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5. SR 04-25-1995ITEM N0. 5 of River MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Steven B. Ach, City Planner DATE: April 25, 1995 SUBJECT: Revised Site Plan for Riverwoods Commercial Development Overview As a follow-up to last week's meeting the developers had with the City Council regarding a proposed cut in the median on Business Center Drive, the developers are exploring alternative site plan designs to accommodate their needs on a more permanent basis. Although a copy of the revised site plan is not available to include in the packet, a plan will be presented Tuesday. It is staff s understanding that the revised plan proposed by the • developers will eliminate the right in-right out on Business Center Drive and re-establish a new driveway further west beyond the proposed median on Business Center Drive. This new location would allow vehicles to both enter and exist the commercial site in both an east and west direction (full access). By adjusting this driveway, the convenience/gas station will essentially become afree-standing site at the corner of Joplin and Business Center Drive. Representatives from Fina indicated to staff that this design would satisfy their needs on a permanent basis and therefore, eliminating any request for temporary improvements or modifications to the proposed road improvement plans. Furthermore, by adjusting this driveway, the concern for U-turns occurring on Business Center Drive will no longer be a result of traffic movements from this commercial development. Recommendation Riverwoods Development is anxious to begin construction on this commercial center and will therefore be requesting the City Council's approval of the revised site plans without having to go back to the Planning Commission. The revised site plan will be made available for the City Council's review at Tuesday's meeting. Based on the discussions with the developer, staff • believes the revised plans will improve traffic circulation in and around the 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612) 441-7425 commercial center and eliminate the need for any agreement between the • City and developer for temporary improvements. • s:council:riverwod L is An a-naa \ \ \ ` N w~~ ~~ ~J , c-n.m ~.na *-......~ MPNPGE~l,ENS PREP \ \ ~; \ MANAMt GEMENT DER sm'` gjORN' WP ~ \ \ \ AREA ~n~ ~e ~ ,~ ~ ~ ~ --- \ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~_; ~ 011111 III 0 ~~ ~ ~,} ~ ~ ~, :=1 ~ ~ ~ _; ~ ~ ~ _, ,1 ~` _~ 1 \ i _i REiA1L ~ ~\ ~ raoo sr _~ o,~~~~ -~ RE7AIL 67ffi SF q~~ '-~ / poi :~ _-~ SfA' // 'J -_J_ ~ j / / ~ `~ :° .,_ ~t ,, __ a-,,:,. .. i ~~ ~~ / ~ .___. 5 ._.. ~ •~ ~--_ ..............._. i _- .-... --._-._. ~ / / -~ - ~ /~~ 'i -- - - - - - - - -- - ~ i POND ~. CENTER ,-. ~~"~!~ ~ ~ SHOPP G CENTER EXF SCALE: I"- 'APRIL 20,1995 JOHN OLIVER 8 A330CUTE$ INC.. 1 1 1 1` ~~ 1 ITEM 6 -LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED that the city of Elk River act as legal sponsor for the (Applicant) project contained in the Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program Application to be submitted on April 25, 1995 and that=the City.Administrator iS heazby (DaY. Month, Year) (Title of Authariud Official) authorized to apply to the Department of Natural Resources for funding of this project on behalf of the City of Elk River (Appliant) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the city of Elk River- has the legal (APd~q authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure adequate acquisition, maintenance and protection of the proposed project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Elk River has not incurred (Applimtt) any costs, and has not entered into any written agreements to purchase property proposed by this project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Eik River has not violated any (Applitant) Federal, State, or Local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt practice. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, the City of Elk River may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota (~+PPlieant) for the above-referenced project, and that the city of Elk River certifies that it will (Applicant) comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the contract agreement and described in the Compliances section of the Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program Application. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Ad,~iniatrator is heazby (Title of Authotittd Offirial) authorized to execute such agreements as aze necessary to implement the project on behalf of the applicant. I CERTIFY THAT the above resolution was adopted by the city council (City Council, Caunry Board, nc.) of the City of Elk River on April 25, 1995 (Applicanq (Date) SIGNED: (Signature) Patrirk n_ Klaar:y ('its Arlmini atrarnr (Tide) (Date) WITNE SED: (Signanue) Sandra A. Thackerav, City Clerk (7Ne) (Date) . ~ NATURAL AND SCENIC GRANT PROPOSAL ACC3UISITION OF DRY SUBTYPE OAK FOREST Goal: Acquire, from the J.L. Shiely Company, 30 acres of dry subtype oak forest identified as naturally significant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through the Minnesota County Biological Survey. The property is a unique landform and would be a valuable asset to the Elk River City Pazk System because of its location as well as its biological, geological and aesthetic qualities. PURPOSE: I. Preserve, as parkland, one of the last remaining large tracks of dry subtype oak forest in Sherburne county. II. Preserve, as parkland, the geological features of a moraine and one of the highest points in Elk River. III. Provide a site for anoff--road asphalt pedestrian trail corridor which would travel in a east-west direction through the city of Elk River. The trail would be utilized by citizens for wildlife watching, environmental education, biking, hiking, skiing and inline skating. IV. Provide an additional 2.5 km recreation trails for wildlife watching, environmental education, hiking and skiing. V. Provide a site for environmental education. VI. Provide residents of Elk River with community quiet space. RATIONALE FOR GRANT APPLICATION: I. The state of Minnesota will match the contributions of local governments! II. Majority of the citizens of Elk River are interested in the unique areas of biological, geological and historical significance. III. Majority of the citizens of Elk River would like a nice off- road trail system through parkland. IV. Majority of the citizens who live in Elk River like seeing wildlife. (Many of the citizens have moved to Elk River because of its rural nature.) COST OF SITE ACQUISITION: Total: $90,000 City of Elk River: $45,000 Grant Money: $45,000 ~~ ~ ~.. ~ ,9,951 ~'' ~/ ~ ~T v'Q'~ ~ '%~ ^~~1 ~` _'.--. i ~%~ it •( °o \ -,Brol' I ('~ \. ;~~- 'v -_ Elk River_ Sand Dunes 6a~C avanna ~ ~` ~~ - ~ ~ '~ -' _ ~~ ~- - ~~. ' St.\ Louis Park Sportsman Club -:;_~.,~~, ~~- __ ;U~ ` ~~~ . ~ I\ . C'D~v - ".i e. la ~ f• .~ i ~h ~ ~oe< ~. f C ..~ . _~-•'! ~- ~~ ~' :;' Woodland Trails . City ar , ~~~ _. ;• ",~---~-= ~ `~!~~~ I _ ~% J.L. ShielyJ Company,; ~ . iL•,~~~t1 ./~.z, ~'./ ~".: a~ 1 1 /~Q ~~ ~~rf s~'• ~/!O ,_.n F~f ~~ Y ~_.~I i! (~Y ,% 95 a .. - ~,95ti~ ~7/ ` .( V/ ~(~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~J ~ `1~r~ j ~ ~~ // 1 ~ ~ ~~ j~ '~~,~/^C I~ ; ~ a ,I' - Elk River ,.-~ ~ '' y l~ 1 '~ ~ 'j ; ~ ~ J ~ ~ i •LQ4untry Club "' 1 ~ ` ` ..'/1 ~, j J i 1>= ~ ,-~! ~~ ~r-mil Golf - Course'. ~ ' ~ >' /~_ ~ 5~~:'G, .. ~'`~~ I ~I ~~ ~ •~---- `-'~~ =`-~"r Dry Subtype Oak Forest Acquisition ~° -''^ `~--~ ~ (~' "'`~ `.~. , i~,~~, = T __ (Natu(r~4a)l alrtnl` d Scenic G~`rant~~sv~ Prog am ~_~ ._//r ^, "~:-.\-. 11;/, ~.~:1"~~~i^r~:c.-~=~ .: -~~~'\1~. / I`©^~~11`~It~~~~~` '.'i9~V ~^~_1~~"'~~ /~~~\~~'~geij-~\ ~ xivH:K rtutn TOPOGRAPHY N 89.4078' ~M ~l\Al ~J'~^~~ Al\L ~7\+i'il\1V Li1471\ 1~7 riCVlll[lilYlJ i r THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ELK RIVER PARK SYSTEM We only know the world that we experience. The youth only know the world they experience. Human experiences are molded by the environment in which they live. To conclude I would like to leave with the words of Henry David Thoreau, • "In wilderness is the preservation of the world." • Project Descri lion: Goal: Acquire, from the J.L. Shiely Company, 30 acres of dry subtype oak forest identified as naturally significant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through the Minnesota County Biological Survey. The property is a unique landform and would be a valuable asset to the Elk River City Park System because of its location as well as its biological, geological and aesthetic qualities. Development of the site would emphasize the following uses: Environmental Education Outdoor Recreation Through Two Trail Systems Major East-West Off Road Asphalt Trail Corridor (4 Season Usage) (Watching Wildlife, Hiking, Biking, Running, Skiing, Iniine Skating) Grass Trail System (4 Season Usage) (Watching Wildlife, Hiking, Running, Skiing) Community Quiet Space Location Dualities: West Side Adjacent to approximately 210 acres of parkland called the Woodland Trails City Park. (Woodland Trails City Park is within an eighth of a mile of the Elk River Sand Dunes presently owned by the St. Anthony Sportsman Club. The Elk River Sand Dunes is a naturally significant Oak Savanna which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been interested in acquiring as a Scientific and Natural Area.) Adjacent to 100 acre golf course called the Elk River Country Club Golf Course. • South Side Adjacent to a developed housing area of 66 lots. North Slde Adjacent to approximately 300 Acres of Gravel Mine which will open in 1995. East Slde Adjacent to a 50 Acre undeveloped parcel of property. Biological ~ualltles: The entire acquisition site consists of a dry subtype oak forest. Most of this oak forest type, in Sherburne county, has been eliminated through various land development activities. If this site acquisition process is successful, the largest continuous expanse of remaining dry subtype oak forest in Sherburne County will be preserved. Geological Qualities: The acquisition site has geological significance because it is part of an end moraine. The site has many ridges and valleys of geological significance. Preservation of the geological qualities of the region are very significant because most of the remaining portions of the moraine are presently being mined or will be mined in the very near future. Aesthetic Qualities: The acquisition site consists of rolling wooded hills at elevations ranging from 1000 to 1102 feet, one of the highest points in Sherburne county. If the site is acquired and added to the Woodland Trails Park system the total relief would exceed 170 feet. Community Dynamics: Elk River is located in the quickest growing region in the state of Minnesota. The present population of Elk River is 13,000 with an estimated maximum population of 40,000. . Development in Elk River is quickly changing the landscape of our community. Proiect Site Evaluation I. Description of the Environment and the Environmental Impact of the Proposed Project. A. Present Land Use: Acquisition Site The property is presently an oak forest which is used by hunters, hikers and some unwelcome ATV traffic. North Side of Acquisition Site Oak/aspen forest which will eventually be removed and will become a gravel pit. However there will be a small woodland buffer between the mine site and the acquisition site. South Side of Acquisition Site Housing development which is approximately 15 years of age. The development has an average lot size slightly less than 2 acres and consist of 66 lots. East Edge of Acquisition Site Fifty acres of undeveloped property consisting of an abandoned farm field and about 10 acres of oak forest. West Side of Acquisition Site Woodland Trails City Park approximately 210 acres in size consisting of oak/aspen forest, numerous wetlands and a reestablished native grassland. On the west side of this park is the Elk River Sand Dunes consisting of 300 acres of high quality oak savanna. On the south side of the • park is the Elk River Golf Course. B. Proposed Land Use: The acquisition site will be utilized for: Environmental Education Major East-West Off-Road Pedestrian Asphalt Trail Corridor (4 Season Usage) Hiking, Biking, Running, Skiing, Inline Skating, Orienteering (All biking activities will be restricted to blacktop trails.) Community Quiet Space Access to the Acquisition Site: On the west side public access exists through the existing Woodland Trails Park. Adjacent land on the north and east are undeveloped and will eventually serve as public access to the site. The development on the south presently owns three outlots which are connected to the site. Resource Preservation: The integrity of the acquisition site will be maintained through carefully planning two trail systems; one blacktop and the other grass. Trails created will be designed to minimize erosion and maintain plant types indigenous to the area. Seeding of the grass trail will utilize species of grass native to the area. To maintain the pin oak plant community, great efforts will be taken to control the cutting of oak trees in the area during the spring and summer. Trenching techniques will also be used to control oak wilt sites. C. Flsh and Wildlife: The acquisition site is adjacent to a 210 acre nature park called Woodland Trails which is located within an eighth of a mile of the EIk River Sand dunes, a naturally significant oak savanna. Presently the Elk River Sand dunes is owned by the St. Anthony Sportsman Club. At this time the Department of Natural Resources has a first right of refusal with the St. Anthony Gun Club for acquisition of this property as a Scientific and Natural Area. If this grant is approved and the Department of Natural Resources does acquire the Elk River Sand Dunes, it will be possible to link together the entire complex as a spectacular natural park system. This park system would be over 500 acres in size and would contain much of the remanent vegetation types and geological features of the area. This nature park system would contain a wide variety of remanent species, in their natural distribution, for each of the following ecosystems: prairies, oak savanna, aspen oak parkland and oak forest. Developing the acquisition site for human activities such as hiking, biking, skiing and environmerital study will have an impact upon the natural ecosystem of the area. However, if the site is not acquired as a park, in the very near future, it will be dramatically altered by housing development activities. D. Vegetatlon The acquisition site is considered a naturally significant dry subtype oak forest by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through the Minnesota County Biological Survey Study. in the past there has been some logging activities on the site; however, the present • condition of much of the forest area has qualities comparable to the preexisting oak forest ecosystem. Tree Types: pin oaks, white oaks, black cherry, bur oaks, Ulmus americans, box elder, big tooth aspen, paper birch, hackberry, green ash Shrubs: chokecherry, gray-bark dogwood, hazel Rhamnus cathrtica, prickly ash, Amelanchier Herbs: Desmodium giutinosum, geranium maculatum, Virginia creeper, Uvularia sessilifolia, Athrium, grape. Rosa blanda, Anocynum androsaemifoliu, Fragaria, Parietaria, Phryma, Aralia racemosa, Asclepias exaltate E. Water Resources: The acquisition site has no regions defined as wetlands, however it does have several ravines which do occasionally have standing water for very short periods of time. . F. Geological Features: The acquisition site is part of an end moraine and has spectacular relief for the Sherburne county area. Elevation of the site ranges from 1000 to 1102 (One of the Highest Points In Sherburne County). If the acquisition site was added to Elk River's Woodland Trails Park System the total relief of the entire city park would exceed 170 feet. This is an extraordinary hilly area of central Minnesota. Human activities in the park would not affect the present geological features because all of the trail systems would take advantage of the rolling nature of the region. Special Note: Because the region is a moraine and is composed of glacial till the surrounding region is under a great deal of environmental stress from mining activities. Acquisition of this region would provide the youth of the future opportunities to see the special geological characteristics of the region long after the end of the gravel mining era in the Elk River area. G. Air Quality Activities on the site will focus strictly on non-motorized traffic; therefore, there will be no impact upon the air quality of the interior of the nature park. On the outer edges of the park there will be some auto traffic from people traveling by motorized vehicles to and from the park. However, the city of Elk River will be designed such that major off-road blacktop pedestrian trails will provide access to the park from all major population regions of the city. Presently there is a north south off-road pedestrian trail corridor which extends across the city of Elk River and connects to the park region. Acquisition of this site will provide the • opportunity to open an off-road east west pedestrian trail corridor which would extend across the east-west axes of the city of Elk River. H. Historical Significance No defined historical site exists on the property. However, some of the local residents believe, there once was an ox cart trail that traversed the eastern edge of the acquisition site. Presently there are some deep trail scars on this narrow portion of the property which travel in a north south direction. More study needs to 6e done to determine the significance of these trail scars. Most of the historical significance that will be gained from this site will come from its natural biological and geological qualities. The city of Elk River is growing at a very fast rate and most of the areas with naturally significant features will probably be altered within the next 10 years. I. Transportation Vehicular traffic will be affected by people entering the nature park for recreational activities. Presently a road and parking lot is being constructed into Woodland Trails City Park adjacent to the acquisition site. However, in the future an access point adjacent to the acquisition site would be created. This access point would be located adjacent to the park on the eastern or northern edge. The most likely site for a parking lot at this time would be along the eastern edge of the acquisition site. Development of this parking lot site will occur when the adjacent property is developed for housing. In conjunction with the development of the parking lot there will be created an east-west off-road pedestrian trail corridor. . II. Environmental Intrusions: The following is a list of all future human development activities that may occur on the site in the future. This list is a complete list and no other human development activities will occur besides the ones listed below. A. 4 meter wide asphalt east-west off-road trail system. (Trail construction will be done to avoid cutting all trees over 40 cm. in diameter and will not alter the contour of the land more than 3 meters. To maintain the pin oak plant community great effort will be taken to control the cutting of oak trees in the area during the spring and summer. Trenching techniques will also used to control oak wilt sites if they develop along the trail.) B. 2.5 kilometers of grass covered trails. (Trails created will be designed to minimize erosion, preserve trees greater than 35cm in size and maintain plant types indigenous to the area. Seeding of the grass trail will utilize species of grass native to the area. To maintain the pin oak plant community great effort will be taken to control the cutting of oak trees in the area during the spring and summer. Trenching techniques will also used to control oak wilt sites if they develop along the trail.) C. Trail signs will be posted to designate trails and unique biological or geological features. All trail signs will be supported by a metal post and will not exceed a height of 2.5 meters except for the entrance sign which will be a standard road sign no greater than 4 meters in width and/or height. D. A shelter, with bathrooms,will be built at the eastern entrance point to the access • site. (The shelter size at the base will not exceed 500 square feet. Around the shelter an area no greater than 2,000 square feet will be mowed for general maintenance purposes. Septic system for the shelter complex would be constructed on the front access side of the structure to minimize the impact to the forest. Outdoor lighting fixtures around the shelter will have a roof like structure to direct light toward the ground and away from the sky. ) E. An elevated rope bridge system no greater than 150 meters long will traverse the canopy of the forest for environmental education purposes and to accentuate the scenic nature of the region. The rope/wire structure would be supported by telephone posts and trees. NOTE: All of these activities are proposed future activities and could occur some time after the acquisition of the nature park is complete. Most of the extensive development of the site will probably occur in the late 1990s or early 2000s. • • III. Description of Scenic Characteristic and Impact of the Project on Those Characteristics: A. Scenic Characteristics: Vistas The acquisition site contains one of the highest points (1,102 feet) in Sherburne County. From this site it is possible to see regions as far away as the Twin Cities. However, because of the extensive tree cover this can only be done on clear winter days. In the future an elevated rope bridge structure would provide opportunities to take advantage of the elevational characteristics of this property year round. Geological Characteristics The acquisition site contains very unique topography because of the past glacial activities. The site is part of an end moraine compile and has many unique ridges and ravines. Viewshed Because of the wooded and rolling nature of the property there are many spots that provide aesthetically pleasing views of the local region. B. Description of Project: • Presently the acquisition site is not accessible to the public. Less than 5% percent of the local citizens know the scenic nature of this piece of property or anything about its aesthetic, biological or geological qualities. Efforts in the site development will open the opportunities for the people of the region to view the site with minimal impact to its aesthetic, biological and geological qualities. Site acquisition also will guarantee future generations with these opportunities. Long term city planning will try to acquire a portion of the property on the eastern edge for an access point and aeast-west trail system. Long term city planning is committed to maintaining the integrity of the aesthetic, biological and geological qualities of the Woodland Trails Park and the acquisition site. Long term city planning is committed to maintaining a trail system through the Woodland Trails Park and the acquisition site. Long term planning includes the development of an environmental education center in the Woodland Trails Park which is adjacent to the acquisition site. • • APPLICATION REQUEST FORM Loeal Grants Program AppllCant: City of Elk River County: Sherhurne Contact Person: Pat Klaers Title: City Administrator Phone Number. 441-7420 Grant Application Prepared By: Michael Ni~iolek Phone Number: aat-:i(i75 Project Name: (may Subfvne Oak Forest Arn iis~ ition) Natural and Scenic Grants Program X90.000 Protect Description: Goal: Acquire, from the J.L. Shiely Company, 25 acres of dry subtype Oak Forest identified as naturally significant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota County Biological Survey). The property is a unique landform and would be a valuable asset to the Elk River City Park System because of its location, topography and biological qualities. P-operty Descrlotion~ Vegetation Type: Dry subtype Oak Forest Proximity: West Side adjacent to approximately 210 acres of City Park and a Golf Course. South Side adjacent to a developed housing area of 6 6 lots. North Side adjacent to approximately 300 Acre Gravel Mine opening i n 1995. East Side adjacent to 4 0 Acre undeveloped parcel a Potential Recreation Area (Ball Fields, Soccer Fields, Picnic Ground, Trail Head) Topography: Elevation 1 000 to 1 102 (One of the Highest Points I n Sherburne County) Total relief of entire City Park i f this property was added to park system would be 1 70 feet. Targeted Potential Usage: Environmental Education Major East-West Off Road Trail Corridor (4 Season Usage) Hiking, Biking, Running, Skiing, Inline Skating, Orienteering Community Quiet Space Community Dynamics • Quickest growing county i n Minnesota. Present estimate of the population of Elk River (12,500). 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