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1986 05 06 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes May 6, 1986 L . A regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by acting Chairman McKay at 7:40 p.m. Members present were Sue Boyt, Jim Mady, Curt Robinson, and Wallace Mckay. MINUTES Boyt made a motion to recommend the approval of the minutes of April 1st and 5th as prepared. The motion, seconded by Mady, was approved unanimously. LAKE PARK EXPANSION MASTER PLAN REVIEW Mark Koegler was present to the discuss the proposed plan for the Lake Ann Park Expansion area. He said that he was directed to develop a site plan and grading plan for this area so that the City would be prepared to move ahead should funding become available. He said that a sketch plan for the park expansion area has been submitted and updated for grant proposals in the past. He found, however, that the sketch plan is not quite as accurate as the contour lines shown did not coincide with the current information. The new plan accurately shows that there is about 100' less on the new plan than originally shown. Koegler said that the plan that he was presenting would be the first of three development phases. He explained that the the plan included a ballfield, soccer field and parking as identified on the sketch plan. He said that he would need direction as to how to proceed if the Commission wished to make changes. For instance, how much parking does the Commission feel will be necessary looking at the overall picture. . Robinson asked if a large amount of grading was necessary for this plan. Koegler said that the land is presently rolling farm land and would require extensive grading for ballfields. To give the Commission an idea of the amount of grading, Koegler said that the existing ballfield area was nearly identical to the undeveloped area. McKay asked if the existing parking areas were expected to serve the proposed ballfields. Koegler said that although this plan included parking to serve this area, it was necessary to identify how much parking the Commission felt was necessary to serve this area. Robinson asked if there could be parking along the soccer field. Mady asked if there could be parking along the road on the east side. Koegler said that the area along the south side of the plan was not as spacious as originally determined and therefore it would . be difficult to put parking in there with the soccer field. He said that if the soccer field was made smaller it may be . . . Park and Recreation Minutes May 6, 1986 Page 2 possible. Sietsema said that in order to be consistent with the existing parking areas within the park, parking should be limited to parking lots and not along the roads. Sietsema said that age limitations are incurred if the soccer field is made smaller. Under 16 and Under 19 soccer leagues can only play on regulation size soccer fields. She said that the original intent of including a soccer field in this plan was to provide a field large enough for all ages to use. Mady indicated that he felt it important to keep the soccer field at least 120 x 60 yards. Koegler said that this could probably be done in the area shown. Koegler said that a specific number of parking spaces should be identified. Mady said that with two games per night on one field, at least 60 spaces would be needed to keep people from parking on the grass. McKay asked how the cost of 60 parking spaces compared to 40. Koegler indicated that the additional cost would depend on how it was done. The first phase would include grading and aggregate, paving being during a future phase. He said that, done like this, 60 spaces would not be substantially more than 40. Robinson said that the City needs a Little League field and that it should be included in one of the phases. Mady said that it makes sense to convert existing field #3 to a Little League field as it is small, and put in three new softball fields. Sietsema indicated that a Little League field is small and cannot be used for adult playas the fences and distance between bases is con- siderably shorter than softball fields. Robinson made a motion to direct staff to change the presented plan to include 60 parking spaces and to make the soccer field as large as space will allow. The motion was seconded by Boyt and carried unanimously. Chanhassen vista Sketch Plan Review Sietsema said that the Chanhassen vista sketch plan had recently gone before the City Council for review. She said that the Com- mission's recommendation to acquire the land around the pond to the ridge line was taken to the Council at that time. Sietsema explained that staff was proposing that the City acquire the area around the pond to the 952 contqur line and a restric- tive easement to the ridgeline. Staff felt that this would achieve the Commission's purpose of preserving the ridgeline without eliminating all of the lots along that ridge. She said the Commission was being asked to consider this proposal before the preliminary plat process. The Commission asked if this ease- ment would enforce the preservation of the ridgeline in its Park and Recreation Commission Minutes May 6, 1986 Page 3 . natural state. Sietsema said that if the Commission was in favor of this proposal they could recommend any restrictions they deemed necessary to achieve their purpose. Mady indicated that he would like to maintain the original recom- mendation of acquisition to the ridgeline. Sietsema said that if that was the Commission's position an appraisal would be needed to determine the value of the property. She said that con- sidering the number of lots lost, the cost of this property could very well exceed the park dedication fees. Mady said he would rather authorize an appraisal and determine at that time whether the property was worth it. The Commission discussed this proposal further. McKay was con- cerned that the Commission was asking for more in this develop- ment than in past plans reviewed and felt that consistency should be kept in mind. Boyt said that the developer planned to build houses with walkout basements along the ridge and felt this would not maintain the park look. Mady moved to reaffirm the original recommendation of AprilS, 1986 to acquire the land around the pond to the natural ridge- line, and to authorize staff to proceed with an appraisal of such. Bill Boyt asked to address the Commission on this item. He said . that he was impressed that the Commission took the time to visit the site to get a first hand look at it. He asked the Commission to consider requesting a four foot easement along the streets and conservation easements along the outlots to be used for trails. McKay indicated that it was vital for the Commission to stay with their recommendation as this would be consistent. He added that the Commission did not want to get carried away with their requests, lest they loose credibility. Boyt seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. CHAPARRAL HOMEOWNERS REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL TOTLOT EQUIPMENT AT MEADOW GREEN PARK: Sietsema said the Commission had reviewed the Chaparral Homeowners request to upgrade the totlot at Meadow Green Park. At that time the Commission directed staff to research timeframes and costs for a new surface and equipment. Sietsema explained that pea gravel is the optimal type of play surface available, although it is somewhat more expensive. She said the area could be filled this summer if staff is directed to do so. She said she had discussed this item with Park Superintendent, Dale Gregory, who suggested that the filled area be enlarged enough to accommodate any future play equipment addi- . tions. Therefore, the Commission may want to decide at this time what additions will be made in the future. . . . Park and Recreation Commission Minutes May 6, 1986 Page 4 Sietsema said that the staff report outlined a timeframe for the installation of the pea gravel and possible additional equipment. She suggested that the play surface be installed this year for $1300, swings for older children in 1987 for $750, and an addi- tional play module in 1988 for $2,180. This would meet the requests the homeowners had. Boyt asked if the existing equipment needed to be moved for safety purposes as suggested. Sietsema said as long as any new equipment was installed away from the ballfield area, there did not appear to be a safety threat. Mady suggested cutting a year off the recommended timeframe by putting in the play surface and the big swings this year and install the new module next year. McKay stated that we should look at an overall totlot plan. He said he did not like the squeaky wheel syndrome. Robinson moved to replace the play surface with pea gravel and install big swings in 1986 and consider any additional equipment in 1987. The motion was seconded by Boyt and carried unanimously. McKay asked staff to put an overall totlot plan on a future agenda for discussion. FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST: Sietsema said that the Chanhassen Fire Department was requesting the use of all three ballfields at Lake Ann Park for their annual softball tournament. The request included waiving the park fees for the weekend as well. Sietsema stated that the Fire Department has held their tournament for a number of years and were very responsible. Robinson moved to recommend approval of the Chanhassen Fire Department request to use the ballfields at Lake Ann Park and to waive park fees. The motion was seconded by Mady and carried unanimously. PHEASANT HILL SKETCH PLAN REVIEW: Sietsema said the Pheasant Hill development lies within the edge of the Herman Field and Minnetonka West Junior High service area. She said it also lies south of the MUSA line, which the Comprehensive Plan considers a low priority area for park development. Sietsema said that considering the size of the development, that it is considered a low priority area, and is located within the service area of existing parks, she was recommending that park dedication fees be accepted in lieu of park land. Mady made a motion to recommend accepting park dedication fees in lieu of park land from the Pheasant Hills 3rd Addition. The motion was seconded by Robinson and carried unanimously. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes May 6, 1986 Page 5 MISCELLANEOUS: The Commission requested that staff review the park financial status and how the budget process works. MaKay asked staff to check if the open meeting law applied to the Park and Recreation Commission. Robinson moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Boyt and carried unanimously. Prepared by: Lori Sietsema Park and Recreation Coordinator . . .