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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-04 Bd Comm minutesMINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 12, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS: FORMAL ACTION TAKEN Ken Fearing, Judith Klink, Bruce Maurer, Matt Pacha, Rex Pruess, Allen Stroh, Kathryn Wa11'ace, Ross Wilburn Barbara Endel Terry Trueblood, Bob Howell, Marilyn Kriz, Bruce Nygen Terry Dahms, Casey Cook Moved by Klink seconded by Wilburn, to approve the January 8 1997 minutes as written. Unanimous. Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Pruess, to appoint Ken Fearing as the Parks and Recreation Commission representative on the Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission. Unanimous. Moved by Wilburn seconded by Maurer, to support the Planning staff's recommendation to accept the .04 acre in the Court Hill Subdivision as required by the Neighborhood Open Space Ordinance. Unanimous. total $200,000 from the Parkland Accruisition Fund be borrowed with a scheduled payback. Moved by Klink, seconded by Wilburn to amend the motion by adding if private sector contributions exceed the anticipated amount that the additional amount be credited to reduce the amount necessary to borrow from the Parkland Acquisition Fund. Unanimous. The amended motion was voted on and approved. Unanimous. APPOINTMENT TO RIVERFRONT & NATURAL AREAS COMMISSION Pacha stated Ken Fearing agreed to be the commission's representative on the Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission. Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Pruess, to appoint Ken Fearing as the Parks and Recreation Commission representative on the Riverfront and Natural Areas Commission. Unanimous. APPOINTMENT/ELECTION TO PARK AND RECREATION FOUNDATION Pacha noted the need to appoint one more commission member to the Parks and Recreation Foundation. The bylaws state there are to be four commission members on the Board of Directors; Matt Pacha, Bruce Maurer and Ross Wilburn are currently serving. He also noted the commission needs to officially elect the two non -commission members presently serving, Jana Egeland and John Beasley. Moved by Pruess, seconded by Fearing, to elect Jana Egeland and John Beasley to the Park and Recreation Foundation's Board of Directors. Unanimous. No one volunteered to fill the one commission member vacancy. Matt will ask Barbara Endel if she would be willing to serve on the foundation. COURT BILL SUBDIVISION Trueblood pointed out on the plat the 15 foot strip of property the Planning staff is recommending acceptance of to meet the Neighborhood Open Space Ordinance requirement. This area consists of .04 acres, and acceptance of it would preserve a portion of the sloped bank and some of the trees. Fees in lieu of land would amount to approximately $3,300. Trueblood -noted there has also been discussion about possibly purchasing Lot 6 to further protect the stream bank and to create a larger buffer between the mowed portion of Court Hill Park and the development. The developer has indicated his bottom line figure for this lot is $37,000. Trueblood noted this would equate to more than $160,000 per acre. Klink asked if there was parking/access to Court Hill Park on Court Street; Trueblood indicated there is a small amount of on -street parking on Friendship Street adjacent to the park, but not on Court Street. Klink noted it would be nice to purchase two lots for aesthetic purposes and to enlarge the park. Fearing and Pacha felt the price was too high. Stroh indicated he lived in this area and noted if Lot 6 was purchased it would act as a nice buffer, and would provide an entrance to the park for citizens who live north of Court Street. Pruess asked if there was a parkland deficit in this district and if not, what park/open space met the district's needs. Trueblood noted there is no deficit, with the open space in this area consisting of Court Hill Park, an elementary school, Hieronymus property acquired across from Scott Park, East Hill Subdivision property acquired adjacent to Memory Gardens, plus property purchased from Memory Gardens. Maurer asked the size of the lot, with Trueblood noting 121 feet by 82 feet. Maurer also felt the price was too high. Pruess stated he would have difficulty supporting the purchase of this lot because of the availability of other parks nearby and there being no parkland deficit. Moved by Wilburn, seconded by Maurer, to support the Planning staff's recommendation to accept the 04 acre in the Court Hill Subdivision as required by the Neighborhood Open Space Ordinance. Unanimous. Klink noted the purpose of the Parkland Acquisition Fund is to be able to move when opportunities are available, because once they disappear they cannot be regained. 2 MERCER PARK GYMNASIUM PROJECT Pacha stated the project is at a pivotal juncture. The feasibility study has been completed, results of which the commission received in their packet. He stated the next step is to take the plan, along with the commission's recommendation to the City Council at their work session on March 3rd. The commission will be requesting the Council's commitment to support the overall financing package and future operating costs. Previously the commission unanimously endorsed a financing package. The Park and Recreation Foundation committee is recommending a modified financing package. The proposed change relates to the Parkland Acquisition Funds; previously $250,000 was proposed to be borrowed from the fund, and the foundation is recommending that $100,000 be borrowed and $100,000 be transferred with no payback. This change demonstrates a strong, true commitment to the commission's #1 priority. Pacha stated in the past the commission has spent a lot of time on parks, green space, and trails, but that recreation is also part of the commission's responsibility/charge. Trueblood distributed an accounting of the Parkland Acquisition Fund and Park Development Fund. Klink noted $250,000 would be more than one-half of the total Parkland Acquisition Funds available. Stroh asked how the funds would be paid back, with Trueblood stating from the General Fund by adding a line item in the operating budget. Pruess noted the intent of the Parkland Acquisition Funds, asking how it was possible to transfer $100,000 out of the fund for non -acquisition purposes. Trueblood stated the commission can only make a recommendation to the City Council who will make the final decision, noting the City Council could theoretically use the funds for whatever they want. Pruess questioned whether the fund received interest, with Trueblood noting at one time it did but ceased due to the department's budget deficit in 1988. Since that time interest is put into the General Fund, from which a large part of the department's budget is funded. Wilburn noted he supported the change in the financial package in that funds will remain in the Parkland Acquisition Fund. He felt some pressure is taken off due to the Neighborhood Open Space Plan, noting he felt it was more important to focus on accepting land instead of fees. He felt since the Mercer project is the commission's #1 priority, the contribution would help highlight how important this project is to the commission. Stroh pointed out two sides to the actual transfer of funds - one being it sends a message that the commission is committed to seeing this project completed; the other that it sends a message that the Parkland Acquisition Fund is not that important and can be used for other purposes. Pacha stated in the past the commission has demonstrated it does not endorse the use of acquisition funds for short- term borrowing needs, but has recognized that the fund has served as a vital resource for funding much-needed projects. If borrowing from the fund was deemed necessary it has been on a short-term payback basis. Stroh stated with the Neighborhood Open Space Plan there will be many opportunities to use the fund to acquire property. He stated he would rather borrow from the fund than take from it. 3 Wallace noted as of yet she had not become totally familiar with the Neighborhood Open Space Plan, and Klink gave a brief history. Klink objected to the transfer of $100,000 with no payback based on her perception of history of what the commission has been doing in the last two years. Klink stated the Neighborhood Open Space Action Plan Committee is at a point where districts will be prioritized, based partly on need, and there could be a number of pending acquisitions. She stated she would hate to see the fund permanently eroded for the sake of this project, noting the two are not operating under the same pressures. Maurer stated the foundation looked long and hard at how it could get this project done. He stated the commission needs to do whatever it can to see that this project comes to fruition. The facility is very much needed, especially by the youth in the community. He referred to how the Recreation Center was packed tonight with youth. He stated there are youth at risk, after school and beyond, and if they have a place they can go it will reduce that risk. The commission has a real responsibility to take care of the youth in the community, which continues to grow. Pruess stated he could not support the no pay back option for various reasons. He noted that land is available that could be purchased (Neuzil property, Miller Orchard area). The intent of the fund is to acquire parkland and to vote against this intent would set a precedent. The public has not had a chance to give their input as to use of these funds. The public may perceive that parkland acquisition is not important. He noted if the fund received interest at 109s it would amount to $45,000 in funds that could be used. Concerns were raised as to if a parcel of land became available to purchase in a much needed area and there were insufficient parkland acquisition funds, if the city would advance the necessary funds. Trueblood stated that in such a case he would work with the City Manager and Finance Director to determine a possible financial package 'which would then have to be approved by the City Council. Pacha and Maurer noted the possibility of exceeding the fund raising goal which could reduce the amount necessary to borrow. Casey Cook asked for clarification on the borrowing aspect. Trueblood stated funds have been borrowed on a small scale from the Parkland Acquisition Fund in the past and the amount paid back was included as a line item in the operating budget. Cook asked if money from the General Fund is used to pay back this commitment whether it is dependent on the City Council, with Trueblood stating the City Council has to approve it. Stroh noted if the City Council approves the financing package it would imply that they accept the responsibility to repay the funds. Casey stated he was one of the original authors of the Neighborhood Open Space Plan, and from the beginning the intent of the plan was to provide parkland in developing areas of the city. He did not think that having such a plan alleviated the pressure on the inner city. He noted he was the appraiser on both the Neuzil and Jensen parcels. He stated the 4 problem of high land costs will not change but will become worse. He stated he was president of F.I.R.S.T. which is interested in trail development and there are a lot of possibilities for use of parkland acquisition funds that have not been raised. He could foresee the city being in a position of running a trail from Benton Street to Napoleon Park, where there are two private properties the city would need to be acquire in order to accomplish it. He stated if he had some assurance that he could count on that the funds would be repaid, with interest being paid on the borrowed funds, he would feel more positive on the compromise being shaped. Trueblood stated the only assurance would be the past record that has been established in borrowing from the fund and paying the funds back. He noted this borrow/payback has been done with the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, with Pacha noting he thought the Animal Shelter was also financed by borrowed funds. Casey stated he appreciated the commission taking matters seriously and their time in doing this work. Wilburn noted he has been impressed with discussions on various parcels of land and possible trail systems, and expressed appreciation to F.I.R.S.T. for their work keeping the commission aware and informed about trail systems. Moved by Maurer, seconded by Stroh, to approve and recommend to the City Council the financing proposal for the Mercer Park Aquatic Center proposed expansion dated February 6, 1997, with the chancre that the total $200,000 from the Parkland Acquisition Fund be borrowed, with a scheduled payback. Moved by Klink, seconded by Wilburn, to amend the motion by adding if private sector contributions exceed the anticipated amount that the additional amount be credited to reduce the amount necessary to borrow from the Parkland Acquisition Fund. Unanimous. The amended motion was voted on and approved. Unanimous. Pacha and Maurer expressed appreciation to the commission for their openness in discussing this matter and for their support. Maurer urged commission members to consider what they could do over a three -five year period in terms of contributing to this project personally. COMMISSION TIME Klink reported she is keeping informed on the West High School trail extension from Willow Creek Park, noting students are interested in seeing this completed. Wilburn reported he attended the last Grant Wood Neighborhood Association meeting. They had questions as to commissioner responsibilities and the Neighborhood Open Space Plan. He encouraged commission members to attend their neighborhood association meetings. Fearing indicated he had been asked why the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the removal of snow from the downtown 5 area. Trueblood stated the department is responsible for snow removal in many non -park areas. The Central Business District covers the downtown area and other adjacent areas such as Chauncey Swan Park, and this division has come under the department mainly due to the horticultural aspects and park -like setting of the CBD area. Stroh furnished staff with an article which had appeared in an Area 10 newsletter regarding a class project which consisted of cleaning up Willow Creek Park. Wallace asked staff about other communities with respect to how they utilize parkland acquisition funds, and what they have for open space plans. Trueblood noted there are very few communities with such funds and even fewer which have a neighborhood open space plan. Staff has not surveyed these cities with respect to parkland funds. Maurer referred to the article furnished by Stroh noting he belongs to a group which adopted a park, and he suggested the possibility of the class adopting the park. Trueblood noted the problem with school groups adopting a park is that most of the work necessary occurs during the summer months, when school is not in session. CHAIR'S REPORT Pacha reported he. attended a City Council work session last week on behalf of the commission to encourage them to support the department's request for additional maintenance workers in the Central Business District and Parks Divisions. He referred to the memo sent to the City Council in the commission's packet. Pacha reported a question was raised as to the commission's priority if only one Maintenance Worker was approved. Trueblood noted at a recent Council work session it appeared the department will receive one additional maintenance worker, and it will be left up to the department to schedule this position in a manner that will help both the CBD and Parks Divisions. He indicated he did not know whether this will be possible, given the different rates of pay and the fact that these two positions are needed to work different shifts. Trueblood indicated that some time in the future staff may be bringing a proposal to the commission for outside contracting for the maintenance of some areas. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Trueblood reported on the following: South Side Soccer Complex - Staff received a letter from the Iowa City Kickers seeking the commission's support in naming the new soccer complex "Iowa City Kickers' Soccer Park." This item will be placed on next month's agenda. In naming parks and facilities the commission makes a recommendation to the City Council for their action. 9 IPRA State Conference - The Iowa Park and Recreation Association State Conference will be held in Dubuque April 2-4. Commission members should contact staff if they are interested in attending. Maurer indicated he attended last year's conference, felt it was worthwhile and encouraged members to attend this year. Cemetery Update - Two memos were included in the commission's packet; one regarding the tour of the area with Judy Slezak, great granddaughter of Christian Gaulocher, and an upcoming meeting with a cemetery design consultant. Moved by Maurer, seconded by Pruess, to adjourn. Unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. 7 MINUTES IOWA CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1997 - 7:30 P.M. CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Bovbjerg, Benjamin Chait, Pam Ehrhardt, Dick Gibson, Lea Supple, George Starr MEMBERS ABSENT: Jane Jakobsen STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo, Sarah Holecek, Anne Schulte RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: Recommend approval, by a vote of 6-0, of SUB97-0002, a final plat of a resubdivision of Lot 2, Westport Plaza, an 11.14 acre, two -lot commercial subdivision located south of Ruppert Road. 2. Recommend that the two-mile extraterritorial review area within Fringe Area B not be extended at this time, as a result of the annexation of the Streb property on the east side of Scott Boulevard, but that the City reserve the right to extend the review area in the future through the process outlined in the Fringe Area agreement. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Stan- called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA. There was none. - ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES ON CITY BOARD AND COMMISSIONS: There was none. DEVELOPMENT ITEM: REZ97-0001. Public discussion of an application submitted by Oral-B Laboratories to rezone a 3.74 acre tract of land located on Mail Drive from Community Commercial (CC -2) to General Industrial (1-1). (45 -day limitation period expires March 17, 1997) Miklo showed a map of the site adjacent to Mall Drive and the existing Oral-B. He stated that in 1985 the parcel was rezoned to CC -2. Miklo added that the property has changed hands and that the new management of the facility has request a change of zoning back to 1-1. Miklo said that this rezoning would be compatible with the Comprehensive Plan, as the area in question is shown on the land use plan as an industrial area. He said that there is a residential neighborhood to the northeast of the area but that the area is screened by existing vegetation. Miklo stated that the demand for retail facilities in this area has not been strong, as evidenced by the still vacant lots. He also said that the rezoning is expected to have little effect on traffic in the area and that there may even be a reduction in traffic at certain times of the day. Miklo said that staff therefore recommends approval of the rezoning of REZ97-0001 from CC -2 to 1-1. Bovbjerg asked if it could be made a condition in some way that the parcel must retain or add vegetation as a buffer from the residential area. Miklo stated that screening is required in the industrial zones so that the requirement is already in place. Bovbjerg asked if the vegetative screening actually belongs to the railroad and about the width of the railroad right-of-way. Miklo said that he would find a& PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 20, 1997 PAGE 2 out and report back at the next meeting. Bovbjerg asked about the possibility of a traffic problem near Southeast Junior High School, depending on the times of shift changes at Oral-B. She asked if the Engineering staff could study the traffic flows now and perhaps again in the future to anticipate any problems. Miklo said that he would check into the times of shift changes at Oral-B. He added that the traffic flow is not an issue in terms of expansion of Oral-B which has already been approved. Supple asked why the parking lot could not be constructed in a CC -2 zone. Miklo replied that an industrial parking lot cannot be constructed in a commercial zone. Supple asked if future expansion would retain the quality of the landscaping on the grounds that has been there in the past. Miklo showed the site plan on the map, specifically the fenced -off area where the building is being expanded to. Starr asked if the plans would reduce the number of access points along Mall Drive. Miklo responded that it most likely would and that the final result will probably only have one access point. Rick Bemdt, Shive Hattery, said that he was representing the applicant, Oral-B. He said that the staff report was essentially accurate. Berndt also stated that it is not the intent of Oral-B to fill up the entire six lots with parking spaces and added that Oral-B would like to expand on the site at some point in the future. Berndt added that Oral-B does not intend to build any part of the factory in the northeast comer. He said that the current construction project, besides building an addition, will greatly improve appearances of the Oral-B facility and includes a complete refacing of the existing building. Berndt stated that Oral-B intends to maintain its tradition of quality landscaping on its property. Starr asked Berndt about the screening near the railroad tracks on the northeast side of the property. Berndt said that the vegetation is probably on railroad property. He added that the nature of the Oral- B business resulted in a facility that is relatively low -noise. Public discussion. There was none. Public discussion closed. Starr stated that the Commission usually holds two meetings for a rezoning issue. Bovbjerg said that the Commission might be prepared to vote after one meeting. Miklo said that in this case the issue should be deferred, because a sign giving notice of the potential rezoning had not yet been posted at the site. MOTION: Bovbjerg moved to defer REZ97-0001, an application submitted by Oral-B Laboratories to rezone a 3.74 acre tract of land located on Mall Drive from Community Commercial (CC -2) to General Industrial (1-1), to the March 6, 1997, meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Gibson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 6-0. DEVELOPMENT ITEM: SUB97-0002. Public discussion of an application submitted by Staples, Inc. for final plat approval of a Resubdivision of Lot 2, Westport Plaza, an 11.41 acre, two -lot commercial subdivision located south of Ruppert Road. (45 -day limitation period expires March 16, 1997) PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 20, 1997 PAGE 3 Miklo showed a map of the site and stated that the proposal would split the lot on which Cub Foods is located into two separate lots, with the second lot to be purchased by Staples. He added that the preliminary plat for this subdivision had been approved by City Council in November 1996. Miklo stated that staff recommends approval of the two -lot subdivision. Supple asked if it is premature for Staples to begin construction before City Council has given approval to the final plat. Miklo stated that a commercial zone can have two separate businesses on one lot but that in this case, the two businesses would like to have separate ownership of their properties. Ehrhardt asked about pedestrian traffic and connection of the buildings between Wal-Mart and Cub Foods. Miklo said that the City Council had amended the Conditional Zoning Agreement for the Westport Plaza development which required that the buildings be connected. Chait asked if the piece of land on the south side of the small road on the piece of property could be used for some other facility. Miklo said that it could, since there is no minimum lot size for commercial uses. However in this case that area is covered by a drainage easement. Bovbjerg asked Miklo if this resubdivision meant that Lot 2 would now be divided into two lots named Lot 1 and Lot 2. Miklo confirmed this and said that the area would be titled the Resubdivision of Westport Plaza, Lot 2, to differentiate it from the Westport Plaza Subdivision. Starr asked if this resubdivision would have any effect on the CZA. Miklo said that it would not and that the CZA would still be intact with the exception of the 1996 amendments. Public discussion. There was none. Public discussion closed. MOTION: Chait moved to recommend approval of SUB97-0002, a final plat of a resubdivision of Lot 2, Westport Plaza, an 11.14 acre, two -lot commercial subdivision located south of Ruppert Road. Gibson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 6-0. FRINGE AREA ITEM: Public discussion concerning the extension of the two-mile extraterritorial boundary upon annexation of Scott -Six Industrial Park, a 140.5 acre tract located on the east side of Scott Boulevard and north of Highway 6. Miklo showed the site on the map where the additional property could be annexed and where the two- mile review limits could be extended. He said that with the current Fringe Area Agreement, any extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis. Miklo stated that staff does not recommend extending the two-mile review area because: 1) the City would like to show a spirit of cooperating with the County; and 2) the amount of property would be insignificant. He added that in the future, if additional annexation to the southeast of Iowa City occurs, the City may want to consider extending the review limits to include the entire Snyder Creek watershed. Miklo said that the City reserves the right to extend the review area in the future if deemed necessary. Ehrhardt asked what the disadvantage would be of extending the review limits at this time. Miklo PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 20, 1997 PAGE 4 responded that such a move might offend the County. He said that the City and County have been cooperative in the recent past and that staff does not recommend extending the limits unless there is a need. Gibson said that to not extend the limits now would be a sign of good faith to the County, which the City should expect in return, but that the area should be watched for any changes. Miklo stated that if the Fringe Area Agreement is not adhered to, the City would certainly want to extend the review limits. Public discussion: There was none. Public discussion closed. MOTION: Bovbjerg moved to recommend that the two-mile extraterritorial review area within Fringe Area B not be extended at this time as a results of the annexation of the Streb property east of Scott Boulevard, but that the City reserve the right to extend the review are in the future through the process outlined in the Fringe Area agreement. Gibson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 6-0. CONSIDERATION OF THE FEBRUARY 6. 1997. PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES: MOTION: Bovbjerg moved to approve the minutes of the February 6, 1997, meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission, as written. Supple seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 5-0-1, with Gibson abstaining due to absence. OTHER BUSINESS: Ehrhardt and Supple discussed the Johnson County Urban Erosion Control Conference that they had attended. Supple said that alternatives to silt fencing were presented at the Conference that could be more efficient and less expensive, and she recommended that staff consider some of these alternatives. Ehrhardt mentioned a blanket discussed at the Conference that was designed to stop erosion and eventually disintegrate over time. Bovbjerg discussed an article from the "Iowa Natural Heritage" magazine on Greenways. She said that she would have it distributed to the Commission. She also cited an article in the February 20 Press -Citizen about Iowa's Attorney General Tom Miller and the use of political signs. Starr said that the election of officers would be held at the March 6 meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Lea Supple, Secretary Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte. ppdadmin%P & Z2-20. min