041399 PK MIN
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PARK COMMISSION NOTES 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1999 7:30 P.M.
NOTES
CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING
1.
not
A meeting was called to order due to a lack of a quorum.
Present: Co-chair Dallman; Commissioner Themig; Administrator Jim Hurm; City Planner
Brad Nielsen, Public Works Director Larry Brown
Absent: Co-chair Arnst; Commissioners Puzak, Colopoulos, Bensman and Cochran
The Commissioners present invited comments from the floor, stating that there would be no
official record of the meeting or action taken. Informal notes will be taken. They added that they
were interested in any matters that were of concern to those in attendance.
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Osha, 25840 Highway 7 asked about plans for access to their property which is
on the southwest corner of Freeman Park. The current access is via the park entrance off of
Highway 7, which is slated to be closed by Mn/DOT. If that leaves only an access through the
ballfield parking lot, it is a problem during game time.
City Planner Nielsen said that the City will need to check with Mn/DOT about the Highway 7
access closure policy when the access is to a single property and not to a street. He asked Mr.
Osha about the placement of their driveway and if there was an easement for the driveway on
park property. Mrs. Osha said that the driveway is now positioned as it has always been.
Administrator Hurm asked if the Osha’s preference was direct access to Highway 7 or through
the ballfield parking lot. The Osha’s asked if both options allow for emergency vehicle access to
their property. Planner Nielsen indicated vehicles could access their property from either
direction. Commissioner Themig thanked the Osha’s for attending, stating that the City desires to
be good neighbors and did not intend to move forward on this matter without joint discussion.
He agreed that game times would present a problem for residents living there.
Mr. Osha asked if there are plans for a landscape buffer between the proposed parking lot and
their property. Mr. Nielsen said that space for landscaping will likely be wider than the setback
requirement of 20 feet. Public Works Director Brown indicated that the City would discuss
options with Mn/DOT and ask about allowing an access to a single property. He added that there
are plans for striping changes at Eureka Road and Highway 7, but no stoplight.
Commissioner Themig stated that the City would work with property owners in this process. It
Park Commission Notes
Tuesday, April 13, 1999
Page 2
was pointed out that the upgrade of the parking lot and the reconfiguration of traffic to the two
areas of Freeman Park may also help to resolve some of the Oshas’ traffic concerns. The City will
maintain the streets through the parking lot and up to the driveway if it goes that way. Mr.
Brown noted that a similar situation exists at the public access to Christmas Lake.
Mr. Osha also brought up the problem of baseballs being hit onto his property, even during non-
game times. The Park Commission will consider this in its discussion about netting for the foul
ball problem.
Other residents who were present at the meeting declined to make their comments until there was
a quorum. Gordy Lindstrom explained the status of the Little League association with their need
for a Babe Ruth field. There was some discussion of ideas for other resources.
Co-chair Dallman reported that the City Council has asked to meet in joint session with the Park
Commission on May 11 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss further the request to raise Park Dedication fees.
The Park Commission will hold a regular meeting to cover the existing agenda on April 27.
Notes taken by Connie Bastyr
Recording Secretary