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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-16-1999 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting February 16,1999 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 5:40 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on February 16, 1999. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Johnson, Slavik, Black, and Harstad. Councilmember Bildsoe arrived at 5:50 p.m. Councilmember Spigner arrived at 6:00 p.m. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Public Works Director Moore, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Park and Recreation Director Blank, and City Clerk Ahrens. Eagle Lake Park Proposal Margie Oslund, Director of Special Services for the Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District, stated the Hennepin Parks Master Plan contains different types of park facilities. There are park reserves, of which only 20 percent can be developed, and regional parks which provide for active recreational uses. She explained the history and acquisition of Eagle Lake Regional Park and the active recreational uses provided throughout the park system. Their goal in a regional park is to achieve a balance between outdoor recreational activities and natural resource preservation. Ms. Oslund said the southern portion of Eagle Lake Regional Park is designated as a special recreation use area. In 1998, the Park Board asked their staff to consider golf programming for this area. She said the Park District cannot meet the demand for youth golf and beginning golf in the current system. Some facilities have gone to a lottery system. Councilmember Bildsoe arrived at 5:50 p.m. Ms. Oslund said the Park District also wants to establish trail connections to link Maple Grove and Plymouth, as well as a driving range with practice area, pitch and put course, and picnic areas. A 9 -hole executive course is proposed. She described the area proposed for a club house, maintenance building, and parking, and noted that tree resources will be maintained with the exception of the trail areas. Ms. Oslund stated this project will improve water quality as the nutrient loading to Pike Lake will be reduced. Hennepin Parks proposes to pay for the project through revenue bonds. The proposed golf uses will provide social recreational opportunity with a full range of instruction, and the course will be accessible. She said a marketing study has been conducted, and in November, the Hennepin Parks Board asked their staff to officially contact cities about Adopted City Council Minutes February 16, 1999 Page 2 the proposal and to open a comment period. Notices of the park development proposal were mailed to 2,000 homeowners in the area, and 104 people attended the open houses. They also received 153 written comments about the proposal, as well as a petition with 108 signatures opposed to the project. She said that citizens have received misleading information about the project. Ms. Oslund said that later this week the Board will consider whether to direct the Superintendent to select a consultant, prepare final plans and specifications, and prepare cost estimates for the project. A conditional use permit will be required from the City for the project. Councilmember Spigner arrived at 6:00 p.m. Councilmember Johnson asked when the public process was started and whether any of the public comments have been worked into the plan. Ms. Oslund said the public process opened November 15. She said that as the result of the public process, a tree inventory will be done, and the Park District will voluntarily submit an EAW to the City for the project. There will also be an archeological survey of the area. Issues relating to unpaved trails along the lake will also be considered. Doug Bryant, Park District Superintendent, and the Park District's marketing consultant responded to questions about the draw area for customers and the amount of unmet demand in the system, posed by Councilmember Harstad. Mayor Tierney asked if this course would impact the New Hope Golf Course. Mr. Bryant said the City of New Hope submitted two issues -- 1) there is no first tier suburban regional park; and 2) concerns about the impact of the proposed Executive 9 course on the similar course in New Hope. He said that if the Park District decides to move forward with the project, the District will consider a cooperative agreement with New Hope to decrease their operating costs. The Park District views the effect on the New Hope Golf Course as "no net loss." He said that if the Park District achieves some type of cooperative agreement, it would relate only to operations. The Park District would not own the New Hope Golf Course land. He said the New Hope Golf Course served 40,000 rounds of golf last year which is at capacity. Councilmember Black asked if other recreational uses have been analyzed for the parcel. She asked if consideration was given to less vigorous recreation to serve the aging population. Ms. Oslund said that other recreational options were not studied as closely as a golf course. She said the Park District considers usage and facilities annually. This identified a facility deficit of golf courses. She said that a fairgrounds, model air plane area, and Adopted City Council Minutes February 16, 1999 Page 3 corporate picnic grounds were also considered for the site. The Park District also considers the capacity of other regional parks near the site. Mr. Bryand said that trails are proposed in the project. He said that if the golf course is not heavily used in the future, it could be removed and something else could be constructed on the site. Manager Johnson asked if the plan meets all purposes and intents of the City's Water Quality Plan. John Barton, Hennepin Parks, responded that Park District policy is to do nothing that will degrade the water body. This project would exceed the City's standards with respect to nutrient loading and runoff. Less phosphorous will run into Pike Lake after development. Andy Langston, Hennepin Parks, said that the Park District is a low pesticide user and mowing is done high for less water use. Councilmember Johnson asked if a skate park had been considered on the site. Ms. Oslund said this use was not considered. This type of use would not necessarily be enhanced by outdoor natural resources, which is a criteria for regional park recreation activities. Hennepin Parks has not been asked by cities to consider this use. Councilmember Johnson asked if this course would be in competition with other private golf courses that pay property taxes. Ms. Oslund said the proposed course would not compete with the other courses. It would be designed as a beginner course. No negative comments were received from the private golf course owners in the area. Ken Wendinger represented a Plymouth group opposed to the golf course development. He said residents are not opposed to development in this area, but he believes a golf course will restrict the use of this area. He said there is a beautiful woods that should be preserved. Mr. Wendinger suggested that the area be developed for mountain bike use, hiking, and walking trails. He said that 74 percent of people who responded to the project were opposed to the golf course proposal. Councilmember Black suggested that the City should submit comments to the Park District prior to their consideration to move forward with the project. She would like the Council to request that the Park District consider other options in the same depth as the golf course option and that they consider future recreation uses for the aging population. Adopted City Council Minutes February 16, 1999 Page 4 Mr. Barton said that the City's input is welcome. He said that golf is not new to the Park District. Mayor Tierney felt that it was premature for the Council to take a position on the project. Councilmember Black said she will place this item on the regular Council agenda for discussion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. City berk