2009_0817_Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Alex Hall, United Properties, Kevin Teppin, MFRA (site worli/landscaping) Mr. Hall advised that original plans had provided for a road dead-ending and looping back into their building; prior to a series of discussions with the Parks Department on the need for a road to access this land-locked City park Mr. Hall opined that this alignment was the last option for making a connection to the park, since once the site was developed the City was left with a backdoor entrance to a City parking lot. Mr. Hall summarized numerous meetings with staff, including Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke, and United Properties' initial position that they'd sacrificed the townhomes previously proposed on the north and their related development value, in addition to constructing, at their expense, a public road to provide access to a City park Mr. Hall noted that their intent was to attempt to eliminate the turnaround from the corner of their property that would negatively impact aesthetics at that end of the building, in addition to eliminating a substantial number of trees along the eastern border. Mr. Hall advised that, after meeting with Mr. Brokke and the City's landscape architect, this compromise concept had been achieved, moving the turnaround onto park land with the intent to create a nice gateway or entrance to the park so in time the City parking lot could be modified to play off that turnaround. Mr. Hall, in addressing the park dedication fee, noted the amount of land and townhome construction value they'd given up for the public road and buffer area, and opined that it was the developer's feeling that this represented adequate park dedication on their behal£ However, Mr. Hall advised that given the obvious importance to the Parks Department, and in an effort to compromise, they would not obj ect to the park dedication fee on this senior cooperative proj ect. Mr. Hall asked that they would like further discussion related to a fee on the assisted living, since those residents would not have use of the park, and since those units are smaller, at approximately 500 square feet studio units, asked for some reduction on that site. Mr. Hall advised that, related to the road, the developer would prefer not to see it expanded for on-street parking; specifically from a safety issue, given two way traffic in and out from the soccer field, having already observed lots of activity around vans and vehicles, lots of kids, and eventual exiting by senior cooperative residents out that eastern end and turning the corner, not to mention the grade of the road sitting in a location outside the parking garage ten feet (10') below the soccer field and requiring a retaining wall. Mr. Hall opined that, for the few parking spaces that would be provided with on-street parking, and loss of trees and green space through expanding the road, it would be more prudent to maintain the road width at 24 — 26', and creating any additional City parking in the City parking lot and not on their private parcel. Councilmember Roe sought information from staff on the estimate to the City to construct the turnaround on City park property at this time, for construction of a simple cul-de-sac. Councilmember Roe asked Mr. Brokke if the parking in the existing parking lot was inadequate. Public Works Director Duane Schwartz estimated that the cost at $40 -$50,000. Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke opined that the existing parking was inadequate; and Mr. Schwartz estimated that an additiona120 spaces could be achieved with on-street parking as suggested, with the current lot allowing for approximately 40 spaces. Mr. Brokke addressed the Langton Lake Master Plan originally done in 1986, with the intent for future planning at Cleveland Avenue and Brenner Avenue to access off Cleveland through the development, partially on the park and partially on development property, up Brenner to Mount Ridge Road; and planning construction of a parking lot for the park Mr. Brokke acknowledged that it had become apparent that many people were unaware of this Master Plan; and noted United Properties' openness to other alternatives, with several scenarios developed throughout the process.