1999-12-01 Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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3). Land dedication for Centerville is low. In Circle Pines public land is 9.3°Io. Jim March called Circle Pines and asked how much of the 34 acres was not marsh land, etc. and they said 24 acres. By percentage that is still over 6% of useable park land being dedicated to public use. Centerville then also needs to look at it's figure that subtract�e wetlands and other unusable land. But this is not really the main point. Centerville will soon be solid houses in every square inch of land available in the City and T suggest, that for people to feel less crowded, more public land be set aside to benefit everyone with a better feeling for the Ciry. It is the opportunities sitting in front of us that I am afraid will slip away if they are not pursued. Oppartunity 1: The citizens of Centerville do not have access to beautiful Centerville Lake sittino in [he middle of the City. Lakeshore land is "available" at the end of Main Street and also across the street from Lamotte Park. These offer territic opportunities to provide the citizens of Centerville access to beautiful Centerville Lake. Purchase of tl�is land will improve the 1.9% park land area. There has been a su,gestion that a feasibility study for a traii around Centerville Lake needs to be done first. I suggest that this ]and by itself would make a wonderful place for City residents to gather and view the sunsets across beautiful Centerville Lake. Right now, the only attraction downtown is 2 bars, and that is not exactly conducive to a family oriented outing. Park and Rec should give serious consideration to selling Cedar Park for purchase of "Sunset Park" if money is not forthcomin� for the City. Opportunity 2: The attached trail plan would greatly unprove pedestrian friendliness and improve the 1.9% land area. It would also connect everyone to the pazk resources so that people would not bave to drive their car. Walks and bike rides would be a pleasure instead of a life threatening event. � Opportunity 3: Land to be developed in Centerville should be developed with the 10% land dedication being done in 10% (or higher) land area. Don't collect fees in i�� stead. I I Followup on Last Month's Presentation Here is the basic theme. Developers will NOT create a plan for our City. By their nature, they are narrowly focused on their particular project. It is � the City that must plan ahead and decide what it will provide its residents. Centerville can decide that its downtown will consist of 2 bazs, run down sidewalks, NO access to its lakes, and an environment that only caters to automobiles. It can continue to let developers call the shots and leave with their profits, leaving an uban jungle unfriendly to pedestrians. Or, Centerville can turn the tide on the urban spawl, and create a"Sunset Park," and upgrade other pazks (with the budget approval t6is is in progress), and connect all these resources together with a core of trails the circle the City, circle Centerville Lake, and reach out to neighboring community resources (Munger trail in Hugo and Anoka Park trails and resources). A positive decision to go for it must be made. It will not come from developers or happen by accident. For completenes, here are the rough ideas from last month: OVERVIEW OF ACTIONS: 1. Tn a month or two or less, establish a rough LONG TERM VISION. 2. Communicate that VISION so the city moves in the same direction. 3. Prioritize actions. 4. Work funding. 5. Implement the VISION in stages. 6. Refine VISION as necessary. CANDIDATE LONG TERM VISION (See attached MAPI: Trails 1. Connect the Anoka Park trail to Lamotte Park. Plans and funding already established, I believe. 2. From Lamotte Park try to run a trail through or on the edge of the church property. This suggestion attempts to keep the trail off of the road and away from residential housing. 3