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Home My WebLink About2015-11-18 PACKET 04.K. REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM #� DATE 11/18/2015 • PREPARED BY: Administration Charlene Stevens ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD * * * � * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * � * * * COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST: Consider authorizing submission of comments to Washington County in regard to Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the request. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: � MEMO/LETTER: Comment Letter from Charlene R. Stevens. ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ❑ OTHER: ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: , � ' '' ��' �� i� l� ;� C� �� City Administrator ate * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * � * * * * * Cottage J Grove �here Pride and PrOsPerity Meet November 18, 2015 Ms. Molly O'Rourke P.O. BOX 6, 14949 62nd Street North Stillwater, MN 55082-6132 Dear Ms. O'Rourke, . The City of Cottage Grove is encouraged by the current Master Planning efforts for the Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. The goal that should be at the forefront of the planning effort is to make this a destination for the region. All investments in planning and construction should be completed with the intent of fulfilling that goal. The City's comments on the plan at this stage in the planning process have been broken into related sections and are detailed below. Park Access Road 1. The relocation of the Park's main entrance is highly encouraged to align with the Phase II East Point Douglas/Ravine Parkway construction project as shown in the AUAR and previous studies. 2. Based on terrain, planned trailways, and future development on the west site of Keats Avenue, the location of the pedestrian tunnel under CSAH 19 should be reviewed further with the City prior to identifying it on the Parks Master Plan map. 3. The existing park roadway has flooding issues at the lake outfall. The City would encourage collaboration with the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) on the design of this structure, which meets the regional stormwater objectives. 4. Provide for additional walk-in access locations along the western boundary of the Park to accommodate the future residential growth that will occur in the future. Trailways 1. It is suggested that the plan reflect a City and County coordinated trailhead access point at the northern border of the Park at 80th Street near Ravine Parkway. The trailhead plan should include a pedestrian underpass under 80th Street for safer access between the Upper East Ravine and Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. 2. Additional hard surFace trails that are ADA accessible should be provided within the park boundaries between 85th Street and 80th Street where feasible in order to provide an off-road experience for park users of all abilities. CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE • 12800 Ravine Parkway • Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 www.cottage-grove.org • 651-458-2800 • Fax 651-458-2897 • Equal Opportunity Employer Ms. Molly O'Rourke November 18, 2015 Page 2 of 5 3. A transportation trailway should be shown on the west side of County Road 19 to accommodate the planned growth adjacent to that roadway. 4. The continued grooming of cross country ski trails is encouraged. The inclusion of lighted trails is encouraged for those groomed cross country skiing trails. 5. The provision of winter trail opportunities designed for snowshoe use and hiking with pets is encouraged. 6. The construction of one or more pedestrian/bicycle underpasses under CSAH 19 to facilitate safe passage to the park should be considered. Final locations of the under- passes should be coordinated with the City's 2030 or 2040 Comprehensive Plans. 7. Coordinate trailway planning and connections with the East Ravine Master Plan (http://www.cottaqe-qrove.orq/docs/east ravine master plan.pdfl and the East Ravine AUAR (http://www.cottaqe-qrove.orq/docs/2015-cq-auar-revised.pdfl. 8. The installation of trail segment length signage along trailways is encouraged. 9. Ensuring that a variety of trail length loops and terrain options are available for people of all abilities is encouraged. 10. Consider providing equestrian trails within the Park with parking and access points along the eastern boundaries of the Park. Surface Water Manaqement 1. The County should continually coordinate with the South Washington Watershed District (SW1ND) on projects within the park that are of a benefit to Cottage Grove and the re- gion as a whole. As the manage conveyance of stormwater through the natural ravine systems including the park is of vital regional and local importance. 2. Coordinate stormwater conveyance planning with the East Ravine Master Plan and East Ravine AUAR. 3. Areas of periodic inundation should be utilized as trailway corridors. Natural Resource Manaqement 1. Continue partnering with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) on a fish stocking program for the lake and to provide additional shore fishing opportunities. 2. Develop a plan to actively monitor and manage the water quality and health of the lake with the goal of it no longer being on the impaired waterbody list. Ms. Molly O'Rourke November 18, 2015 Page 3 of 5 3. Actively monitor and manage the health of the dominant tree communities within the Park. 4. Actively promote native prairie restoration and management within the Park where appropriate. 5. Protect highly erodible soils during construction or general use activities within the Park. Activities and Proqraminq 1. Provide for a limited number of reservation-based rustic walk-in camping opportunities within the Park, since there is a lack of opportunities for this activity in Cottage Grove. Camping check-in could be facilitated at the County's South Service Center. 2. Provide a limited number of rustic camping cabins within the Park. 3. Coordinate with the SWWD, the Washington Conservation District, and the MnDNR to provide environmental education opportunities at the active recreational areas of the park. 4. Provide a prairie restoration and education area on the former Wozniak property along Kimbro Avenue. � ;,. a _ ,� � , (�/ � �� f • `e �,. ��ae-�`%�{ { ��' _ MF `� . f r . ��, .. . �: `�4` _ � '��, `-;, �3-,. /f�� j�`� � � - t - \ �`. _ .� .c ,. �l , l:' ��. � - [ � g�=� �� : -- t v=" � ---- .. _ f ' � ` ``. '' F y' �� `a- � �� i � / e`i,j� �y ��'�� ,4� -�F. . �; -- �.,.�{,-s� - � . .;��/�}`_ r ' - , ,;�` F✓sr �F � " �y�. < '��_ �j .�I__ a� — � � `r�,,�-:� � � ,.�:: � .v,:..�}�,..� � i .� <�� f.� � �. ,. �� :�: �-- . , �� :. _ ;y'�] , e��--�- . - ' � � = '�yP�_'��:;�� `�... 1� �„4 �,'�, _ 'f .--.�� f-� a:a � /;;z.,t��._. � - - '� .d�r.:. . F_ - - - _` �.:. . � - .. ^'�.�r..� � � ..Lr _� _ v � �'�^ � SL _—_._ -�. . —f _ . . '.—_ r . '.'.� �" �51: �� fY ( � � E �� t -�' x�.'_ � t i 9P' _- • � � r .�` ry _ � _ � � � �_J �=F�� _ . �( . .a� q __ ..._ .. . .—_ __ . __2I � S�u•-_� , s �F, ' i i .., I L ��' i� _"__- . _� _ � � T �, � Prairie Location 5. The construction of the river observation tower is encouraged with input from the City on the final design given its prominent location. 6. The construction of a destination playground within the Park is strongly encouraged. Ms. Molly O'Rourke November 18, 2015 Page 4 of 5 7. The construction of a multi-use seasonal building near the lake is highly encouraged to be included in the plan. Park Boundarv 1. Respectfully consider adding the publicly-owned parcels 26.027.21.21.0002 (7.22 acres) and 26.027.21.24.0005 (12.97 acres) to the Park Master Plan boundary, as the current locational proximity, continuity, and water course and drainage connections are clearly holistically intertwined with the Park as a whole. The land should be managed holistically. The inclusion of the 20.19 acres into the park boundary would also enable the Civic Campus land transfer to be completed in an expedited manner versus waiting for additional properties that are within the current Master Plan boundary to be subdivided and lands dedicated. � .� �� "ti: ; Address: ,Ci�f Ci�CQTFr',GE GZO�.'E t�,' : Owner Name:CITY dF CDTTAGE GROVE �p,�� Ownerkddress:f28G0�ZAVINE F.tt'ii;E J pK�YY,CO7TAGE GROVE MN 55016 S� �';.IF#E � Use Desc.1:958 hluni Srvc Other ; Use Desc.2: � Use Desc.3: �� Use Desc.4: �G4R S K I k1L'�" �\ � ` ` � `, EnGLE F:iGGE � F2AV1 t.E �` �` KI34.BR0 C7 S � �a : Sl a O�fr� , 4�0 Park Boundary Addition—South 1 Ms. Molly O'Rourke November 18, 2015 Page 5 of 5 __ _ _ _ E:,GLE FIDGE : R:.V1�9E � .• 1 .t •�r1 `�=; �r��as _:` -. -.: Klfv14� ! Address: ,CI t�`C`OF C(7l-TAGE GRC�Vt fL: i i Owner Na�a�e:CI7Y dF COTTAGE GR(3VE Otvner Address: 12800 RAI�INE l PKwlY, COTTAGE GR[7VE��1N 5501E EAGLE I Use Desc.1:958 t4uni Srac Other f fiIDGE � i � F:tiVlti� Use desc.2: `� � Use Desc.3: y: \\� KIh46RO CT S Use Desc.4: � ,� :� ;� — — \ �� \�' �,, �4 Park Boundary Addition—South 2 The City of Cottage Grove is pleased to participate in this planning process and will provide additional comments on the final draft document. Respectfully submitted, Charlene R. Stevens City Administrator CC: John Elholm, Parks Director Peter Mott, Parks Manager