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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – November 19, 2024 Page 8 Committee Member Rogers thinks it’s important to say that PTRC can’t create a Master Plan. The PTRC can support and help develop goals that adhere to the Master Plan. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said looking at the old Master Plan, he doesn’t think the goals need to relate to the Master Plan. It is enough to have it out there that the members of PTRC support creation of a Park Master Plan. Chair Anderson thought rather than creating goals that depend on the Master Plan, it might be better to create a short narrative explaining why having a Park Master Plan is critical to the PTRC but also to the City, in general. Even if Rice Creek Commons isn’t included, it still sets a road map for what that could look like down the road. She doesn’t see how we can move forward without it, when adding so many new residents to the population of Arden Hills. Chair Anderson wanted to address making recommendations for the guidelines for planting on areas encroaching on City property. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said in the previous discussion, he heard PTRC Members saying they didn’t really feel it was in the scope of their positions on the committee to decide what can and cannot be done on an easement. It is very important to set the standard of what is acceptable so the City has something to look to. There are no rules. He thinks it would be a good idea to have some suggestions about what would be appropriate. Committee members don’t have to create the rules, but they can offer guidance on what the rules might be. People are just planting whatever they want that will make their yard appear bigger after a few years. The City can’t just go out there and cut them down. Chair Anderson said that makes sense to her. She struggles with the scope of that is so big. Some people have a fence, shed or an old car. She doesn’t know what PTRC can say about that. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said this would be just about planting. Council Liaison Rousseau said it would need to be very clear that it is just the planting and not other objects. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the PTRC shouldn’t be dealing with code enforcement. Committee Member Jacobson said everyone plants along the road and in their easements. There are some sensitive areas where people have planted on City property or easements. It appears that they’re using more yard than they own. It’s different when you plant along the street. You can’t plant in the street. There is a finite ending to those plantings. If you are planting in your yard next to City property, that’s more of a gray area. No one should be planting anything off of their property. Until now, Arden Hills has been very hands off. She thinks it should go back to zoning and be laid out to include fences, sheds and trees. It’s difficult to come up with a one size fits all plan for the entire City. Council Liaison Rousseau said maybe it can be anything you can run over with a lawn mower or cut up with a chainsaw. She would be interested in hearing Committee Member Seeman’s thoughts on people planting on City land. She works with invasive species.