HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-02 Joint Board MINJoint Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2012
Present: Dave Johnson and Linda Countryman, Stillwater Township; Ken Harycki and Jim
Roush, City of Stillwater.
Staff present: Stillwater Community Development Director Bill Turnblad.
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:13 PM.
Public Hearings
Case No. 2012-07 A request by the Friends of Stillwater Area Dog Park, Inc. f or a Special Use
Permit to develop and operate an off-leash dog park on City property located at 3111 – 80th
Street North, currently referred to as the “Boutwell Cemetery Property”.
Mr. Turnblad summarized his reports of April 27 and March 29, 2012.
The public hearing was opened for this case on April 4th. Public testimony was taken and the
hearing was closed. Discussion amongst the Joint Board members was tabled and continued to
May 2nd to allow additional time for Board members to visit other dog parks in the area and to
talk with managers of those parks.
Board Member Countryman asked if a dog park located next to residential property would
devalue the residential property. Mr. Turnblad stated that he could find no definitive study on
the question, but that it appears that a dog park does not devalue neighboring residential
property. Though, it may reduce the number of potential buyers and therefore sale of a property
may take longer.
Chair Johnson stated that in addition to the letters received and handed out tonight, both for and
against the request, a petition with 24 signatures in favor of the dog was submitted tonight as
well.
Chair Johnson re-opened discussion on the item by asking what we have learned about dog
parks since the last meeting.
Board Member Roush described a 4.75 acre site on the end of Shelton Drive that he thought
would be better suited for an off-leash dog park. He asked Ms. Allison McGinnis of the Friends
of Stillwater Area Dog Park whether the group would consider the Shelton Drive site in place of
the Boutwell Drive property.
Ms. McGinnis asked whether the property was zoned properly. Mr. Turnblad said that he
believed the property was zoned properly, but would have to verify that.
Board Member Countryman said that her biggest concern is that the proposed site for the dog
park is too small. Given the likely demand it may be undersized immediately upon opening. A
larger site would probably be a better investment for the FSADP.
Chair Johnson summarized his work over the last month with the following points:
Joint Board Minutes
May 2, 2012
Page 2 of 3
1. Clearly there is a lot of community interest.
2. Many communities have off-leash dog parks. And depending upon their settings can
work with very few complaints.
3. Woodbury has a 70 acre park that includes a 20 acre dog park in the center of the area.
a. This provided a good buffer between the barking in the dog park and
surrounding residential properties.
b. The dog park is immensely popular, but this popularity creates maintenance and
logistical difficulties.
c. A water source at the park is a high demand item.
d. The dogs and owners come from all over the region, including Western
Wisconsin.
e. Woodbury’s dog park management staff felt the proposed 1.55 acre site in
Stillwater would not be able to support the intense use it would undoubtedly
generate.
4. The Stillwater Town Board is unanimously of the opinion that the proposed site is
inadequate for the use.
Ms. Allison stated the both Minneapolis and St. Paul’s park personnel believe that smaller sized
dog parks work. Their size is self-limiting. As dog owners find the site too busy to park in the
lot, or safely let their dogs off their leashes, the owners simply come back later when there is
space.
Board Member Roush asked if Ms. Allison’s group would be willing to withdraw their application
for the Boutwell Road site if the City were to help find a better site elsewhere. She responded
that since it looked like there was no support from the Joint Board members for the proposed
site, her group wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to withdrawing the request for this site and
working with the City to find a better site.
Chair Johnson stated that the Town Board is not opposed to the concept of an off -leash dog
park, but there are arguments that work against this specific site.
Board Member Harycki said that the Shelton Drive site may not have good access or parking.
Ms. Allison mentioned that all sites in Stillwater will be smaller, since the City is fully urbanized.
But, size should be self-regulating.
Board Member Harycki agreed that size does seem to regulate usage.
Board Member Roush believed that the majority of the city residents would like a dog park.
Board Member Roush moved to deny the Special Use Permit for the proposed site and
suggested the Shelton Drive property may be a better site. Board Member Countryman
seconded the motion. The motion was defeated on a 2-2 vote. Both Countryman and Harycki
voted no.
Turnblad stated that he would check with City Attorney Magnuson to determine the next step
based upon the vote.
Joint Board Minutes
May 2, 2012
Page 3 of 3
Approval of Minutes
Board Member Countryman moved to approve the minutes of April 4, 2012. The motion was
seconded by Harycki and the motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. Roush abstained since
he was not in attendance on April 4, 2012.
Adjournment
Chair Johnson moved for adjournment. Board Member Countryman seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Turnblad
Acting Recording Secretary