Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/29/2008 AGENDA MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, July 29,2008 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. July 15, 2008 5. Public Hearings 6. New Business a. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update - Review and Discussion of Land Use Plan Update 7. Unfinished Business 8. Visitor Presentations 9. Commission Presentations a. Upcoming Council Meetings and PC Representation: August 11 (St. John's Hospital Expansion): Mr. Yarwood August 25 (Gethsemane TIF Request): Mr. Desai September 8 (items unknown at this time): Ms. Fischer September 22 (items unknown at this time): Mr. Hess b. Chairperson Fisher's article on "Making Sense of Nature's Systems" 10. Staff Presentations a. Possible rescheduling of the August 5th PC meeting due to National Night Out 11. Adjournment DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Joseph Boeser Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Harland Hess Commissioner Robert Martin Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Joe Walton Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner Steve Love. City Staff Enqineer III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Hess moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Boeser seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. July 1, 2008 Commissioner Pearson moved approval of the amended minutes of July 1, 2008 adding as the sixth paragraph on page two as follows: "Commissioner Hess questioned the comprehensive plan on the road profiles-why they are wider than the new proposed road profiles in regards to the 2030 comprehensive plan regarding the different types of transports for the future using the wider road surface using the extra lane on the side for busses, scooters, etc." and correcting "impervious" to "pervious" in the third to the bottom paragraph on page two. Commissioner Trippler seconded Ayes - Boeser, Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler Abstentions - Desai, Walton The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING a. 7:06 p.m. St. John's Hospital Expansion-Conditional Use Permit Revision Senior Planner Tom Ekstrand presented the staff report for the request by HealthEast to enlarge St. John's Hospital. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-15-08 -2- Commissioner Trippler asked if the parking lot would be a pervious surface and how wide the stalls would be. A representative of the applicant present at the meeting responded saying the applicant is aware the city encourages a pervious surface. Mr. Ekstrand responded city code requires a parking stall to be nine and one-half feet in width and eighteen feet in depth. Commissioner Hess asked for details regarding the easement vacations mentioned in the staff report. Mr. Steve Love, staff engineer for the project, referred to the topographic survey on the southwest side of the site showing a ponding easement, storm water easement and water easement which were not shown on the design plans. Mr. Love said they are currently looking at either vacating or revising these easements to be out of the area of the building footprint. Mr. Hess asked if there is a plan for better movement of traffic accessing the site. Mr. Love responded they have requested more information about the access to the site and said they are considering possibly changing the routing. Commissioner Martin noted the traffic study being used for this project was completed in 2003 and commented there have been considerable changes to the area since that time increasing traffic. Mr. Love responded that at the time the 2003 survey was done traffic build outs were looked at considering future projects planned for the area and also the future reconstruction of several streets in the area. Commissioner Martin asked how the city encourages pervious surfaces. Mr. Love responded the city has created a video regarding using pervious surfaces instead of ponding on development sites to allow for more development area and also, the city has installed a pervious surface in the public works building parking lot for developers to observe. Commissioner Walton asked about the stockpiling of dirt in the parking lot that was mentioned in the staff report. Mr. Ekstrand responded the applicant is proposing to stock pile dirt on the west side of Kennard Street temporarily until additional parking space is needed on the site. Commissioner Desai suggested the dirt pile berm be planted with hative plants that would not require mowing or fertilizing, rather than the mowable turf mentioned in the staff report. Mr. Ekstrand responded the city does encourage native plantings and this issue definitely needs more discussion and is scheduled for consideration by the community design review board at their next meeting. Tony Thomas, architect and systems director for HealthEast real estate corporate services, said in response to Mr. Hess' concern about accessing the site that trucks generally access the site from the east using Kennard Street to the loading dock, which is on that side of the site and he does not believe trucks normally used Hazelwood Avenue to access the site. Mr. Thomas said there is clear separation for the various traffic that uses the site. Mr. Thomas said he is in agreement with planting whatever is required on the berm on the east side of the site, but commented if trees are required he prefers them located where they can remain without moving when the berm is removed. Mr. Thomas said easement vacation documents are being prepared for vacation of the existing easements on the site. Commissioner Hess asked if materials would be used that would go toward LEED certification. Mr. Thomas responded the architects have been asked to review the designs as they are developed to see what would count for LEED points, but LEEDis an intense process and they would instead rather put the money that would be tied up in that process back into the project. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-15-08 -3- Commissioner Boeser asked about the concerns of the neighbors regarding lighting and noise and referred to the lighting maximum of 25 feet. Mr. Thomas agreed saying they will meet whatever the city requires for lighting standards. Mr. Boeser asked what the additional height increase would be for the parking lot addition on the north side of the site. Dennis Vonasek of HGA said the height of the additional parking lot stories would be 12-14 feet. Mr. Boeser asked staff what can be done about the increased traffic and driver speed on Hazelwood Avenue. Mr. Boeser suggested a stop sign or speed mitigating matter be placed on Hazelwood. Staff responded that generally stop signs are not used to slow traffic, but rather enforcement is needed. The hearing was opened to the public. There were no comments; the public hearing was closed. Senior planner Ekstrand said he reviewed the parking lot stalls proposed for this project and said they are' proposed to be nine and one-half to ten feet and explained the nine and one-half-foot width is what is required by code for hospital use. Commissioner Trippler commented the clinics fit the bill for high traffic turnover just as retail does. Commissioner Trippler moved to adopt the resolution approving a conditional use permit revision for St. John's Hospital. Approval is based on the findings required by ordinance and subject to the following conditions: 1. All construction shall follow the approved site plan. The planning staff may approve minor changes. 2. The proposed construction must be substantially started within one year of council approval or the permit shall become null and void. 3. The city council shall review this permit in one year. 4. Compliance with the city's engineering report by Steve Love dated July 8, 2008. 5. The applicant shall apply for the vacation of the ponding, storm sewer and water main easements that would lie beneath the proposed MCC/ED addition. The city shall not issue a building permit for this addition unless the city council first vacates these easements. Commissioner Pearson seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all VI. NEW BUSINESS a. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update - Review and Discussion of Land Use Plan Update Senior planner Tom Ekstrand introduced Mike Martin of MFRA, Ron Leaf of SEH and Shann Finwall, city environmental planner. Mike Martin explained tonight's discussion will focus on the Surface Water, Sustainability and Historical Resources chapters. Mr. Martin updated the commission on the upcoming plan review schedule. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-15-08 -4- Surface Water Chapter Ron Leaf gave a presentation of the Surface Water plan and the history of the plan's development. Mr. Leaf gave an overview of the review and approval process for this document. Commissioner Walton said the plan is very well written and thorough. Mr. Walton mentioned the impairment of Lake Phalen with Eurasian Water Milfoil explaining the lake had a lot of algae around the shoreline in the spring. Mr. Walton asked Mr. Leaf to explain in further detail the impaired waters chart in the staff report. Mr. Leaf explained the chart. Mr. Walton said he feels there is an issue with invasive species in the lakes and it is not addressed in the report. Commissioner Boeser questioned whether invasive species are included in any of the city's other plans or documents. Environmental planner Shann Finwall said the subject is referred to in the city's natural resources plan, but it is not discussed in regards to the local lakes. Mr.' Leaf explained that the Ramsey-Washington, Capital Branch and Valley Branch Watershed Districts are responsible for the more active management of all lakes within the watershed districts. Commissioner Hess asked why Phalen Lake is not impaired while other lakes in the surrounding area are impaired. Mr. Leaf explained it has a lot to do with what is coming into the lake in the internal loading, such as wind stirring up the bottom sediment influencing the algae, the external loading from the storm sewers and channels from other lakes, and also from other factors such as depth and size of the lake. Mr. Leaf reiterated that issues within the lakes are a regional matter and are managed by and under the jurisdiction of the watershed districts. Commissioner Pearson questioned the number of city square miles referred to as 17 in one place and 18 in another. Mr. Leaf said the number would be checked and confirmed. Commissioner Hess suggested that Appendix A containing the acronyms be listed at the front of the document rather than at the end. . Commissioner Fischer recommended several wording changes and clarifying of descriptions to the draft document. Several commissioners added wording suggestions to make the draft clearer. Sustain ability Chapter Environmental planner Shann Finwall presented the Sustainability chapter staff report and reviewed this chapter. Ms. finwall explained that the Community Design Review Board and Environmental and Natural Resources Commission reviewed the Sustainability chapter and they feel it would be an important addition and guide. Ms. Finwall noted additions and changes made by the Community Design Review Board and Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. Commissioner Boeser suggested the items in the Sustainability chapter could be put into other chapters of the existing plan and do not require a separate chapter. Mr. Boeser said they are only suggested items and not concrete or enforceable matters. Commissioner Hess said the Sustainability chapter is part of the current water and air industry "speak" and is a method of closure to bring the chapters together. Planner Finwall said the City of Woodbury starts each chapter of their plan with a sustainability vision for that particular chapter. Ms. Finwall said the city did not start out this way and as they worked on the chapters it was felt that some goals did not fit into any of the existing chapters. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-15-08 -5- Commissioner Martin said he agrees with Commissioner Boeser regarding adding the Sustainability chapter items to other existing chapters and eliminating a separate sustainability chapter. Commissioner Pearson said he is not impressed with the Sustainability chapter and said he is not a supporter of individual composting that is mentioned in this chapter. Mr. Pearson said regarding adopting an urban tree ordinance mentioned in this chapter there is no mention of solar power or reimbursement for loss of trees. Mr. Pearson said the Sustainability chapter is not needed in the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Hess said he disagrees and feels the Sustainability chapter has a lot of good ideas and is a chapter devoted to the future of Maplewood and should be a separate summary chapter. Consultant Mike Martin said that the consultants and staff discussed and agreed that giving sustainability its own chapter provides extra emphasis. Mr. Martin explained that this chapter will be placed after the community profile in the first part of the final document and before the chapters that are required by the Metropolitan Council. Commissioner Boeser said that three to five key implementation strategies should be identified with specific examples of how each might be accomplished instead of having such a long list of items. Planner Finwall responded that she feels all of the items are achievable over a ten-year time period, but said if the commission desires it she could coordinate the items in a different manner. Commissioner Desai said he agrees the items could be summarized with high-level statements that explain in smaller degrees the sustainability that we want to get to. Historical Resources Chapter Consultant Mike Martin explained that the commission reviewed this chapter previously, but the Environmental and Natural Resource Commission has since made changes so it is being reviewed again at this meeting. Mr. Martin said that no policy statements or directions were changed-only typo errors and wording changes were made. Commissioner Boeser said the beginning of this chapter on historic preservation objectives reads like a vision statement for the historical preservation commission. Mr. Martin responded that the format of this section is somewhat different, but the points are the same as in other chapters. Mr. Martin said the direction was to continue with the current historical resources chapter and that is what was done. Commissioner Fischer asked if the historical preservation commission reviews development . proposals. City planner Ekstrand said this commission receives a copy of development proposals to review and may make comments on those proposals. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None Planning Commission Minutes of 07-15-08 -6- IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS . July 14 Council Meeting: Mr. Martin reported on this meeting. . July 28 Council Meeting: Mr. Walton will attend if needed. . August 11: To be discussed at the next meeting. . August 25: Mr. Desai X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Reminder: Special meeting on July 29 for Continuing Cornprehensive Plan Update Discussion b. National Night Out-August 5 (The First August Commission Meeting) It was decided staff would investigate options for rescheduling dates and locations available and ciiscuss this further at the July 29 meeting. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. 2030 Comprehensive Plan City of Maplewood MEMORANDUM To: From: Subject: Date: Acting City Manager Jennifer Haskamp and Michael Martin, MFRA Comprehensive Plan July 21, 2008 INTRODUCTION The Planning Commission has finished its work on making policy and land use plan changes and has moved into review and editing mode of the Draft Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission will continue its review at its next meeting. At the July 29 meeting, the Planning Commission will be reviewing the Parks, Trails and Open Space and Housing chapters. The City Council has also started to review draft chapters of the Comprehensive Plan. On July 7, the City Council reviewed the Introduction, Community Profile, Land Use, Natural Resources, Surface Water, and Sustainability chapters. The City Council will review the rest of the chapters on August 4. MFRA will brief the Planning Commission at the July 29 meeting on what changes the City Council has recommended. DISCUSSION The City's consultant McCombs Frank Roos and Associates (MFRA) has prepared the Parks, Trails and Open Space, and Housing chapters, which were coordinated and developed with the City's 2030 Land Use plan. Each chapter will be presented and discussed on July 29. Consuitants and Staff will be looking for the Planning Commission to give its thoughts and comments based on the content of each chapter. As with the past meetings, the Planning Commission should give Staff and consuitants typos and minor wording issues after the meeting in order to allow for more time for discussion focused on larger and substantive policy issues. After the review of the Parks, Trails and Open Space and Housing chapters, MFRA will lead a discussion briefing the Planning Commission on the substantive changes made during this review period: MFRA will conduct a final overview of the Land Use chapter with the Planning Commission. A Public Hearing is scheduled for August 19. RECOMMENDATION Please review the two chapters before the July 29 Planning Commission meeting. Be prepared to share your thoughts and comments on each of the chapters. The Final Draft Comprehensive Plan will incorporate the feedback received on Tuesday. If you have any questions about the comprehensive planning process, please contact Tom Ekstrand, Senior Pianner, at 651-249-2302 or Tom.Ekstrand@ci.maplewood.mn.us. ,~~~~ cm'OF.'.VPLE1TOOD 2030 CO,lIPRF:llESSnT 1'J.A'\' Chapter 6: Parks, Trails and Open Space Chapter Introduction The city of Maplewood has an extensive park, open space and trail system that requires extensive management, maintenance and planning. The City's park system provides a high quality of life for all residents and contributes to the overall appeal of the City as a desirable place for people to live and recreate. The system includes approximately 860 acres of City owned and managed parks and open space land, and residents also have access to an additional 1,175 acres of county, state, and agency owned park land. The recent Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) prepared by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stated that, "About two-thirds of all recreation use in the state occurs within a half hour of home." Maplewood provides recreational opportunities throughout the entire City, thereby providing residents with opportunities well within a half an hour of their homes, and in most cases within a half-mile of their homes. The following plan provides an update to the existing Parks, Open Space and Trail System component of the Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in December 1999. The previous plan provided an extensive inventory of the entire parks system, and while some changes or additions have been made to the system, the overall plan remains valid for purposes of this plan. The summary includes a set of new goals, objectives and future plans for the parks, trails and open space systems. A change from the previous plan is the separation of the natural resources section into an independent chapter. This change was made due to the rising significance of the natural resources system in the community. Maplewood also wanted natural resources to be a building block for all other sections of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Update. Background The Parks, Trails and Open Space chapter is an important component of the City's overall comprehensive Plan. This chapter is included in the City's Comprehensive Plan to ensure good planning of Maplewood's parks system, as well as to meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Council. The City used the existing Parks, Trails and Open Space plan as a baseline for updating this plan component. Since the last comprehensive plan update some significant changes have been made and are reflected in this plan. From a document structural perspective, the City placed increased significance and focus on the City's natural resources. As a result, that component has been placed in its own chapter to ensure the appropriate attention and significance is placed on that component of the pian. The Plan also includes additional focus on clear and concise action oriented goals to help guide future planning efforts. Finally, a shift in focus from active parks to trail development and connections is presented in this plan. Because the City is almost fully developed, further park acquisition in most neighborhoods is not necessary, but the trail system will require acquisition and development to adequately support the parks system already in place. Parks, Trails, and Open Space Advisory Panel The Parks, Trails and Open Space update included the participation of an Advisory Panel that was assembled with participants from the City's various commissions and a few members of the public at large. The purpose of the Advisory Panel was to review the parks, trails and open space system considering all of the other components of the 6-1 Comprehensive Plan. The Advisory Panel reviewed the system and made recommendations on this plan, and subsequently passed the recommendations along to the responsible commissions. The meetings held by the Advisory Panel included the following topic areas: . Goals and objective setting, development, and refinement . Natural Resources and Natural Area Greenways . Trails . Land Use . South Maplewood - Special Area Discussion The meetings covered general topic areas of the Comprehensive Plan to give the Panel context for making recommendations. At the time of this document, the South Maplewood Area (described as area south of Carver Avenue) was one of the few relatively undeveloped areas in the community. Additionally, in the previous plan a ,parks, trails and open space plan had not been prepared for this area. As a result the Advisory Panel spent a great deal of time discussing this area and understanding its unique attributes. The Advisory Panel concluded their efforts by reviewing this document and making recommendations to the Parks Commission and Planning Commission. Community Demographics As mentioned in previous chapters, the demographics in the community are changing. (See Chapter X for more detailed information). Understanding who lives in the community, and how many people are projected to live in the community helps the City understand potential park and trail needs. According to the Metropolitan Council, the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area is projected to grow by over a million people by 2030, and the vast majority of those people will move into the 7-county metropolitan area. Although the area will grow because Maplewood is largely developed, only an additional 2,500 people are projected to move to Maplewood. Even with a small growth rate, the demands on the system are likely to increase, particularly for parks or trails that serve the region. Special attention to commuting trails and regional parks should be considered and monitored as growth occurs. Another consideration is the changing demographics in the community. The baby-boomer generation is the fastest and largest growing population throughout the region. This demographic is an active population that enjoys walking, nature hiking, fishing and other passive recreational activities. New residents are also changing and different cultures can be seen throughout the community. Although a full survey was not completed for this plan document, understanding the population in the community will continue to be important to ensure that residents' needs are being met. Regional Studies Over the past 15 years several studies have been completed with respect to regional planning for parks, trails, and open space. The following discussion highlights some of those studies to provide additional perspective on planning for the City's system. 6-2 Universitv of Minnesota - Leisure Trends in the Twin Cities In 1996, the University of Minnesota's Survey Research Center published a study of leisure trends entitled, "Leisure Trends in the Twin Cities". The study looked at resident's desires for a variety of recreational opportunities and their perceptions on current facilities and future needs. In the previous Parks Comprehensive Plan dated December 1999 a thorough study was completed for the City. Although an extensive survey was not completed for this update, many of the trends highlighted in the survey will carry over into the current planning effort. In many respects, study findings parallel those of the Maplewood survey, with natural area preservation and walking areas being high on the list of priorities. This plan builds on those principles to help create a strong park, trails and open space system. The Regional study identified the following trends and generalizations: . Walking around the neighborhood and in large, natural parks. . Individual sports over organized sports, at least at the adult level. . People valuing parks even if they didn't use them. . Especially strong desire to set aside land for nature areaslopen space, bike paths, and general use trails. Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORPl The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources prepares the Statewide Comprehensive Plan every five years to keep apprised of recreation trends across the state. Because the City of Mapiewood does not have the resources to prepare a survey every time it prepares a comprehensive plan update, the SCORP plan and associated surveys can serve as a good interim survey of needs in the community. The DNR administered a survey in 2004 entitled; Outdoor Recreation Survey 2004 which revealed similar trends to those identified in Maplewood's 1998 survey. Respondents identified walking, boating, swimming, picnicking and biking as their top outdoor recreation activities. Additionally, the survey identified changes in demographics, an increasing metro area population (additional one million residents in the area by 2030), and rising obesity rates as contributors to the state's mission of increasing overall activity in the outdoor recreation system. Ramsev Countv - Active Livinq Ramsev Countv (ALRC) The Active Living program is administered at a county level through the Active Living Ramsey County program. The program has actively solicited participation by local governments to introduce Active Living and Healthy Living infrastructure into their city and subsequent planning efforts. Studies have been performed at a state and national level to help support the need for Active Living characteristics throughout a community. Such principles include well connected walking paths and bike trails, clearly delineated and signed trails, and pedestrian friendly environments, to name a few. Several programs and grants are available throughout the County and State. These studies were used directly to help support the parks and trails plan identified in this plan. 6-3 Parks, Trails, and Open Space Goals and Objectives General Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan Goals The following goal and objective statements apply to the parks, trails, and open space plan holistically. These topics cover many issues that are important to the community including the function of the system, the protection of natural resources, and city staff. More detailed goals are identified by topic in subsequent sections. General Goal 1: To prepare and implement a comprehensive park, open space, and trail system plan. Objectives: o Inventory and evaluate the existing park and trail system, recreational needs of the community, park and trail classifications and standards, and acquisitionldevelopment guidelines to ensure adequate parks and trails are provided in the City. o Prioritize and preserve high quality natural resources that support a diverse system plan. o Prioritize and preserve areas of historic value. o Implement the plan for the purpose of guiding parks, trails, open space and recreational facility development in the forthcoming years. o Develop a means for ongoing and systematic evaluation of park and trail system components, thus allowing for actual and perceived changes in community needs to be reflected in the system plan. o Enhance the community's and public agencies' understanding of the park, trail and natural resources system and development objectives. o Create and establish a strong vision and marketing plan that encourages residents to use the parks system and participate in associated programming. o Develop and create clear, concise information about that parks and natural areas system within the community that is accessible to all residents, policy makers and staff. General Goal 2: To maintain and support the natural resources system as an integral part of the parks system. Objectives: o Enhance the community's understanding of biodiversity and natural systems as a part of the overall parks system. o Prioritize natural areas within the community that should be preserved and maintained as a part of the parks system. o Support the Natural Area Greenways as a part of the parks and natural resource system. o Explore opportunities to support the natural resource system as a part of the parks system. General Goal 3: To maintain and support a professionally trained, highly motivated, staff to carry out the City of Maplewood's mission of developing a quality park, natural resource and recreation system. Objectives: o Support and provide professional staffing to manage and direct the park system and programs in a professional, effective, and efficient manner. o Promote and support a parks department staff that through successful communication and coordination can maintain and manage the diverse parks, open space and trails system. o Support staff and policy makers through effective long-range planning initiatives. o Effectively and efficiently coordinate efforts between staff, City and adjacent jurisdictions. o Create and establish a strong vision and marketing plan that attracts high quality staff and commission members. 6-4 Community and Partnerships Relationship building and commilment to working with our neighbors and residents will help ensure successful implementation of this plan. The following goals and objectives identify ways in which we should conduct business internally and how we should work with other regulatory agencies. Community Goal 1: To establish effective communication and interactions with residents about parks, open space and trails. Objectives: . Update and distribute park system map and information. . Create signage to educate park users. . Promote active and ongoing interaction between the City and residents. . Actively engage with under-represented members of the community. . Promote ongoing communication between the Park and Recreation Commission and city residents. . Deveiop and support volunteer programs and other organizations that encourage residents and community organizations to assist in park and natural resources improvements, maintenance, recreation programs, and educational programs. . Explore and develop new methods and technologies that promote more effective communication and accessible information. Community Goal 2: To maximize the recreational opportunities available to city residents through the development ot fair and equitable working partnerships between the City and the local school district, adjacent cities, county, churches and civic organizations. Objectives: . Communicate and promote the City of Maplewood facilities internally and externally to potential users. . Fairly and equitably integrate the City of Maplewood programs with those of the other members of the partnership. . Effectively communicate programming and facilities available to residents and the region through these partnerships. . Work with adjacent jurisdictions and regulatory agencies to provide an efficient and accessible parks and recreational system that encourages activity throughout the community. Ecological Resources, Restoration and Management A key component of the parks, trails and open space plan are the preservation, acquisition and management of important natural areas in the community. These goals and objectives support the creation of environmental corridors and providing natural areas for the enjoyment of city residents. More detailed natural resource goals can be found in the Natural Resources Chapter of/he Comprehensive Plan. Ecological Goal 1: To preserve and protect ecological systems and natural resources within the City. Objectives: . Preserve and protect significant natural resources within the City. . Identify, prioritize, and protect sites of high ecological value or sites within Natural Area Greenways that increase habitat value of the greenway. . Engage in a comprehensive approach to natural resources planning that includes parks, neighborhood preserves, Natural Area Greenways, city open space, and other public and private lands. . Enhance the character and appeal of the community by connecting natural resource areas. 6-5 . Increase the value of public natural areas by encouraging adjacent landowners and others in the neighborhood to maintain natural vegetation on private lands. . Identify and protect natural areas within active parks. . Identify opportunities to convert turf grass in active parks to natural vegetation. . Identify, prioritize and restore elements of the natural systems of Maplewood that have been degraded or iost through development. Ecological Goal 2: To maintain and enhance ecological systems and natural resources within the City. Objectives: . Inventory and evaluate natural areas. . Prioritize, manage and restore natural areas including neighborhood preserves, natural areas at active parks, wetland systems, and other city open space sites. . Develop restoration and management plans for city natural areas including neighborhood preserves, natural areas at active parks, wetland systems, and other city open space sites. . Ensure restoration and management plans are economically and ecologically feasible, are sustainable long- term, and are based on science and up-to-date restoration methods. . Adjust natural resource plans as new information on global warming becomes available. . Increase diversity of plant communities and diversity of species in Maplewood. . Enhance enjoyment of the natural world and understanding of biodiversity and natural systems within the community. . Promote environmental stewardship of public and private lands. . Educate and engage residents in restoration and management activities on public and private lands. . Promote environmentally sensitive stewardship of active parklands and other city land that reduces amount of turf grass and minimizes use of pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation. Park Land Management, Acquisition and Development The Cffy has a strong parks system that includes various types and sizes serving neighborhoods throughout the community. The City is largely developed, with some exceptions, and therefore the following goals and objectives are focused on maintenance, management and development or redevelopment activities for the future of the system. Park Land Goal 1: To maintain and enhance existing active parks and passive parks to provide a high quality of life for all residents. Objectives: . Promote the parks system (including open space, and natural areas) as the foundation of the character, ambience, appearance, and history of the community. . Create and follow an implementation program that provides for the adequate maintenance and enhancement of the park and natural system throughout the community. . Enhance and improve the quality of life within the city by providing adequate parkland and natural resource areas to fulfill the present and future physical and psychological needs of residents. Park Land Goal 2: To adequately provide and maintain open spaces and natural areas to ensure each resident has access to green spaces and nature. Objectives . Use the parks and natural resource areas and interconnecting trail corridors as significant factors in shaping the future of Maplewood. 6-6 . Maintain and connect active and passive parks with neighborhoods, community facilities and schools to ensure accessibility. . Enhance and maintain environmental corridors, natural areas and open spaces to provide access and educational opportunities to all residents. . Create and implement plans for the neighborhood preserves. Park land Goal 3: To acquire land for parks, natural areas and open spaces, that can be maintained and used by the community and the City. Objectives . Maintain and enhance the character and aesthetic appeal of the community through the provision of parks. . Provide access and space to all residents to escape the hard surfacing of the urban environment and to provide the opportunity to enjoy nature and the City's park system. . Maintain and enhance areas in the community that support the character, ambience, appearance, and archaeological history of the community. . Plan for the system holistically and in conjunction with adjacent jurisdictions to provide opportunities to complete a regional open space and natural resources network. . Prioritize acquisition of land that supports the overall natural greenway corridors, natural resources, recreation, park, education and trail objectives. . Promote and support design standards for the development of the parks system focusing on green design. Trail Corridors/Right-of-Way Acquisition and Development The City is committed to providing trail connections that encourage residents to bike, walk and stay active. The following goal and objectives support the development of a trail system for recreational and transportation purposes and are intended to support the overall system. Trails Goal 1 : Acquire, develop and maintain an interconnected trail system for transportation, recreation and educational purposes. Objectives: . Provide a trail system that emphasizes harmony with the built and natural environment . Create a network of relatively uninterrupted hiking, walking and biking trails. . Effectiveiy tie parks together into a comprehensive park and trail system - with an emphasis on enhancing the recreational experience of the user. . Create trails with an awareness of safety. . Work with other local, state and federal entities to effectively tie the City trail system with those of adjacent cities and the county. . Work with private landowners to identify potential easements where land acquisition is not possible. . Delineate trail use categories to improve accessibility and efficiency of the system. (For example clearly identify bikeways, hiking trails, walkways, etc.) 6-7 Trails Goal 2: Promote and encourage residents to be active through the development of an efficient and accessible trail system. Objectives: o Create signage to provide directions and educate users. o Encourage residents to commute and access natural, commercial and cultural resources using non- motorized modes of transportation. o Create user-friendly trail and transit connections to promote transit and trail use in Maplewood and adjoining communities. o Promote use of the trail system through creative and innovative tools such as GPS or other technologies that improve efficiency of the system. Recreation and Education Programs A critical component of the parks system is the ability to provide recreational, educational, and fine arts programs to the residents. These facilities and programs help improve the quality of life for all residents and provide opportunities to residents to participate in a more active lifestyle. Goal Statement: Provide the opportunity for all community residents to participate in recreation, education, and arts activities through the implementation of well-designed, cost effective and interesting programs. Objectives: o Develop and provide recreational programs that adequately address the recreational desires of all segments of the community including children, teens, adults, elderly, and the disabled. o Develop and provide recreation and outdoor education programs that teach people about nature and environmental issues and empower citizens to be good stewards of the environment. o Promote and encourage programs that take place out of doors in nature. o Provide opportunities for artistic and cultural activities throughout the City. o Find and execute programming and facilities to support a broad diversity of cultures. o Administer programs on a fair and equitable basis to ensure all individuals and groups receive adequate representation and opportunity. o Create and provide programming for up and coming activities and opportunities. o Continue to support and provide options for all residents to participate in organized programming though efforts such as the city's Scholarship Program. Funding The City acknowledges that a robust parks, trails, and open space system requires significant funding and planning to be sustainable. The following goal and objectives identifies broadly how the City intends to continue managing, enhancing and supporting the system. Goal Statement: To secure the funding necessary to carry out the mission of the Maplewood Parks, Open Space and Trail System. Objectives: o Identify and define the funding options that are available for parks land acquisition and development. o Identify and establish a sustainable funding source to adequately support the parks, trails and open space system. o Research and evaluate available grants that could support the goals and objectives identified for parks, trails and open space. 6-8 . Maintain and improve the existing parks, trails and natural systems. . Prepare a parkland acquisition and development implementation plan for South Maplewood that depicts the relative timing and extent of future parkland acquisition and development. . Create and refine a parks and trails programming plan that responds to current recreation trends and the changing community demographic. . Create and prioritize parks, trails and open space initiatives to ensure adequate and available funding. . Develop and maintain a systematic, proactive approach to management of the park system to ensure a balanced and cost-effective system. 6-9 Existing Conditions A critical component of the Parks, Trails, and Open Space planning effort is to understand the existing system and to establish a baseline. Understanding the system as it exists today helps to identify areas where we have improved since the last comprehensive plan update, areas that continue to need improvements and emerging issues and opportunities. The following table provides some definitions of Park Classifications to aide in the future plan and analysis: Table 6.1 Park and Open Space Classifications Classification Function General Description Size Criteria Mini Park Active Used to address limited, isolated or unique Less than an acre recreational needs, typically at the neiqhborhood level. Neighborhood Park Active with Passive Neighborhood park remains the basic unit of Typically 5 acres or Areas the park system and serves as the more, with 3 acres as a recreational social focus of the minimum size neighborhood. Focus is on informal active and passive recreation. Community Park Active Serves broader purpose than neighborhood Varies, depending on parks. Focus is on meeting community- function based recreational needs, as well as preserving unique landscapes and open spaces. Youth Athletic Park Active Consolidates programmed youth athletic Varies, with 20 acres or fields and associated facilities to fewer more most desirable strategically located sites within the community. Also provides neighborhood-use functions. Community Athletic Active Consolidates programmed adult and youth Varies, with 20 acres or Complex athletic fields and associated facilities to one more most desirable or a limited number of sites. Tournament level facilities, also provides neighborhood- use functions. Park-School Active Combines parks with school sites to be used Varies in conjunction with or in lieu of other classes of parks, such as neighborhood, community, athletic complex and special use Special Use Active/Passive Covers a broad range of parks and Varies recreation facilities. The facilities may be oriented toward single-purpose use, such as a nature center, historic sites, plazas or may have a portion of a park or open space area dedicated to a special use. Neighborhood Passive Lands set aside for preservation of natural Varies, depends on Preserve resources, remnant landscapes, open space, resource opportunities and visual aesthetics/buffering. Also and qualities provides passive use opportunities (I.e., nature type trails, overlooks, interpretive program, etc.) 6-10 Natural Area Passive A full description and analysis of the Natural Large patches of Greenway Area Greenway system can be found in the habitat over 200 acres Natural Resources Chapter City Open Space Passive Natural areas owned by the City that are not Varies part of the Neig hborhood Preserve system. These may be lowlands or uplands. Some are appropriate for park uses such as hiking. Some are used for storm ponding or other functions. County Open Passive Natural areas owned and managed by Varies Space Ramsey County. Some are appropriate for park uses such as hiking. Some are used for storm pondina or other functions. Agency Open Passive Natural areas or open space owned by Varies Space aQencies. CountylRegional Passive Parks and recreational facilities owned by Varies Park Ramsev County. Table 6.2 Trail Classification Classification General Description Descriotion of Each Tvoe Park Trail Multipurpose trails or sidewalks located within Separate/single-purpose hard surfaced trails parks and natural resource areas. Focus is on for pedestrians and bicyclists/in-line skaters. recreational value and harmony with the Multipurpose hard surfaced trails for natural environment pedestrians and bicyclistslin-line skaters. Nature trails for pedestrians. May be hard surfaced or soft surfaced. Connector Traill Multipurpose trails that emphasize safe travel Type: Separate/ single-purpose hard Independent for pedestrians to and from parks and around surfaced trails for pedestrians and Bikeways the community. Focus is as much on bicyclist/in-line skaters. Typically iocated transportation as it is on recreation. within road ROW On-Street Bikeway Paved seg ments of roadways that serve as a Bike Lane: Designated portions of the means to safely separate bicyclists from roadway for the preferential or exclusive use vehicular traffic. of bicyclists. Bike Route: Shared portions of the roadway that provide separation between motor vehicles and bicyclists, such as paved shoulders. The existing parks, open space, and trails were evaluated to determine their existing condition and establish a baseline for system planning. Parks and trails area classified based on their dominant use, unless otherwise notated. While it was found that some parks function very well, others clearly showed the wear of time and no longer effectively served the intended purpose. In a number of cases, existing park features were simply worn out and needed replacement. As with many park systems within a maturing city, it was evident that the design for individual parks needs to be reevaluated in light of current community and regional needs. Table 6.3 describes a summary assessment for the overall system. 6-11 Table 6.3 Summary Assessment of Park System Issue Summary Assessment Overall Park Land Area The general land area set aside for parks, and open space is adequate and well positioned to serve the present and future needs of the City. The neighborhood preserve sites coupled with the City's active park areas greatly strengthens the City's capacity to meet emerging recreational trends. With the park land largely in place, most of the future development initiatives will be focused on redevelopment of existing properties to service community needs. Overall Design Design quality varies widely throughout the system. In general, parks developed or redeveloped in recent years are often well designed and go beyond simple function to create a pleasant park setting. Pleasantview is a good example of a neighborhood-level park that serves the neighborhood needs very well. On the other hand, many of the older parks lack a strong design theme and often only offer a collection of amenities that mayor may not serve neighborhood or community needs. Many of these parks followed the same general blueprint and offer little in the way of an individual sense of place or overall park-like appeal. Aesthetic Quality A visually appealing setting is lacking in may parks, resulting in a feel that is functional rather than inviting. This lack of design character does not entice people to use the park nor develop a level of comfort when they do visit Since the last Comprehensive Plan update the City has begun to identify parks in need of upgrades and is slowly improving parks for aesthetic quality. These initiatives will continue into the future. Outdoor Recreation Facility Current facilities need to be evaluated against definable community needs. The Mix extensive use of neighborhood parks for programmed activities in an example of where short-term solutions for servicing burgeoning demand for athletic fields has turned into a long-term proposition that is hard to adjust, but may be affecting the overall quality and accessibility of the neighborhood facilities. Natural Resource Quality Signs of degradation can be found within the natural resource areas spread throughout the City. Examples include: invasive non-native plants (European Buckthorn) out-competing native plan species (oaks, maples, etc.); surface erosion in areas lacking native ground cover, and siltation of wetlands and pondllake edges resulting in changes in water quality and vegetation diversity. Restoration and management of these resources is critical to the overall success of the system. in response to growing demand for protection, and management the City should initiate a full study of the natural areas in the community. A full analysis and discussion can be found in the newly created Natural Resources Chapter of this Comprehensive Plan. Trail System Development The State and Regional trails are highlights of the trail system and are vital to the system plan when considering demand and regional connections. At the local level, the trail system is slowly being developed and better improvements and connections are being made as development and redevelopment occurs in the community. The system continues to be limited to predomim;lntly a sidewalk plan as well as connections to the existing park system. A primary initiative of this Plan will be to improve the existing trail system for increased accessibility, interconnected ness, and efficiency. 6-12 The general assessment in Table 6.3 describes the overall existing condition of facilities in the City. While performing the plan update, an assessment and review of the parks system was completed based on the city's neighborhood structure to determine existing conditions as well as identify deficiencies or excess areas in the system. The neighborhood structure became an important structure for evaluation because the overall system was originally developed on principles related to the neighborhood boundaries. To evaluate park needs, both passive and active, the following goals were followed: . All residents should be within a Y, mile of a park, which could be active or passive and is independent of ownership (city, county, state, etc.) . For every 1,000 people approximately 5 acres of park land should be provided to serve the residents. These parameters were the standards used to evaluate the existing park system, and were the standards applied to future planning efforts. Table 6.4 Existing and Future Parks/Open Space (table found in Proposed Plan section) identifies the existing parks and open spaces by neighborhood, a more detailed inventory of equipment can be found in Section V of the overall park system plan. Changes and Improvements Since the Last Plan Several changes and improvements to the system have occurred over the past ten years. The following information highlights some of the major improvements and projects that have been completed. These improvements directly support the goals and objectives that were identified in the previous comprehensive plan. Development and redevelopment has occurred in the past ten years, and ensuring that the appropriate amount of park land was available and functional was essential to the overall success of the neighborhoods. Legacy Park was developed as a part of the Legacy Village master planned development. Applewood Park, Afton Heights Park, Sterling Oaks Park and Edgerton Park were all updated to more adequately serve residents of each neighborhood. Finally planning efforts for the Joy Park Master Plan were completed and the redevelopment of the park is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2008. Several trail improvements have been completed including several segments of the Lake Links Trail, a full sidewalk and trail along Century Avenue as well as trail along Lower Afton Trail. In addition to the trails along major road corridors and the regional system, nature trails in the Priory Neighborhood Preserve have been developed to offer another trail option to residents. Significant progress in the Neighborhood Preserves has also occurred. Site analyses has been completed for 12 preserves in the community and Master Plans have been completed for four or the preserves. Restoration and replanting has also begun in the Preserves including a 20-acre prairie planting project at the Prairie Farm Preserve. Management and restoration efforts of invasive species are underway at several preserves throughout the community. Natural Resources A significant change from the last comprehensive plan is the inclusion of a Natural Resources Plan independent of the Parks, Trails and Open Space chapter. The City took a proactive and innovative approach to natural resources in this plan update and felt that providing an independent chapter with a specific natural resources plan gave it more significance and focus for this planning effort. 6-13 The natural resources plan becomes an important building block for all components of the comprehensive plan including this chapter. Throughout this document references to the chapter are made, particularly reference to the Natural Area Greenways. It is the intent of this plan to support and contribute to building the greenway system, and to plan the parks, trails and open spaces in a way that is ecologically sensitive and supports the natural resources plan directly. 6-14 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan This section of the report describes the various components of the Maplewood parks, open space, and trail system. The plan is based on the findings of previous sections and the framework presented in the existing conditions, background and goals sections. In line with the goals and objective statements provided, the system plan seeks balance between servicing the social, individual, environmental, and economic needs of the community. The plan provides a guide to parks, open space and trail development based on the current needs of the community and the opportunities and constraints facing the city. It builds upon a solid park and open space infrastructure already in place in the city. The guiding themes throughout this plan include: . Continue to develop a comprehensive and interconnected parks, open space, and trail system. . Manage and maintain only the amount of park and open space land that the city can maintain for its highest and best use. . Recognize the limitation of resources (fiscal and physical). . Organize and prioritize the system based on the neighborhood structure but also on a city wide scale to ensure the needs of all residents are met. . Develop a plan that allows for incremental and orderly improvements - be visionary but realistic. Based on the detailed goals and objectives, the following generalizations can be made: . Create and maintain an accessible and high quality system that serves all residents . Prioritize the development of a comprehensive trail plan to help connect residents to parks, schools, community facilities and the region; . Support an extensive network of open spaces that contribute to the natural resource system and naturai area greenways; . Evaluate the park system to ensure that parks and open spaces are high-quality, safe, and well-maintained and a benefit community; . Service neighborhood and community park and recreation needs; . Service youth and adult athletics by providing high quality facilities strategically located throughout the city. Neighborhood Service Areas As a maturing community, Maplewood has thirteen well-established neighborhoods that are identifiable to residents and public officials. The park system plan developed in the 1970s was largely built upon this neighborhood structure, with land selection for parks based on reasonable local service areas, especially as it related to neighborhood park units. As stated in the Existing Conditions Analysis, the following goals were used to develop Maplewood's park system: . AIi residents should be within a Y, mile of a park, which could be active or passive and is independent of ownership (city, county, state, etc.) . For every 1,000 people approximately 5 acres of park land should be provided to serve the residents. Since most of the land area for parks has already been acquired, the neighborhood service area structure best serves as a means to: . Identify the park and recreation needs and desires unique to a given geographic area of the community. . Understand the potential demands in a developing or redevelopment area of a neighborhood. 6-15 . Organize the park system geographically. . Ensure that the neighborhood park needs of all residents can be met within a reasonable distance from their home. . Determine where efficiencies could be implemented to make the system of higher quality and affordable. Of these points, the most important theme is the assessment of needs, demands, and services that can be provided in a high-quality and effective manner. As stated in the existing conditions section, the parks and open space system was evaluated by neighborhood based on proximity of residents to recreation type, and acreage per population. Table 6.4 inventories the existing system and outlines proposed parks. Further discussion on specific neighborhoods with potentially significant changes follows the table. Table 6.4 Existing and Future Parks/Open Space Neighborhood/Park Classification Ownership Acreage Other - Notes Western Hills Mini/Neighborhood Park City 5.7 Trout Brook Neighborhood Preserve School District 7.0 Located on map as a part of Trout Brook - school site Sandy Lake Area Open Space Sl. Paul Board of 59.1 No public park/open space Water opportunities at this time Trout Brook School Site School District 20.3 Open Space @ Open Space City 3.6 Adolphus Maplecrest Mini/Neighborhood Park City 2.0 Edgerton Youth Athletic City 18.3 Rose/awn Mini/Neighborhood Park City 5.2 Consider reclassification - Opportunity to better serve area Kenwood Park Mini/Nelghborhood Park City 0.2 Keller Lake County Open Space County 121.6 Within multiple neighborhoods Open Space @ Miss Open Space City 0.9 Sunset Ridge Mini/Nelghborhood Park City 6.1 Lower Sunset Ridge Mini/Nelghborhood Park City 0.6 Kohlman Mini/Neighborhood Park City 4.8 Hidden Marsh Neighborhood Preserve City 6.3 Fisher's Corner Neighborhood Preserve City 17.4 Spoon Lake Neighborhood Preserve City 27.6 6-16 Kohlman Marsh Open Space County 24.5 Open Space Keller Lake County Open Space County - Within multiple neighborhoods 'e:'<<<' ..,',ii'ii.r< 'i/<i':rW ..ee.c <'ii'Ni<':' "".""C 'C.CCC< Four Seasons Mini/Neighborhood Park City 9.5 Hazlewood Youth Athletic City 48.1 Harvest Community Athletic City 30.1 Complex Legacy Village Mini/Neighborhood Park City 10.0 Kohlman Creek Neighborhood Preserve City 10.9 Open Spaces - East Open Space City/County 70.9 of Haz/ewood Open Space - West Open Space City 37.7 of Harvest Open Space East of Open Space City/County 27.9 61 @ City border ii<iiWi'/ i'i',/:.< "'.<//,<< '.e.'.'<...,....",c'..<.. ........" 1i/< ,..../",<<. ......, ,....cc.<<...,..../,.W "'." Maplewood Heights Mini/Neighborhood Park City 25.3 Joy Park Community Park City 14.6 Joy Park Neighborhood Preserve City 35.9 Playcrest Mini/Neighborhood Park City 13.7 Prairie Farm Neighborhood City 23.0 2.0 Acres leased to Maplewood Preservel Special Use Historical Society Park ,i>.'~"i/< <,< ..c.....,..,W.Wi........<... <<;i,il; i'ii', .,c"'<1 ...c...,i, Timber Mini/Neighborhood Park City 0.5 Gladstone Mini/Neighborhood Park City 3.0 Sherwood Mini/Neighborhood Park City 12.0 Better Development opportunities Robinhood Mini/Neighborhood Park City 4.1 John Glen School Site School District 15.7 Public school with access to recreational facilities Weaver School Site School District 11.3 Public school with access to recreational facilities Keller Goff Course County Park County 150.0 ...i...liWI..... Wiii.".<'<i< ".....,........';'i..1 ....'W'c, :';;;1'.:' ....c....e Gloster Mini/Neighborhood Park City 3.3 Gladstone Master Planning 6-17 Gladstone Savanna Neighborhood Preserve City 23.4 Effort Wakefield Community Park City 34.5 Flicek Youth Athletic City 6.3 Look Out Park Mini Park City 0.3 Park South of School Site School District 1.7 Robinhood County Park North of County Within multiple neighborhoods Phalen * Historical Marker Mini/Neighborhood Park City 0.5-2.0 Opportunity for Historical Marker/Context :> .........'... ,,:.::. ........ .......',.: I":C.<>C .." .....":' .">... ..."..:,..... Nebraska Mini/Neighborhood Park City 4.4 Hillside Mini/Neighborhood Park City 9.8 Goodrich Community Athletic City 20.5 Complex Priory Neighborhood Preserve City 45.8 Sterling Oaks Mini/Neighborhood Park City 11.5 Mostly Open Space and Wetlands with a tot lot Goodrich Golf County Park County 92.7 Course Wetlands Complex Open Space State of 19.1 @RR Minnesota Trust Wetlands Complex Open Space City 7.0 @RR Holloway Marsh Open Space County 37.8 Maplewood Middle School Park School District 17.3 School [. .lil~...,,>'..'>C:'" l'f>:Y':<,:.'<:,.., .,...,...:::>::">i'., I<:i'i:i'......<::. I;:..<>Y>I[.;:< .>.. Geranium MinilNeighborhood Park City 9.0 Gethsemane Mini/Neighborhood Park City 9.4 Will be replaced Lions Mini/Neighborhood Park City 3.4 Jim's Prairie Neighborhood Preserve City 11.5 Total site area is 11.5 acres, or (4.6) which 4.6 is the neighborhood preserve. Remaining area is city dump and open space. Beaver Creek Neig hborhood Preserve City 9.1 Nature Center Special Use Park! City 37.2 Neighborhood Preserve 6-18 Beaver Lake Schoof School Site School District 10.2 Beaver Lake County Open Space County 23.5 Park Wetfand Area Open Space City 34.4 @Maryfand Search Area Mini/Neighborhood Park City 4.0-6.0 To Replace Gethsemane if (Pipeline Propetties) necessary Battle Creek Mini/Nei hborhood Park Mini/Neighborhood Park Vista Hills MinifNeighborhood Park The Ponds Goff Course Active Park Within multiple neighborhoods, includes county work house Applewood Mini/Neighborhood Park City 4.0 Pleasant View Mini/Neighborhood Park City 14.4 Applewood Neighborhood Preserve City 25.3 Carver Neighborhood Preserve City 22.4 Fish Creek Open Space County Open Space Ramsey 24.7 County Open Space at Open Space City 10.5 Lakewood Open Space at Timber Open Space 2.4 Fish Creek Open Space County Open Space Ramsey 52.2 County Active Park Search Area Mini/Neighborhood Park City 4.0-6.0 New Active Park to be located in Mixed-Use Area and determined as part of a master plan. 6-19 The following table summarizes the information in Table 6.4. The table demonstrates that each neighborhood has several acres of open space and parks that are accessible to the residents. Table 6.5 Parks and Open Space Summary Table Neighborhood Acreage 1. Western Hills 95.7 2. Parkside 148.2 3. Kohlman Lake 87.9 4. Hazlewood 245.1 , 5. Mapiewood Heights 112.5 6. Sherwood Glen 196.6 7. Gladstone 70.5' 8. Hillside 265.9 9. Beaver Lake 152.7' 10. Battle Creek 319.7 11. Vista Hills 200.7 12. Highwood 103.7 13. Carver Ridge 57.7' TOTAL 2,056.9 * Includes proposed acreage, not currently existing in the system. Communitv Centers, School Sites. and Reqional Park Facilities In addition to the facilities identified in Table 6.4, the city's park system is augmented by the Community Centers (indoor facilities), school sites, and regional park facilities (of which several are included in the previous table). Community Centers include: . The Maplewood Community Center - offers extensive indoor facilities including two pools, large gymnasium, racquetball courts, aerobics room, exercise room, walking/jogging track, massage room, child care, banquet room, performing arts theater, and other features. . Edgerton school Community Center - offers gym space for open play. . Carver School Community Center - offers gym space for open play. At the school district level, the city has joint use of outdoor athletic facilities at the following schools: . Weaver School . John Glen School . Maplewood Middle School . Beaver lake School . Carver School 6-20 . Edgerton School The city and local school districts have long-term relationships for jointly using these school sites within Maplewood. In each case, the school district uses the outdoor facilities for their programs during the school day and for after- school programs. The city then uses the sites in the evenings for city programs and programs offered by local athletic associations. The system plan calls for the continued joint use of these facilities to maximize the efficient use of limited land resources within the city. This partnership will be of considerable importance to the city as it focuses on reducing the extent to which its neighborhood parks are used for programmed athletic uses. The continued use of the athletic fields provided at the various school sites is vital to the overall success of the system. Regional parks also play an important role in the local park system. The regional and county-based park areas and facilities that directly affect Maplewood are administered by the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department. Key regional and county-based park areas include: . Battle Creek Regional park . Keller Regional park - 248 acres which is contiguous with Phalen Regional Park . Beaver Lake County Park - offering picnic sites and trails . County Ditch 7 Pond Protection Open Space Site . County Ditch 18 Protection Open Space Site . Fish Creek Protection Open Spaces . Marsh 212 Protection Open Space Site . Aldrich Arena Special-Use Facility . Goodrich Golf Course Special Use Facility . Golf Course South of Lower Afton Road 6-21 Parks and Open Space Plan Analysis With the assistance of the Parks Commission and Advisory Panel a Park and Open Space Plan was updated and established for the City of Maplewood. Each neighborhood was evaluated for general park and open space needs, where parks refers to active park areas and open spaces that included neighborhood preserves and any formally protected and accessible open spaces. The preceding table identified all of the park and open space land by neighborhood with general notes referring to the future plans and development. The following information categorizes the future park and open space plan according to park classification and key development or use considerations identified through this planning process. Following this section, a short discussion and list of specific parks and open space topics identified throughout this planning process are identified to ensure the thoughts and recommendations of the Advisory Panel and Parks Commission are documented for future planning efforts. The city understands that a thorough evaluation of each park and open space property will be necessary to develop detailed future plans, and this effort will be identified as an implementation step in subsequent sections. Parks (Active) Mini and Neighborhood Park Description: Neighborhood parks continue to serve as the backbone of the park system in Maplewood. The park system plan includes a total of 25 existing mini and neighborhood parks to serve the thirteen neighborhoods. Individually and collectively, the primary focus of these park units is: . Providing neighborhood recreational facilities focused on non-structured individual and family activities. . Creating a social center for the neighborhood. . Providing open space for informal group play and limited use for organizedlprogrammed activities. In general, the mini and neighborhood parks in one neighborhood function together to service the localized needs of that neighborhood. As such, the development of one park in a neighborhood should take into consideration the facilities and amenities provided in other parks within the same neighborhood to ensure a full palette of recreational opportunities is available to residents. Kev Developmental/Use Considerations In general, there are a number of key developmental and use considerations that can be applied to all of the mini and neighborhood parks, including: . General reduction in the extent to which neighborhood parks are used for organized and programmed uses. The focus of these parks should be on servicing neighborhood needs for recreation and providing informal open play areas. Programmed activities should be secondary. . General upgrading of facilities in response to neighborhood input on the type of facilities most desired. Particular attention needs to be given to ornamentation and beautification, which Is lacking in many of the parks. . More attention needs to be given to providing a broader spectrum of active and passive recreational opportunities. Given current trends, much more attention needs to be given to passive park uses and the concept of having "nature in the back yard." 6-22 . The use of both manicured turf and naturalized vegetation should be considered within mini and neighborhood parks to add interest and aesthetic appeal and to reduce the cost of maintenance. The balance between turf and natural vegetation should be determined on a site by site basis. Community Parks Description With a strong neighborhood park focus, along with the contribution of neighborhood preserves and the regional parks, the use of community parks within the park system is limited to the special opportunities provided by Joy and Wakefield parks because they offer: . Unique feature that have city-wide appeal. . Opportunities to accommodate group facilities, such as larger picnic shelters. . A setting appropriate for facilities that is too costly to duplicate in more than one or two parks throughout the city. Examples include group picnicking at Joy Park and winter facilities at Wakefield. Kev Developmental/Use Considerations There are a number of key developmental and use considerations that can be applied to the community parks, including: . General upgrading of facilities in response to community input on the type of facilities most desired. Particular attention needs to be given to beautification in Wakefield Park. Natural resource restoration and management is a key issue at Joy Park. . Developing trail linkages to these two parks should be a key priority. . A mix of manicured turf and naturalized vegetation should be considered within community parks to add interest and aesthetic appeal and to reduce the cost of maintenance. The balance between turf and natural vegetation should be determined on a site by site basis. Youth Athletic Park Description The concept of the youth athletic park was spawned from the desire of the user groups to consolidate athletic facilities to fewer and more strategically located sites to: . Gain program efficiency. . Create closer associations between players, parents, and coaches. . Provide greater conveniences, like parking, restrooms, and concessions. This concept also works well from an operations and maintenance perspective. The fact is, having fewer and larger facilities is the most efficient and effective way to meet community needs. This approach also ensures neighborhood parks are not dominated by athietic associations and noise and congestion in neighborhoods is reduced. Since youth are usually less mobile than adults, youth athletic parks are strategically located throughout the city. The park system plan defines four sites specifically for servicing youth sports, although some adult cross-over can occur to service the broader needs of the city. (Note that the community athletic complexes will also serve youth athletic 6-23 programs. Additionally, note that each of the youth athletic parks also function as neighborhood parks to varying degrees.) Kev DevelopmentallUse Considerations There are a number of key developmental and use considerations that can be applied to the youth athletic parks, including: . General upgrading of facilities to better service the needs of the user groups and to increase general facility safety. Many of the existing facilities are old and in need of replacement. . Developing trail linkages to these parks should be a key priority to encourage alternative forms of transportation. . Continuing the involvement of the user groups in the design of these facilities to ensure that what is developed is in line with actual needs. . Giving more attention to beautification, this is lacking in many of the parks. . Consideration of neighborhood park needs as defined under Mini and Neighborhood Parks previously listed in the table. Community Athletic Complex Description The concept of the community athletic compiex was again spawned from the desire of the user groups to consolidate athletic facilities to fewer and more strategically located sites to: . Gain program efficiency. . Create closer associations between players, parents, and coaches. . Provide greater conveniences, like parking, restrooms, and concessions. As with Youth Athletic Parks, this concept also works well from an operations and maintenance perspective, whereby fewer and larger facilities are the most efficient and effective way to meet community needs. And again, this approach ensures neighborhood parks are not dominated by athletic associations and noise and congestion in neighborhoods is reduced. The primary difference in community athletic complexes and youth athletic parks is that the former services adult athletic needs in addition to youth. The park system plan defines two sites for community athletic complexes. Note here too that the community athletic compiexes also function as neighborhood parks to varying degrees. Kev Developmental/Use Considerations There are a number of key developmental and use considerations that can be applied to the community athietic complexes, including: . General upgrading of facilities to better service the needs of the user groups and to increase general facility safety. Many of the existing facilities are old and in need of replacement. Some are poorly designed and do not function very well. 6-24 . Developing trail linkages to these parks should be a key priority to encourage alternative forms of transportation. . Continuing the involvement of the user groups in the design of these facilities to ensure that what is developed is in line with actual needs. . Giving more attention to and beautification, which is lacking in many of the parks. . Consideration of neighborhood park needs as defined under Mini and Neighborhood Parks previously listed in the table. Park-School Site Description Park-School Sites are joint-use sites between the city and school district for shared use of facilities. There are a total of six school sites that fall under this classification. Of those, Edgerton and Carver are also community center sites, , whereby the city also uses the indoor facilities. Kev Developmental/Use Considerations Clearly defining development, use, and maintenance of these facilities is important to ensure that all parties understand their role and responsibility. Special Use Park Description The Special Use Park classification refers to parks that are unique and do not readily fall under any other classification. The existing system identifies two such parks: . Maplewood Nature Center offers protection of a unique natural resource, has a visitor center, and provides extensive programming. . Sruentrup Historical Farm at Prairie Farm Neighborhood Preserve is a special use park. The city leases approximately 2 acres to the Maplewood Historical Society which maintains the farmstead buildings and yard. The city has a lease agreement that identifies specific activities and opportunities available through the joint agreement and should be referenced to ensure the city recognizes the benefit of the relationship. Kev Developmental/Use Considerations . The Maplewood Nature Center is a well established community hallmark that continues to serve an important function. Continuing its educational programs and maintaining its natural resource qualities and infrastructure are key priorities in forthcoming years. . Parks Commission members have identified an interest in developing a city-owned dog park. . Maplewood would like to have a permanent site for a Community Garden. 6-25 Open Space (Passive Parks) Neighborhood Preserve Description The Neighborhood Preserve park classification was created to integrate the open space parcels into the larger park system, thereby more clearly defining their role in servicing community needs and protecting open space. The neighborhood preserves have to important functions: . Preserve and protect natural areas and open space within the city. . Create additional opportunities for human use and appreciation of the community's natural areas. The preserve sites are defined in a neighborhood context to: . Address trends toward greater demand for natural areas and passive recreational opportunities close to home. . Foster a local sense of stewardship in the protection, restoration and management, and human use of these parcels. In the neighborhood context, the preserve sites coupled with neighborhood parks will provide a full palette of both active and passive recreational opportunities for local residents. Kev Developmental/Use Considerations There are a number of key developmental and use considerations that can be applied to the neighborhood preserve sites, including: . Completing ecological plans for all sites, including analysis of existing conditions, refinement of ecological prototypes, and ecological restoration and management plans. . Integrating human use of the sites within the context of their ecological underpinnings. (The community should be involved in this process.) . Developing trail linkages to these parks. . Looking for opportunities to support, build, and complete the Natural Area Greenways proposed in the Natural Resources chapter. There are currently 14 Neighborhood Preserve sites in the system totaling 308 acres. The City shall retain a minimum of 308 acres in the system, resulting in a no-net loss policy. The following statements and implementation tools support this policy and shall be further developed to ensure the Neighborhood Preserve acreages are upheld: . Maintain a minimum of 308 acres of Neighborhood Preserve lands. If a parcel is to be sold, another parcel of equal or higher ecological quality shall be added to the Neighborhood Preserve system. . If new property is brought into the system, it should enhance or maintain contiguous lands and shall not contribute to fragmentation of the system. . Maintain city or public ownership of alllany neighborhood preserves. in the system. . Further develop and enhance ordinances that support the preservation, maintenance and management of the Neighborhood Preserves. This shall include the creation of a zoning designation that specifically relates to the activities allowed in Neighborhood Preserves. 6-26 . All neighborhood preserves are designated as Open Space on the Land Use Plan. As required by state statute, any and all changes to the land use shall require a 4/5th vote at the Council level and will result in a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. . The use of conservation easements and other conservation tools shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and shall be evaluated for how the easements would contribute to and support the neighborhood preserve system. Regional Park/County Open Space Description Regional parks and open spaces serve a regional population. However, the location of several regional parks in the city makes them important factors in the overall park system. , Kev DevelopmentallUse Considerations The most important consideration here is maintaining a strong working partnership with the County to foster development in these parks that serve the needs of Maplewood Residents. Specific Neiqhborhood Plans During this planning period, the South Maplewood neighborhood including Highwood and Carver Ridge were discussed heavily due to the relatively undeveloped nature of the area. Currently both neighborhoods have several parcels that are a part of the County's Fish Creek Open Space system. It is imperative that these open spaces be monitored by the City because the proposed park plan is based on the assumption that the county open spaces remain undeveloped natural areas. If these parcels are ever up for sale, or a use change is proposed, the City should reevaluate the park needs in these two neighborhoods to ensure the City's park standards are upheld. 6-27 Advisory Panel and Parks Commission Specific Discussion Items The Advisory Panel and Parks Commission reviewed the existing parks plan in conjunctions with the future land use plan that has been developed as a part of this planning process. During those discussions recommendations and ideas were generated with respect to how the existing park system functions and how the system could better serve specific neighborhoods. The following items were identified as suggestions to the parks commission for consideration during implementation of this summary document. This list is not meant to be all inclusive in terms of all needs affecting the system, but inclusion of this information provides documentation of key data and discussions taking place in the city. The following discussion items are categorized by classification type and neighborhoods where applicable. Neiqhborhood/Mini Parks . During the Comprehensive Plan update process the following neighborhoods were specifically identified as having , additional nelghborhoodlmini park demands in this planning period: . In the ShelWood Glen Neighborhood, Sherwood Park could be better developed to meet the active park needs of the neighborhood. During this planning period a feasibility and use study should be completed to fully evaluate the needs of the neighborhood. . In the Gladstone Neighborhood, as the Gladstone master plan progresses the Gloster Park and Gladstone Savanna area will need to be evaluated to ensure the active park needs of the neighborhood, including future residents is met. . The Hillside Neighborhood is light on active park facilities. Hillside Park is currently predominantly used for passive uses and could be transitioned to provide some active park facilities for the neighborhood. In addition, there may be opportunities with Hill Murray School and the Marshlands project. . In the Beaver Lake Neighborhood, discussions regarding the future of Gethsemane Park were underway at the time of developing this document. If agreement is not met for preservation of this park, an active park replacement should be identified to adequately provide active park facilities to this neighborhood. If Gethsemane is reduced or eliminated in the future, a suggested search for a replacement park is identified on the future parks and open space planning map (Figure 6.2). . In the Carver Ridge Neighborhood a minimum of a 4.0-6.0 acre active park should be located within the Bailey Farm property to serve the active park needs of future residents. The search area is identified on Figure 6.2, and the exact size and location should be identified at the time of development in this area. Development of this park will be a priority at the time of residential development in the Carver Ridge and Highwood neighborhoods south of Carver Avenue. School Sites The school sites are unique because they are predominantly controlled by the school district, but coordination and further collaboration could be explored. An overall assessment of uses and facilities should be made to determine the extent to which school sites are integrated into the recreational programming of the city. For example, the ball fields at Beaver Lake School were being used in current recreation programming but the current status and availability of the facilities is not known. The availability and use of these facilities should be verified to determine if there are any deficiencies in the system. 6-28 Special Use Parks During this planning period, the Parks Commission and Advisory Panel identified some opportunity areas for special uses throughout the community, the areas specifically discussed include: . In the Highwood Neighborhood, the ski jump site may have opportunities for special programming and uses in the community. This site should remain on the city's radar as an opportunity site. . In the Sherwood Glen Neighborhood, at the John Glen site there may be opportunities to collaborate with the school on special programming needs related to archery and similar activities. Passive Park Areas The following neighborhoods were identified as having opportunities for additional neighborhood preserves based on the quantity of active park land or open space that might be better used for a neighborhood preserve: . Mapiewood Heights Neighborhood may have some opportunities to revert some active park land for a more natural or passive use that could serve as a neighborhood preserve, further study of this would be required prior to any recommendations or plans should be made. . In the Highwood and CaNer Ridge neighborhoods a large amount of land is in the County's open space system. If any of this land were ever to be sold, the City should evaluate and review the feasibility of acquiring that land for a neighborhood preserve or open space use to help maintain the more rural quality in these neighborhoods. 6-29 Trails Plan In this Comprehensive Plan Update more emphasis was placed on the need for a comprehensive trail system throughout the community. The City has always been blessed with the State and Regional trails that pass through the City, but connecting to those trails as well as creating a network that is not only for recreational purposes but as a transportation alternative has never been realized. This plan identifies an integrated, easy to use and friendly trail system as a key priority and component of this plan. Since the last planning effort, the city has been dedicated to integrating trail and sidewalk development as part of redevelopment and road reconstruction projects. Those efforts are recognized, and this plan seeks to build on the existing system to make a more comprehensive and accessible system. In spite of the obstacles and difficulties, the idea of creating a city trail system is well worth while when considered in . context of current demands for recreational and utilitarian demands. As fuel costs rise residents will look for , alternative transportation options and the city can provide an accessible trail system to help provide additional options. Additionally, as the aging baby-boomers reach retirement demands for recreational opportunities and well connected facilities will be critical to keeping this population in the community. The trail system will provide those opportunities and add to the overall quality of life for residents. The trail system plan presented here is more comprehensive and plans for a significant amount of trail development throughout the community to create emphasis on interconnected trails that provide essential linkages throughout the system so that residents can move through the system safely regardless of their purpose for using the trails. The plan is based on the following principles: . Focus and priority is placed on primary north-south and east-west corridors that will provide the greatest access and accessibility to all residents; . Connections between schools, community facilities, parks, and the region are emphasized to help support alternative transportation options for all residents: . Trail construction and specific location (for example north or south side of a street, concrete or bituminous) is not emphasized in this plan because the City will create a plan for detail at time of development or redevelopment to ensure the appropriate needs are being met for the area; . The proposed system is ambitious, and is focused on creating the ideal plan for the future of Maplewood. As demonstrated in Figure 6.2 Proposed Parks, Trails, and Open Space, the City has prioritized the creation of an interconnected trail system as a part of this comprehensive plan update. The table that follows, Table 6.5 Existing and Future Trails, provides an inventory of the existing and future trails, the classification and general developmental or use considerations. Following the table, a short analysis and key points identified by the Advisory Panel and Parks Commission are provided for consideration as the plan is implemented. 6-30 Table 6.5 Existing and Future Trails Trail Classification Lenath (mil Kev DeveloomentallUse Consideration Gateway Trail State Trail 3.5 The trail is a state trail corridor with extensive connections to Segment of the the metro area and greater Minnesota. Connecting residents Willard Munger to this system is a priority of the overall trail plan. State Trail Burlington Regional Trail 3.0 Regional trail corridor of over 13 miles in length with extensive Northern Regional connections to other systems, including state trail systems Trail Corridor Highline Trail Park Trail 2.7 Follows existing power line easement east to west through northern end of the city. Provides important linkages between key park sites and linkage to the regional and state trail system. Developmental Challenges: . Obtaining trail easement rights . Varying topography, with some areas exhibiting steep slopes . Traversina throuah develooed areas County Road C Connector Trail 2.5 The County Road C Trail is partially completed, and the Trail proposed plan connects this corridor through the northern half of the city to create an east-west connection. This trail will connect to other maior trail corridors to Drovide efficiencv. Countv Road D Connector Trail 3.5 County Road B Connector Trail 3.5 The intent of the County Road B Trail is to provide an Trail additional east-west linakaae in the Citv. Roselawn Connector Trail 2.0 Gervais Trail Connector Trail 1.0 Beam Ave Trail Connector Trail 2.8 Frost Trail Connector Trail 1.5 The Frost Avenue Trail is proposed to create a connection between the reoional trails and the White Bear Avenue Trail. Century Avenue Connector Trail 5.6 The Century Avenue Trail is projected to be completed as a Trail part of an overall street improvement project. This corridor will be a primary north-south corridor through the city and will be constructed to connect to other key trail corridors in the City. Arcade Trail Connector Trail 1.0 White Bear Trail Connector Trail 3.2 The White Bear Avenue Trail is completed and provides a key north-south corridor through the northern part of the city connectino residents to the reoion. Larpenteur Trail Connector Trail 5.2 The Larpenteur Avenue Trail is undeveloped and is proposed as an east-west corridor through the City. This trail will be the primary corridor to link residents between the east and west sections of the city. The corridor also links residents to key natural resources and the existing regional trails that run throuoh the city. McKnight Trail Connector Trail 7.0 The McKnight Trail is completed and connects the south leg of the city with the northern area of Maplewood. This trail connects residents to the high quality natural resource areas in the south leo. 6-31 Stillwater Trail Connector Trail 1.2 Minnehaha Trail Connector Trail 1.0 Upper Afton Road Connector Trail 1.0 The Upper Afton Road Trail is completed and provides. Trail connections to adiacent communities in the south lea. Lower Afton Road Connector Trail 1.1 The Lower Afton Road Trail is completed and provides Traii connections to adiacent communities in the south lea. Carver Trail Connector Trail 1.0 This trail connection would be made when Carver Road is reconstructed. Sterling Trail Connector Trail 3.0 Sterling Trail in south Maplewood would connect residents with adiacent communities. Henry Lane Trial Connector Trail 0.35 The Henry Lane Trail would connect residents in the Hiahwood neiahborhood to Countv Ooen Soaces. Linwood Avenue Connector Trail 1.0 Jov Trail Park Trail 1.0(+) South Maplewood Park Trail 1.0(+) This trail is proposed as a soft-surface, sustainably-designed, (Area South of hiking trail to provide residents access to the natural areas in Carver Ave.) South Maplewood and is focused on preservation of the creek and other hiah aualitv natural areas. Analvsis The City has prioritized development of a comprehensive trail system in this plan update. With a priority toward improving the overall extent of the trail system within the city, providing on-street bikeways was extensively discussed, and although not formally proposed as a part of this plan, the bikeability of the system was prioritized in discussions. On-street bike lanes should be considered in neighborhoods without trails or sidewalks, and should be considered along major corridors to help encourage and support biking as a means of transportation. The overall success of the system will rely on the prioritization of creating and maintaining the system. Historically the parks have been prioritized above the trail system because new development. and neighborhoods were developing. However, now that the City is largely developed acquisition for park iand is no longer the priority it was in previous planning periods. As a result a shift towards trail right of way acquisition can occur to help complete the park and open space system in the city. The focus on trails does not eliminate the need to maintain and manage the parks to ensure a high quality system, but it shifts acquisition to help complete a comprehensive trail system. The following table identifies the amount of existing and proposed trails and sidewalks identified on Figure 6.2. All trails in table 6.5 are not identified, and therefore the following table reflects the comprehensive trail system. Table 6.6 Trails Lengths Trails Road Trails Sidewalks Total Existing 49.5 3.6 28.0 81.1 Proposed 3.8 32.4 7.7 43.9 Total 53.3 36.0 35.7 125.0 6-32 Advisory Panel and Parks Commission Specific Trails Discussion Items The future Trail Plan in the City was discussed at length with the Advisory Panel and Parks Commission. The focus of the discussions was on development of a more comprehensive approach to the trail system in the City. That discussion included reference to some specific trail types as well as trail locations. The following items were discussed specifically by the Advisory Panel and Parks Commission. The following topics are not exhaustive, but should be considered as the City moves towards creating a detailed implementation plan. General Trail Discussion Recommendations The Advisory Panel and Parks Commission reviewed the existing trails plan as a starting point for making their recommendations about future trail planning in the city. Specific attention was paid to the desire to enhance and create strong east-west and north-south connections that would provide an interconnected network throughout the region. The following specific items were discussed; this list is purposely general and highlights some of the most discussed topics: . The trails should provide opportunities for biking as an alternative mode of transportation, and major road trails should consider a dedicated bike lane for commuters. Based on Figure 6.2, nearly 35 miies of Road Trails is proposed as a part of this plan. Strong consideration of these trails should be paid for commuting purposes rather than soleiy recreational uses. . The trail system should be developed in a manner that considers making connections between parkland, open space, community facilities, and schools. Roadways or other areas that may be easily retrofitted and provide key connections should be prioritized during planning and development of the system. . Signage of the overall trail system, both existing and future, should be a priority to make navigating through the system easier and more accessible to residents. . At time of any major road construction project the trail plan should be referenced and the Parks Commission should review opportunities to complete or enhance the trail system. . Nature trails, particularly in natural areas, should be carefully planned for and review and consideration by the Parks Commission required ensuring the development of a trail system that protects the environment but considers access to high quality natural areas without being a detriment to the area. Specific Trail Corridors The following specific trail corridors were identified during the trail discussions: Frost Trail This trail is proposed for development at the time of redevelopment in the Gladstone Master Plan and whenlif road improvements are made in the area. The Gladstone Master Plan area continues to evolve and was heaviiy discussed during the land use and parks discussions. Trail opportunities should be capitalized at time of redevelopment in the area. 6-33 CaNer Trail This connection would be critical at time of development in Highwood and Carver Ridge neighborhoods. This plan is the first parks, trail and open space plan for the areas south of Carver Avenue and it is therefore critical to look at opportunities to serve new residents in these neighborhoods. At the time of this plan, Carver Trail is proposed as the only connection under 494 in the south leg of the community. Sterling Trail This trail will require a feasibility study as there are significant topographic challenges in the area. The opportunity to connect residents with existing and future parks in this area, as well as to the regional system exists but should be explored further at time of development in the south Maplewood area. Henry Lane Trail The trail would provide connections between existing neighborhoods and residents with County Open Spaces. This connection would help complete the existing systems and provide greater access to residents. South Maplewood (Nature Trails) This trail is proposed as a sustainably-designed trail to provide residents access to the natural areas in South Maplewood and is focused on preservation of the creek and other high quality natural areas. 6-34 Implementation This section of the report focuses on establishing a framework and priorities for implementing the park, open space and trail system plan. This includes: . Partnership approach to implementation . Cost analysis . Evaluation criteria for prioritizing park and trail development . Prioritization of park and trail initiatives . Implementation strategies by goal topic area Partnership Approach to Implementation Success in implementing the park and trail system plan will be based on the strength of the relationships that includes the Park and Recreation Commission and Environmental and Natural Resources Commission, city staff, , residents, user groups, and adjacent cities, school districts, the county, churches and other civic or business organizations. These relationships, and partnerships where appropriate, will help ensure the needs and demands of the system are met, as well as ensure that efforts are not duplicated within the system. Cost Analysis The Cost Analysis Table in the report defines the potential costs associated with each major component of the system plan. The cost figures are intended to be used for budgeting purposes, implementation planning, comparing the relative cost of one item to that of another, and developing funding scenarios. The City understands that the CIP budgeted amount for the parks, open space and trail system is not adequate to support the projected cost to implement the entire system outlined in this document. Identification of the shortfall allows the City to look for additional funding sources and opportunities to partner with other agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives identified in this plan. For example, this plan identifies a more comprehensive trail system in the community. The plan identifies the largest quantity of those trails to be road trails where there may be opportunities to develop the system at time of road reconstruction or through the help of other agencies. A summary of the cost analysis table is as follows: Table 6.6 Cost Summary for Park and Trail Development/Redevelopment (2008-2013) Item Cost Summarv (Dollars) Continaencv (15%) Total Parks Mini/Neighborhood Community Youth Athletic Complexes Community Athletic Community Centers Neighborhood Preserves Total $1,460,000* Trails Regional Connector Nature $1,300,000* Neighborhood Preserves Management and Restoration $2,250,000* Total $5,010,000 *Figures were rounded up to reftect an estimated projected fee. 6-35 The range of development and redevelopment scenarios is broad with respect to implementing the system plan which has the potential to significantly impact the costs associated with the project. These figures provide a general budget framework from which to plan, and makes the following assumptions: . The park estimate assumes management and maintenance for the next ten years and does not plan for large-scale master planned changes for any individual park. An area study and feasibility study would be required to determine the cost associated with such a project. . The parks figure assumes only the acquisition of one additional park into the system, to be located in the Carver Ridge neighborhood. . The figures are based on a no-net loss policy. This means that parks and open space could change uses, but could never be taken out of the system entirely, unless comprehensive plan amendment was adopted. This policy would suggest that acquisition, as well as gain from sales would not affect the system. . The trails figure was estimated based on a single shoulder off-road, bituminous, multi-use trail. If alternative materials, or trails along both sides of a road, or shoulders, etc., are proposed that will change the overall cost of the system. The following figure illustrates how changes in the system will affect the preliminary budget estimate: Maximum Level of Plan Implementation Complete All Aspects of the System Plan c .2 >. jg'g c => <D E ~ E 0> l5.. 8 .!: E c -0 .- 0 s:: c ,,-.;2 !S! ::l "C Q. - c _ c '" o-{gt "E ffi 8- 20..0... X Q) => W -0 '" Go Beyond basic needs to provide a - broader palette of recreational opportunities for residents. Limited Level of Plan Implementation Meeting Minimum System Plan Objectives Evaluation Criteria for Prioritizing Park and Trail Development Projects With limited resources, ranking the development of one park, trail, or development initiative against that of another will be necessary. Certainly, all development issues identified in the plan are pressing concerns needing attention. Realistically, the City is going to have to pick and choose those that are the most pressing and those that improve the services to the residents and user groups most in need. Making this as objective as possible is a key concern. Through the use of ranking criteria, reasonable objectivity can be infused into the decision making process. This criteria is based on and evaluated against factors that influence the demand for parks and trails. It must be broad based enough to consider the important and predominant factors, yet limited enough to be manageable and practicai for decision makers to gain consensus and take action. Evaluation criteria included: . Development pattern and population density . Community demand 6-36 . Recreation program demand . Redevelopment/upgrading of facility or adjacent uses . Funding availability/partnership opportunity . Preservation of significant natural resource Prioritization of Parks, Open space, and Trail Development Initiatives As an implementation step of this plan, the City will inventory and evaluate the parks, trails and open space system in detail. During that process, priorities will be set to ensure that the City's park needs are met. Additionally, the City acknowledges that the priorities may change depending on circumstances. For example a road reconstruction project may yield opportunities to construct a trail, and the efficiencies of completing the trail as a part of that process may increase its priority. Future prioritization should support and reference the goals and objective statements identified in this Plan. C Implementation Strategies in Goal Topics (New Section as Recommended by Parks Commission) The following information identifies preliminary implementation strategies for each of the goal topic areas. The section is not all inclusive but highlights specific areas of discussion by the Parks Commission and Advisory Panel. The following implementation steps will help support the goals and objectives identified through this planning process. General Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan Goals The general parks, open space and trail system plan goals highlighted three topic areas including implementation of the comprehensive plan, focus on the natural resource system and internal staffing. The following implementation strategies support these areas: . Update, modify and create appropriate ordinances to support the goals Imd objectives identified in this plan. The first step will be to ensure that the zoning ordinance is updated to reflect the appropriate land use and classifications in this plan. . Create policy and ordinances to support the creation of the natural area greenways plan that also ensures review by the Parks Commission for any development within the greenways. This will help ensure the appropriate attention is paid to identifying park land or open space opportunities. . Evaluate the needs, benefit and advantages to reinstating a parks director level position to help lead the parks, open space and trail planning and development efforts within the City. . Review the by-laws established for the Parks Commission to ensure the roles and responsibilities of the commission support the goals and objectives identified in this document. 6-37 Community and Partnerships The community and partnerships goals and objectives focus on maintaining open communication and collaboration with other agencies and communities to ensure the most efficient services and system are available. The following implementation strategies are identified to support this goal: . Staff and Commissioners should explore opportunities to work with adjacent cities, agencies, school districts and other community groups. This will help identify potential opportunities for collaboration and efficiencies. . Work with regional organizations to help monitor regional systems and their potential affect on the City's parks, trails and open space system. Ecologicat Resources, Restoration and Management The ecological resources, restoration and management goals and objectives are focused on the relationship between the natural resource system and the park system. The following implementation strategies will help reinforce the relationship between the systems and future planning efforts. . Develop a review process for the Parks Commission for any property located within the natural area greenway corridors identified in the natural resource chapter. . Inventory and analyze the existing active and passive park system to identify opportunities for restoration, storm water management or other environmental benefits to the overall system. Park Land Management, Acquisition and Development The park land management, acquisition and development goals and objectives focus on the management or improvement of the existing system as well as the need for future active and passive parks. The following implementation strategies support the goals and objectives. . Perform a full analysis and inventory of the existing parks system to better assess future park needs with respect to acquisition, redevelopment or improvements. . Perform a full feasibility analysis for developing areas in the community, specifically in south Maplewood where development has not yet occurred. Accurate determination of size and type of park land in this area should be assessed when unit type and number of residents are identified for this area. Trail Corridors/Right-of-Way Acquisition and Development The trail goals and objectives relate to a much more diverse and comprehensive trail system. The following implementation strategies support the identified goals and objectives. . Create a review process that supports the Parks Commission review of all road improvement projects to identify potential trail connections and opportunities to complete the system. . Prioritize all trail corridors and focus planning efforts and studies on key corridors. . Identify key areas where opportunities exist to add lining for bike and non-motorized traffic on roadways to complete the system in a most efficient and cost-effective way. 6-38 Recreation and Education Programs The recreation and education program goals are focused on maintaining the existing programs and supporting the diversification and availability of programming in the City. The following implementation steps support the identified goals and objectives. . Discuss and inventory the programming offered through the City to determine areas for improvement within the City. . Work with program and education directors to identify areas for improvement within the system and create a pian to improve programming availability and diversity within the City. . Encourage and provide education to support best practices and stewardship along park and open space (neighborhood preserves) borders. , Funding The funding goals and objectives identify ways to support the system financially. The following implementation strategies are identified for support. . Perform a detailed inventory to prioritize projects that will require immediate funding. . Monitor the parks, trails and open space plan on a yearly basis to identify upcoming financial gap areas, and to determine additional prioritization and planning needs. . Identify grant money available to support the development of the trail system. The trail budget is significantly higher than the allocated CIP money, and identification of potential grant money will help fund the gap. 6-39 Chapter 4 - Housing Introduction As a mature community, Maplewood has many challenges and opportunities to maintain and provide housing choice and life-cycle housing for its residents. Maplewood considers its housing stock to be a critical building block of its neighborhoods and community development efforts. The livability and appearance of neighborhoods and the housing within them, is a quality of life indicator for the City. As a sustainable community, Maplewood will provide housing opportunities for its workforce, young professionals, families, special needs and senior residents as well as its business and corporate owners. Diverse housing supports economic development by keeping existing residents, attracting new people from all social and economic classes and is essential for sustaining an ever changing and developing population. Businesses need employees and employees need housing. The City has been a leader at providing for workforce and affordable housing and will continue to provide opportunities for additional housing for all segments of the population. Housing is the most significant form of development in Maplewood. More than 90 percent of Maplewood's 2030 land use plan is devoted to residential land uses. The housing supply determines who lives in Maplewood. The character of neighborhoods plays an important role in shaping the character and identity of the City. The purpose of the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan is to identify housing needs and to provide a foundation for local decision-making to guide residential development and redevelopment efforts in Maplewood. State Law requires that the Comprehensive Plan contain a housing element that includes "standards, plans and programs for providing adequate housing opportunities to meet existing and projected local and regional housing needs, including but not limited to the use of official controls and land use planning to promote the availability of land for the development of low and moderate income housing" (Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.859, Subd. 2c). The Comprehensive Plan must also include a housing implementation program that describes "official controls to implement the housing element of the land use plan, which will provide sufficient existing and new housing to meet the local unit's share of the metropolitan area need for low and moderate income housing" (Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.859, Subd. 4). The Housing Chapter focuses on Maplewood's housing goals and objectives, not on the background information that shapes these plans. Information on housing in Maplewood can be found in several places. The Community Profile chapter (Chapter 2) includes a summary of key community characteristics and recent growth trends. Purpose The intent of the Housing Chapter is: . Describe the current housing stock. . Quantify the number of housing units by type. . Describe the services and amenities that affect the quality and desirability of neighborhoods. . Set goals for affordable housing and a mix of housing types to meet the life-cycle housing needs of Maplewood residents. . Identify strategies for achieving those goals. Housing 4-1 Goals and Objectives The City of Maplewood has developed housing goals and objectives. The goals and objectives are the foundation of this plan. The City's housing plan is based on these goals and objectives. Further discussion in the chapter will address how certain future decisions will achieve these goals and objectives. The goals and objectives are listed below. Goal 1 : Develop and maintain the quality of housing in residential neighborhoods to meet the needs of current and future residents. Objectives: 1. Have a variety of housing types for ownership and rental for people in all stages of the life-cycle. 2. Have a balanced housing supply, with housing availability for people at all income levels. 3. Accommodate all racial and ethnic groups in the purchase, sale, rental and location of housing in the City. 4. Promote housing development that respects the natural environment of the City while striving to meet the need for a variety of housing types and costs. 5. Develop sustainable housing that is energy efficient, utilizes green building techniques, and targeted funding programs for housing rehabilitation. 6. Have single-family detached houses with an average density of at least 3 units per acre and multifamily housing with an average density of at least 10 units per acre. 7. Promote the availability of a full-range of services and facilities for its residents, and the improvement of access to and linkage between housing and employment. Goal 2: Promote efforts to upgrade, enhance and maintain existing housing stock. Objectives: 1. Promote organization of neighborhood groups to organize residents, identify and address issues and advocate for neighborhood preservation, enhancement and assistance. 2. Partner with agencies and community groups to institute quality of life improvements at distressed housing sites and encourage reinvestment in older properties to maintain their appearance, functionality and value. 3. Update ordinances to maintain housing functionaiity, livability and to address new technologies, market trends and resident needs. Housing 4-2 Goal 3: Accomplish adopted Livable Communities Goals for affordable housing. Objectives: 1. Maintain strong partnerships with the Metropolitan Council and other agencieslprograms to provide affordable housing, support programs and services, and for assistance with the available financing programs. 2. Encourage future affordable housing units (funded by other agencies) as part of mixed-use projects and/or as a component of new owner-occupied multipie-family. Goal 4: Achieve city-wide housing goal of 75 percent owner-occupied units and 25 percent rental units. Objectives: 1. Work with lenders and social service agencies to provide financial literacy and special programs to encourage and increase homeownership. 2. Concentrate housing redevelopment efforts toward providing life-cycle in Maplewood. Existing Housing Stock The overall condition of the City's housing units is good, although there are small, isolated areas that have homes with the potential to deteriorate. To prevent this, the City adopted a housing maintenance code that enables officials to require owners to maintain and make basic repairs to their structures. The City also has a "Truth-in-Housing" ordinance that is intended to help potential buyers make a more-informed buying decision. Construction during the 20005 A total of 913 housing units were built between 1998 and 2007 in Maplewood. As of April 2006, there were 14,643 housing units in Maplewood. Table 4.1 shows that single-family detached units represent about 61 percent of the City's housing units. ousma I m s ov Ivpe, Number of Units Percent Sinqle-Familv 8,589 61.3% Muiti-Familv 4,633 33.1% Manufactured Housinq 783 5.6% Total 14,005 100.0% H Table 4.1 U 't b T 2000 Source: US Census Multi-family housing consists of 31.1 percent of the City's housing stock and manufactured housing consists of 5.6 percent Housing 4-3 Housing Types and Trends Table 4.2 data reveals that nearly 58 percent of the City's housing stock has been built since 1970. Table 4.2 AQe of HousinQ Stock, 2000 Number of Units Percent Built 1999 to March 2000 381 2.7% Built 1995 to 1998 1,000 7.1% Built 1990 to 1994 1,410 10.1% Built 1980 to 1989 2,565 18.3% Built 1970 to 1979 2,741 19.6% Built 1960 to 1969 1,642 11.7% Built 1950 to 1959 2,690 19.2% Built 1940 to 1949 707 5.0% Built 1939 or earlier 869 6.2% Total: 14,005 100.0% Source: US Census Maplewood has traditionally had a higher than average percentage of owner-occupied housing units. The ratio of owner-occupied to rental housing rose slightly over the last decade. According to Table 4.3, more than three-fourths of the housing stock are owner occupied and one-quarter are rental units. Table 4.3 Owner and Renter Occu~ ied Units 1990 2000 Percent Percent Owner occuoied 69% 76% Renter occupied 31% 24% Source: US Census There is a diversity of styles and price ranges in the homes in Maplewood. Older homes on smaller lots provide opportunities for first-time buyers in the Western Hills, Parks ide and Gladstone neighborhoods. Opportunities for low- and moderate- income households are available in manufactured home parks and in a variety of types and locations of multiple dwellings. The move-up housing market is strong with these choices available throughout the City. Buyers can find more expensive housing in the Hillside, Vista Hills, Highwood and Kohlman Lake neighborhoods. Housing 4-4 According to Table 4.3, the median value of a home is roughly $14,000 lower than the rest of the Twin Cities. Table 4.3 Median Home Value, 2000 Median value Maplewood $ 125,900 Twin Cities $ 139,200 Source: US Census Table 4.4 shows that median rent is slightly higher in Maplewood than the rest of the Twin Cities. Table 4.4 Median Rent, 2000 Median Rent MaDlewood $ 688 Twin Cities $ 641 Source: US Census Housing Assistance Maplewood participates in several programs that assist households in the City. The Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority manage the Rehabilitation Loan Program, the Section 8 and Section 236 Rental Assistance Programs. In addition to the individual system of vouchers, there are four complexes providing subsidized housing for families and the elderly: Maple Ponds, 1816 and 1854 Beebe Road; Maplewood Gardens, 410 South McKnight Road; Maple Knolls, 1880 Mesabi Road; and Concordia Arms, 2030 LydiaAvenue. Maplewood participates in severai loan programs funded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and managed by local lenders. These include the Great Minnesota Fix-Up Fund, the Home Energy Loan Program, the MHFA Single-Family Mortgage Loan Program, the Home Ownership Assistance Fund, the Purchase Plus Program and the Urban Indian Housing Program. Development Ordinances The Maplewood Zoning Ordinance includes seven districts which permit single-family detached housing. The minimum lot areas range from 7,500 to 40,000 square feet. The R-2 district also allows two-family dwellings, and the R-3 district permits multi-family developments ranging upwards from four units per acre. The City has also adopted many ordinances that affect development and housing. These include a Shoreland Overlay District to protect shoreland areas, an Environmental Protection Ordinance to protect areas of significant natural features (including wetlands and large trees), a Pipeline Setback Ordinance to protect buildings from pipeline leaks, and a Housing Maintenance Code. The City also has a "truth-in-housing" ordinance. Maplewood intends this ordinance to help purchasers make an informed buying decision. The ordinance also may promote privately negotiated housing repairs at the time of sale. The City requires sellers to have a housing disclosure report that discloses information about the condition of the property, and highlight any potential repair needs or housing code deficiencies. Housing 4-5 Housing Needs and Trends The demographic information contained in this chapter and Chapter 2 of the Comprehensive Plan suggests that major changes in the composition of the populations will affect the City of Maplewood over the next 20 years. The large group of baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1965, sharply boosted housing production during the 1970s and 1980s as they formed new households. A generation has followed the baby boomers that are smaller in numbers. As these two groups move through their life-cycles, they will change the housing market Some changes include: . There may be less demand for rental housing as the typical renter age group moves into owner- occupied structures. However, the elderly may be looking to move from owner-occupied units to rental units - offsetting the decline. . Household composition has shifted. The US Census Bureau estimates that, between 1985 and 2000, 69 percent of the growth in new households will be in nontraditional households. Almost 14 percent will be in female, single-parent families whose median income is less than half the regional median. Of these, more than 30 percent will be living in poverty. This may not only affect the housing market, but may also place a greater strain in the public to provide more affordable housing options. . There may be less subsidized housing. The changing household structure is occurring when the future of much of the region's subsidized housing is unclear. During the 1990s, more than 5,000 contracts for subsidized housing units between the federal government and investment housing owners expired. The federal government did not replace many of these contracts. . Rehabilitation needs may increase. As the housing stock continues to age, residential properties will need more repairs and maintenance. . The need for elderly housing is increasing and may increase sharply as the baby boomers age. Livable Communities Act On November 13, 1995 the Maplewood City Council adopted a resolution to participate in the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act This act requires the participating communities to adopt housing agreements and to set an action plan for housing activities. A major focus of the Livable Communities Act is to promote the development and preservation of affordabie and life- cycle housing throughout the metropolitan area. The Metropolitan Council has set the goal of an additional 333 affordable units in Maplewood by 2030. Housing Affordability Housing costs continue to rise throughout the region for a variety of reasons. These include increasing land and construction costs, utilities and taxes, declines in government aid programs and, indirectly, land use regulations. These cost increases greatly affect low- and moderate-incomes households. Changes in mortgage interest rates also affect the afford ability of housing. Housing 4-6 Financing The City, through its Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), will explore all avenues for financing affordable housing, including: . Use of tax-exempt and tax-increment financing . Programs; including grants, loans and federal tax credits, for housing assistance, development and rehabilitation. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has the following programs: o Minnesota Mortgage Program o Homeownership Assistance Fund o Purchase Plus Program o Partnership for Affordable Housing o Entry Cost Homeownership Program (ECHO) o Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program o New Construction Tax Credit MortgagelBuilders Loans o Low and Moderate Income Rental Program o Deferred Loan Program o Revolving Loan Program o Great Minnesota Fix-Up Fund o Mortgage Eevenue Bonds o Mortgage Credit Certificates . Programs available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These programs include: o Section 8 Rental Vouchers and Certificates o Home Investment Partnership Program o Section 202 - Elderly o Section 811 - Handicapped . Programs and funds available through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority and through the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities Act. . Community Development Block Grants and other programs through Ramsey County. Maplewood already participates in several of the above-listed programs, with other government agencies and with developers. Rental Assistance The City, through the HRA, will continue to participate in rental assistance programs, including those available through the Metropolitan HRA and the federal government. Housing 4-7 Energy Efficiency The City will promote energy efficient improvements in all types of housing units to help keep them affordable. Maplewood will provide information and, when available, financial help for both owner-occupied and rental units. Housing Diversity Most of Maplewood's housing is single-family homes. The Metropolitan Council has a goal calling for each community to provide housing types other than single-family homes. The City will continue to work toward this goai through its land use plan and zoning ordnances. The City will make efforts to provide for the housing and service needs of the elderly and disabled. The City will also encourage development of housing and services which meet the needs of nontraditional households. Neighborhood Quality It is important to assure that the efforts to provide life-cycle housing are accomplished so that it is compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods and with respect to the environment. It is also important to prevent housing in older neighborhoods from deteriorating. Much of this housing was built before Maplewood became a village, when building codes were not in place. There are deteriorating housing units scattered throughout the City. In the future, these units may become less attractive to home buyers, thereby depreciating housing vales. To address these concerns, the City adopts the following policies: 1. Plan and design new housing to: a. Protect existing housing, natural features, and neighborhood identity and quality. b. Assure there are adequate utilities, community facilities and convenient shopping. 2. Maintain or strengthen the character or neighborhoods and assure that all housing units are safe, sanitary, secure, and free from blight. The City also adopts the following neighborhood quality policies: 1. The City will work to protect the integrity and long-term viability of residential neighborhoods and reduce potential negative effects of commercial or industrial land uses through zoning, site plan review and code enforcement. 2. Maplewood will require and enforce high design and maintenance standards for multi-family residential development. Design standards will include provisions about building massing, architectural design, off- street parking ratios and location, access, traffic impacts, landscaping, fencing or screening, and trash handling. 3. The City will allow affordabie housing in any location suitable for residential uses. 4. The City will assure that new development respects the natural environment to the maximum practical extent. Housing 4-8 5. Maplewood will continue to use its Shoreland, Floodplain and Environmental Protection Ordinances to assure protection of lakes, streams, ponds, wetlands, steep slopes and woodlots. 6. The City will continue to encourage the maintenance of its housing through its housing maintenance codes. The City's truth-in-housing program also should encourage housing maintenance. 7. The City, through its HRA, will participate in programs to help property owners with home maintenance and improvements through loans and, if available, grants. Housing Action Plan The next two pages lists activities that the City should undertake to carry out the Housing Plan. Housing 4-9 TABLE 13 HOUSING ACTION PLAN AcUon Resoonsibilitv Timina Fundina Coordinate with Explore all options for HRA, Dir of CD Ongoing CDBG, TIF, land Use Plan, financing affordable EFB, MHFA, Metro HRA housing lCA, other local, state and federal programs Continue to provide rent HRA, Dir of CD, Ongoing Section 8 Metro HRA assistance to needy CC Program, other households state and federal programs Provide information and HRA, Dir of CD Ongoing State and federal Metro HRA assistance to encourage programs energy efficiency improvements Provide dispersed PC,CC Ongoing None land- Use Plan locations for variety of housing - types, styles, prices ( Review and update PC,CC,HRA Ongoing None Land Use Plan Codes that affect Dir of CD housing Provide for the housing HRA, PC, CC Ongoing Staie and federal Metro HRA, and service needs of the programs Land Use Plan elderly and disabled Provide housing and HRA, CC Ongoing State and federal Metro HRA services to meet the programs needs of non-traditional households Protect integrity of, PC, Dir of CD, HRA Ongoing None Land Use Plan and prevent deterioration in, existing neighborhoods Encourage high design PC, CC, Dir of CD, Ongoing None land Use Plan and maintenance CDRB standards for multi- family housing , '4..Q TABLE 13 HOUSING ACTION PLAN (Continued) Action ResDonsibilitv Timina Fundina Coordinate with Assure that new PC,CC, Ongoing None Land Use Plan, development is compatible Dir of CD RW, SC, DNR, CE with, and sensitive to, the environment , Continue to review and HRA, Dir of CD Ongoing GF enforce housing maintenance code Participate in rehabilitation HRA, DirofCD Ongoing CDBG, State of Metro HRA, and grant programs Minnesota Ramsey County Develop programs to HRA, CC Ongoing GF MHFA,MeIroHRA help first-time home buyers ABBREVIATIONS: HRA = Maplewood Housing and Redevelopment Authority PC = Planning Commission CC = City Council Dir of CD = Director of Community Development CDBG = Community Development Block Grant Funds (federal) TIF = Tax increment financing EBF = Essential bond financing GF = General fund LCA = Livable Communities Act MHFA = Minnesota Housing Finance Agency METRO HRA = Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority RW = Ramsey Washington Watershed District SC = Soil Conservation District . DNR = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources CE = Army Corps of Engineers . CDRB = Community Design Review Board . ~"I' MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: City Manager Tom Ekstrand, Senior Planner Planning Commission Meeting Possible Rescheduling July 22, 2008 At the July 15 meeting, staff said we'd continue discussing the possible rescheduling of the August 5, 2008 meeting due to National Night Out falling on that date. Options 1. Keep on schedule for August 5. If we have a quorum, we can hold a meeting. This depends on whether any planning commissioners would like to have the night off to participate in any National Night Out activities in their own neighborhoods. 2. Reschedule to 7 pm on Wednesday, August 6 or Thursday August 7. There are no scheduling conflicts with either of these days so both are available. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends holding to our regular schedule and meeting on August 5th we cannot get a quorum of the planning commission (five members). If we must look for an alternative date, staff recommends We9nesday, August 6th. p:com_dvptlplanning commissionlpc mtg reschedule 8 5 08 te