Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/13/2005

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Brookfield subdivision will have direct access to the Trott Brook Trail and its recreational values and connections. The developer should be required to adequately protect the land adjacent to the brook that is not currently considered within the proposed easement. Trail Fees for 2005 are$550 per dwelling unit. A trail will be required that parallels Nowthen Blvd. It has been practice to evaluate the extension of trails along county roads beyond the plat's boundary in cases such as this. The construction costs outside of the plat are Trail Fee eligible. The developer should prepare this estimate so that this evaluation can occur prior to the preliminary plat stage, Sidewalks will be required on all non cul-de-sac streets, and those with any potential for becoming through streets in the future. The developer has identified a narrow,north/south trail corridor in the center of the plat connecting to Trott Brook. It is believed that this point generally corresponds with a logical crossing point of the brook as it relates to minimal wetland areas (in comparison to adjoining areas). Using the city's aerial topographic data and additional field inspection, the developer and the city should identify both probable trail routes west of Nowthen Boulevard, and any required crossings. The purpose is would be to ensure that adequate park land or easements are received as part of the platting—so that trails may occur in the best locations in the future. In addition, if a stream crossing is in the vicinity of Brookfield, and there is a willing landowner to the north, a bridge and connecting trail(s) can be a recreational amenity unto itself—until such time as the trail is extended further west. In this case,Trail Fees and Park Dedication cash could be directed to this purpose as a Stage 1 improvement. • Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood stated some work can be done to see if a trail would be more suitable on the north side of Trott Brook. The Council and Commission may want to pursue a wetland easement on the westerly side so residents can not mow or destroy that area. Commissioner Shryock stated she would be curious to hear what the Planning Commission and Council thought about the density they are planning to put in these areas. She stated the. comment she has received from residents is they would like to keep the lower density. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood explained that is why there are public hearings for these and these developments can not go forward with these densities without a MUSA expansion. Civil Engineer II Linton stated he was at the Planning Commission meeting and there were quite a few people there and a lot of discussion was in regards to the density. Chair Johns expressed that she liked that idea staff is working on a conservation easement. She stated this is an important corridor to them. She did not think they would be doing a park in this development but they would like to do more trails. Park and Recreation Commission/January 13,2005 Page 4 of 8