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

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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 March 12, 2025 Mr. Stremcha said roadside parking would be better alongside the orange trail by the grey square area on the map. He pointed out that driving with a car would bring people through the main corridor directly to the park, not the area to the north. If they would be coming in from a trail access point once the MRT is complete, they would not be coming in with a car. Commissioner Niziolek asked if the major interchange would be on the northern side of the development. Mr. Stremcha said yes but it would still direct traffic onto the frontage road which would travel south and disperse into the development. Commissioner Loidolt said that he believes they shot down a perfectly good park that could host an 18-hole disc golf course because of on street parking. He said it was simply because there was not parking. He thinks we are going to penalize the people being in this neighborhood by having on street parking and not a parking lot. There will be garbage in the yards and loitering that will be an inconvenience to the house owners. He feels if they want to make this a destination park for the greater Elk River residents, they need the parking lot. Mr. Stremcha and Mr. Shelby said that if the commission wants to recommend putting a parking lot back in that area, they can whether it is the original one or a new one. Commissioner Goodwin said that she thinks there needs to be a parking lot on both sides of the neighborhood because realistically she is not going to park on the north side and walk with all her stuff to the side with the playground. Commissioner Stewart asked how big the original parking lot on the north size was. Mr. Shelby pulled up the drawing from the initial Capstone project presentation and it showed 30 stalls. Commissioner Loidolt asked how they would access that parking lot. Mr. Stremcha said eventually via the interchange but at first it will be the main road. The service roads will all be incorporated in phases as the development grows so not all in phase one. Commissioner Loidolt said that he likes the plan, but they need parking lots. Chair Anderson said that it would be better with a central parking lot than one on each side. They clarified that the red lines on the design represent sidewalks. Mr. Stremcha asked what the commissions suggestion is on the number of parking stalls. Commissioner Niziolek said that there were ten cars parked at Houlton tonight so he feels this neighborhood will need at least 25 to 30. Commissioner Loidolt agreed. Commissioner Varty said that they should evaluate which side would have the heaviest usage. Commissioner Varty said that it may not only be people from outside the neighborhood but also people within the neighborhood. Commissioner Goodwin said the type of amenities included in the park will affect how many parking stalls will be needed. If they are going to have amenities where multiple families are going to meet up such as a playground and picnic pavilion, then they need many spots. Mr. Stremcha asked how the commission would feel about having indented parking along the street outside the grey park area on the map. Commissioner Niziolek said he is supportive if the parking locations are designated and clear to the people purchasing the homes. Commissioner Loidolt asked how much of the park land would be taken up by those parking spots. Mr. Stremcha said maybe 7.5 % of the park land. Chair Anderson said he thinks that type of parking Page 5 of 54