04-09-2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Packet (2)

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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 March 12, 2025 Chair Anderson said eventually part of the low land area could be turned into turf for recreational play. Chair Anderson said this would still be quite a way for residents to walk if they are further out by the road. He said he believes linear recreation for patrons to walk and bike on is very popular in this neighborhood, so he thinks it is very important to make sure the trail connects. Chair Anderson said City Council will see the commission’s recommendations on Monday as a discussion item on the agenda, then the Planning Commission again and then Council again for preliminary approval. He thanked Mr. Shelby and Mr. Stremcha for their time and for taking the time to include him in the conversations. Commissioner Niziolek asked what the square footage is of the area outside the bluff drop to the road and then from the north to the south. Chair Anderson said about 50,000 square feet or just over an acre. Commissioner Stewart asked if the developer has given up on the idea of an HOA and dock. Mr. Shelby said he does not know as those have not been part of their discussions so far. Chair Anderson said the trail is important but so is the river connection, the space for the upland amenities and the floodplain forest in the lowland. Commissioner Niziolek asked about the width of the space adjacent to the trail on the north connecting to the floodplain. There was conversation about a lot going back and he wants to know how wide that space will be for the trail. Mr. Stremcha said it would be a minimum of 30 feet for a trail to be in a space between the lots. Chair Anderson said that is like what they have in other neighborhood connections. The GNT is a minimum of 100ft but that is different. Commissioner Niziolek said the trail is 80 feet from the backyard of homes along the Great Northern Trail and he does not think the trail is in this new development will be that same distance. Commissioner Niziolek said he is focusing on this because that will be the major connection link to the rest of the community. He said that to access this park, outsiders would have to access the park by that trail. He said it is important to design that access point well. He also said there would have to be roadside parking for the people of larger Elk River to access the trail. Chair Anderson said the trail to the cul-de-sac would provide that roadside parking. Commissioner Niziolek said that based on conversations in meetings over the past couple of years, parking in the cul-de-sacs does not seem to be a welcomed activity within the city of Elk River, and this is a much denser neighborhood than the others. Chair Anderson said that when the commission has previously been asked, they have always favored roadside parking over parking lots. Commissioner Niziolek said that he would like onsite parking but designated alongside a road not in a cul-de-sac. He said that along the commercial area would be better. He wants it made designated and clear that there will be roadside parking, so the community does not get upset when it starts happening. Page 4 of 54