Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/10/2009

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COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #1: Update on Ramsey Town Center Vision Refinement Process Deputy City Administrator Nelson was present to update the Commission on the Ramsey Town Center plan and vision and is seeking input from the Commissioners in terms of the land proposed for park development. She introduced Mr. Darren Lazan from Landform as the firm the City is working with on the Ramsey Town Center land use plan and vision. Mr. Lazan was available to walk through a presentation of what they discovered through a series of meetings and public open house meetings. The three phases his firm focused on were: Feedback, Vision and Mission. Chairperson Johns said her eye is drawn to the lake feature of the presentation and wanted to know more about it. Mr. Lazan's response was the lake is 7.5 to 8 acres with restaurants, trails around lake, and to the far east side will be some sort of intereface with the water. Park Supervisor Riverblood asked from the lake west if it was a green trail way, Mr. Lazan responded it is a boulevard connecting to Armstrong. Chairperson Johns asked if a Community Center was considered because that will certainly affect their decision on how the water is used in that area. Commissioner Backous questions putting another skatepark within a few miles of the new skatepark at Alpine Park and the feedback he has been receiving is for an indoor facility for multi-use. Commissioner Shryock asked about the movie theater and parking in that area and would like to see consolidation parking and doesn't want to create a lot of parking in random areas and focus on that specifically. From the center development from City Hall northward to look at a parkway or greater building setback through that whole corridor to create a more friendly walking corridor. She would like to see a better corridor linking from the river and rail up through Town Center through the park system. Commissioner Shryock asked about the roadway on the west comer side becoming the primary entrance into the area and how does Landform see that happening with the road by Sunwood Drive and Coboms. Landform responded that needs to be the link south to north and interconnecting the east west trails and park, lakes and up into the homes. Commissioner Shryock also feels it is important to keep it bicycle friendly. Deputy City Administrator Nelson invited the Commission to comment on the forms she handed out, which were also included in the Commissioners agenda packets. Some of the high notes Deputy City Administrator Nelson wanted to highlight on were Acapulco Restaurant on the west side end retail center and Allina Medical and their commitment of a new clinic in town and the possibility of a VA Clinic. Chairpersons Johnsopened the meeting up for public comment. Park and Recreation Commission/September 10,2009 Page 2 of 4