08-09-99 PC Minutes
Joint Meeting of the
Golden.Valley Planning Commission
and Open Space & Recreation Commission
August 9, 1999
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission, with attendance by the Open Space &
Recreation Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall, Council Chambers, 7800
Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair
Pentel at 7:00 P.M.
Those present were Chair Pentel and Commissioners Eck, Groger, Hoffman, McAleese, and
Shaffer. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development and Beth
Knoblauch, City Planner. Those present from the Open Space & Recreation Commission were
Members Jerry Sandler, Jim Johnson and Tom Zins. Also presentwere Rick Jacobson and
Sharyl Thompson.
The Chair and Members decided to address Item III (B) of the agenda regarding a workshop
discussion on the Park Plan element of the Comprehensive Plan.
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III. Other Business
B. Workshop - Draft Report on Park Plan Element of the Comprehensive Plan
Mark Grimes gave a brief background on the process of revising the Comprehensive Plan. Rick
Jacobson explained that the Open Space and Recreation Commission and staff have reviewed
and revised the plan as shown on the draft copy distributed.
The first question was on the Priority Items (Addendum B) regarding a major park at Sweeney
Lake. Tom Zins explained that the Open Space and Recreation Commission was disappointed
in the amount of park land that was allocated in the new Hidden Lakes development, and this
item was listed to indicate that there is still interest on the part of the Commission to have more
park land adjacent to Sweeney Lake.
_ Rich Groger asked what "historically significant elements" were considered on page 6 under
"Policies". There were no specific items in mind when this was written, but rather an awareness
in the future for the City to consider.
Rich Groger also requested that the Sidewalk Committee be re-activated and work toward
getting sidewalks put in place where it has already been determined there is a need.
One Commissioner asked how the 14.5 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents compare with
other cities. Rick Jacobson replied that it is a favorable percentage.
The following items were suggested as changes:
1. Paula Pentel suggested that on the map, red dots should be shown crossing Hwy. 55 at
Rhode Island, Douglas Drive and Ottawa indicating future trail development and
encouraging safe crossing over the highway.
Minutes of a Joint Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission and
the Open Space & Recreation Commission
August 9, 1999
Page 2
2. Lester Eck pointed out that under "park Systems Classification" on page 1, it shows two
classifications: active community/neighborhood parks, and passive open space/nature
areas. However, the passive open space/nature areas should then be shown as an
underlined heading on page 2 with a definition.
3. Lester Eck also suggested that under the heading of "Goals and Policies" starting on Page
6, that the wording in each policy was redundant and could be simplified.
4. Paula Pentel suggested that the last sentence in paragraph 3 on page 4 be deleted.
5. Kevin McAleese pointed out that on page 3 "mini-park" is listed, but it does not show
anywhere else in the plan. It was decided to move St. Croix Park under the "Neighborhood
Parks" heading and eliminate the Mini-Park heading.
6. Paula Pentel suggested adding "known as Western Avenue Marsh" into the 4th paragraph
on page 4.
7. It was suggested that the first objective shown on page 7 be moved to Addendum A, "List
of Priorities".
8. On page 9, it was agreed to remove the last three words (in development plans) of Item #2 _
under "Policies".
9. Paula Pentel suggested adding the following statement to the introduction:
Park land and open space provide ecological function for wildlife habitat and
native plant species which add to the quality of life in Golden Valley.
This concluded the workshop discussion of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning
Commission continued with its regular agenda as submitted for its meeting of August 9, 1999.
I. Approval of Minutes - July 12, 1999
MOVED by Eck, seconded by Groger, and motion carried unanimously to approve the July 12,
1999 minutes as submitted.
II.
Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council and Board of Zoning Appeals
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Reports were given on recent City Council and Housing and Redevelopment Authority
meetings. Commissioner Shaffer reported on the latest Board of Zoning Appeals meeting and
requested to meet with Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, regarding certain
issues relating to potential changes to the zoning code.
III. Other Business
A. Review of Attendance
The Commission reviewed attendance over the past year.
IV. Adjournment
Chair Pentel adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 9:15 P.M.
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