HomeMy Public PortalAboutP&RAC Minutes 1990 01/12PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 12, 1990
Attending:
Max Williamson, Chairman
Kathy Killen, Vice-Chairman
Allan Muller
Also Attending:
Don Belts, Consultant
Andy Laidlaw, Consultant
Scott Findlay
CAT,T, TO ORDER:
Chairman Max Williamson called the meeting to order at
3:00 p.m.
PROPOSED LAND EXCHANGE CENTURY 21 & MiLL BURNER SITE:
Steven J. Millemann, attorney for Douglas Manchester,
explained the agreement that the City Council and Mr.
Manchester had reached in concept at the January 11,
1990 Council meeting.
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON 'l~E PROPOSED LAKEFRONT PARK:
Each committee member reviewed the comments that have
been received over the past month concerning the park
and the three conceptual designs that were prepared by
Belts and Associates. The following is a basic list of
those comments, which were mentioned several times:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Need an open pavilion, not a gazebo.
Question the validity of an ice rink.
Need more landscaping toward the road.
Like the ample parking in plan "C".
Tie this in with the P&R plan.
Park will force one-way traffic, which is good.
Incorporate more of the passiveness of B into C.
Use soft building materials rather than hard (wood
rather than concrete).
Very excited over parking & openness.
Maximize the beach/sand areas.
Combine the restrooms with the shelter building.
Do not put parking on lakefront land as it is too
valuable.
Plan C requires more maintenance, will City Council
do better job?
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Like log boom around swimming area.
More grass, less cement.
Plan the full park now, some parts/facilities may
have to come later.
Lower street level parking below street level.
Need more docks, less docks, and no docks at all.
One way street should run opposite direction (NE to
sw).
Boardwalk should run from Hardy's Marina to the
Sportsman across the water.
Should get rid of marinas in this area.
Larger restrooms, should handle July 4th, make
women's bigger than men's.
23. Dock boats only on opposite side of swimming area.
24. No parking on Lake Street, it will block traffic
while backing out.
25. Need 2 or 3 level boat parking on hill to the East.
26. Develop access to Art Roberts Park from Lakefront
Park.
27. Put some activities in Art Roberts Park.
28. Combine the West dock with the Sportsman's dock.
29. Keep the park soft and meandering.
30. Don't forget the bike/walking paths.
31. Outdoor and ice rink are great.
32. What will you name the park?
33. Should have everything tied together for walking.
34. Use the depot building - what will happen to it?
The Committee members all agreed that a softer plan C
was the desire of the citizens. The Committee notes
that the main areas of concern are parking, traffic
flow, and boat docks. There does not appear to be a
consensus as to the appropriate answer to these
questions and it will probably be determined by the City
Counci 1.
The Committee members agreed that Mr. Belts would
further summarize the comments prior to the next City
Council meeting and that the Chairman should meet with
the City Council before the Committee proceeds. The
Chairman will review the input received and explain to
the Council members the park design as it is now
perceived to be sure that there are no significant
problems.
Chairman Williamson adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
DATED this day of January, 1990.
MAX WILLIAMSON
Chairman
3
,3anuary 16, 1990
SUMMARY CRITIQUE OF
PRELIMINARY PLANS
BASIC PLAN
1. Site Plan "C" is recognized as the most popular scheme, primarily as it
relates to park boundary, parking configuration and service access.
2. Site Plan "C" should be modified to reflect the openness, softness and
passive nature of Site Plan "B".
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Enlarge overall beach area especially northward toward the public boat
ramp. (Eliminate boardwalk at Gentry property),
2. Eliminate the ice rink and wading area as proposed in Plan "C".
Maintain log boom and explore the addition of a floating platform to
service swimming beach.
4. Study boat ramp parking area to see if it can be moved back from the
shoreline and buffered with plantings.
5. Reinforce the park boundary with a landscaped edge to help create a
"sense of place". However, be sensitive to the disruption of important
view corridors.
6. Provide less "hardscape" (ia paving) and more "softscape" (ie lawn and
beach area).
7. Explore methods for reducing maintenance demands (ia construction
details, building materials, etc.).
8. Refine upper entry plaza concept. Keep it more informal, not necessarily
programming a defined use for it. (ia eliminate tables, but allow for
informal sitting and viewing).
9. Consider combining the restroom and small shelter as in Plan "C" and
explore the feasibility of making the structure more multi-purpose so that
it may serve for art and entertainment events. Move away from a single
purpose performance pavillion. Make structure very visible to help curtail
vandalism. Make restroom a year around facility.
10. "Play Areas" as designated on plans should be designed for preschool age
children.
Summary Critique Page Three
Determine funds available for Phase One construction.
Develop Park Phasing Plan.
Determine Phase One construction limits based on available funds.
Begin Project Development Task for Phase One construction of the park.
Respectfully submitted,
Consultant Team Leader
Oensen-Belts Associates
OB:pr
Summary Critique Page Two
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16,
Rehab existing City Pump House to make its presence in the park more
acceptable, Utilize plant materials to help screen the building.
Consider in more detail the issue of public docks:
Al.
Most are in favor of an expanded and improved public dock as
shown near the existing Gentry Dock.
B).
The overlook tower and deck as proposed on the plans is a popular
concept, However~ some concern has been expressed over the
public dock proposed as a part of the overlook tower and deck,
Congestio% noise and decreased water quality are all contributing
factors for the concern,
cl.
Public docks will not be a high priority element when developing a
phased construction plan for the park. Design and construction of
the overlook tower and deck should be done so that a public dock
can be integrated at a later phase of development when
Community support may be stronger,
Be sensitive to the handicapped park user, Provide barrier free access to
the various park elements,
Explore eliminating existing power poles located near the City Pump
House and Art Roberts Park,
Capitalize on natural amphitheater character of park site to encourage
informal seating for fireworks and other potential events,
Gentry property may remain in private hands with easement available for
public use,
A).
General use would be as a rest area to picnic or view the lake and
park views and activities,
Service access to maintenance building would be infrequently used
by vehicles, [t is intended to be more path-like in character so
that pedestrians can use it for access to the park. It will not be a
barrier to the upper and lower portions of the property,
cl.
Owner desires to develop a gazebo structure to sell yogurt and/or
sandwiches,
D). Owner desires to expand and upgrade existing dock for public use.
CONSULTANT DIRECTION
1. Prepare final Site Development Plan as per criteria outlined above.
2, Prepare Cost Estimate,