Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes 04-13-1989Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 13, 1989 Page 13 Present; Chair Edwards, Commissioners Anderson, Freels, Beach, Rosen, Hanson, LaTour; staff Blank, Patterson and Pederson; Planning Commissioner zylla Absent: 1 CALL TO ORDER Chair Edwards called the April meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Beach and seconded by Commissioner LaTour to approve the minutes of the March meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present at this meeting. b. Staff_. Mary Patterson stated that the May -June issue of Plymouth on Parade will be delivered to the post office April 17 and should be in the homes by the end of that week. She said that a new summer program called Discovery Lay Camp is being offered to help fill the need created by District 281's decision to not have summer school. Fliers advertising this program have gone to all the schools that Plymouth children attend. The day camp is organized into weekly sessions with each week having a different theme. So far, the most popular week is the last one, called Disney Week, with a trip to Valleyfair. She stated that all softball leagues were filled with the exception of one, which has only one spot remaining. She reminded commissioners of the Ethnic Dance Theatre performance at Wayzata. High School, Saturday, April 22. Mary announced that a wedding is scheduled at the Parkers Lake Pavilion Friday, April. 14.. The couple had their first date in. the park about a year ago. c. Others. See item 5a. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. The City Council approved a budget for the community center building and a basic building program. They nlso directed the architect to include plans for a teen center. April 1989PRAC' Minutes Page 14 5 UNFINISHED EUSINESS a. Mooney Lake Plat Lundgren Bros. Homes. Director Blank began the discussion on this itembyindicating that the plat proposed by Lundgren Bros. for the Reiser property has not yet been presented to the Planning Commission. The purpose of PRAC's review is to address the issue of whether or not there should be public land included in this plat. Mike Pflaum, representing Lundgren Bros., then addressed the Commission and the audience by stating the reasons Lundgren Bros. wants the same piece of property for a 'home site that the City wants for park._ He indicated that the site is a very large, Lakeshore site, with many trees.; It's private and scenic, and thus, is very valuable to Lundgren Bros. He further stated that the neighborhoods adjacent to this property are already well endowed wit.;': parks and that the City's Comprehensive Plan does not propose a park on this property. He further indicated that Imperial Hills park, which is nine acresin size, is only one-half mile away, and their residents will have trail access to the lake. Also, Green Oaks Park is adjacent to this peat-. Holy Name Lake on 'County Road 24 has a public canoe access and parking, and is no farther away from the majority of Greentree West residents than is Mooney Lake. He argued further that this park would be pretty isolated and would get little use since it is on the western boundary of the City and is accessible only by pedestrians. He also indicated his displeasure with the 38% increase in park dedication fees, and that it was increased only to fund the purchases which have been scheduled in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. He stated if Lundgren Bros. is allowed to keep this lot for a homesite, they will construct at their expense a large wooden observation deck for the residents to use. Following Mr. Pflaum's presentation, Chair Edwards opened the meeting for public comment. Sal Testa, 2305 Walnut Grove "Lane, spoke in support of making the southeast corner of the development a public park,. He has seen marry residents walk to the lake to fish using this particular area as the access. Dave Volker, 2830 Brockton Lane, has known Mr. Reiser for a number of years, and Mr. Reiser informally granted access to the lake via his property for anyone who wanted to use it. Mr. Volker claims that the overlook proposed by Lundgren Bros. is too far away from the lake to be enjoyed by the residents. He estimates that the distance is 468' feet and one would neee, a telescope to see the lake. Donn Wassink, 2345 Walnut Grove Lane, supporta the recommendation to make a portion of the Lundgren Bros. plat public land. Paul Wirtz, 2325 Walnut. Grove Lane,, supports the idea of a public park area but wants to make sure it's not going to be similar to the park at Parkers Lake. April 1989 FRAC'Minutes Page 1 Peggy Cost, 1875 Troy Lane, is concerned that ,the City may not understand what "kind" of lake Mooney Lake is She stated that it is very muddy on, the bottom and has lots of snapping turtles that wander into people's hfiekyards. It isnot a swimming lake. Stye also said that she didn't want to see big 'boats razing around on it and Wondered if there was some way to regulate that. Director Blank stated that there is & five horsepower, motor limitation on this lake, Mrs. Cost was surprised to hear this, and stated that last summer there were jet skis being used on the lake. She asked if some sort of notice could he put in Plymouth on Parade to remind, homeowners that there is a horsepower limitation in effect., Director Blank suggested that the homeowner association should co tact all residents on the lake regarding the horsepower limitation as a first step in enforcing this policy, Doris Bullard, 2025 Xanthus L**ne, stated that When they purchased their home, ,she felt like thfey had moved to paradiae. She described the area as a bird and wildlife sanctuary, which is very beautiful and quiet. She supports keeping some of the Reiser property as a public park rather than letting Lundgren Bros. develop it as a home site. Doug Miller, 18730 27th Avc lue, also supports public park and thinks - it would be nice to tie it into the trail system proposed for the east side of the Lundgren plat, Following the residents' comments, Chair Edwards asked the v mmiso overs for their thoughts on thfs issue.. Commissioner Hanson said that she supporte.d.some type. of public access for those people who wouldnot otherwise have access.. She felt that the 10% park dedict.ion required of Lundgren should ail be in the form of land rather than cash Commissioner Freels supported the idea of bringing, the trail down to the water's edge and creating some type of public area where people could sit down on benches, sightsee and fish, Commissioner Anderson feels that building a home on the southeast corner of the Lundgren plat would, destroy any natural 'habitat that exists there, and he feviv. it is important to preserve as much of this area as possible, Commissioners Edwards;, LaTour and Rosen also agree that the public has rights to lake use, and that if Lundgren Bros. wer,1 to build a home on the southeast corner of the Reiser property, those rights would be severely limited. A motion was made by Cotranissioner Hanson and seconded by Consa issioner Freels to encourage the City Council to require that the lox park dedication from Lundgren Bros. be in the form of land in order to provide public access to Mooney Lake for the purpose of canoeing and k fishing. etc. 4z, A motion to amend the motion was mads by Commissioner Beach to include that. the City should retain as much natural area as pogsible. April 1989 PRAC Minutes Page 16 Commissioner Fr,els then withdrew his second of the motion made by Commissioner Hanson and amended the main motion to preserve as much of the southeast corner of the Lundgren plat as possible as authorized by park dedication. Commissioner Anderson seconded Commissioner Freels' amendment. After further discussion, all amendments and the main motion Were withdrawn A NOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER HANSON AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ROSEN TO ACQUIRE A NATURAL PRESERVE AREA IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE REISER PROPERTY ON [GOONEY LAKE,, WHICH WILL GIVE THE PUBLIC LAKE; RIGHTS WITH THE SAME REGULATIGNS AS THE HOMEOWNERS ON THE LAKE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FREELS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BEACH THAT THE PRESERVATION OF THIS PARK LAND SHOULD BE MADE WITH AS MINIMAL DIT STURISANCE AS POSSIBLE TO THE LAKE. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES b. C2=rehenaiy2 Plan Update There are only two park issues being considered in updating the comprehensive plan, therefore, Director Blank said that the Planning Commission would be the only group holding public meetings on this issue. He will continue, to meet With Blair Tremere to provide input on those two issues which includes keeping the area of County Road 9 and,Vicksburg Lane guided as public, semi-public; and changing the guiding of Mud Lake from residential to public, semi-public.. Planning Commissioner Zylla spoke briefly about the numerous meetings the Planning Commission has held over the: past thrae months regarding updating the comprehensive plan. tie. indicated that there has been a lot of "down" guiding. from LA3 to LA2 and LAI. He said that they are changing some, residential guiding to industrial and vice versa. He stated they spent a lot of time on; the area west, of Vicksburg. He bali ves that the last meeting they will have prior to the public. hearings will be Tuesday, April 18; c. West lfedicine juke Drive Trail Update, This item has been turned over to the Engineering Department. Director Blank indicated that there are seven houses with driveway access to the area that is now proposed, for trail.. Strgar-Roscoe is still in the process of preparing their report. d. Plymouth Creek Parking Lot Uodate., Bids, were opened Tuesday, April 11. Low hid was $67,839. The awarding of the contract is on; the City Council agenda for Monday, April 1.7, Director Blank is still planning on the parking lot be -jog tinished by June 1. e, C,2M=ity Cent 4r Uo ate. Five resolutivjzv'-ore rc .ently passed by the n Council regarding the community cen..L One of those was for negotiating a contract with a construe t,iviA ann:zar. A contract, has not been signed; yet With the architec^ ,--O %. ie City Manager is in the process of negotiating with them, Iut Rir-,cer of Barker, Rinker and April: 1989 PRAC Minutes Page 17 Seacat (working with the firm of BWBR), was in; Plymouth last week and met with a group of senior citizens regarding what they'd,like to have included in the community center.. The Council has also told the architect to include plans for a teen center. Erie indicated that he is in the process of developing an es't;imated operating budget for the community center. This information will go to. the _Council about May l5. f • reported briefly on the recreationMarPyReR2rtonRecreation •• Survey_ Y survey results., Three hundred seventy-seven questionnaires were sent. to a random sampling of Plymouth residents. Two hundred thirty-two were returned for a. 62% return. Of those, 31.% participated in recreation programs ' in 1988, and 90% of the participants were satisfied with their experiences. Ninety percent also said they would recommend our programs to others. One item Bary found somewhat disturbing is that 24% thought registering for our programs was a minor or serious probl-tm, but only 37% said they would like to register by phone and charge the classes to their major credit card. Not too surprising was the fact that about 32% of the adults responding said their best time to attend classes was between 6 and 8 P.M. On t'he other hand, it was somewhat surprising to learn that about, 34Xof the adults, want programming on weekends during the summer. T'o 'irtost requested indoor facilities are: Wayzata Nigh " School, Armstrong High School and Parkers hake Pavilion. Outdoor facilities included Zachary Playfield, Plymouth Creek Playfield and Plymouth Middle School. Adults requested more programming in the ureas of fitness and one time special events. Forty-nine percent of those responding, to the survey have children attending school in the Wayzata School District. Mary stated that she would do a written report on these and other results for distribution at a future meeting. 6. NEW BUSINESS a New Plats. Director Blank announced that the plat for Swan Lake has been submitted.; Eric feels that the plat has a substandard park pian, but PRAC Will be given' an, opportunity to review it before any final decisions are made. b. Dalefor-Annual Park Tour, May 1.7 was chosen for the date of the annual park tour. The bus will leave Plymouth City Center at 5:15 p.m. Invitcation+i will be extended to the Planning Commission and the City Council. c. Kilmer Park Playground, Director Blank indicated he. has a budget of for the improvements at Kilmer Park. Of that, $8,000 will be: 20,000 needed for pea gravel, leaving $12,000 for the new equipment. Half of those responding to the questionnaire requested leaving the basketball hoop at eight feet. PRAC recommended raising it to 10 feet, however, because they feel more, injuries could take place by leaving it at eight feet. Director Blank stated that he is proposing to talk to several different playground designers to see what each might offer ti for $12,000, and choosing the one who offers the most for that price. April 1989 PRAC Minutes Page 1.$ A MOTION WAS MADEBY CHAIR EDWARDS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON DIRECTING. STAFF TO CHOOSE THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR: KILMER NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES. i. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank indicated that he had spoken with Bob Wicklund at Hennepin Parks regarding the playground surface issue. Mr. Wicklund has been in touch with the; Consumer Products Safety Bureau, and they indicated that they have received two studies with different opinions on the use of pea gravel. The only recommendation they are making at this time is against, the use of concrete, asphalt or packed soil.. Sometime in 1990, the CPSB will do their own research on the use of pea. gravel, and Director Blank indicated he will wait until the results of that report are available before making any decisions on this issue. 9. ADJOURNMENT The 'meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. I