4.0. SR 07-21-1997Uny of
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING
AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: JULY 21, 1997
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO THE MASTER PARK
PLAN/P.H.
BACKGROUND:
The original Park and Recreation Plan was adopted as an addendum to the
City of Elk River's Growth Management Plan in 1990.
The current process of updating the Master Park and Recreation Plan began
in the fall of 1993.
The Elk River Planning Commission reviewed the update of the Master Park
and Recreation Plan on February 15, 1996 (minutes attached).
The Update to the Master Park and Recreation Plan was tabled by the Elk
River City Council in March of 1996.
A citizen survey, which included questions pertaining to parks, was
conducted by Decision Resources Ltd. in April and May of 1997.
REVIEW:
The Council received the Park and Recreation Commission's recommended
update to the Master Park and Recreation Plan in last week's packet. That
recommended plan reflects a great deal of research that will, hopefully, make
it a more useable document than the original plan.
The major components of the plan include:
Neighborhood Parks - These parks are planned to be strategically positioned
in the city's planned urban service area. Spacing of these parks is a function
population, travel distance to the parks and physical barriers. Most
additional neighborhood parks will be acquired through park dedications
when property develops. However, it may be desirable to purchase
neighborhood parks in intensely populated areas where development
proposals are unlikely in the near future, i.e. east of Highway 169.
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130§$ Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Trails - The trail system in the plan is a series of collectors meant to move
non-motorists around the city. Trails and pathways are not planned in each
individual neighborhood because it was felt it would be cost prohibited to
maintain such a system. The trail system also takes advantage of widened
shoulders in the rural areas for the same reason. The trails on the plan are
shown along the roadways and should only be located off the roads where
there is enough space to not be an intrusion on residences.
Athletic Complexes - Simply put, the projected need for athletic complexes,
youth and adult, was calculated by multiplying the current demand for the
activity by the projected population. Athletic activities wax and wane in
popularity so these calculations should be revisited periodically.
Linear Parks - The single most important opportunity for a new linear park
is along the Mississippi River.
Other Parks - Possible unique settings and proper spacing for historic parks,
conservancy parks, area wide parks, and community parks have been
identified on the Comprehensive Park Plan. However, future acquisition of
land for these types of parks is most likely to be a matter of taking advantage
of opportunities as they arise (when the land is available).
The recommendations for each of these components is based on a population
in Elk River of 45,000 people when fully developed and where that population
will be located, according to the City's Comprehensive Plan. The
recommendations contained in the update were also compared with the
survey conducted. The plan is a good representation of the citizen responses
in that survey.
Adjustments were made to the update since the Planning Commission
reviewed it. There were really no major departures from what the Planning
Commission reviewed, but several components of the plan have been
accomplished and had to be changed from proposed to existing.
For years the major park emphasis in Elk River has been acquisition of land
while it was still available. While acquisition is still vital, especially for
components of the plan such as neighborhood parks and trails, in the future
the focus should move towards development of parks.
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RECOMMENDATION:
The update of the Master Park and Recreation Plan is a well thought through
document that is the result of much research and hard work by the Elk River
Park and Recreation Commission. This plan also reflects the desires of the
citizens of Elk River, according to the resent survey. Staff and the Park
and Recreation Commission strongly urge adoption of this plan as
an addendum to the City of Elk River's Comprehensive Plan.
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Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes
February 15, 1996
Page 5
county jurisdiction, while others currently maintained by the County will go to
the City.
What can be done to mitiqate the split between the .clolf course and the city
park if a road floes throu.qh?
Terry explained that if a road is put through, there is no way to get around the
fact that it will split the two areas. Design techniques would be considered to
minimize the impacts such as a culvert under the road or a pedestrian bridge
over it to connect the two areas. Also, a "parkway" road design will be looked
at to soften the affects of the road.
When will Segment C likely be developed?
The construction of this roadway will be development driven. The eastern-most
section would likely not be built unless the property became available for sale.
Projected population of 40,000 in 20 years.
Terry explained he felt this figure was unrealistic and that it would take
significantly longer than 20 years for Elk River to ever reach this level of
development.
Chair Dillon expressed his feeling that the comment regarding Highway 10 was
MnDOT's problem was ill-served and that the City needs to be concerned about
this roadway, as it affects all its residents.
Commissioner Sullivan emphasized that the Transportation Plan is a "long range"
plan and that it is not the intent the proposed roadways will be built anytime in
the near future. She added that the Commissioners are sensitive to the
concerns of the citizens that may be affected by the roads.
COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN MOVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND
APPROVAL OF THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY, EMPHASIZING THAT THE CITY BE
SENSITIVE TO THE WOODLAND TRAILS PARK AREA AND ITS USERS, WHENEVER A
ROAD IS CONSTRUCTED TO LINK COUNTY ROAD 32 WITH HIGHWAY 169.
COMMISSIONER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Steve Rohlf introduced Dana Anderson, the newly appointed Chair of the Park
and Recreation Commission. Dana explained the goal of the Commission is to
maintain and enhance the natural characteristics of the City of Elk River and to
improve the quality of life for the residents and surrounding area.
Dana Anderson reviewed the 4 major components of the Master Park Plan as
follows:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Inventory of existing park areas
Proposed parks
Trail system
Community recreation fields
Minutes of Special Planning Commission Minutes
February 15, 1996
Page 6
Dana explained the greatest need at this time is for youth sports fields. He noted
that the Cass properh/recently acquired by the City is proposed to be used for
youth fields. Dana felt that the key is using the Master Park Plan as a working
plan. He stated that the plan needs fo be flexible and will need changing and
updating as development comes.
Chair Dillon opened the public hearing.
Kathy Specht, 16330 Highway 10, asked who owned the property in the circles
shown on the map of proposed park land/recreational fields. Steve Rohlf stated
that the circle only designates an area the Park and Recreation Commission
sees a need for a park or athletic fields and is not a specific site. Steve also
explained that the property would not be available unless it were developed or
bought by the City.
There being no further comments from the public, Chair Dillon closed the public
hearing.
Commissioner Kuester commented that she felt the Park Plan was very easy to
understand and user-friendly.
COMMISSIONER MINTON MOVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND
APPROVAL OF THE MASTER PARK PLAN AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING. COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
5-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Kleckner
Planning Secretary