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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-17-PRC-Minutes_AmendedmotionMAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 17, 2006 MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL • MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Commissioners Present: Commissioners Don Christianson, Peter Fischer, Peter Frank, Michele Gran, Carolyn Peterson, Bruce Roman, Gaoly Yang Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Tom Geskermann, Craig Brannon Staff: Bruce Anderson, Parks and Recreation Director Visitors: Ron Cockriel, resident 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Roman, seconded by Commissioner Christianson, to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed, 7 ayes, 0 nays. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Gran, seconded by Commissioner Roman, to approve the May 15, 2006 meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed, 7 ayes, 0 nays. 4. COPAR DEVELOPMENT Director Anderson reviewed the Copar proposed development and stated that the commission previously reviewed a proposed project entitled Carver Crossing with 300 units including two senior four-story complexes. The Copar property is located in southern Maplewood north of Carver Avenue. The commission formally adopted a position statement at their May meeting which in turn was formally adopted as part of the May 15 meeting minutes. • Staff indicated that Copar has since modified its proposal and reduced the number of units to 192, which would all be single-family, detached homes. Staff said that part of the rationale for the reduction by Copar was that this proposal would require only a three -vote majority as opposed to four votes for zoning changes by the city council. Director Anderson indicated that he had met with representatives from Copar regarding a new park development proposal and/or concept. The proposal from Copar Development was six fold: a. The Maplewood Comprehensive Plan, Park Plan and Mississippi Critical Area Plan do not identify any portion of the Copar property as parkland. b. The 2006 park dedication fee for new single-family homes in Maplewood is $3,060 which was increased February 13, 2006 by the city council from $1,530. c. The 2006 park dedication fee obligation for the revised 192 single-family homes for Carver Crossing development plan is $587,520. d. Interested parties and residents have voiced concerns about the lack of public park and trail improvements within the proposed developed area. e. Copar is proposing the city allocate $250,000 of the city's $587,520 park development fees for the 192 -unit home development. They further stated that the purpose of the allocation would be for public trail and park overlook improvements. f. In addition to the established park dedication fee of $587,520, Copar would conditionally match the city's $250,000 allocation with an additional dollar -for -dollar or like in-kind park trail improvements valued up to $250,000. The dollar -for -dollar match was conditioned on maintaining the continuity of the current 2.7 single-family homes per acre as proposed. Director Anderson indicated that he supports the Copar proposal. He further stated that there is a correlation between the proposed Copar property and the Legacy Village development including wetlands, floating boardwalk, and the need for a picnic and tot lot area. Staff indicated that in addition to • a more "actively developed" park area, the concept of a scenic overlook needs to be pursued as well. Staff felt that the open property next to Lot 25 (open due to steep grades) could be an ideal location for a "floating" observation tower to be constructed off a large pole and/or piling. Staff also reviewed with the commission the important role that P.A.C. dollars play in the acquisition, development and restoration of city parklands. Staff indicated that over 98% of all park monies come from P.A.C. fees and that the residential portion of the P.A.C. fee is being reduced as the city becomes more developed. Staff requested the commission review their May 15 motion to reflect the new Copar Development proposal as well as clarifying the status and important role that P.A.C. monies play for the city. The end product was that Ramsey County identified 8.2 acres of severe slopes that should be protected and Ramsey County would be willing to manage any Copar lands that the city would dedicate and/or convey to the county. Commissioner Christianson indicated that approximately 20 years ago the city pursued acquisition of the Copar lands which at that time were owned by the Schlumka family. Senator Jerome Hughes was involved in that acquisition and the city did not finalize the purchase. Resident Ron Cockriel indicated that he and Commissioner Peterson met with Victoria Reinhardt, chairperson of the Ramsey County Board and representatives of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation staff on July 13. The end product was the identification of 8.2 acres of severe slopes that should be protected. He further said that he desires to see the Copar land remain in public ownership. He said that trails should play an important role in the final development. • Mr. Cockriel said that the city council on July 10 did not approve authorization to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. The motion failed 3-2. He indicated that there is a 30 -day appeal process for this and that if the E.I.S. is upheld, it could bring about a 280 -day delay for the developer and require the developer pay the cost for the study which would be up to $100,000. Director Anderson said that representatives from Copar stated the company position is to sell only the entire parcel and not smaller acreages. Commissioner Peterson requested clarification on where the 37% of open space is located. Staff said it is all the land highlighted in gray. Chairperson Fischer outlined the number of existing recreation amenities including Pleasantview Park, Carver Park, and the open space property within proximity of this property. Commissioner Peterson indicated the important role that overlooks could play within the city park system and outlined her observations of the Smokey Mountains. Commissioner Christianson questioned any potentiality of federal funds saying he does not believe there is any realistic opportunity. Commissioner Peterson and Ron Cockriel felt that federal funds could be available. Chairperson Fischer stated "tongue in cheek" that he would support a 20 -story tower with the remaining lands to be left in public domain. A motion was made by Chairperson Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Christianson, to modify the May 15, 2006 motion to clarify the term "acquisition" for a vista to mean that the city should pursue a vista but not utilizing P.A.C. monies and that the P.A.C. monies be used solely for development of hard scapes and/or park improvements and not for land acquisition. The motion further stated that the commission supports and endorses the developer's offer of a $250,000 match for public park improvements with the understanding that the city would utilize $250,000 of the $587,000 P.A.C. monies within this related project and furthermore, strongly encouraged the city council to pursue development options with the developer of higher density levels to include increased building height to preserve greater public land acreage. Furthermore, that a trail corridor be established along the eastern edge of the property to Carver Avenue for a future trail extension to city open space, Pleasantview Park and Carver Avenue and that city staff work with the developer to create a master plan that would ultimately be reviewed by the commission and city council for their consideration. The motion further stated that the commission supports and endorses the developer's offer of a $250,000 match for public park improvements with the understanding that the city would utilize $250,000 of the $587,000 P.A.C. monies within this related project and furthermore, strongly encouraged the city council to pursue development options with the developer of higher density levels including increased building height to preserve greater public land acreage and furthermore, the commission recommended that the land adjacent to 1494 be considered as a cluster development. The motion passed, 6 ayes and 0 nays. (Commissioner Gran left the meeting at 8:30 p.m. during the discussion.) 5. CITY COUNCIL TOUR Chairperson Fischer briefly reviewed the June commission/city council tour. He thought the tour was positive, but was disappointed with the Council's response to the specific questions. Commissioner Frank indicated his strong displeasure with the council's lack of vision and goal identification for the commission. Staff said that the commission should be pleased as they were the first and to his knowledge the only commission that has had an opportunity to meet with the city council one on one. 6. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Frank said that the department's youth softball tournament will be held in Little Canada this weekend. Commissioner Roman said he received many positive comments on the 4th of July celebration. Commissioner Gaoly highlighted the dragon festival and encouraged the city to become more involved regarding diversity issues in the future. She furthermore stated she believes there are a number of issues relating to acceptance and understanding of cultures that relate to city parks and that the city council needs to better understand and become an active part in developing the solution. Chairperson Fischer said that the Community Outreach Commission that replaces the past human resource commission should assist in coordinating that process as well. Resident Ron Cockriel said that he feels the city council needs parks and recreation commission input and direction more now than ever. 7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Parks and Recreation Director Anderson reviewed the monthly update including comments regarding the proposed Ramsey County trail map that was included in the packet. He also said that parking on Summer Avenue west of Western Hills Park is a significant issue being raised by the residents. He further said that city staff, commission and council need to be aware if there are to be modifications in off-street parking that affect the remaining park sites that would be impacted. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bruce K. Anderson Director of Parks and Recreation kph/0717.06.min. comm