07-12-2000 PC MIN - SPECIAL-JOINT
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JOINT MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
. AND PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL - TRAINING ROOM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2000
Park and Recreation Commissioners Present: Chair Kuester, Commissioners Dave
Anderson, Dana Anderson, Huberty, Peterson, Sladek and Westrum.
Planning Commissioners Present: Chair Mesich, Commissioners Baker, Kuester.
Schuster and Chambers
Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Debbie Huebner,
Recording Secretary
1. Call Meetina To Order
The joint meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission and Planning
Commission was called to order by Chair Kuester.
2.
Neiahborhood Parks
Commissioner Louise Kuester questioned how accurate the existing Master Park
Plan is, regarding park locations, and also, what the priorities are for determining
where area-wide parks are placed. She expressed concern for the lack of
neighborhood parks east of Highway 169 and asked if it was the intent of the Park
and Recreation Commission to provide a future regional park to serve residents in
this area. Commissioner Kuester stated she felt more neighborhood parks are
needed.
Chair John Kuester explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is in the
process of updating the Master Park Plan to determine if the location and the
number of area-wide parks and neighborhood parks are appropriate. He did not
feel it was a question of "large" versus "small", but rather, what the need is in a
particular area.
Commissioner Baker also felt there is a need for neighborhood parks.
Michele McPherson explained how parks are sized. She noted that visibility and
access are important when dealing with smaller neighborhood parks.
Commissioner Baker felt it was important for neighborhood parks to be close
enough so that children can get to them on their own. He felt that Deerfield 4th
Park should have been larger.
Chair John Kuester stated that the city has park land available but no money to
develop. He explained that as each plat comes in, the Park and Recreation
Commission must determine how it fits in with the overall Park Master Plan.
Joint Pari< & Recreation/Planning Commission Meeting
July 12,2000
Page 2
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Ms. McPherson felt that the Park and Recreation Commission is moving more
toward a proactive stance, rather than a reactive one in working with
developers.
Chair Mesich felt that the City has been very liberal with builders and that it needs
to be more demanding. He felt the City should have gotten more land with the
Trout Brook Farms development and was concerned that there will be no parking
available for park users.
Commi~sioner Dave Anderson expressed his appreciation to the Planning
Commissioner for their support. He stated that often at the Council level the park
dedication recommendations are cut considerably. He felt it was important for
the Park and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission to work
cooperatively to get their message to the City Council.
Commissioner Huberty felt that it is important that the developer knows early in
the process of what the Commission wants.
Commissioner Dana Anderson stated that the Park and Recreation Commission is
looking for quality land which is more suitable for recreation, as compared to
some of the low, wet park land which was dedicated in the past. He explained
that the Commission has set criteria for park land which includes accessibility and
visibility from a city street, rather than tucked back behind someone's backyard,
availability of parking, and connection to city trails and other parks. Ms.
McPherson stated that the Park and Recreation Commission is in the processing
reviewing the topography of "future parks" designated on the Master Park Plan.
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Commissioner John Kuester stated that the Commission feels the City now has
some valuable natural park areas, but now needs to move toward acquiring
more open and level property, suitable for recreational use, in order to have a
balance of park land.
Commission Reitsma asked how the Planning Commission felt about the proposal
partnership with the School District for park land in conjunction with a new
elementary school on County Road 12. Chair Mesich stated that he felt it seems
like a natural partnership, but that the city must be comfortable that they are
getting something for their money.
3. Tree Preservation
Commissioner Reitsma stated that he felt there is a need to establish guidelines or
standards for tree preservation.
Ms. McPherson explained that the City currently does not have any standards in
place. She stated that the Planning Department is trying to deal with tree
preservation as a condition of new plats, but does not have the staff to do the
inspections.
Chair Mesich stated that he felt the city would need a forester on staff if a tree
preservation ordinance were adopted.
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Joint Pari< & Recreation/Planning Commission Meeting
July 12, 2000
Page 3
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Commissioner Huberty stated that she was told by a developer that tree
requirements are not checked by the City. Ms. McPherson stated that the City
requires a performance bond to insure that conditions are met, including trees
and other landscaping. Staff is following up on ensuring plat conditions are met.
Commissioner Reitsma asked who would initiate a tree preservation ordinance.
Ms. McPherson stated that staff will initiate the ordinance for review by the
Planning Commission. She noted that the Planning Commission has a number of
issues they will be dealing with including the Comprehensive Plan and the cluster
ordinan.ce.
Commissioner Dave Anderson suggested that a steering committee be formed
for reviewing the tree preservation ordinance. He felt the County Forester. Tim
Edgeton. should be included in the committee as well as representation from the
Planning Commission. Park & Recreation Commission. City Council. and the
development and property owner community.
Commissioner Louise Kuester noted that the Planning Commission previously sent
a tree preservation ordinance to the City Council for approval and it was thrown
out.
Chair Mesich felt the issue is very complex. He stated he has concerns regarding
regulation of tree cutting by individual property owners. such as cutting trees to
build a pole barn on a single lot.
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Commissioner Schuster stated that he felt each development site is different, and
that trees cannot be saved everywhere. He felt that in some cases. such as for
commercial development, it may be more appropriate to replace trees by
planting them in another area of the city.
Ms. McPherson stated that there are no standards or replacement program in
place. Currently, the only control the City has is through the platting process.
COMMISSIONER BAKER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE FOR A TREE PRESERVATION PLAN. IT IS FURTHER
RECOMMENDED THAT THE TASK FORCE INCLUDE THE COUNTY FORESTER AND
REPRESENTATION FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION. PARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION. CITY COUNCIL, AND DEVELOPER AND INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER
COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONER REITSMA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 13-0.
4. Adiournment
There being no further business. Chair Kuester adjourned the meeting.
, The joint meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission and Planning
Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~ Debbie Huebner
. Recording Secretary