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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 8,1999 <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst stated that the cost issue clearly needs to be dealt with. He noted that the City <br />Council had not yet determined at what point the City could not afford the project and this would <br />be a function of how successful the fundraising is. <br /> <br />Mr. Michael Coopet, 1636 Chatham Avenue, stated that he takes exception to the suggestion that <br />the Parks and Recreation Commission had concluded that they were satisfied with the amount of <br />use Arden Hills would gain. Hc indicated that at previous Parks and Recreation meetings there <br />had been no consensus that there would be adequate use by Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Mr. Coopet stated that he also takes exception with the comment that the City of Arden Hills <br />needs additional park space. He stated that Arden Hills is a bedroom community and some <br />residents like the fact that the City is limited by the amount of park space. <br /> <br />Mr. Coopet stated that the proposed project would be an incredibly invasive procedure. Large <br />hills would be leveled and the topography would be substantially changed. He also pointed out <br />there would be issues with traffic, crowds and noise. Additionally there are environmental legal <br />procedures which must be met. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mr. Coopet stated that if he were to begin a project such as this one, an executive summary <br />would be compiled of the what the costs would be and if it were a feasible project, prior to <br />spending time in extensive meetings. He suggested that the process thus far has been putting the <br />cart before the horse. He asked if anyone really knows what will be needed in order to move on <br />to the next step. <br /> <br />Mr. Boyd Paulu, 3782 McCracken Lane. stated that his house would be most severely affected <br />by the proposal as the tennis courts would be directly behind his house. He noted the proposal <br />includes no lighting at this time and expressed his concern that there would be lighting at some <br />time in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Paulu indicated that the drawing of the proposal does not adequately show how the property <br />currently lays out. He noted tllat the trail the City has been maintaining is not located at the <br />outlot. Additionally, the proposed location of the northerly tennis courts is on a large knob <br />which is heavily wooded with mature oaks. This knob would be leveled if the proposal is <br />approved. <br /> <br />Mr. Paulu stated that he had purchased his home 11 years ago knowing that Bethel College <br />owned the property. At that time the Comprehensive Plan had indicated athletic fields in the area <br />however, he did not believe they could be constructed due to the wetlands. The project would <br />also negatively affect the wildlife in the area. At this time there are not many geese in the area <br />and the proposed fields would attract them to the neighborhood. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mr. John Hotchkiss, 3720 Chatham Avenue, noted that there had been comments that the City <br />needs more soccer and softball fields and asked where the parking would be. He also pointed out <br />that there is a law which states that all other alternate sites must be considered in order to <br />minimize the impact on the wetlands. He asked if all other alternative sites have been <br />considered. <br />