8a Pulte Homes ArboretumVillageCITYOF
690 Ci0, Ce,ret DEve. PO Box I47
Cha,l~a~e,. ~lin,e~ota 55317
Phone 612 937.1900
O, eral Fax 612. 93Z SZJ9
E,fineeri,X ~.~' 612 93Z 9152
h~b& Sari? ~x 612934.2524
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director
FROM:
Todd Hoffman, Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE:
Novelnber 30, 2000
SUB J:
Park and Recreation Commission Review of the Proposed
Arboretum Village, Pulte Homes
On the evening of November 28, 2000. the Park and Recreation Commission
revie~ved the current proposal tbr Arboretmn Village by Pulte Homes. All
Commissioners were present with the exception of Jim Manders. Upon
introduction of the item by Chair Lash, I presented a verbal overview of my
written staff report dated November 22. 2000 (attached).
The Commission then asked for several clarifications prior to Mr. Dennis
Griswold being invited to the podium to make his presentation.
Following Mr. Griswold's presentation, additional discussion occurred prior to
Chair Lash opening the floor for public comment. Leah Hawke, 7444 Moccasin
Trail encouraged the Commission to stick to their original motion of August 1999.
seeking a more significant "tot lot" area than proposed in either the original or
current plan. Ms. Hawke pleaded with the Commission to ensure that the
"neighborhood" recreational and open space needs of the residents of Arboretum
Village are accounted for in the Pulte Home's plan.
Following Ms. Hawke's presentation, a lengthy discussion among the
Commissioners ensued. Each of the six Commissioners presented their individual
viewpoint, which in turn resulted in some lively debates. Mr. Griswold, Ms.
Hawke and staff were also engaged in this discussion and debate.
After approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes of discussion, the Commission moved
to table the Arboretum Village proposal. This motion passed by a vote of 4 to 2.
The primary issues of the Commissioner seeking modifications to the plan were as
follows. These are in no particular order of importance:
Some Commissioners had taken the time to visit Pulte Home projects
in other cities, which are similar in nature to the proposed Arboretum
Village. It was the opinion of these Commissioners that the efforts
made to accommodate the open space and play area needs in these
developments were deficient. Ms. Hawke also held this opinion and
The City ef Chmthassen. A .p'owi,f commum'ty w/th c/ea, lakes,
Ms. Kate Aanenson
November 30, 2000
Page 2 of 2
passed around photographs of Pulte sites in Shakopee and Eden
Prairie, which accentuated her point.
o
With Mr. Griswold's assistance, the Commission calculated that
approximately 150 children would reside in Arboretum Village. Some
Commissioners felt very strongly that the play areas provided in the
proposal would not meet the active needs of 150 children and their
families.
o
It was a general consensus that the play area nearest the rental units
should be enlarged and moved to the north away from West 78th Street.
Sidewalks should provide convenient safe access to the relocated and
enlarged site.
o
Commissioners want to see a larger "common area" in the vicinity of
the Village Homes. The enclosed feeling created by encircling the
commons with housing units was also seen as a negative.
o
The Commission would like to see all the common areas and play
amenities developed and installed in Phase I.
Commissioner Franks summed up his feelings by expressing the
following:
"We are creating one of the largest neighborhoods in our City which
because of its density offers minimal backyard active recreation
opportunities. We are then being asked to accept smaller
neighborhood play areas than we typically maintain in single-family
developments. At a minimum, I would like to see the same kind of
consideration for people's open space and play needs given here as we
would expect in any other Chanhassen neighborhood."
The Commission meets again on December 12, 2000, and on January 9th and 23rd
of 2001. In coordination with your office, I will invite Mr. Griswold to attend any
one of these meetings to present a modified plan.
C:
Scott Botcher, City Manager
Park and Recreation Commission
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