Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/12/1995 - Public Hearing @ 6:02

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in City parks, therefore, they are very limited as to where they can ride. Cheryle Warnberg indicated that there have been several complaints from property owners because of the horses riding on private property along side the road. Pat Hicks feels that Nowthen Boulevard is not as bad as Ramsey Boulevard as far as riding horses is concerned. Terry Hendriksen expressed a desire to see something done on Variolite Street north of Trap Rock Commons where one side of the road is fenced and heavy traffic on the other side. He also indicated that north of his house on Ramsey Boulevard the road crosses County Ditch #3 where there is no place for horses to cross the wet area without going up on the road. He asked for consideration from the Commission for horse people when laying out "viewer trails". Ben Deemer had a copy of the City's 1991 Comprehensive Park Plan and said that County Roads 5, 57, 83 and 56 all had 100 foot easements where snowmobiles and horses could use the ditch. He also felt strongly that the park plan should not be included in the package going to the Met Council. Chairperson Hetland said that it is very expensive to develop a road right-of-way. Tom Kurak questioned the proposed park on the Schenk farm indicating the agreement with the City had dedicated road easement in lieu of park dedication. He questioned whether the property on the west side of Sunfish would be condemned. Chairperson Hetland responded that it is unlikely anything will be done without the blessing of property owners. Mr. Kurak stated that he had asked City Administrator Ryan Schroeder for help developing his property and was told the tax increment financing would not be available for him. Mr. Kurak read in the paper just this week that tax increment help was given to Good Value Homes and recently to Anoka Electric Cooperative. He also reiterated his concern with lower property values due to trails. Commissioner Cook stated that trails increase property value when properly planned. Mr. Kurak stated that he didn't want thc City to overdo thc tax base indicating that at the current time, the City only has one patrol officer on duty after midnight Chairperson Hetland feels that property owners should get involved with the wails adjacent to their property by policing the Wails themselves. Marlin Parry that snowmobile trails on private property are by property owner permission only. Mary Larson reiterated that homeowners directly affected by a trail abutting their property should be individually notified. She again questioned "What are you going to do to protect homeowners from liability?" She has serious concerns that homeowners be notified where these trails will affect them. Mr. Boos said there are no monies currently allocated in the 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that would affect the proposed trail that would abut Ms. I. arson's property. Commissioner Henn said that homeowners in Northfork were notified and encouraged to participate in the planning of the Lake Itasca Trail. Park and Recreation Commission/January 12, 1995 Page 4 of 7