HomeMy Public PortalAbout02.18.2015 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2015
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on February 18, 2015 at 7:00
p.m. at Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Steve Lee presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Also Present:
Steve Lee, Madeleine Linck, Lori Meehan, Dino
DesLauriers and Robin Reid
Nate Pearson and John Jacob
City Council member Lorie Cousineau, Public Works
Director Steve Scherer and Assistant to City Administrator
Jodi Gallup
2) Additions to the Agenda: None.
3) Approval of Minutes:
• January 21, 2015 Meeting
A motion was made by Reid and seconded by Meehan to approve the minutes from
January 21, 2015 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Lorie Cousineau gave the Park Commission a brief update on City Council actions since
the last time the Park Commission met.
6) Eagle Scout Project — Hamel Legion Park
Griffin Schneider stated that all the costs have been covered; noting that the flag pole and
signs will be donated. He specified that the concrete would not cost more than $3,500.
Schneider presented a new drawing for the concrete stating that the fences would be
brought in to allow for additional concrete slabs poured for spectators to sit with lawn
chairs.
DesLauriers stated that while meeting with them, they had agreed to only pour the three
concrete slabs for the bleachers and did not like that the plan had changed again to
include the additional side concrete slabs. He noted that the city is trying to clean the park
up and does not want too much concrete. He also noted that he thought it was a good idea
to move the fence up to improve the sightlines.
Discussion took place on the options for pouring concrete slabs. There was a general
consensus that the three slabs for the bleachers should be poured along with the small
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February 18, 2015
Medina City Hall
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triangle pieces between the slabs to have one continuous piece of concrete, but the
additional side slabs should not be poured.
The Park Commission discussed the updated language and design of the dugout signs. It
was recommended the signs should be blue and white to match the existing signage in the
park. There was a general consensus that these signs were a good idea and direction was
given to DesLauriers to work with Schneider to finalize the language on the signs. Reid
offered to help proof read the final signs.
Meehan questioned if the concrete would cost less than $3,500 without the side slabs. It
was confirmed that it would cost less.
It was noted that the name of the park is Hamel Legion Park, not Hamel Memorial Park
as written on the proposed dugout signs.
The Park Commission summarized their recommendations as follows:
1. Pour three concrete pads for the bleachers with the triangles filled in, but not the
additional side slabs.
2. Moving the fence is a good idea to help sightlines.
3. The maintenance/dugout signs are a good idea and DesLauriers will work with
Schneider to finalize language
4. The flag pole will be replaced, but remain in the same location.
5. The monument will be moved to the approved location.
A motion was made by Linck and seconded by Meehan to recommend approval of the
Eagle Scout project with the items noted above. Motion passed unanimously.
7) Three Rivers Park District Presentation on Regional Trail Master Plan
Three Rivers Park District Planner Ann Rexine presented their Regional Trail Master
Plan to the Park Commission. She stated that the proposed 17 mile regional trail is broken
down into nine segments and will connect from Baker Park Reserve to Carver Park
Reserve. She noted that three of the segments are existing and the remaining segments
are part of a long range plan.
Rexine gave a little background on the history of this plan. She stated that the plan started
as a Minnetrista project to create a north/south connection. About two to three years ago,
Minnetrista turned the project over to Three Rivers Park District to take a look at it from
a regional level. Three Rivers Park District agreed to take the plan through the process to
get approval from the Metropolitan Council.
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Rexine noted that the Park Commission had asked about the funding sources of this
project. She referenced the funding section of the master plan stating that the entire
project including land acquisition will cost approximately $10.7 million. She stated that
Three Rivers Park District does not have all this money budgeted and anticipates
receiving federal funds for segments of the project. She stated that they have had success
in the past receiving federal funds. She noted that they will also seek local, state and
county grant opportunities. If the Metropolitan Council accepts this plan into their
system, they will contribute up to 75% of the cost for some of the land acquisitions.
Rexine stated that it is the intent of Three Rivers Park District to seek resolutions of
support from the communities in this regional trail plan to strengthen their application to
the Metropolitan Council and to help with future grant applications.
Discussion took place on the impact of each trail segment on private property, which will
be better determined at the time of engineering. The Park Commission also discussed
how private property would be acquired to complete some of the segments. Rexine
assured the commission that private property would only be acquired from willing land
owners.
Discussion took place on the location of trails along the right-of-way. Rexine noted that
trails would be planned off road as much as possible and if they are within the right-of-
way, a separation would be created from the vehicular traffic.
A draft resolution of support was read aloud.
A motion was made by Meehan and seconded by Linck to recommend to the City Council
to approve the resolution of support for the Three Rivers Park District Regional Trail
Master Plan. Motion passed unanimously.
8) Property Resources Development Corporation — PUD Concept Plan for a
Conservation Design subdivision of 42 lots on 170 gross acres located east of
Homestead Trail and west of Deerhill Road — Park Dedication Discussion
Gallup presented the staff report for Property Resources Development Corporation,
which has applied for a PUD Concept Plan for a Conservation Design subdivision of 42
lots on 170 gross acres located east of Homestead Trail and west of Deerhill Road. She
noted that approximately 40 acres of the site is buildable property and the applicant is
proposing to conserve 33% of it. She stated that 50 acres is unbuildable wetlands and
buffers, which will also be conserved.
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Gallup noted that under the Conservation Design subdivision the code permits flexibility
and potential density bonuses up to two times the density in order to preserve ecological
resources, wildlife corridors, scenic views, and rural character. She noted that the subject
site has a large wetland/tamarack swamp on the north end of the site with the remaining
property as tilled farmland. The large wetland is identified as moderate quality in the
Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) and the property is identified as
a priority area in the Open Space Report.
Gallup noted that the plan identifies two trail corridors. One corridor runs east to west
from the end of Deerhill Road to the western boundary. The other corridor goes north
from the east -west trail to the edge of the wetland.
Gallup stated that the Park and Trail Master Plan identifies three turf trail corridors. One
corridor from Willow to Homestead approximately along Deerhill. The second corridor
along the southern edge of the tamarack swamp and the third corridor along the northern
edge of the tamarack swamp.
Gallup noted that for park dedication purposes, the city can require 10% of the buildable
land, 8% market value or a combination. If the city took the full 10% of the buildable
land it would be approximately 13.22 acres. If the city took the full cash fee it would be
estimated at $336,000. If a combination, the city only deducts trail easements outside of
the right-of-way. No credit would be given for pedestrian ways in the right-of-way which
act as sidewalks.
Gallup listed the following items for discussion:
• Confirm an interest in a trail north of the wetland, because it wasn't shown on the
applicants plan.
• Determine the type of trails. The master plan calls for turf, but discuss any interest
in a multi -use paved trail between Willow Drive and Baker Park Reserve.
• Trail locations are proposed immediately adjacent to streets. Is there any interest
to have trails in the conservation areas?
• Concern over ability to build a trail along Deerhill. Is there an alternative eastern
connection?
• No park proposed by applicant, but property is in the half mile radius of Medina
Morningside Park. Is there a need for an internal park or a connection to Medina
Morningside Park?
Jennifer Haskamp introduced herself as the Planning Consultant here on behalf of the
developer and property owner. She noted that they had come up with the existing plan by
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first looking at the areas on their property that needed to be conserved such as the
wetlands, steep slopes and vistas to the tamarack swamp. She stated that they
affectionately call the one acre lookout point to the tamarack swamp "the island", noting
that this area has quite spectacular views.
Haskamp stated that it was the land owner's intent to also show a trail easement on the
northeast corner of the site to be able to enjoy the view of the tamarack swamp from the
north.
Haskamp showed that the Trail Plan's east -west connection is provided by following the
right-of-way up and down along the curved road. She noted that the north -south
connection is provided in the open space and continues up to the island. She clarified that
the trails are being proposed within the right-of-way, but the roads are planned to be
narrow which will allow for the trail to be separated from the road by a boulevard.
Haskamp stated that the City's Comprehensive Plan has a passive park study area shown
right where this property is located. She stated that the island is approximately one acre in
size and would be a perfect location for a natural park.
Reid observed that the north -south trail connection would run through the back yards of
lot 1 and lot 2. She questioned if those future land owners would know about the planned
trail? She also questioned if the other future landowners would be aware that horses could
be riding through the turf trail in their front yards?
Haskamp described the various conservation areas on the site, noting that the center 40
acres will be undergoing some wetland restoration to help the wetlands better function
together. The "D" shaped area to the south of the curved road would have low plantings
and is envisioned as a communal area for neighborhood gatherings. She noted that the
next step in the process would be to create a land stewardship plan, noting that they have
initiated conversations with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Scherer stated that there is a need to connect Medina Morningside to Baker Park Reserve
and to get the school kids from this development down to the Willow Drive Trail, but the
people using these trail connections will want asphalt not turf.
Lee stated that he would like to see a trail connection from the cul-de-sac in Medina
Morningside to the trails in this plan, with the trails running north and then west through
the conservation areas. He noted that as a Park Commission, they have been trying to
create off road trails.
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Scherer noted that the city is constrained on Deerhill Road as they are limited to statutory
use of the road. He also noted that the lots on Deerhill are small and will not subdivide in
the future.
Haskamp stated that the land owner and developer are opposed to paved trails through the
conservation areas to preserve the character of these areas.
Haskamp suggested that the trail connection from Morningside should head straight west
through the side yards of lots 39 and 40 and connect to the road instead of going straight
north through the conservation area.
Meehan asked what the anticipated demographics of the people that will live in this
subdivision. She questioned if it would be families and Orono school kids? She asked
Haskamp if she saw a benefit to connect this subdivision with Medina Morningside to
access the park?
Haskamp stated that there absolutely was a benefit to connect this subdivision to the park.
She was not sure of the exact demographics of the neighborhood, but imaged there would
be families living there with the close proximately to Orono Schools. She stated that they
are currently in the process of doing a market study to determine the demographics and
what types of amenities should be included in the subdivision, such as a community pool
or tot lot. She noted that this subdivision is different than the typical subdivision because
the lots are one to one and a half acres in size and are all positioned to be able to enjoy
more acreage of protected space. She envisioned that some of the property owners may
be empty nesters looking to downsize from a ten acre parcel. These people will have the
feeling of a five acre parcel without having to maintain five acres because of the way the
lots will be positioned.
The Park Commission came to a general consensus and provided the following comments
to the applicant:
• Would like to see a trail connection to Medina Morningside.
• Would like to see turf trails and some bike connection/paved trail from east to
west.
9) 2015 Goals Review
Lee suggested that each member adopt or lead a team on one or more of the goals for
2015. The members each adopted the goals below:
• Friends of the Park Program — Linck & Meehan
• Park & Trail Master Plan — Lee & Reid
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• Signage at Lakeshore Park — Reid & Gallup
• The Park at Fields of Medina — DesLauriers & Pearson
• Planned Park Improvements — Each member will adopt a park at the next meeting.
• Sign at Holy Name Park — Jacob
• Medina Road Trail — Scherer
• Baseball Maintenance Plan — DesLauriers, Gallup & Scherer
10) Staff Report
• Scherer stated that the City Council had approved the plans and specifications and
authorized staff to go out for bid for the concrete and site work at the Park at
Fields of Medina.
• Scherer reported that Lennar will be planting over 170 trees in Hamel Legion
Park this summer, which will largely complete the park's landscape plan. He
noted that some of the varieties of trees would be different than shown in the plan
based on recommendations from our landscape architect at WSB.
11) Adjourn
A motion was made by DesLauriers, seconded by Reid and passed unanimously, to
adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.