie on the western edge of the property.
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According to the comprehensive plan, all land to be obtained for
Lake Ann Park (to the east) has been obtained. Staff is recom-
mending that the City request a payment of park dedication fees
in lieu of park land. However, due to policy established with
Electro-Craft development, Eckankar is asking that park fees be
paid for only the acres being developed at this time - approxima-
tely 20 acres. The City Manager and an Eckankar representative
would then meet to agree upon an amount of acreage that park fees
should be paid. Eckankar would be required to pay park fees for
any future development at the time of development.
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CITY OF
CHAHHASSEH
~
690 COULTER DRIVE. P.O. BOX 147 . CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Park and Recreation Commission
FROM:
Lori Sietsema, Park and Recreation Coordinator
DATE:
May 3, 1985
SUBJ:
Plocher-Geske Lake Minnewashta site plan review.
In June of 1984, the Park and Recreation Commission addressed the
possibility of the City purchasing Leach's Resort, as it was for
sale. The Commission did not recommend purchasing the property
due the the cost.
A developer purchased the property and is proposing to build 18
townhouses on the six acre site.
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The matter before the Park and Recreation Commission is whether
to accept park dedication fees or request a dedication of park
land.
Points to consider:
- The comprehensive plan shows the area to the west of Lake
Minnewashta to be a park deficient area.
- The comprehensive plan calls for park/open space to meet active
recreational needs in this area.
- The topograghy and the size of the Placher-Geske site limits
any possible active use of land the City might acquire in this
development.
- Lake st. Joe is also shown in the comprehensive plan as poten-
tial park/open space. While the City may wish to look at the
land around Lake St. Joe to fulfill the park needs in the
Minnewashta area, it should be noted that most of the area
around Lake St. Joe is wetlands.
- There are a number of beach lots maintained by homeowner's
associations along the western side of Lake Minnewashta, thus
the question of real need for additional park land arises.
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. Zone 6
Residential areas within Zone 6 are effectively cut off from existing
parks by major roadways on the north and south, Lake Minnewashta
,f1n the east and by the Chanhassen city limits to the west. Within
. his area, 134 housing units exist and with sewer service available,
it is estimated that another 575-850 units are possible in the
future. At the present time, there are no existing public park
facilities of any type within the area.
In reviewing the needs of Zone 6, the most significant deficiency
is the lack of neighborhood park facilities. Tennis courts, ball
diamonds, open areas and picnic grounds are non-existent. There-
fore, future acquisitions should accommodate such activities.
Regarding possible locations for future park sites, two areas stand
out. Leaches Resort, located north of the Red Cedar Point neigh-
borhood, would be an excellent addition to the City's park system
should it become available in the future. Another alternative would
be to develop a site around Lake St. Joe. Irregardless of which
site, is eventually acquired, it is important that the selected
property contain sufficient dry, upland area to accommodate the
active pursuits previously mentioned.
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As future residential infill occurs. the city should be prepared
through dedication and/or purchase, to acquire an appropriate parcel
of land.
Lake Access
Chanhassen has a longstanding goal of providing a public access
on each lake within the city. The community contains all or part
of ten lakes which are legally public waters and, as such, should
be accessible. Because it is impossible for everyone to live on
a lake, the establishment of public accesses is imperative if the
entire community is to enjoy the amenities associated with lakes.
The following examination of each of Chanhassen's lakes discusses
existing accesses as well as possible future additions. As the
city acquires land and access points in the future, close coordi-
nation should occur between the Lake Study Committee, Park and
Recreation Commission, City Council, and local lakeshore owners
to assure that adequate facilities are installed which minimize
environmental intrusions and maximize the rights of all concerned.
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Lake Minnewashta: Lake Minnewashta, whi~h is Chanhassen's largest
lake, has one privately owned access at Leaches Resort and inade-
quate public access adjacent to it. The existing public access
consists of a street right-of-way and is inadequate because of
a lack of parking and mdneuvering room. Because of development
and land ownership in the area, the improvement of the site is
not feasible in the near future.
CITY OF
CHAlfHASSElf
5
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690 COULTER DRIVE. P.O. BOX 147 . CHANHASSEN. MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Park and Recreation Commission
FROM:
Lori Sietsema, Park and Recreation Coordinator
DATE:
May 3, 1985
SUBJ:
Bloomberg property site plan review
The City has been working to amend a LAWCON Grant that we
received to construct a boat access on Lotus Lake. The amendment
involves switching site locations from the north end of Lotus
Lake to the south (Bloomberg property).
This amendment has taken much longer than the City had originally
anticipated it would. However, things currently appear to be
moving along. The project file is now being sent to the National .
Park Service for approval and then will be reviewed by LCMR for
approval in June.
At Tuesday's meeting, for your information, I will present the
final park plan for the south Lotus Lake boat access site. I am
anticipating much controversy over this matter from the Lotus
Lake Homeowners.
We will also take time to review the Bloomberg development site
plan for the proposed subdivision around the park area.
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