Loading...
121394 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1994 7:00 P.M. MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jennifer McCarty called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair McCarty; Commissioners, Fuller, Dzurak, Bensman, Wilson, and Martin; Administrator Hurm; and Council Liaison Benson. Absent: Commissioner Colopoulos REVIEW AGENDA McCarty added "Nominations for 1995 Chair and Vice - Chair" as Item #6 and moved "Reports" to Item #7, "Matters From The Floor" to Item #8, and "Adjournment" to Item #9. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Martin moved, Bensman seconded, to approve the minutes of Tuesday, November 22, 1994, with the following corrections: Item No. 5, Paragraph 3, make a correction to change the name "Ann" Bensman to "Mary ". Item No. 7, Paragraph 1, "residence" should be changed to "residents ". Motion carried 510. Fuller abstained. 5. PUBLIC HEARING - RECONSIDERATION OF SILVERWOOD TURF TRAIL Chair McCarty welcomed those in the audience and indicated that this was a public hearing on the consideration of Silverwood Turf Trail. McCarty introduced the City Administrator, James Hurm, who gave a brief presentation on the steps of a public hearing and reviewed the history of the turf trail. McCarty explained that after the public testimonies, the hearing would be closed and the Park Commission would discuss the issue before making a recommendation regarding the trail. Hurm reviewed the proposed turf trail plan, originally approved in 1984 along with Silverwood Park. He indicated on a map the location of the trail and its path. Hurm said the plan became part of the City's official trail plan adopted in 1992. Hurm reported that area residents were notified of surveying to be done in connection with the trail. Many residents expressed their concerns and opposition. A petition was submitted with approximately 143 signatures. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1994 Page 2 of 3 Hurm noted the Park Commission will make a recommendation to the Planning Commission, who in turn can amend the Comprehensive Plan. The final hearing will probably be in late February. Hurm reported there were 86 survey sheets returned opposing the installation of the Turf Trail and 15 in favor of it in response to the notice sent. McCarty opened the hearing to the public. Barbara Collins, 19860 Muirfield Circle expressed opposition to the turf trail. Virg Smeltzer, 19600 Waterford Court, agreed with Collins. He supported the petition which opposed the turf trail and the concerns in regard to the safety, police protection, and the necessity of the trail. Rick Birno, 5965 McKinley Place member of the Board of Directors of Park Associations of Minnesota. He felt it was absolutely terrible that the residents did not want the trail. He felt this was a nice opportunity to have a walking trail. McCarty advised that if the turf trail was removed from the Trail Plan, the property would be kept as City owned green space and remain open as public land. Mark Ridge, 19525 Vine Ridge Road, was opposed to the turf trail. Kevin Towey, 19495 Vine Ridge Road questioned the Park Commission's next action considering the opposition voiced to the trail. McCarty explained that the Park Commission would give a recommendation to the Planning Commission. If the Planning Commission concurred, the recommendation would be incorporated in the update of the Comprehensive Plan and presented to the City Council. There are also public hearings held on that document. Jeff Bailey, 19660 Sweetwater Curve, was in favor of having the turf trail. He felt his family and neighbors would enjoy walking around that area, or would use it for running or skiing. It would be a real positive for the community. He felt the hazardous reasons were trivial. Mr. Bailey said, "the plans are in place, a deals a deal ". He did not see any reason for cancelling the project. He felt property belonging to Shorewood is public land. He strongly supported the turf trail. Greg Gac, 19705 Chartwell Hill, pointed out several issues: 1) the problems with the trail itself, 2) the recent developments that have occurred since the adoption of the plan; and 3) the trail not wanted by the majority of the nearby residents. He felt the trail was not a good idea as it connects a public park designed for children with a public liquor store, and noted this trail would be a suburban trail through backyards. Mr. Gac questioned the environmental impact. Mr.Gac commented that if the money is available for the park improvements, why not do something to enhance the park. Since there is a wonderful pond at Silverwood Park available for ice skating, why not build a warming house. He noted there are certainly other potentials of improvements in the park. In conclusion, he noted that the land does belong to the City and he does not expect the City to give the land to the residents. SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1994 Page 3 of 3 McCarty closed the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. McCarty clarified the money to be spent on the turf trail was a minimal expense of about $200. Public Works would do most of the work. She explained the plan was basically clearing a path to make a trail and would not have an environmental impact. McCarty also noted that the trail as proposed does not go to the liquor store, but rather to a site near the proposed daycare center. Bensman recommended, due to the number of residents who opposed the turf trail, the project should be eliminated. Fuller commented that since the residents are strongly opposed to the turf trail, the Park Commission should recommend not to develop the trail. She also noted that the land belongs to the City. McCarty disagreed with the opposing views, but felt they should listen to the residents' desires. Wilson did not see any real good reason for not developing the trail. He noted that since the majority of the residents do not want the trail, the Park Commission should use the money elsewhere. Wilson felt a greater problem may be created by not providing a trail for the children using the park. Dzurak agreed with the comments made by Wilson, McCarty, and Bensman, but felt they should recommend to remove the project from the trail plan. McCarty moved, Bensman seconded, to make recommendation to remove the development of the Silverwood Park Turf Trail Plan from the Comprehensive Plan, and to allow the land to remain as green space. Motion passed unanimously. Hurm explained if the Planning Commission concurred with the recommendation, it would be incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan. Hurm stated there would be several information meetings in late January or early February at which testimony will be taken on the entire Comprehensive Plan. Hurm noted that if the Planning Commission wants to recommend something different to the City Council, then they would point that out and say that the Park Commission voted to have the trail taken off the Plan. 6. NOMINATIONS FOR 1995 OFFICERS FOR CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR McCarty moved, Dzurak seconded, to nominate Mary Bensman for 1995 Chair. Motion passed unanimously. McCarty moved, Bensman seconded, to nominate Roxanne Martin for 1995 Vice - Chair. Motion passed unanimously. 7. REPORTS Wilson reported that the motion on allowing horses on the trails was turned down by City Council. They directed the Park Commission to take their petition to allow horses on the trail to SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1994 Page 4 of 3 the County. Wilson noted that this is looked at as being a non -issue by the City Council because there is not equestrian use of the trail now. Hurm reported Council questioned why the slides at Silverwood Park were blocked. Council felt they should be opened. Dzurak noted he and other neighbors could watch the slides for misuse. 8. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Bensman moved, McCarty seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Marlene S. Hap �onstall, Park Secretary IF YOU PLAN TO SPEAK, PLEASE FILL IN THE INFORMATION BELOW "UME ADDRESS AGENDA ITEM ffr /^ -e (i l�A�/ r' // J Lsdvt4l00� � �"O • I