PRSR 03-12-2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 February 12, 2025 Mr. Bona from Capstone said that they have removed a lot of lots to create the linear trail but if they cannot get the park dedication for the 14.51-acre greenway, they would remove this and remove the trail as planned to gain the lots back. They thought it was a feature of the Mississippi River Trail the trail down to the river. They would move storm water basins into the back yards. Chair Anderson then moved on to discussing the 28.07-acre parcel in the low land area by the Mississippi. Commissioner Loidolt said he did not get to walk the property, so he must go with the recommendations of the other Commissioners. Commissioner Niziolek said that this property is in the flood plain so they cannot build a structure there. He said there are portions of the land that are not but based upon past practice they have not accepted wetland flood plain for park dedication, but he said that they should consider taking the portion above the 10-year flood plain as park dedication because he does see the value of the land being by the Mississippi River. Staff is not sure how much acreage that would be. Mr. Barker said that they do have the areas split out showing that the non-wetland area in their plan which would be 16 acres. Commissioner Niziolek clarified that wetland and land above the 10-year water mark are different. Mr. Stremcha said that staff can calculate the acreage above the 10-year water mark for park dedication credit. Commissioner Goodwin said that Commissioner Niziolek’s compromise sounds good. Commissioner Varty said she is not sure how accepting a dry area in the middle of a wetland can be accepted. Chair Anderson said houses cannot be built down there, so it does not have a lot of their typical park amenity options. He said it looks like it might be about ten acres. Councilmember Grupa asked for clarification as to whether they would accept anything down along the river and Chair Anderson said no. Capstone staff confirmed that they could make that private area. Commissioner Goodwin asked the other Commissioners where they would put the other amenities for the development if they would not build them down by the river. She said that this is right on the river, and it is beautiful land. She stated concern for where the amenities are going to go for the other people on the other side of the neighborhood. She also has concerns about taking on the responsibility and maintenance of more playground equipment. Chair Anderson said that this neighborhood needs to be like Trott Brook Park. It should be a showcase park in a showcase neighborhood. Chair Anderson described the ideal location for a park, such as the Burr Oak area, is right up on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It should be a 7-acre rectangular high ground park with five hundred feet of frontage on the western boundary of the park on the bluff line going through Yale all the way to Xavier St. on the map. Mr. Stremcha drew a layout on the map provided to give an idea of the size and location. Commissioner Niziolek said that it would not having a parking lot. It would be roadside parking like Trott Brook. He thinks it would be fabulous for our city and the kids. He also thinks that the trail would also be very important running through the neighborhood so the people can get to the park and down to the river. Page 7 of 35