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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-23 PRC minutesCITY OF STILLWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING October 23, 2017 Present: Chairwoman Linda Amrein, Commissioners Scott Christensen, Rob McGarry, Sam Nelson and Sandy Snellman; Council Representative Mike Polehna Absent: Commissioners David Brandt and Bill McGlynn Staff present: Public Works Superintendent Tim Moore, City Planner Abbi Wittman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of September 25, 2017 meeting minutes Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the September 25, 2017 meeting minutes. All in favor, 5-0. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. ACTION ITEMS Ecumen Planned Unit Development City Planner Wittman explained that Ecumen and Our Savior's Lutheran Church (OSLC), have submitted an application to develop a 15.01 acre site located at 114 Brick Street South and 1616 Olive Street West. A two phased development is proposed: 1) a 145 -unit senior living structure and 2) a future expansion of OSLC. There are no future parks proposed for this property in the City's Parks and Trail Plan. The existing City trail will be modified slightly so that the Fire Department can access the development, and there will be an internal pathway connecting to the City's trail system. Staff is recommending a Park Dedication fee of $55,500 and a Trail Dedication fee of $41,375, to be paid prior to release of the final plat. Ms. Wittman further stated that the Parks and Trail Plan includes two future improvements in this area: 1) an on -street shared bike route along Brick Street and 2) a future trail to extend along Olive Street. Staff is not proposing that the developer do either of these at this time. Commissioner Snellman remarked that a lot of the parcel is wetland. Ms. Wittman responded that wetlands encompass the northern one-third of the property. The developer is proposing a 50' buffer. The corner of the building will extend into the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting October 23, 2017 structural setback, but the Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization uses buffer "averaging" so this will be allowed. Chairwoman Amrein asked how long the church has considered developing the property and how they decided on a senior living facility. Joel Frost, OSLC treasurer, replied that almost two years ago, the owners of the radio station approached OSLC about selling the property and and gave the church the option to bid on the property. OSLC decided it would not be in a position to purchase the property, however the only access to the radio station property would be off Brick Street because OSLC owned property on three sides. OSLC set up a task force to determine what would be the best use of the property. The idea for independent/assisted living came out of the task force. OSLC reached out to Ecumen and asked if they would be interested in looking at the property. City Planner Wittman stated that another 1,200 senior housing units will be needed in the Stillwater area by 2025. This facility and the other one being developed will serve about 1/3 of the demand. Anne Stanfield of Ecumen added that there currently is no senior housing in Stillwater other than nursing homes. This development will allow people to stay in Stillwater as they age. Commissioner Christensen stated he is not against the project but is concerned about taking Brick Street out of the master trail plan. Ms. Wittman replied that Brick Street is not being taken out of the master trail plan. However, the Comprehensive Plan indicated that even with future traffic projections on Brick Street, the shared bike route wasn't necessary to be implemented but it was included in the staff report for the Commission to consider. Commissioner Christensen questioned whether Brick would be wide enough for the shared bike route. Commissioner Snellman remarked that intersections on both ends of Brick can be challenging and she is nervous about adding more traffic. City Planner Wittman stated that as part of its reconstruction project in 2018, Washington County is willing to put in a dedicated turn lane onto and off of Brick, but it would remove all on -street parking for two blocks. Brick has been the subject of many traffic studies which indicate that traffic counts do not yet warrant changes. However, Brick is one of the areas that will be studied as part of the Comprehensive Plan update that is currently beginning. Ms. Stanfield added that SRF did an independent traffic study for Ecumen which indicated the development will not cause significant increases in wait times because senior housing doesn't generate the same traffic volumes as other developments. Page 2 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting October 23, 2017 Commissioner Christensen reiterated concerns about bike traffic on Brick Street. Ms. Wittman responded that Brick was never intended to have its own bike lane - it was intended to be a shared bike route. She went on to explain that Washington County has indicated that if any sidewalk improvements are part of the 2018 reconstruction project, it will be on the south side of Hwy 5 (Olive Street). The question is whether or not the Commission would request the developer to paint in the shared route and provide signage, which would come out of the Park and Trail Dedication fee. Commissioner McGarry asked if the fees being considered are consistent with other similar projects. Ms. Wittman stated they are. Commissioner Nelson asked if the Commission says it does not want this money going to painting the road or putting up signage, but saved for the parks budget, will that equate to next year's budget being reduced by that much? Superintendent Moore replied no, the Park and Trail Dedication funds are in a separate budget. Commissioner Christensen said that Brick is one of the busiest biking routes in Stillwater. He feels that the shared bike route will be a safety issue and that there is room for a dedicated bike lane on the west side. Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner McGarry, to recommend that the City Council accept the Park and Trail Dedication fees as recommended by staff for the Ecumen Planned Unit Development. All in favor, 5-0. Revised 2018 Capital Improvement Budget Public Works Superintendent Moore reviewed the revised 2018 Capital Improvement Budget. At the request of the Commission, funds were shifted from other areas to Pioneer Park restrooms. $150,000 has been added to the $320,000 that was already budgeted, for a total of $470,000 for the restrooms. He will discuss plans for updating the restrooms at the next meeting. Commissioner Nelson said he gets asked why the City is purchasing more park properties if it cannot maintain existing parks. He asked if some of the park dedication funds may go toward maintenance. Mr. Moore said that as of October 15, 2015 there was $146,480 in the Park Dedication Fund and $520 in the Trail Dedication Fund. Commissioner Christensen pointed out that this year, park and trail dedication fees came in from several new developments. He asked what the Trail Dedication money was spent on. Mr. Moore said he will find out the current balance in the Park and Trail Dedication Funds and inform the Commission. Council Representative Polehna noted that the Council has asked for $2 million each, from state and federal legislators, to stabilize the riverfront. He acknowledged Page 3 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting October 23, 2017 the City needs to get more aggressive on developing Bridgeview Park, which is a beautiful piece of property. In regard to Commissioner Nelson's question about why the City is buying more land as opposed to fixing up existing parks, Chairwoman Amrein said if property becomes available that would make a good park, the City has to buy it when it's available. Otherwise somebody could buy it for development. Commissioner Nelson agreed, but acknowledged that if parts are missing from park equipment and people want to play horseshoes but can't because the lights are so bad, things like that become an issue. It's not all one way or the other. The Commission corrected errors and typos in the proposed 2018 budget. Mr. Moore said he will provide a corrected copy to the Commission. Motion by Commissioner Snellman, seconded by Commissioner McGarry, to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed 2018 Parks Capital Outlay Budget as revised. All in favor, 5-0. Lowell Park Pleasure Ice Rink Public Works Superintendent Moore reviewed the challenges that would be involved if the Lowell Park pleasure skating rink were relocated to the south end of Lowell Park this year, due to the slope. Staff recommends keeping the pleasure skating rink in its original location on Mulberry Point. The Commission discussed the general lack of use of the rink, other than the Ice Cream Social, and the fact that use is very weather -dependent. The consensus was to eliminate the rink on Mulberry Point due to lack of use. 1,11101ZILTiL111[C►11194►Ti6'1 Citv Park Hours and Season Lenath Preliminary Discussion Public Works Superintendent Moore informed the Commission of increasing vandalism after dark especially in bathrooms downtown, even though the bathrooms are only open till 10 p.m. He has been working with the Police Department on the issue. He would like the Commission to consider closing the parks from sundown to sunup. There is no need to make a decision now because the bathrooms will be closed for the season November 1. COMMISSION ITEMS/TOPICS Councilmember Polehna informed the Commission that the Council will be meeting with Washington County regarding trying to get access from Trunk Highway 5 down to the Brown's Creek Trail. If state and federal money is involved, it would need to Page 4 of 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting October 23, 2017 be handicapped accessible. The City and County will have to work with Stillwater Country Club on a switchback. He also advised the Commission of efforts to get bathrooms at Brown's Creek Park. Commissioner Christensen asked if all Commissioners are expected to attend the Comprehensive Plan update meetings. Councilmember Polehna replied that Commissioner Brandt is the Commission's representative on that group. Commissioner Christensen asked for an update on the Main Street Stairs. Mr. Moore said the stairs are being reconstructed to the first level. Councilmember Polehna added they are going down to the bedrock this time - the previous stairs were not built on bedrock. Commissioner Christensen stated that on Saturday there was a wedding at PD Pappy's and chairs were set on the cement entryway going into the bar. He was curious to know if that is City property. Mr. Moore replied it is City property but there is a license agreement. He added that people have weddings all over town. Councilmember Polehna added that Stillwater is one of the most popular wedding locations in Minnesota. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner McGarry, seconded by Commissioner Snellman, to adjourn. All in favor, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5