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1985 04 09 .. f' ....- Park and Recreation Commission Minutes April 9, 1985 . '- Members present: staff present: Members absent: Charlie Robbins Joe Warneke Mike Lynch Mike Rosenwald Brian Foltz Don Ashworth Lori Sietsema Wallace McKay Torn 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. . '- 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. - 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 . . . . 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 unamimously. 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 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, h.'t.~ J~~L~l/)1yJ Lori Sietsema I . . .