Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/31/1978 ' • � CITY OF APPLE VALLEY i PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 31, 1978 PRESENT: Chairman Wangen, Bob Naegeli , Joe Bell , Dave Miller, Ellen Milos, Ginny Sterling (arrived at 8:20 p.m. ) Mike Bassett & John Voss. ABSENT: Mike DesParte (Medically incapacitated). Chairman Wangen called the meeting to order. He welcomed new Park Committee member Dave Miller and Mr. Miller reviewed his background and involvements in the City of Apple Valley. Minutes of the April 26, 1978 and May 17, 1978 meetings were approved as written. MOTION: of Naegeli , seconded by Bell to designate the south half of the Conference Room and the Head Table as smnking areas and the north half of the Confer- ence Room as non-smoking. Yes - 4 - NO - 0 - Abstained - 2 (Wangen & Sterling) . Mr. Bassett reviewed the memo that was forwarded to the Council regarding PA K BOND REFER- the bond issue Timetable. There will be a Fire Bond Referendum in the ENDUM TIMETABLE�� Fall of 1978. He asked the Committee to consider the feasability of going to the voters the Spring of 1979 with a Bond Referendum. � Wangen stated that he feels the most important thing at this time is the May - August on the Timetable. He stated that it appears to him that the VAA is quite interested right now in working wi,th the Park Cor�nittee regarding the Bond Issue and recommended that other civic organizations be contacted and asked what they feel should be included in the bond referendum. He feels the key should be if they have enough support for the bond issue to go next spring. Let the citizens establish the need. Naegeli questioned if the Park Bond Referendum could pass if the Fire Bond passes. There was also a cor�nent that the Schools may have another bond referendum. Wangen stated that someone else will al�ays be coming with a bond referendum. The pros and cons of a bond issue the Sp�ing of 1979 were discussed; also the last bond issue. Mil��r questioned statistics regarding when bond issues are passed; best time of the year, etc. Mr. Bassett stated that he has not been able to find any information regarding Park Bond Referendums; however, he has checked with the University and hopes to get some information from them. Naegeli stated that Voss has stated that the Park Bond Referendums usually are best in the Spring. Bassett stated that he felt the interest in the parks is greater in the Spring. He also noted the spiraling costs for park development. John Voss arrived. Beil asked if the Park Committee members would have been present at the Council Meeting, could they have influenced the Council . Bell stated that he feels that it is important that the Park Committee members attend the Council meetings in the future when they are discussion the park issues. Bassett questioned Voss's experience with Park Bond Referendums. He stated that his experience is that they usually are better in March or April ; the Spring of the year. • MOTION: of Naegeli , seconded by Bell to continue with the Tentative Future Band Issue Timetable as proposed. Discussion: Milos questioned what happens if this Bond Issue fails. Naegeli noted that the Park Committee,�has essentially told the VAA that if this fails -- the next bond issue will eliminate the athletic complex,etc. VOTE ON MOTION: Yes - 6 - No - 0. Page #2 ������$mmittee Minutes � • REVIEW OF PARKS & OPEN SPACE GOALS & POLICIES AS PROPOSED IN DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLA� � OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PARK & OPEN SPACE John Voss, Consultant for the Update of the Comprehensive Plan, was present to review the Park & Open Space areas of the Comp. Plan. The Planning Commission & Park Cor�nittee will have a joint meeting on June 14, 1978 at 8:00 p.m. to discuss this area. The Planning Commission is leaving most of the park & open space as well as recreation areas to the Park Committee. They have reviewed the park areas in the Land Use Plan. John Voss stated that a preliminary review of the Comp. Plan is scheduled for July by the Metropolitan Council . A public hearing will be held in November. Voss & Bassett have discussed the Park Committee having a public hearing prior to that time on the Trails Plan. It was noted that this could provide additional interest in the Park Bond Referendum. He reviewed pages II-7, 8 & 9 of the Goals & Policies. He stated that the Park Guide area of the Comp Plan will include the Park P1an, Trails Plan and a text. There is a possibility that a supplementary document could be prepared for the Trails Plan. It was noted that one of the goals of the Trails Plan is that it should link the Community to the Zoo. The goal of the Trails Plan is to provide trails for bicycles, joggers and pedestrians.within the City. The horseback trails, snowmobile trail�, etc. will be difficult to provide within the City; it is suggested that you look to other levels of government to fulfill those obligations. There was some discussion regarding the use of the gasline easements for snow�obiles. It was questioned including the "Trails Philosophy" in the Goals & Policy Section. . Basically stating that the City will try to Adopt a Trails Plan to serve the needs of the bicyclers and pedestria�s; the major trail system will be along major and minor arterials and propose that the trails be built in conjuncion with the road construction. Funding was discussed; as well as the need on both sides of the street. The long range goal is to be able to separate the pedestrian and the bicycle. Concrete and asphalt surfaces were also discussed. Another Goal of the Trail system would be to connect places in the City; the interior trails should be connecting the major trails. Overpasses & underpasses are very expensive; only one is shown on the proposed Trail Plan. That is located at 132nd and Cedar Avenue. Bassett noted that the brown circles on the �rails Plan show possible rest stops where general information could be provided on a kiosk. Voss stated that he has sent a copy of the proposed Trails Plan to the City of Burnsville and asked for there comments -- he also asked about the link along County Road #42 to the Burnsville Center. He suggested that a more specific sidewalk and trails plan needs to be drafted for the commercial area; he suggested that it could include areas for parking bicycles. The Planning Commission has pretty much agreed on the roadway system for the Commercial area. Bassett asked the Park Committee members if they had any recommended changes for the Goals & Policies Section. � Wangen questioned #11 & �12 and the eastern athletic complex. Voss stated that it was his understanding that the City has always desired an eastern complex; the philosophy has been to not require people to drive more than three miles; convenience was the m�n reason for the eastern complex. Wangen stated that he feels that they are splitting the City with the two athletic complexes. Page #3 � Pa�k Cor�ni ttee Mi nutes • � 5/31/78 . Wangen further stated that he would like to have them socially centered; he feels that it would unite the City. He further added that he feels the goals should state that the City is socially and centrally united. The central location for an athletic complex was discussed. The convenience factor was discussed; also economics with a gas shortage; it was noted that a Central Park would be entirely different than one large athletic complex. Voss pointed out that Wangen has a valid point. The underlying feelings of the City have changed. The Village Center concept of the old Comprehensive Plan was trying to recapture the identity as a "community'°. However, studies have pointed out that you cannot have the "community identity" with a population of more than 10,000 to 15,000. With the new concept for the City with the downtown area located at Cedar & #42 you are going to have too many people; they aren't going to get all of the people to drive downtown. If that is where you are going to provide all of your recreational services some people are going to be deprived -- one reason will be because of traffic problems. People just will not drive that far and the people on the east side of the City will be the ones that are deprived. Wangen stated that there are some people in Apple Valley that feel a central park to bring people together is imp�rtant and that is the reason he brought it up. Bell stated that he feels when you have a population of 50,000 or more people the City will need the eastern athletic facility. Naegeli stated that the Central Park idea has been a low priority item for the Park Committee. Bell stated that he sees the desirability of the central park area; however, feels there is still a need for an eastern athletic complex. Bassett stated that the City can achieve the Central Park idea with the development of the Carroll Property; the park dedication will require about 16 acres and the City . could purchase an additional 10 acres. Voss noted that there are alternatives in the Carroll Property area -- the area could be a neighborhood park; additional property could be added to the Westview Complex and the area is also adjacent to the High School Property. Or it could be adjacent to the Commercial Area on County Road #�2 -- it could be more of a "Civic Oriented Park". Naegeli mentioned Lac LaVon and stated that it could be referred to as a large City Park. He questioned the City owning that area with part of it located in Burnsville. It was noted that par� of Lebanon Hills is located in Rosemount. Bassett stated that Lac LaVon would be more of a Regionnal Park. The DNR is interested in the lake for a Trout Fishing Recreational Area. He further expJained the DNR planning and the need for fishing waters in the metropolitan area. There is a possibility of State Legislation to make it a State Park that the DNR would control . Naegeli questioned the inclu�ion of the number of parks and the population in item #2 of the Goals & Policies. Voss stated thatthe population figure should be eliminated. Naeg�li also questioned number :'S; he feels that the City should take advantage of every opportunity available to apply for funding. Voss noted that they try to equate the funds throughout the entire area so Citys don't apply just because there is money available. It was agreed to change the word "periodic" to timel . Naegeli further stated that he would like to have Lac LaVon included in the Comp Plan somewhere; we are aware that the City cannot purchase it, however, it is a very choice pi°ece of park property. Voss stated that it could be included in the Park Guide and could be ehanged in the Land Use Plan to show that it is intended to have this area � as a park. Mr. Bassett noted that regionnal funding might be more available if the area is designated as open space as opposed to residential . Voss stated that he would like to have recommendations from the Park Committee regarding their concerns. He also mentioned that they have shown the triangle south of the Metro Park adjacent to the Zoo as Open Space and feel it should be added to the Metro Park. _ Page #4 • • Park Corrnni ttee Mi nutes 5/31/78 � He also commented on the area south of the Zoo that is presently planned for Zoo Correnercial . The Zoo road is going to take a large portion of this property for the road. THE PARK COMMITTEE MADE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMP PLAN: MOTION: of Naegeli , seconded by Bell to recommend that the Land Use Guide Plan be changed to show the area that encompasses Lac LaVon from proposed R-1 to Regionnal Open Space and further recommend that the area should be acquired as a Regionnal Park. Yes - 6 - No - o. The rationale is: If the area is shown as Open Space on the Guide Plan the potential for being acquired as a Regionnal Park is higher and if the developer comes to plat the property he can be delayed for up to six months final efforts to secure regional funding can be pursued. MOTION: of Bell , seconded by Sterling to recommend the expansion of the Metro Open Space located north of the future Zoo road and east of Johnny Cake Ridge Road bounded on the north by the Metro Park as Regionnal Open Space. Yes - 6 - No - 0. There was considerable discussion regarding the Trails Plan and the following motion was drafted. , • MOTION: of Bell , seconded by Milos recor�nending the following priorities in terms of Trail Development. 1. In the first five years emphasize should be placed on trails with the major upgrading of major and minor arterials; specifically the following: a) Zoo Road, b) Cedar Avenue, c) 140th Street and I d) County Road #42. I 2. Emphasis on destinations would be the Minnesota Zoological Garden, II Burnsville Center and the Downtown Area of Apple Valley. , 3. Emphasis should also be placed on the importance of the link of I the trail leading to the west to Burnsville Center coinciding with the upgarding of County Road #42. MOTION TO AMEND: of Naegeli , seconded by Bell recommending that a Trail should be established from Galaxie Avenue to 132nd Street, then north of 132nd Street on Johnny Cake Ridge Road to the Zoo prior to the completion of the Proposed Zoo Access Road. YES - 6 - NO - 0. VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: Yes - 6 - No - 0. The Committee discussed the possibility of a future central park located on the Carroll Property. � MOTION: of Naegeli , seconded by Milos to recommend that the designated Park Area in the Carroll Property be the southeast corner of approximately twenty- five acres including the farmstead area. Yes - 6 - No - 0. Page #5 Park Committee Minutes • � 5/31/78 � MOTION: of Milos, seconded by Sterling to recommend approval of the draft of the Goals & Policies Section of the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to Parks and Open Space. Yes - 6 - No - 0 DISCUSS ACQUISITION OF FARQUAR HILLS PARKLAND. FARQUAR HILLS PARKLAND -- Mr. Bassett reviewed the information that was sent out to the Park ACQUISITION Committee members relative to the acquisition of the additional four acres at Farquar Hills Park. The concept plan was reviewed. The option on this additional parkland terminates on July 31, 1978. It was the intent of the Park Committee to combine this park as a Historical Park as well as have it serve the needs of � neighborhood park. MOTION: of Sterling, seconded by Bell to recommend to the City Council that the City purchase the four acres for $4,000.00 per acre adjacent to the present Farquar Hills Park prior to the expiration of the option on that property which is July 31, 1978. Discussion: The concern was expressed over the tennis courts; Joe Bell stated that he would like to see the area as a Historical Park and get away from the tennis courts and ball fields. VOTE ON MOTION: Yes - 6 - No - 0. OTHER ITEMS: OTHER ITEMS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS � Ginny Sterling stated that she has been asked by a resident living next to Westview if they could plant some trees. Mr. Bassett stated that there is a landscape plan for Westview; he recommended that the resident meet with him to discuss what he plans to do. Ellen Milos recommended that the City have some of the Civic groups landscape around Westview. Naegeli questioned how the Historical Committee is proceeding with the "Naming of the Parks." It was noted that they have done some background work; however, at the present time are finishing up their historical booklet. Naegeli also questioned the progress of Alimagnet Park and complimenting and thanking the Jaycees for their involvement. Mr. Bassett stated that they are working up a new Timetable on the completion of the Alimagnet project & he will bring it to the next mtg. There was considerable discussion regarding the meeting with VAA on Wednesday, May 7th. Ginny Sterling questioned the possibility of "tennis wind screens" for some of the Apple Valley Tennis Courts. Mr. Bassett stated that they cost about $1,500 -- it is something that could be considered in the next bond issue. Ginny Sterling complimented the Park & Recreation Dept. on the p�ogram booklet for the summer; she also complimented them on the programs that are planned for summer. Bob Naegeli recommended that the VAA receive a copy of the CounciT minutes which show the rules that were adopted for the VAA use of the City Parks. � MOTION: of Sterling, seconded by Bell that the meeting be adjourned.