HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2019 Parks Packet CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
4k PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019
6:00 PM AT CITY HALL
L Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approve Parks Commission Minutes —December 17, 2018 (1)
IV. Department/Commission Liaison Reports
A. Arborist
B. Public Works Director
C. Other/ Commission Liaison Report
V. Visitors/Public Comment
This is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission with questions or concerns not on the agenda. Please limit comments
to three minutes.
VI. Public Hearing
None
VII. Old Business
A. Comprehensive Plan—Parks and Trails (2)
VIII. New Business
A. RFP —Drinking Fountains (draft to be provided at meeting)
B. Observation Tower—Oak Park Crossing Park (3)
IX. Annual Meeting of the Parks Commission—Election of Officers (4)
X. Reconvene Regular Meeting
XI. Informational
A. Next Meeting: Monday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
B. Upcoming Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m.
XII. Adj ourn
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Page 2 of 40
1
L Call to Order: Chair Weyer called the meeting to order. Present: Vice Chair Chirhart,
Commissioner Peterson, Arborist Danielson, City Administrator Johnson, and Public Works
Director Kegley. Absent: Commissioners Bye and Thoreson and Commission-Liaison
Lilj egren.
H. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Vice Chair Chirhart, moved to
approve the Agenda. Carried 3-0.
III. Approve Parks Commission Minutes—November 19, 2018: Commissioner Peterson,
seconded by Vice Chair Chirhart, moved to approve the Minutes. Carried 3-0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison Reports:
A. Arborist: Arborist Danielson reported she submitted the 2018 Tree City USA
application. She outlined the requirements to receive the designation.
Commissioner Peterson suggested the Parks Commissioners think about the type of
tree to be planted in 2019 at the ceremonial tree planting.
B. Public Works Director: Public Works Director Kegley reported that ice rinks and
warming houses were open.
C. Other/ Commission Liaison Reports: None
V. Visitor/Public Comment: None
VI. Public Hearings: None
VII. New Business:
A. Comprehensive Plan—Parks: City Administrator Johnson handed out the section on
the parks and trails in the updated Comprehensive Plan. He said the City Planner
was expected to come to the next Parks Commission meeting to discuss the update.
VIII. Old Business: None
IX. Informational:
A. Next Meeting: Monday, January 28, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
B. Upcoming Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
C. Special Holiday Craft Event: Friday, December 28, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Cover Park
X. Adjournment: Vice Chair Chirhart, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, moved to adjourn.
Carried 3-0.
Page 3 of 40
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Pinski
City Clerk
Page 4 of 40
2
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: January 23, 2019
RE: Oak Park Heights — Comprehensive Plan 2018 — Park and
Recreation Commission
TPC FILE: 226.10
BACKGROUND
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the draft Parks and Trails Plan section
of the Comprehensive Plan at their January 29, 2018 and February 19, 2018 meetings.
Their comments were reflected in the draft of the plan that was recommended for
approval by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council to be submitted
to the Metropolitan Council for preliminary review.
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL PRELIMINARY REVIEW
On November 13, 2018, the City received the preliminary comments from the
Metropolitan Council regarding the draft Comprehensive Plan. Please find attached the
letter and the changes to the Park and Trail Plan section that have been made to the
Comprehensive Plan to address the comments provided by Metropolitan Council staff.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their December 12, 2018 meeting
and recommended the final draft of the plan. At their January 22, 2018 meeting, the
City Council approved a resolution to authorize Staff to forward the plan to the
Metropolitan Council.
Please find attached the changes that were made to the Park and Trail Plan:
Regional Parks and Trails (Page 9 of Metropolitan Council Letter)
1 . The Regional Connections Map on page 152 and the Proposed Parks and Trails
Map on page 154 was updated to reflect the Regional Bicycle Transportation
Network corridors.
2. The text on page 138 was revised to reference the Regional Bicycle
Transportation corridors on the Regional Connections Map.
Page 5 of 40
3. The plan's Introduction was updated to reflect that this plan updates the Park and
Trail System plan.
EXHIBITS
1 . The November 13, 2018 letter from the Metropolitan Council.
2. The text of the Park and Trail Plan section of the Comprehensive Plan.
3. The updated Regional Connections Map and the Proposed Parks and Trails Map
CONCLUSION
The Parks and Recreation Commission should review the changes discussed above
and provide direction to Staff. If the changes are favorable to the Parks and Recreation
Commission, they will be incorporated into the final draft for Metropolitan Council
review.
Pc: Jennifer Pinski
Page 6 of 40
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December 2018 Page 162
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II
November 13, 2018
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
City of Oak Park Heights
3601 Thurston Avenue North
Anoka, MN 55303
RE: Preliminary Review of the City of Oak Park Heights 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Metropolitan Council District 1
p I
Metropolitan Council Review File No. 22079-0
Dear Mr. Richards:
Metropolitan Council (Council) staff have reviewed the preliminary draft of the City of Oak Park Heights
2040 Comprehensive Plan (Plan), received on September 12, 2018 and additional forecast information
provided October 9, 2018. In the preliminary review, staff focused on whether the draft Plan appeared
to be complete and contained any major system issues or policy conflicts. Time did not permit as
thorough of a review as will occur when the Plan is officially submitted for Council review. A more
detailed review may reveal other important matters that were not identified during this preliminary
review.
When addressing the matters in this letter, City staff are advised to refer to the City's Checklist of
Minimum Requirements and the City's System Statement, which are available on the Oak Park Heights'
Community Page of the online Local Planning Handbook:
City of Oak Park Heights Community Page:
https lllphonline mete state mn usICommPage?ctu=2395285&applicant=Oak%20Park%20Heiq
hts
City of Oak Park Heights Checklist of Minimum Requirements:
https//metrocouncil org/Handbook/Files/Checklist/02395285 OakParkHeights Checklist.aspx
City of Oak Park Heights System Statement:
https//metrocouncil org/Communities/Planning/Local-Planninq-Assistance/System-
Statements/System Statements/02395285 OakParkHeights 2015SS.apx
Complete for Review
The preliminary review found the following sections complete for review and did not identify any major
system issues or policy conflicts: Surface Water Management and Water Supply. We offer the below
advisory comments for your consideration.
Surface Water Management (Jim Larsen, 651-602-1151)
The City lies within the oversight boundaries of the Middle Saint Croix Watershed Management
Organization, and the Valley Branch and Browns Creek Watershed Districts. The City submitted
a draft Local Water Management Plan (LWMP) update in September 2018. Council staff
reviewed and commented on the draft LWMP to the City and Watersheds in a letter dated
September 12, 2018.
® ® Nk-LT8 L1TA
C 0 U N C I L
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 2 of 10
Advisory Comments
If available at the time the City submits its formal Plan, the City should provide the complete
final LWMP in an Appendix in the Plan and a Water Resources summary in the body of the Plan
(as was done with the draft LWMP in this preliminary review submission), incorporating any
recommended revisions from the Council and Watershed reviews of the draft LWMP. If
available at the time the formal Plan is submitted, we also request that the City provide to the
Council the dates the three Watersheds approved the LWMP and the date the City adopted the
final LWMP.
Incomplete for Review
The following sections of the draft Plan are considered incomplete.
Forecasts (Todd Graham, 659-602-9.322)
The Plan is incomplete for the City forecasts and land supply for future growth.
The Plan includes the forecasts for the City (p. 57). There is an apparent error in the table
provided: the 2040 households number should be 2,600 (not 6,800).
The Plan states (p. 57): "These forecasts are accepted by the City as the basis for growth, with
the exception of the employment numbers, which the City projects will be less than what is
provided by the Metropolitan Council." Council staff and the City's planner have discussed
substitute employment numbers. In supplemental information received October 9, 2018, Council
and City staff agree to the following revised employment forecast (shown underlined):
Census Estimates S stem Statement Revised Forecasts
2010 2017 2020 2030 2040 2020 2030 2040
Population 4445 4742 4880 5300 5700 4880 5300 5700
Households 1911 2257 2200 2420 2600 2200 2420 2600
Employment 4358 4494 5900 6800 7500 4600 5100 5500
This revised forecast should appear in the formal submittal of the Plan where employment
forecasts are discussed.
The Plan does not sufficiently describe how land supply for future development (or
redevelopment) accommodates the community's growth forecast. An inventory of potential
development and redevelopment sites is not provided. The planned land use table describes
only minimal additions of new land supply: 7 acres of low-density, 5 acres of medium-density
and 5 acres of high-density land. This falls short of the expectation of guiding enough land to
accommodate the growth forecast: 343 additional households during 2017-2040.
Advisory Comments
a The TAZ forecast table on p. 99 should reflect the revised employment forecast, as
discussed above.
® The employment figures in the Comprehensive Sewer Plan should reflect the revised
employment forecast, as discussed above.
Page 9 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 3 of 10
Land Use (Freya Thamman; 651-602-1750)
The Plan is incomplete for land use. Additional information is also needed to ensure
consistency with Council policy of planning for forecasted residential
tial grreviewowth
t andneeds to ensity of at
least 5 units/acre for Suburban communities. To be complete
address the following issues
Community Designation
® The Plan needs to include a
map acknowledging the City's Community's ndesignation If the
City wishes, it can use the individualized Community designationp linked below
haps://metrocouncit.o-p 2 1--dbook/Files/Community-Designation-
Map/JPG/02395285 OakParkHerghts CommunityDesignation.aspx.
Future Land Use
® The future land use section needs to include discussion of each future land use category,
allowed uses for each category (i.e. for residential uses, allowed housing types such as
single-family, duplexes, townhomes, etc.), and the minimum and maximum densities for all
categories that allow residential uses.
It appears that some categories may allow a mix of uses (i.e. Business/Residential
Transition). For each "mixed use" category, the Plan needs to define an expected share of
individual land uses and identify the permitted density range, if there are residential uses.
The future land use categories shown in the text, as well as associated table (p.37), and
figure (p.80) need to be consistent throughout the Plan. For example, the future land use
figure has Business/Residential Transition, but the table does not include this category.
Density
To be consistent with Council policy, the City's Plan needs to support forecasted growth and
at a density of at least 5 units/acre. To do so, the land use,plan needs demonstrate that
residential development will occur at appropriate densities to, accommodate the forecasted
growth and is consistent with the density policy of 5 units/acre for the Suburban planonng
area designation. Currently there are 17 acres shown for new residential land (supporting
67-121 residential units at approximately 3.9 units/acre).
® The Plan needs to identify where forecasted residential growth will happen on your Future
Land Use Map, showing new development and re-development areas, associated
residential density range, and when residential development is anticipated to happen.
Examples of how this is shown is linked here (at 17; 28 minutes)
htt s://www.youtube.com/Watch?v=9uriyCbuMww&feature=youtu.be
® The. Plan needs to provide the net developable acreage for each.residential land use. It is
OK to exclude wetlands and naturel water bodies, public parks and open space, arteria!
local plans
road rights-of-way, and natural resource lands o protected
rote t a area ycalculations.aand ordinances (i.e.
steep slopes, wetland buffers, tree preservation)
Advisory Comments
It is suggested that the Plan indicate that the density expectations for Suburban
communities are at least five units (htt s://metrocouncii,or lHandbookIFilesIThrive-
Summaries/Policy-Suburban,asax).
Housing (Hilary Lovelace, 651-602-1555)
The Plan is incomplete for Housing review. Incomplete, inconsistent items and advisory
comments are described below.
Page 10 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 4 of 10
Incomplete items
Existing Housing Needs
Number of publicly subsidized housing units are noted on p. 70, but are not described by
type. The stated number is also much lower than Council data suggests. These figures can
be found on the community's Existing Housing Assessment.
(hMos.,11metrocouncil,O[glHandbookIFileslExisting-Housing
-
Assessment102395285 OakParkHelghts Existingffs�.as x�)
The number of existing households experiencing housing cost burden should be broken out
by AMI category. These figures can be found on the community's Existing Housing
Assessment. (htt9s-,11n7etroCo uncil.orcIlHandbookIFileslExisting-Housincl-
Assessment102395285 OakParkHelqhts ExistingHsg.asp )
The narrative analysis of existing housing needs is not sufficient. The Plan should clearly
indicate the housing needs of existing residents and at a minimum address the components
of the existing housing assessment, including households experiencing housing cost
burden.
Projected Housing Need
Land guided to address the City's allocation of affordable housing need for 2021-2030 is not
sufficiently described for review. The land use table on page 75 does not show land guided
for development within periods of time that fit within the required decade of 2021-2030.
The Plan states that there are 56 acres of undeveloped land. The table on page 75 shows 5
acres.guided for high density residential. Guiding more land as High Density Residential in
the 2021-2030 decade or some other land use category with a density of at least 8
units/acre are needed to meet the City's allocation.
Implementation Plan
Please list the specific public programs, fiscal devices, and other specific actions that
Washington County CDA to meet the need of rehabilitating aging property and any other
housing needs identified. This may include Washington County CDA's Gap Financing for
Redevelopment and Rental Owner Occupied Housing (GROW). Include in what
circumstances this would be used (specific property conditions, areas of the community, to
serve households of a specific AMI, after a City resolution or policy is passed, etc.) To learn
more about the powers of EDAs and HRAs, please see the City Development Powers to
Create Legal Entities in the Local Planning Handbook
(https-'Ilmetrocouncil.or /Handbook/Files/Resources/Fact-Sheet/HOUSING/Cit
Development-Powers-to-Create-Legal Entities ast�x)
LCA programs are discussed in detail, however, there is very little detail on what types of
projects, serving what %AMI and special Populations, would be served with these
programs. Circumstances of when this funding will be applied for and how it will be used, as
best as the community knows now, is required.
Rental license and inspection programs as well as ground maintenance regulations
described on page 74 require more context about when they will be implemented (if not
already).
Inconsistent Items
Projected Housing Needs
Based on minimum units per acre, it appears that High Density Residential is the only
residential land use that is guiding minimum residential densities that can support the City's
total allocation of affordable housing need for 2021-2030. The table describes that it is likely
that 5 acres of land will develop as High Density. This would calculate to 40 units that could
Page 11 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 5 of 10
be priced low enough to be affordable to households making less than 80% AMI, which is
lower than the community's allocation of housing need.
The development of senior affordable housing (page g 73) is not sufficient to support the I
City's share of the region's need for affordable senior housing
30, City
and is share e of future ausing between ffordable 21 and nous ng needs f
support for both affordable
are both good policy goals but are not interchangeable.
Implementation Plan
Some widely used tools
st must be ackdndowledg edto aress ,ng needs are not included
consistent, tools mand the Plan shoulds ate if, and if so, when and why,
u
the City would consider using them to address housing needs:
Housing Bond Issuance by municipalities
(htt s:/Imetrocouncil.or /Handbook/Files/Resources/Fact-Sheet/HOUSING/Munici al-Band-
lssuance.aspx)
council.o /Tax Abatement (htt s://meoHandbooVFiles/Resources/Fact-
SheetIHOUSING/Tax-Abatement.aspx)
® Tax Increment Financing (TIF) (htt s://metrocouncil.or /HandbooWFiles/Resources/Fact-
SheetIHOUSING/Tax-Increment-Financing.aspx)
® City support or direct application to specific resources within the Consolidated RFP put out
by Minnesota Housing (htt s.Ilmetrocouncil.or /HandbooWFiles/Resources/Fact-
Sheet/HOUSING/The-Consolidated-RFP.aspx)
Use of CDBG or HOME funding through collaboration with Washington County
® Site assembly, which can be very helpful for gaining control of vacant or abandoned
property, including partnering with the Land Bank Twin Cities
(htt s:/Imetrocouncil.or IHandbooklFileslResources/Fact-SheetlHOUSINGISite-
Assembly.aspx)
Policy (see more detail in the advisory comments)
Fair Housing Po
® Participation in lacy (sg-rted organizations, partnerships, and initiatives
(https Ilmetrocouncil orglHandbooklFiles/Resaurces/Fact-Sheet/HOUSING/Callaboratincl-
on-Housing-Strategies.aspx)
® Preservation of expiring low-income housing tax credit properties
® Examination of zoning and subdivision policies that may create barriers to the development
of more affordable housing or reuse/redevelopment of existing non-residential structures.
(https:I/metrocouncit org/HandbooklFileslResources/Fact-Sheet/HOUSING/Housinp-
Implementation Zoning-and-Subdrvrsran-Ord.aspx)
First time homebuyer down payment assistance
(https:l/metrocouncil.or. /Hal7dbooklFileSIResourceSlFact-
SheetIHOUSINGIHomeownership-Support-Programs.ate)
Specific tools that preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, including Housing
Improvement Areas, partnerships with sources of preservation financing (MN Housing,
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund's NOAH Impact Fund), and 4(d) tax incentives.
(https://metrocouncil org/HandbooklFileslResources/Fact-SheetIHOUSINGIHousing-
Preservation.aspx)
Advocating for a Community Land Trust model and/or cooperation/support for Two Rivers
Community Land Trust to create and preserve affordable homeownership opportunities
For more information on how to create a complete and consistent implementation plan,
including examples, please refer to the Linking Tools to Needs resource in the Local Planning
Handbook (https:Ilmetrocouncil.org/HandbooklFileslResourceslFact-Sheet/HOUSING/Linking-
Tools-to-Needs.aspx)
Page 12 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 6 of 10
Advisory Comments
• Council staff encourages the City to identify a timeline for researching and considering an
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) policy or allow them as a permitted use.
• On Page 74, Council staff suggests clarifying what the "creation" of affordable housing lots
means.
• For the map of home values, consider changing the value for 80% AMI to $243,500, which
is the home value affordable to those earning 80% AMI in 2018.
(https.//metrocouncil.oralCommunities/Services/Livable Communities Grants/2097
Ownership and Rent Affordability Limits as x)
The number of housing units affordable to households by income are sourced to
Metropolitan Council but are far off the Metropolitan Council's Existing Housing Assessment
figures. The Existing Housing Assessment provides more up-to-date figures.
(https./1metrocouncil ora/Handbook/Files/Existing Housing
Assessment/02395285 OakParkHei hts Existi17Hs .as x)
With respect to a Fair Housing policy, local fair housing policies do not mean that cities
should or can manage or administer Fair Housing complaints. Rather, a local fair housing
policy ensures the City is aware of fair housing requirements with regard to housing
decisions and provides sufficient resources to educate and refer residents who feel their fair
housing rights have been violated (this can be as simple as having links to resources on the
City's website). The Metropolitan Council will require a local Fair Housing policy as a
requirement to draw upon Livable Communities Act (LCA) awards beginning in 2019. To
learn more, please review the following resources:
o Creating a Local Fair Housing Policy webinar:
httgs://www.youtube com/watch?v=38JY4,oNGnZ8&feattire youtu be
o Best Practices. https.//metrocouncil.ora/Handbook/Pianit/Files/Webinar Fair Housina-
HandoutZ aspx
o Policy Template: httpS://metrocouncil org/Handbook/TraininaM/ebinars aspx- click on
Handout 1 under the Implementing A Local Fair Housing Policy at the bottom of the
screen
Wastewater Services (Roger Janzig, 659-602-1919)
The Plan is incomplete for Wastewater Services. To be complete for review, the Plan needs
include the following:
® A table that details adopted community sewered forecasts in 10-year increments to 2040 for
households and employment. This data needs to be broken down by areas served by the
Metropolitan Disposal System and subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS).
® An electronic map or maps (GIS shape files or equivalent) showing the following information
regarding the existing sanitary sewer system.
o Lift stations.
o Existing connections points to the metropolitan disposal system.
o Future connection points for new growth if needed.
o Local sewer service districts by connection point.
o Intercommunity connections.
• Copy of intercommunity service agreements entered into with an adjoining community,
including a map of areas covered by the agreement.
® Table or tables that assigns 2040 growth forecasts by Metropolitan interceptor facility.
® Describe the requirements and standards in your community for minimizing inflow and
infiltration (1/1):
Page 13 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 7 of 10
o Include a copy of the local ordinance or resolution that prohibits discharge from sump
pumps, foundation drains, and/or rain leaders to the sanitary sewer systern.'
o Include a copy of the local ordinance or resolution requiring the disconnection of existing
foundation drains, sump pumps, and roof leaders from the sanitary sewer system.
Describe the sources, extent, and significance of existing inflow and infiltration in both the
municipal and private sewer systems:
o Include a breakdown of residential housing stock age within the community into pre- and
post- 1970 era, and what percentage of pre-1970 era private services have been
evaluated for 1/1 susceptibility and repair.
0 Include the measured or estimated amount of clearwater flow generated from the public
municipal and private sewer systems.
o Include a cost summary for remediating the 1/1 sources identified in the community. If
previous 1/1 mitigation work has occurred in the community, include a summary of flow
reductions and investments completed. if costs for mitigating 1/1 have not been analyzed,
include the anticipated wastewater service rates or other costs attributed to inflow and
infiltration.
Describe the implementation plan for preventing and eliminating excessive inflow and
infiltration from entering both the municipal and private sewer systems.
0 Include a list of priorities for 1/1 mitigation projects based on flow reduction, budget,
schedule, or other criteria.
0 Include a schedule and the related financial mechanisms planned or needed to
implement the 1/1 mitigation strategy.
For new trunk sewer systems that require connection to the Metropolitan Disposal System:
o A table that details the proposed time schedule for the construction of the new trunk
sewer system.
• Type and capacity of the treatment facilities, whether municipally or privately owned.
• Copies of the associated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or
State Disposal System (SDS) permits.
Map or maps (GIS shape files or equivalent) showing the following information: (6 SSTS)
o Location of sub-surface sewage treatment systems.
o Location of nonconforming systems or systems with problems
Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) (Jim Larsen, n
51-602-1151)
The Plan is incomplete for SSTS review. The Plan will need to iclude a map depicting the
location of the six remaining individual SSTS in the City. Council staff suggests adding their
locations to the Comprehensive Sewer Plan Appendix G Sanitary Sewer System Map.
Aggregate Resources (Jim Larsel3,651-602-1151)
The Plan is incomplete for aggregate resources. The Council's aggregate resources inventory
information contained in Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 46 indicates that
there are several small isolated sand and gravel deposits in the City, but no aggregate resource
deposits that are likely to be of sufficient size to be economically viable for mining in the nearly
fully urbanized community.
The formal Plan needs to indicate that there are no aggregate resources available for mining in
the City or provide a summary of any known, potentially available resources or active mining
operations within the City.
Page 14 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13. 2O18
Page 8of1O
Transportation (Heidi Snh@0be0g, 05Y-8U2-172Y)
The P|8O is incomplete for Transportation. To be complete for r�Vi8VV the P|oD D��dG �O
address the foUOw�ng: ' �
• Identify the existing and future number of lanes for principal and A-minor arterials. The
existing number of lanes was only identified for Highway 36 as a principal arterial. If no
changes to the number of lanes are planned, this should be specified in the Plan.
* Forecasted traffic volumes must befor 2O4O. The draft Plan includes f0neC8st8d ''UD)be[Sfo[
2030.
• For transit, the Plan DlUGi describe the community in relationship to the transit market areas
(1/| and Vfor Oak Park Heights) and describe the appropriate level ofservice for these
market areas,
w For transit, the Plan needs to include that Highway 36 is an express bus corridor in the TPP.
• For bicycling, the Plan needs to map and describe the Tier 2 Regional Bicycle
Transportation Network (RBTN` alignments in the City. The map ehOU|d also show the
relationship of the RBTN to the /oCo| bicycle D8tm0rk, including all existing and planned
connections and local activity centers.
Advisory Comments
R--~.../~
• |fheavy commercial average annual daily traffic (HCAA[)TlioavaUGb|efor the phnoipG| and
A-rniDo[8�eh@|aiDthe C�v' the data should b8included O' the map Ofcurrent traffic
volumes,
m (]Dthe functional classification map, Council staff suggest Including local streets iOthe map
legend.
Transit '
w
Because the City is within two transit market areas, Council staff suggest including a map of
those transit market areas in relationship tOthe OUv.
Bicycling and Walking.
�
The transportation chapter refers to the parks chapter for discussion of bicycling and
Vv@|NOg. Biking and walking are transportation modes, not just recreation.
Including more ed/GCUSsiODVftheneDQdeSiDtranopOrt8tioDvoU|dhe/piDL0Fat8p|@Oningforthe8eOOde
modes
as oftransportation tOhelp the community reach its stated goals Ofmaking connections
tOpedeSt[iaDd8St/D8tionS. GChOO|o. etc. |twould beuseful to D �pp�d8etriaDfGCi|itiesiDr8|8tiOn to these h/p8S of destinations, not just parks.
�
Clarify ifon-street trails 'as described ODpage 13Oare intended and nl8rk8d '"�ruse byboth
pedestrians and bicyclists.
� (tiagenerally preferred touse people-first language iOrelation tOpeople with disebi|ities (]O
pages 13Oand 133' the phrase "disability oCceaaib|8'' /Gused inFe|ahOntotrai|s Suggest
changing this to "accessible for people with disabilities."" '
'
�
�
Page 1om4o
I
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
I
Page 9 of 10
Regional Parks and Trails (Freya Thamman, 651-602-1750) j
The Plan is incomplete for Regional Parks and Trails. To be complete for review, the Plan
needs to map and identify the Middle St. Croix Valley Regional Trail Search Corridor. The
regional trail search corridor travels through Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Baytown
Township, West Lakeland Township, and Lakeland as it connects to the Browns Creek State
Trail. Linked here is a Jpg with the search corridor, which can be included in the City's Plan:
https-//metrocoLincil or-q Handbook/Files/Regional-Parks=
System/JPG/02395285 OakParkHeights Parks.as
Advisory Comments
The City may want to consider updating Plan's Introduction, which states that the City will be
updating its Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan.
Solar (Cameran Bailey, 651-602-1212)
The Plan is incomplete and inconsistent with statutory requirements (Minn. $tat. 473.859.
Subd. 2; Section 10313.235) and Council policy regarding planning for the protection and
development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems as required by the
Metropolitan Land Planning Act (MLPA).
The Plan needs to include the solar resource map's corresponding calculations of the
community's gross solar and rooftop solar resource. These calculations can be found on the
community's Community Page on the Local Planning Handbook.
Advisory Comments
There are very good solar policies and goals in the Plan. Council staff recommend enrolling in
the following cost-free programs, which are designed to provide planning, technical, and policy
assistance to local Minnesota governments, as additional "solar implementation strategies" in
your Plan:
® U.S. Dept. of Energy's SolSmart Program - Solar Permitting, Zoning, and Development
MN GreenStep Cities Program — Sustainability Best Practices
Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy Program — Energy Action Plan Development
Implementation (Freya Thamman, 651-602-1750)
The Plan is incomplete for implementation. Additional implementation information,`as
discussed above in the Housing and Wastewater sections, is required. The implementation
chapter lists possible improvement projects and indicates that the chapter should be reviewed
and updated each year at the beginning of annual financial planning. Additional detail is
suggested schedule for the preparation, adoption, and administration of needed changes to
official controls.
Advisory Comments
• The City may want to consider indicating in the Plan that it will review and update official
controls within 9 months of adopting the 2040 Plan.
• The Plan indicates that the Implementation chapter should be reviewed and updated each
year at the beginning of its financial planning. For clarity, Council staff suggest that the
above sentence indicate that the Plan will be reviewed and updated each year.
® The Implementation section indicates that there are no current or projected mid and high
density residential projects planned in the City; however, the land use table in five-year
stages indicates anticipated medium and high-density development 2020-2025.
Page 16 of 40
Scott Richards, Consulting Planner
November 13, 2018
Page 10 of 10
As a reminder, when the City's 2040 Plan is submitted for formal review, to be complete for review, the
submittal materials need to include the list of all the affected jurisdictions that were sent a copy of the
City's 2040 Plan for review, the date the City's 2040 Plan was provided for review, and the comments
received by jurisdictions. Your subsequent response to review comments from adjacent jurisdictions
must also be included with the submittal materials. If no comments were provided within the six-month
review period, please note this as well. The resolution authorizing the Plan to be submitted to the
Metropolitan Council for review also needs to be included with the official submittal.
In summary, the submitted draft Plan is missing a number of items and may require revision. If you
have any questions or need further information regarding the comments in this letter, please contact
Freya Thamman, Principal Reviewer, at 651-602-1750 or your Sector Representative, Corrin Wendell,
at 651-602-1832.
Sincerely,
LisaBe Barajas, Director
Community Development
CC: Harry Melander,-Metropolitan Council District 12
Corrin Wendell, Sector Representative
Freya Thamman, Principal Reviewer
Raya Esmaeili, Reviews Coordinator
N:CommDevtLPAlCommunitieslOak Park HeightslLetterslOak Park Heights 2098 CPU Prelim 22079-O.docx
Page 17 of 40
INTRODUCTION
The Parks and Trails section of the Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan is built on the
foundation created with the first Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail System Plan
of 1995, the 1999 Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan and the 2008
Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan. The 2018 Comprehensive Plan
acknowledges that the community is almost completely developed and anticipates that
there will be little, if any, expansion of the City limits in coming years. The population
growth and number of households is expected to grow slightly, to over 5,000 persons,
and remain stable. It is expected that the City's population will continue to age, especially
with the large numbers of elderly housing units. In 2000, 12.8 percent of the city's
population was 65 years and over, by 2010 that climbed to 23.0 percent and in 2015 it
was 30.7 percent. In recognition of the demographics of the community, especially the
aging of the population, this plan seeks to provide opportunities for recreation for all ages.
The 2017 Community Survey asked residents about the current park and trail system and
they stated that it was one of their favorite aspects of living in Oak Park Heights.
Respondents had the following opinion regarding the condition of City parks and trails:
1 . Excellent — 23.2 percent
2. Above Average — 56.9 percent
3. Average — 16.2 percent
Respondents utilization of a City Park or trail is as follows:
1 . Every day — 17.0 percent
2. A few times per week — 37.8 percent
3. On occasion — 26.8 percent
The City recognizes that the community is almost completely built out and new park
land will not be created as a result of land subdivision. The continuing emphasis in
coming years will be on improvements within the existing parks, trail connections within
the community, and addressing the park and recreation needs of an aging population.
Page 18 of 40
EXISTING PARKS AND TRAILS
The Oak Park Heights park system offers numerous City parks distributed throughout the
City and a trail system that nearly connects all parts of the community. The park facilities
offer a full range of recreational activities. A list of the existing parks is as follows. A map
of the existing park and trail locations is found on a following page.
The City of Oak Park Heights contains six established parks. The parks vary in size,
location, and service. Parks play an important role, not only in their overall recreational
benefit to the residents of Oak Park Heights but as a crucial destination point directly
related to the establishment of trails. All are interrelated and each portion from the park
land itself, all the way down to a single picnic table or foot of trail, plays an important role
in completing a recreational link, therefore adding to the comprehensive system.
Valley View Park is the largest park within the City and is intended as a City-wide passive
park for hikers, picnics and nature. It is viewed by the City as a very unique and positive
amenity in the community given its dense vegetation, variation in topography, wetlands,
and array of existing and potential uses. The park is an important link between the east
portion of the City and Osgood Avenue (via its entrance drive, and/or through Brekke
Heights or Valley View Estates residential subdivisions). Adjacent to the Valley View Park
is Oak Park Crossings Park.
Brekke Park is a high quality, intensively utilized City park intended as an active area for
field games and a playground area for toddler age and older. It is located adjacent to
State of Minnesota land controlled by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and
serves as a community playfield for residents in the south-central portion of the City,
primarily between Osgood and Oakgreen Avenues. The City will continue to work with
the DNR to allow utilization of the property for open space, limited recreation and trails.
In 2007, the City purchased the property at 5502 Osgood Avenue, adjacent to Brekke
Park and created a disc golf course.
Swager Park serves as a neighborhood playground along the linear park system. The
park is fairly centralized within the community and is located within an Xcel Energy
easement. The park is at a central location to the trail system that provides an east to
west connection through the City.
Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for
residents in the Village of Oak Park Heights neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat
segregated from the north and western portions of the City. A year-round park building,
and parking lot was added in 2017.
Page 19 of 40
Autumn Hills Park and Haase Recreational Area serves as a neighborhood park and
is surrounded by the Boutwells Landing senior community. The park serves as a focal
point for residents from all areas of the City with the large play equipment area and a park
shelter with restrooms. The recreational area features trails, utilities and natural areas
adjacent to the Autumn Hills neighborhood and the Environment Living Center of the
Stillwater Area High School.
Oak Park Crossing Park is the City's newest park. It has a playground, park shelter,
walking trails, and prairie grass plantings. It was developed on the former Allan S King
ash disposal facility and is adjacent to Valley View Park.
On the following page is a list of the existing park components for each of the six City
parks.
Trail connections have been constructed over the past two decades to provide important
linkages between neighborhoods, commercial areas, and parks. In 1995, when the
Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail System Plan was completed, the only trail
routes available were a few sidewalks located in the area adjacent to the City of Stillwater
and limited trail connections to existing parks. In the last 23 years, the City has developed
an off-and on-street trail system that enables the pedestrian or bicyclist to move safely
throughout the City. There are many linkages and crossings that must still be addressed.
Currently, the trail system in Oak Park Heights includes 10.5 miles of municipal
separated, off-street trails; 4.0 miles of municipal on-street trail routes; 5.8 miles of State
trails; and .3 miles of private trails.
The City will continue to focus on making linkages, especially with development and
redevelopment projects. North/south connections, especially along Oakgreen and
Osgood Avenues, as well as crosswalks on or under these roadways, will continue to be
a priority.
The Existing Parks and Trails Map on a following page indicates the system current as of
2018.
Page 20 of 40
EXISTING PARK COMPONENTS
Valley Brekke Swager Cover Autumn Oak Park
View Park Park Park Hills Crossing
Park Park Park
Size 57 acres 13 acres 1.4 acres 1 acre 24 acres 35 acres
IV
Picnic Shelter th with bath with Y
with bath ADA
access ADA access
Baseball/Softball
✓ ✓ ✓
Warming House with shelter
ADA with bath with shelter
access
Basketball Court
Tennis Courts
Soccer/Open Field
youth only,
Fall
Play Set �/ �/ �/ �/ �/ ✓
Swing Set ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Spring Animal
Horseshoe Pit
Grills �/ �/ �/ �/ �/ ✓
Picnic Tables �/ �/ �/ �/ �/ ✓
Bench/Seat �/ �/ �/ �/ ✓
Bike Rack/Stand
Trail/Path Connection �/ �/ �/ �/ �/ ✓
Disc Golf Course
Signage �/ �/ �/ �/ �/ ✓
Source: City of Oak Park Heights
Page 21 of 40
PARK ISSUES - INTRODUCTION
The Parks Commission discussed issues relating to existing parks and trails in meetings
on January 29, 2018 and February 21, 2018. The following is a summary of issues raised
by the Parks Commission and staff.
GENERAL PARK ISSUES
• Provide opportunities for all ages to participate in lifetime fitness through the use
of trails, park facilities, and other activities.
• With an aging population, assure that facilities and programs are designed to
accommodate people in this sector of the population.
• Develop recreational and environmental education programs to familiarize people
with the parks.
• Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic
associations, civic groups, etc. can be accomplished.
• Create Oak Park Heights monument signs with plantings welcoming visitors to the
City.
• Determine whether existing and proposed park areas are desired for year-round
or seasonal usage and what effect this will have on park facilities and design.
• Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent
properties, i.e., off-street parking, screening, landscaping, setbacks, etc.
• Continue to work with Stillwater Area Schools to assure continued play area use
at Oak Park Elementary.
• Link all parks within the City through a system of trails.
VALLEY VIEW PARK
• Replace easement trail from Ozark Avenue.
• Make building improvements to park shelter such as providing a deck on the east
side, extension to north side, installing gutters, and adding electrical outlets.
• Provide trail connections to the east of the park shelter.
• Provide trail connections to the north of the park shelter, across the ravine.
• Replace fencing
• Remove buckthorn from the easterly wooded area.
• Add picnic tables.
Page 22 of 40
OAK PARK CROSSING PARK
• Include exercise equipment along trail system.
• Determine if water fountains can be added.
• Provide a trail connection along the eastern border of Perro Pond.
• Add a swing set near the playground area.
• Add picnic tables within picnic shelters.
BREKKE PARK
• Continued maintenance and improvements to the existing Brekke Park picnic
shelter.
• Replace hockey boards.
• Work with Washington County on construction of a tunnel under Osgood Avenue
to provide safe access from Brekke Park to the trail and park system to the east.
• Improve and update play equipment as needed.
• Provide a connecting trail behind the baseball fields through the wildlife
management area.
• Replace easement trail and fence off 55th Street.
• Consider a trail with an east/west orientation along the existing parking lot and
edge of the park to provide a connection to the upper playground.
• Consider purchase, if available for sale, of the DNR managed property to the
south of Brekke Park.
SWAGER PARK
• Consider the park as a linear park segment within the trail system, rather than a
destination.
• Include exercise equipment along trail system
• Provide benches, picnic tables within the park as needed.
• Work with Xcel on planting prairie grass in that area north of City Hall.
• Install a community garden area.
• Replacement of fence as needed along the south boundary of park with
neighborhood involvement.
• Add water service with water fountain and hydrant.
• The City shall take park land dedication for potential redevelopment area north of
Swager Park.
Page 23 of 40
COVER PARK
• Monitor maintenance and improvements to new park shelter including installing
gutters.
• Maintain/improve perennial planting slope.
AUTUMN HILLS PARK AND HAASE RECREATIONAL AREA
• Monitor condition of playground equipment and replace as necessary.
• Monitor condition of picnic tables and benches and replace as necessary.
• Provide additional tree plantings within the park and replace ash trees.
• Provide no smoking signs by playground.
• Add bike racks near the park shelter.
• Provide connections to the Boutwells Historic Village area to the south of the
park and explore programs and cross-utilization of both facilities.
GENERAL TRAIL ISSUES
• On street trails are to be used by both pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Construct educational environmental kiosks and signs at Valley View Park, by City
Hall, at Oak Park Crossing Park, at Autumn Hills Park, and in other appropriate
locations along the east/west trail corridor.
• Provide benches, resting areas, picnic tables, water fountains, and exercise
courses along trails. Restore prairie areas where possible along the trail system.
• Complete the striping of the southern edge of the Andersen Office Building parking
lot with a trail lane and stripe a crosswalk over Osgood with signage between
Osgood and Valley View Park.
• Improve trail signage where necessary to (1) denote the type of trail; (2) to give
direction as to where they lead; and (3)to warn vehicles of trail crossings, on-street
routes, etc. for safety purposes.
• Look at options and locations for lighting of trail corridors.
• Assure that all new trail construction is accessible for people with disabilities.
• The size of trails involves two factors: width and length. The minimum
recommended width for multi-use trails is eight feet, although it is beneficial in
many situations to provide increased width depending upon the use and location.
The length of trails should be varied to provide choices for users.
• Explore options for signage and street marking for on street trails.
• The location of trails within the community may be constructed in one of three
general ways: 1) on street, separated by a painted line, 2) off-street, but parallel
to the road surface like a sidewalk, or 3) completely separated from the road and
not necessarily parallel to it.
Page 24 of 40
• Work with the City Engineer to define the right-of-way widths that are necessary to
establish trails along designated roadways; for instances: an eight-foot trail
necessitates, at a minimum, a 20-foot easement and 10-foot level bench
(construction)area. Many times, additional temporary easement areas are needed
to grade surrounding areas.
• Consider developing cross-country trails throughout the City.
NORTHERN OAK PARK HEIGHTS TRAIL ISSUES
• Provide interconnections with the Stillwater trail system whenever possible.
• Link Sunnyside to Mn/DOT's trail.
• Link Sunnyside to the bluff area by way of Lookout Trail.
• Find a way to link Lookout Trail to the west.
• Provide a trail connection to the Scenic Overlook.
EASTERN OAK PARK HEIGHTS TRAIL ISSUES
• Work with Washington County to providing trails along Osgood Avenue.
• Provide access for those residents east of Osgood Avenue to safely cross Osgood
Avenue and access the parks and trails to the west.
• Provide interconnection with the Bayport trail system whenever possible.
WESTERN OAK PARK HEIGHTS TRAIL ISSUES
• Connect the Highway 36 frontage road to 58th Street on the west side of Menard's.
• Complete interconnections between the commercial and residential areas to the
58th Street trail and the Xcel easements trail system.
• Link Baytown Township and Stillwater Township with the Oak Park Heights trail
system.
• Provide interconnection with the Lake Elmo trail system wherever possible.
• Provide trails on both sides of Oakgreen Avenue.
• Connect the Pondview Condominiums at the southwest corner of Highway 36 and
Oakgreen Avenue to the rest of the trail system.
• Provide safe crossings on Oakgreen Avenue.
Page 25 of 40
GOALS AND POLICIES INTRODUCTION
Goals and policies reflect the community's direction as it relates to its recreation system
and provides more detailed guidance on park and trail development. Park and trail goals
and policies were developed through an analysis of the issues identified by the Parks
Commission.
As with any policy plan, it is important to read the statements together rather than as
disjointed declarations. Although conceptual development may leave the map out of date,
it is expected that policies are more enduring.
SYSTEM GOALS
• Protect, preserve and improve environmentally sensitive areas and natural
resources in all parks and trail corridor areas.
• Establish and maintain recreation facilities that maximize participation and
overcome physical or economic limitations which may prevent equal opportunity,
regardless of age, race, sex, religion, or place of residence.
• Plan and maintain an attractive and diverse system of parks that address the park
needs of all segments of the community.
• Provide linkages within Oak Park Heights as well as to neighboring communities
and regional systems by a safe and convenient multi-use trail/sidewalk system.
SYSTEM POLICIES
• Develop an ongoing planning process for the establishment of parks and trails
which responds to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policies as well as those
identified herein.
• Identify present and future park/trail needs with surveys of residents for evaluation
by the Park Commission and City Council.
• Review the established park/trail plans as needed to ensure that needs and
priorities are up to date.
• Prepare a master plan for each component of the park/trail system to be used as
the basis for development.
• Promote public participation in the planning process via the Park Commission
hosting forums for open discussion of issues, by newsletter, and the City's website.
Page 26 of 40
PROGRAMMING/DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
• Create and maintain an attractive, diverse, and interesting system of urban
parks/trails.
• Create a City-wide park and trail system designed to minimize conflicts between
pedestrians and motor vehicles.
• Minimize park and trail construction costs by constructing trails in conjunction with
State, County, and City street improvements.
• Parks and trails are constructed on a priority basis, according to capital
improvement plan/available funds.
• Encourage the private sector to provide recreational opportunities/facilities.
• Provide support facilities in conjunction with trail development.
• Determine where the establishment of user fees is appropriate to lower recreation
costs for the City.
• Determine under what circumstances unsolicited gifts and donations will be
accepted if they are free of obligations or potential future impacts.
• Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts will be utilized to expand
the City's recreational elements.
• Active use recreation areas should be designed for year-round use.
• Park and trail development should minimize impacts on adjacent properties
through provisions for, but not limited to:
o Adequate off-street parking.
o Appropriate orientation and location of buildings and activity areas.
o Screening, buffering, and landscaping.
o Adequate setbacks and physical separation.
• Preserve existing physical site amenities (natural or man-made) and encourage
the establishment of new site amenities when planning and developing park areas.
FACILITY PURPOSE AND DESIGN POLICIES
• Establish park and trail facilities which provide recreational as well as functional
uses.
• Provide varying types of trails to be used as the basis of planning and development
for the multiple use trail system, defined as a comprehensive trail system for the
integration of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses (pedestrian, bicycles,
roller skating, cross country skiing, etc.).
• Grades of trails should not exceed five percent to ensure accessibility for people
with disabilities or eight to ten percent for all others.
• Design and construct trails according to the standards established by the National
Park and Recreation Association, the State Department of Transportation, and
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (see Trail Design Standards attached herein).
Page 27 of 40
• The inclusion of environmentally sensitive areas (river frontage, native prairie,
bluffs, unique vegetative associations, etc.) into park or trail facilities should be
considered to contribute to the overall recreation system.
• Park facilities and buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural
activities with regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials.
• Potentially develop dual-use corridors incorporating bicycle and pedestrian
corridors with ski touring or sledding routes during the snow season.
• Maintain all trails in good repair and ensure that designated trail segments are kept
open and clear of snow throughout the year unless designated for winter use.
• Consideration shall be given to safety, visibility, and emergency access into parks
when acquiring land or planning for their development.
• Bicycles shall only be allowed upon paved surfaces within the City as designated
by ordinance. Mountain biking is allowed on trails designated for this purpose.
• Develop, and update as needed, policies for mountain bike and in-line skate
usage.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION POLICIES
• Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean, orderly, controlled,
safe, and attractive parks and trailways. Park maintenance and operation shall
safeguard the physical condition of trailways from deterioration or damage due to
weather, vandalism, or other natural or human causes.
• Develop a clear and concise system of park and trail graphics and signage that
direct people along trails and into parks to specific points of interest.
• Define specific park and trail safety rules.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY ISSUES POLICIES
• Develop ways in which to promote citizen interest and involvement in the City's
park and trail system.
• Continue to update and distribute the pamphlet that shows the trail routes, parks,
service and public facilities.
• Monitor characteristics of use, safety, and other factors periodically throughout the
park and trail system.
• Develop ways to organize community recreation programs and facilities to
maximize participation and overcome physical or economic limitations which may
prevent equal opportunity, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, or place of
residence.
Page 28 of 40
PARK AND TRAILS PLAN INTRODUCTION
The Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Plan is intended to provide guidance to the City
for continued development and improvements of the City's park, trail and walkway
system. The park facilities plan provides lists of improvements for the existing parks and
identifies recreational facilities that could be added throughout the community.
The trail portion of the plan indicates components that can be made to increase
connections with neighboring cities and provides an overall plan for off-street and on-
street trails that will connect all parts of the City. The trail system should not only ensure
public access to community amenities but will also provide recreational opportunities for
all age groups and safer access throughout the City. The trail system, in connection with
regional and local trail systems that are in place or planned, could be used as a marketing
tool for the community as well as to bring visitors to Oak Park Heights.
The Parks and Trails Plan is based upon information gathered and analyzed in the
Inventory, Issues Identification, and Goals and Policies sections of the plan. The following
paragraphs detail the park, trail and walkway plans for the community to pursue in the
next 10 years.
PARK FACILITIES
Valley View
Valley View Park is valued for its dense vegetation, variation in topography, and wetlands.
The plan proposes to maintain and enhance the natural aesthetics of the park.
Improvements to the park focus on making the park more visible in the community and
St. Croix Valley, more accessible, and as a continued resource for environmental
education.
The proposed improvements to the park will maintain and update the facilities that are
already present. Currently, many people are unaware of the lower portion of the park due
to lack of signage and the physical separation from the upper portion of the park.
A list of potential improvements to Valley View Park is as follows. A map of the
improvements is found on a following page.
1 . Replace the easement trail from Ozark Avenue.
2. Make building improvements to park shelter such as providing a deck on the east
side, extension to north side, installing gutters, and adding electrical outlets.
3. Provide trail connections to the east of the park shelter.
4. Provide trail connections to the north of the park shelter, across the ravine.
Page 29 of 40
5. Remove buckthorn from the easterly wooded area.
6. Work with Washington County on providing a pedestrian tunnel under Osgood
Avenue to provide access from Brekke Park to the entrance of Valley View Park.
7. Provide signage to create a better understanding of the amenities of the park,
especially the environmental features, and how to access them.
Brekke Park
Brekke Park is used extensively for field games and as a playground for toddler age and
older children. The proposed plan proposes maintenance and minor improvements to
the existing park. Previous park plans included proposals for expansion of passive and
active recreational uses on the DNR managed land south of the park. If the land becomes
available for purchase, the City would consider acquiring it for recreational open space
uses.
The map on a following page indicates the planned improvements. A summary of the
improvements is as follows:
1 . Study potential improvements to the existing picnic shelter.
2. Replace hockey boards
3. Work with Washington County on construction of a pedestrian tunnel under Osgood
Avenue to provide safe access from Brekke Park to Valley View Park and the
neighborhoods to the east.
4. Improve and update play equipment as needed.
5. Provide a connecting trail behind the baseball fields through the wildlife management
area.
6. Replace easement trail and fence off 55th Street
7. Consider a trail with an east/west orientation along the existing parking lot and edge
of the park to provide a connection to the upper playground.
8. Consider purchase, if available for sale, of the DNR managed property to the south
of Brekke Park.
Swager Park
Swager Park serves as a linear neighborhood playground along a trail that is within an
Xcel power line easement. The trail is now completed from Oldfield Avenue to the
Anderson office building parking lot.
Overall the main objective for this park is to keep it well maintained and serve the
surrounding neighborhood. The City has considered a permanent restroom structure in
the park but will continue with placement of portable toilets for the foreseeable future.
Adding more trees, prairie grass plantings, and improved fencing/screening for the
adjacent neighborhoods is also a priority.
Page 30 of 40
The map on a following page indicates the proposed improvements. A summary of those
improvements is found as follows:
1 . Consider the park as a linear park segment within the trail system, rather than a
destination.
2. Provide more benches and picnic tables in the park.
3. Develop a landscape plan that provides additional trees and shrubs in the developed
park area.
4. Work with Xcel on planting prairie grass in that area north of City Hall.
5. Provide exercise stations along the trail.
6. Provide fence/landscaping as a screen along the northern boundary of the park.
7. Consider eventual removal and possible replacement of the fence as needed along
the south boundary of the park. The neighborhood shall be involved.
8. Provide lighting along the trail at the crosswalk at Oldfield Avenue.
9. Add water service with water fountain and hydrant.
10. The City would require park land dedication for the potential redevelopment area
north of Swager Park.
Cover Park
Cover Park is the smallest park in the City and provides an active area for residents in
the surrounding neighborhood. Improvements to the park were competed in 2017 that
included a year-round park shelter/warming house for the hockey rink and covered picnic
area. The parking was moved to the north side of the park adjacent to the new park
shelter. Due to the proximity of Oak Park Crossing Park, trail connections were also
provided to provide access between the two parks.
The map on a following page indicates the limited planned improvements considering the
recent upgrade of facilities. A listing of these improvements is as follows:
1 . Monitor maintenance and improvements to new park shelter including installing
gutters.
2. Maintain/improve perennial planting slope.
Autumn Hills Park and Haase Recreational Area
Autumn Hills Park and Haase Recreational Area serve as a neighborhood park and open
space that is surrounded by the Boutwells Landing senior community. With completion
of the new park shelter and restrooms in 2007, much of the major improvements are
completed at this park. The City has identified additional projects to complete the park
and to provide recreational programs and cross utilization of the facilities at Boutwells
Landing.
Page 31 of 40
The map on a following page indicates the planned improvements. A listing of these
improvements is as follows:
1 . Monitor condition of playground equipment and replace as necessary.
2. Monitor condition of picnic tables and benches and replace as necessary.
3. Provide additional tree plantings within the park and replace ash trees.
4. Provide no smoking signs by playground.
5. Add bike racks near the park shelter.
6. Provide connections to the Boutwells Historic Village area to the south of the park
and explore programs and cross-utilization of both facilities.
Oak Park Crossing Park
The area directly to the north of Valley View Park and south of Highway 36 contains Oak
Park Crossings Park. This park area was developed on the former Allan S. King ash
disposal facility. A parking lot has been constructed to provide access and the park has
been provided with a playground, park shelters, walking trails and prairie grass plantings.
The system of trails connects the open area with the neighborhoods to the west, Valley
View Park to the south, and to Cover Park and the neighborhoods to the east. A major
goal within this park is to provide a trail connection along the eastern border of Perro
Pond.
The map on a following page indicates the planned improvements. A listing of these
improvements is as follows
1 . Include exercise equipment along trail system.
2. Determine if water fountains can be added.
3. Provide a trail connection along the eastern border of Perro Pond.
4. Add a swing set near the playground area.
5. Add picnic tables within picnic shelters.
REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS
The map on a following page indicates the regional park and trail systems in the St. Croix
Valley near Oak Park Heights. The City will work with Washington County, adjoining
cities and townships in providing an interconnected system. The map also reflects the
Regional Bicycle Transportation Network corridors planned through the City.
The Loop Trail is a 4.7-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail that is part of the St. Croix River
Crossing project. With the completion of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge in August 2017,
vehicle traffic was re-routed onto the new bridge and the existing Stillwater Lift Bridge will
be converted to a bicycle and pedestrian facility. The Loop Trail will cross the St. Croix
Page 32 of 40
River at the Stillwater Lift Bridge and on the new St. Croix Crossing bridge. Trails in
Minnesota and Wisconsin will complete the loop and will connect to regional and local
trail systems. The Lift Bridge will still accommodate boat navigation with lifts.
The Loop Trail consists of a number of segments that will be completed by 2019. The
main portion of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Loop Trail was constructed in 2015 and
2016. Construction of the remaining portions of the Loop Trail will occur in 2018 and 2019,
with only the Lift Bridge portion remaining incomplete until 2019. By summer of 2019, the
Loop Trail is expected to be fully operational.
TRAILS
The Proposed Parks and Trails Map has been created as part of the update to the
Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan and is found on a following page. The Issues
Identification process indicated that there is a strong desire to continue the
interconnection of neighborhoods, schools, commercial areas, public facilities, and parks.
City staff has indicated that trails will be added as part of any City street projects, where
possible, and as part of new and redeveloped commercial projects. The City will also
work with Washington County on roadway upgrade projects, especially as it relates to
providing trail connections.
The trail plan will provide for the interconnection of neighborhoods, parks, schools and
commercial areas. Emphasis shall be placed on a trail system that connects all areas of
the community and interconnects to regional trail systems. The map on a following page
indicates the existing and proposed trail system that includes both on-street and
separated segments.
Development of a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian trail system plan as part of a
park and trail system plan for the community should incorporate the following:
1 . Include trail routes within and interconnections to the areas planned for
annexation.
2. Connections to and linking neighborhoods with the commercial and industrial/
business park areas of the City.
3. Trail routes along major streets that have the most direct access to primary
pedestrian destinations.
4. Where trails will connect neighborhoods to schools.
5. Where trails will serve commuter destinations.
6. Where trails lead to parks, playfields and other recreational facilities.
7. Where trails will link together separate portions of the sidewalks and trail systems
with each other.
8. Where trails provide access to future regional trails consistent with the planned
Regional Bicycle Transportation Network.
Page 33 of 40
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Page 34 of 40
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd. N•Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone(651)439-4439•Fax(651)439-0574
1/25/19
TO: Park Commission Members
FROM: Eric Johnson, City Administrator
RE: Lookout Tower
Dear Park Commissioners,
Recently, City Council Member Chuck Dougherty mentioned to me a concept that could offer to the City a "free-
standing"three-story steel structure to the City for a possible use as a Lookout Tower.This structure is currently utilized
at the downtown hotel — Water Street Inn (NE Corner) and will be removed and not needed. Such a lookout tower
concept has been kicked-around over the years and could be placed at the edge /top of the slope of the fly-ash site,
in the proximity to the small pavilion. It would be a fantastic view of the Perro Creek Valley. See location below.
The costs to install such a structure would be
unknown at this time and likely would require
some form of footings. What the cost of such
footing system would be is unknown, but
perhaps more importantly is how might such a
footing system impact the CAP MEMBRANE of
the current fly -ash in this area. Such footings
would need to be roughly 4-5 feet deep at each
post and of some mass. We would need to
reach out to Chuck Donkers of Xcel Energy to
explore this. (A phone call has been made to
Chuck D. and the conversation is pending).
In addition, to date I have spoken with the City
Engineer's structural staff and their first
impression was that the steel looked to be in
good shape, might need some additional cross bracing, but that the footing question would be important to consider.
We have not commissioned any official structural evaluation or estimates.
NOW ALL THIS SAID, is this something the Park Commission would like to pursue further from a USE
Perspective? Is this something that the Commission might believe would be of value and an improvement to
the Park? How might it look visually in this area?While the structure would be a generous donation, the City
would need to invest further in engineering, some cross bracing and footings of some form.
Please visit the site this weekend and think about the pros and cons.
Page 35 of 40
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Page 36 of 40
City of oak lark Heights
4
Memo
To: Parks Commission
From: Jennifer Pinski
Date: January 25, 2019
Re: Annual Meeting
For your convenience, I have provided you with a copy of page 3 of the Parks Commission
Bylaws. This will provide guidance for the Annual Meeting. Annual Meetings are to be
held each year, with the nomination and election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson as
needed.
At the January 2018 Annual Meeting, Anthony Weyer was elected as Chairperson and
Judith Chirhart was elected as Vice-Chairperson with both positions expiring January
2019. According to the Bylaws, a member can serve as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson
for two consecutive years. Therefore, the current Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson could
serve another year. Or, any other member of the Parks Commission could be elected to
either position.
Upon completion of the Annual Meeting, the new Chairperson, if changed, will reconvene
the Regular Parks Commission Meeting Agenda.
Page 37 of 40
ARTICLE 4 — OFFICERS, DUTIES AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Officers. The officers of the Park Commission shall be Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson.
B. Duties of the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings,
appoint Park Commission members to committees, appoint Park Commission
representatives, rule on procedural questions (subject to reversal by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of those members in attendance), meet with all newly appointed
members, exercise the same voting rights as other Park Commissioners and
carry out such other duties as are assigned by the Park Commission or by the
City Council.
C. Duties of the Vice-Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall act in the
absence or inability to act of the Chairperson, and in such instances shall have
the powers and functions of the Chairperson.
D. Terms. The Park Commission officers shall be elected from among its
appointed members. No member shall serve as Chairperson or Vice-
Chairperson for more than two consecutive years. A member may serve as Vice-
Chairperson for two years and then Chairperson for two years, or in alternate or
alternating order. The election shall occur at the Park Commission's annual
meeting.
E. Vote. Candidates for office receiving a majority vote of the entire membership
(three-fifths (315), shall be declared duly elected.
F. Date of Office. Newly elected officers and members shall take office at the
annual meeting in January and which is an end date (sine die) for the preceding
term year.
G. Vacancies. Vacancies occurring in the offices of the Park Commission shall
be filled immediately by the above election procedure.
ARTICLE 5 — MEETINGS
r
A. Annual Meeting. An annual organizational meeting shall be held in January of
each year. Election of officers shall be conducted at that time.
B. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Park Commission shall be held at
6:00 PM on the third Monday of each month or as otherwise designated to
account for legal holidays or other special circumstances as approved by the
City Administrator. The meetings shall be held in the City Hall Council Chambers
3
Page 38 of 40
OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION
Member Aaron Bye
Term Partial: November 2013-December 2015
First: January 2016-December 2018
History 1012112013: Parks Commission recommended appointment to fill vacancy
1012212013:City Council appointed to fill vacancy partial term
01/2612015: Parks Commission appointed as Vice-Chair
01126/201& City Council appoints to first full term
0112512016: Parks Commission appointed as Chair
01/23/2017. Parks Commission re-appointed as Chair
Officer Terms 2015:Vice-Chairperson
2016: Chairperson
2017: Chairperson
Anthony Weyer
Term Partial: February 2015-December 2017
First: January 2018-December 2020
History 01/2612015: Parks Commission recommended appointment to fill vacancy
01/27/2015:City Council appointed to fill vacancy partial term
0112512016: Parks Commission appointed as Vice-Chair
0112312017:Parks Commission re-appointed as Vice-Chair
01/2912018: Parks Commission appointed as Chair
01129/2018:Commissioner starts first full term
Officer Terms 2016:Vice-Chairperson
2017:Vice-Chairperson
2018: Chairperson
Member Judith Chirhart
Term First: May 2016-December 2019
04/18/2016: Parks Commission recommended appointment to fill vacancy and to serve
History three year term
04/24!2016 City Council appointed to fill vacancy
01/29/2018 Parks Commission appointed as Vice-Chair
Officer Terms 2018: Vice-Chairperson
Member Hal Peterson
Term First: May 2018-December 2021
04/16/2018:Parks Commission recommended appointed to fill vacancy and to serve
History three year term
0412412018: City Council appointed to fill vacancy and to three year term
Officer Terms
Member Randy Thoreson
Term First: May 2018-December 2021
04/16/2018: Parks Commission recommded appointedto fill vacancy and to serve
History three year term
04/24/2018: City Council appointed to fill vacancy
Officer Terms
Page 39 of 40
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