2007-01-03 P&R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes December 6, 2006 continuing on the committee/commission by the first of each year. Each committee member in attendance (Seeley, Amundsen and Merkel) specified they were interested in continuing on the committee. Ms. Harris is interested in becoming a Parks & Recreation Committee Member and will go through the new process, interviewing with City Council. Mr. Jeff Hanzal! Hanzal Addition Mr. Jeff Hanzal made an appearance to discuss his preliminary plat and what ideas the Parks & Recreation Committee have for a trail through this development. The committee had not had an opportunity to discuss this item prior to this meeting. City Administrator Larson explained the idea of potentially purchasing or gaining a trail easement to the back parcel of lots 4 and S (SA) of Peltier Preserve, possibly gaining a trail easement through Mr. Bohen's property (abutting property) and linking a trail from Old Mill Road through the Hanzal Addition to Peltier Lake. Mr. Larson stated that while this may seem ambitious at this time, it has possibilities for the future and now would be the time to map a trail easement through the Hanzal Addition. This might be a destination trail that just goes in to the lake area and back out the same way, without looping to a trail connection, but he encouraged the committee to think big and be patient, gaining access when and where it becomes available. The committee looked at photos and aerials of the area. Vice-Chairperson Seeley lives in the area and said there are great fluctuations in the water level in the spring and summer and to gain access to some areas it would possibly require a floating bridge. Committee Member Amundsen asked if Mr. Bohen had been contacted about potentially gaining a trail access, to which Mr. Larson replied, not at this time. Mr. Larson acknowledged trail easements can be expensive, depending on whether the landowner believes a trail through their property is a good idea or not. Condemnation proceedings can be used, but that is typically not something a City would like to do for a trail. A trail is typically 10', requiring a 20' easement. Vice-Chairperson Seeley reminded Mr. Hanzal that trails were considered amenities for new home owners and increase property value. Mr. Hanzal said he was fine with the trail as long as the City is working with him from the beginning to locate the easement in the area with the least negative impact on his development. Mr. Hanzal and Mr. Larson agreed that there is some flexibility to slide the development's pond over a little, if needed. Vice-Chairperson Seeley stated that while in theory the idea of a trail through Hanzal's Addition to get to property the City could potentially own on Peltier Lake is a wonderful idea, is the Hanzal Addition trail contingent upon the City acquiring the Peltier Preserve property? Mr. Larson stated no, one is not contingent upon the other, and he just asked the committee to keep an open mind to future possibilities. Mayor Capra said there are many trail easements within the City that do not actually have trails on them at this time. She also added the trail is in addition to Park Dedication Fees, not instead of. Mayor Capra asked if with the Hanzal Addition curb and gutter will be installed on Old Mill Road. Mr. Larson said curb and gutter would be the City's first choice, but the Rice Creek Watershed District would like to leave it as a non-standard street. Mayor Capra suggested tapering it down to a flatter curb and asked whether the RCWD had any funding available for projects like this involving less paved surfaces? Mr. Larson said that while grants are available for private citizens for items like rain gardens and lake shore restoration, there is typically not funding available for developers. Mr. Hanzal asked exactly what would be his responsibility besides paying per lot Park Dedication Fees. In larger developments such as Pheasant Marsh and Hunters Crossing, the developers were required to install the 3 of 10