Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/13/2003

Home

Mr. Kangas stated there is an existing wetland in that area and it needs to be maintained. The idea is to preserve as much of the native land back there as possible. Mr. Kangas described the different open spaces around the development along the trail system. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated on the south edge of the plat, there are not many trees until you get to the center of the south edge where there is Siberian Elm. He stated along the south edge is a perfect opportunity to take the smaller red and white oaks and relocate them to the southern landscape so as to preserve them. He stated on the south end there are some pine and on the extreme east edge some nice spruce and there is not any need to remove these. He stated he did not see a problem with routing a trail along the southern boundary and then north to connect to 146th at the east edge and he does understand that several residents have objected to the trail along the corridor. He stated he is recommending the trail move from west to east along the entire south edge. Chairperson Johns stated she would like to see this happen because it would enhance the buffer. She stated she thought they lost a lot of ground on the trail because previously there was a loop along the entire parameter and the trail is important to them. Mr. Kangas showed a map of the area and described the different vegetation in the area. Commissioner Olds stated if they are to lose the trail on the east side, they should at least have a trail connection on the south side. Mr. Kangas stated the trail on the east was not a popular trail connection from the perspective of the neighbors. Commissioner Olds stated he understood that but from a connectivity issue, the way the trail is drawn, it is on the outside of the development and ends at Tungsten and then goes inside the development to private space, where the connection to the south would be on public space. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated as part of the Planned Unit Development, this calls for a certain percent of open space protection which would be owned by the homeowners association. Staff is not recommending any park dedication or land dedication as part of the plat however, the developer has said that a trail easement would be granted to the City. Commissioner LaMere stated it is important to think about these things in the future as the City evolves and trails are all the more needed. Commissioner Shryock stated she is pleased with the transition of the cottage area, it provides a more comfortable space for pedestrians to travel through. As far as the east/west trail, she would be in favor of this going through a green space. She stated, however they have a number o f options if this is not available. Mr. Kangas stated it is not an issue of connectivity because they can make the pedestrian connection, they have grading issues and the expense in putting the trail in the area. Park and Recreation Commission/February 13, 2003 Page 5 of 9