02-12-2025 PR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 6 of 8 February 12,2025 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. Commissioner Niziolek said the trail would ideally be eighty feet from the backyard of the homes and go all the way up and through to the Oliver Kelley Farm. The ultimate trail alignment would look like what is presented tonight. He also clarified that it would be ideal to have a road on either side of the park and have roadside parking versus a parking lot It would be like Trott Brook Park. Having the park up top would provide a safer environment for kids to play in compared to a lower area by the river. Councilmember Grupa asked the Commission what land they wanted to delegate for park dedication. Chair Anderson said the primary piece is the seven-acre park on the top, park dedication for lower space in the amount of land above the I 0-year high water mark minus the wetlands, and the remainder in cash at the applicational rate at the time of platting and the trail should be installed by the developer with trail access easements across any trails not located on public property. Mr. Shelby said planning would be able to determine the amount of land in the lower space minus the wetlands. Councilmember Grupa questioned if the developer makes the final park location decision. Mr. Stremcha said City Council and the developer make the final decision. Mr. Bona shared that they appreciate the comments from the Commission, but he feels like it needs to be more of a two-way street about the parks. He said that the things the commission is describing may not be financially able to work for them as the developer. He is concerned that they put a year into this plan, and this is the first time they are hearing about this. He said if they recommend, and they cannot financially do it then it could be waste of time. Chair Anderson pointed out that he had sent notes to the last meeting because he could not be present He said the Capstone plan has stayed the same since day one and they do not seem to be hearing the Commission's recommendations. He does not feel that the Commissioners comments and recommendations are being heard by the developer. Chair Anderson pointed out that they think they are compromising. He wants to make sure they are serving the people in the neighborhood and making sure they have a park and programable space. Mr. Bona said they could not do a bluff line trail because they financially need to have homes on that bluff. He feels like the property that they proposed for park dedication is the crown jewel of the